As president of the Student Activities Committee (SAC), Ahja Howard is responsible for planning two of the biggest and longest-running student life events at the University of Illinois Springfield each year. Planning UIS Homecoming and Springfest, a week-long competition where students face off in fun and educational games, is almost a full-time job for Howard. She also spends her time mentoring elementary school students in Springfield as a volunteer for the 4-H Mentoring Program. She was also recently inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and is a member of the Necessary Steps program. She eventually wants to start a non-profit organization that would help minorities in applying for college or finding jobs after high school.

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.