Co-creating the Future: OEB Student Council
Office of Engagement & Belonging
written by
Britney Yauger-Limtham
This year, the Office of Engagement & Belonging (OEB) for the College of Fine Arts (CFA) introduced a new initiative: a Student Council created to reflect the diverse perspectives, needs and ideas of the CFA student community.
For an office that serves five distinct schools (architecture, art, design, drama and music), along with BXA Intercollege Degree Programs, Master of Arts Management (MAM) and Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) students, creating events and resources that feel thoughtfully designed for everyone can be a challenge. Each school and program has its own unique culture, schedule and way of thinking. What works well for drama students might not feel timely or relevant to students in the School of Architecture.
“Without question, the best part of my job is getting to know the brilliantly creative students in our College of Fine Arts community,” said Britney Yauger-Limtham, associate director, CFA OEB. “I am constantly learning from their lived experiences.”
As a CFA alum from the School of Music, Yauger-Limtham brings her own student experience into the work. Still, she is quick to point out that hers is just one perspective.
“When voices are missing from the conversation, gaps in our thought process are inevitable,” she said. “The development and distribution of resources must be informed directly by the student community.”
Members of the Office of Engagement & Belonging Student Council.
That belief inspired the creation of the OEB Student Council, which brings together representatives from all five CFA schools, as well as BXA. The council meets monthly to share input on student needs, event planning and communication. It provides a space where ideas flow freely, and students can help shape what belonging looks like in CFA while being compensated for their time and energy.
This student-driven model builds on the foundation laid by OEB’s graduate assistant team, whose feedback has been vital in shaping the direction of their office over the past few years. From event planning to student support strategies, graduate assistants have provided key insight into the student experience. The new OEB Student Council expands that model to include a broader range of voices across disciplines and levels of study.
The first meeting began with some community agreements to set the tone for the conversation. Then, the council addressed some simple but important questions: Where do CFA students get their information? What should we add to the event calendar for this year? How do we expand our upcoming event to make it more inclusive for students from all schools and programs?
The student representatives shared valuable insights, laughed at their shared experiences, and got creative with their ideation.
OEB Student Council members during a November meeting.
“Can we set up a temporary tattoo station at the event?” said Mei Yu from the School of Drama.
“What if we offer five themed mocktails that represent the five CFA schools?” suggested Ashanti Ramirez from the School of Architecture.
“If you want to include live music at the event, I can connect you with the resource for hiring music students,” said Nazmee Kamal, School of Music.
When asked about what incentivizes students to attend events, an almost-unanimous answer came from the group: “Free food!”
“I felt so fortunate to share and shape ideas with these students,” Yauger-Limtham said. “They exemplify the kind of earnestness that makes me hopeful for the future. They are the leaders who will build a world worth living in.”
This group of students from different majors and artistic disciplines, many of whom were strangers before our first meeting, came together to share ideas, challenge assumptions and co-create a collective vision for how to truly serve the CFA community.
Through this new Student Council, the Office of Engagement & Belonging continues its mission to create a more inclusive, connected and creative CFA. Now more than ever, student voices are not just being heard; they are leading the way.