Know Your WUD Leader: Deshawn McKinney
Deshawn McKinney, the president of the Wisconsin Union, offers this advice to students: Take advantage of each and every opportunity, whether that is studying abroad or joining a student organization.
McKinney, a University of Wisconsin-Madison senior, is doing just that. He is an activist, an artist, a scholar studying creative writing and African American studies, and so much more. He was also recently awarded both the Truman and Marshall Scholarships.
Deshawn McKinney, WUD President
As Union president, McKinney chairs the Union Council, the governing board of the Union, and serves as a liaison for other campus entities. He also manages the budget for Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD), the student programming and leadership board; and helps ensure the Union team is achieving its goals.
“What’s been exciting for me this year is introducing marginalized and minoritized students to the space,” McKinney said. “These students often struggle to find home here, and I aim to normalize their feeling safe and welcomed and to normalize their ability to be leaders within the Union. I’m new to the space, as well, but I think I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback, especially on our new initiatives.”
As the UW-Madison campus living room, McKinney wants this to be a spot in which all students feel comfortable.
“The Union, the Associated Students of Madison and other organizations on campus all have the power to get things done,” McKinney said. “There are so many valuable learning experiences on campus, so I strongly urge students to get involved.”
To learn more about WUD or its committees, please visit https://union.wisc.edu/wud/.
