Coming from a diverse background in both residence life and greek life, Sarah Rigsby has been hired by the university as the new assistant director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development.
Rigsby previously served as a residence hall director at Western Kentucky University’s sorority hall for two and a half years, before interviewing for a similar position at Belmont.
Last semester, Rigsby applied to be a residence director in one of the halls, but Amy Coles, director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development, knew that Rigsby had potential outside of residence life.
“You could tell she needed to be in student engagement,” Coles said.
Coles met with Rigsby and told her that she would be a great fit for Greek life. After Kevin Reynolds left Belmont in the summer, there had been no advisor for Greek life.
Coles filled the role in the interim, but is happy to welcome Rigsby to the team.
“It was a cool sort of ‘Wow, God made that happen’ moment,” Coles said.
With spring recruitment and “Greek Week” coming up in the next few weeks, Rigsby will have a full plate her first semester. But for now, her goals are humble and student-focused.
“I want to find out what you guys want and where you’re heading,” Rigsby said.
She is looking forward to working with Belmont’s unique Greek community and its Christian identity.
“The community has been so welcoming and I’m so excited to be a part of that,” Rigsby said. “And a community that can talk about their faith is very exciting for me.”
Jess Grommet, president of the Interfraternity Council echoed Rigsby’s sentiments.
“She’s been available and present during the transition of the new officers, and has looked at the way other greek systems work to bring new ideas to the table,” he said. “We’re definitely looking forward to working with Sarah.”
Rigsby graduated from Samford University in 2010 with a degree in Communication Studies, and completed her master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education at WKU.