On Monday, current Associated Student Government President Ben Linzey took the opportunity to discuss his time in ASG, his hopes for Colorado Mesa University and his own plans for the future.

“Definitely the most special experience I’ve had since I’ve been at Mesa,” Linzey said about his time in ASG. “It’s pretty cool to have this opportunity. I think it was interesting working through last year into this year.”

Linzey felt pride in what he’d accomplished as ASG president and expressed hope that everybody within the student government had similar pride and positive thoughts about their experiences.

“I think we’ve done a really good job this year in providing an opportunity for those to learn about themselves and to grow as leaders,” Linzey said. “So I think that’s the biggest thing I’m proud of.”

Linzey felt others who had held his position might view managing interpersonal relationships with other organizations and within ASG as the biggest challenge they faced. However, he thought the biggest challenge came in the choices he had to make.

“I think one of the most challenging aspects of this job is we come in with so many ideas and picking what you want to do and accomplish in a short time,” Linzey said. “Sometimes you’ve got to make a decision what you do and what you don’t do.”

One of the things he wasn’t able to do involved creating changes about smoking on campus. Linzey started the initiative but dropped the matter over the course of the year.  

Amongst his plans for the rest of the year, Linzey wishes to prepare Beau Flores, ASG president-elect, and his running mate, Jeff Vela, to take the reins next year. He stated the experience incoming executives would bring to their positions will help them be successful.

“I think it’s in good hands and I think the senate, coming back with a more experienced senate, is going to strengthen that and provide them with more support,” Linzey said. “The students should be represented well.”

Linzey plans on remaining in the area after graduating, hoping to work for St. Mary’s Hospital. He would also like to work with the local fire department.

“There’s still a lot of question marks for me there,” Linzey said. “But for now I’m pretty sure it’s sticking in the area and squeezing a little more juice out of Grand Junction for what it has to offer.”