Olivia Dinwiddie

A+ Scholarship Recipient  |  Alumni  |  Honors Students  |  Straight To SCC From High School  |  Transferred To Four-Year Institution

Who comes to mind when you hear the term “go-getter”? At St. Charles Community College, one such person is Olivia Dinwiddie, 2016-2017 Student Government President.

At Francis Howell High School, Dinwiddie was a member of the marching band, president of French club and webmaster for the drama club. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the A+ Scholarship Program. 

Her hunger increased. When she came to SCC in 2015, she became a student worker for the Student Activities Office, which led her to join Cougars Activities Crew, Cougars Care, SCC’s Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Government Association. 

“I had built positive relationships with many of SCC’s students, faculty and staff while I was working in the Student Activities Office. Becoming involved campus-wide only seemed natural,” Dinwiddie said. 

Kelley Pfeiffer, associate dean of Student Success, applauds Dinwiddie for her ability to connect with others and allow all voices to be heard without judgment. “Not only is she extremely intelligent, graduating with a 4.0, but she’s also extremely empathetic, always concerned about others and making sure she does the best she can to help them.” 

Dinwiddie became such a staple in the campus community it seemed only fitting that she would take over the reigns of the Student Government Association (SGA) when the former president graduated.

“Farhan (Babar) asked me if I was up for the challenge,” Dinwiddie recalled. “I remember feeling my stomach churn at the thought of it. I was anxious, yet excited. I felt like I had just stepped out onto the precipice of something amazing and terrifying. Here was an opportunity to make a difference on the campus I had come to love.” 

Ultimately, Dinwiddie was nominated and voted in for the presidency.

“I loved being Student Government president. Being in that position allowed me to build relationships with people I had never dreamed of getting to know. It was one of the greatest adventures of my life, while also being one of the most challenging.” 

“Olivia accomplished a great deal during her time as Student Government president,” said Dr. Barbara Kavalier, St. Charles Community College President. "She was a great representative for our college and community."

As president, Dinwiddie served both the SCC community as well as St. Charles County at large. She served on the Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service Board of Directors as a Junior Board Member, acted as Volunteer Coordinator for the St. Charles County Mayors’ Charity Ball, led the Pledge of Allegiance at SCC’s graduation and more. 

“I love SCC. I think it is incredible for the people and businesses in this community. I love to see how far it has come from its early days, and I think it has many more exciting things in store for its future.” 

Dinwiddie, who credits her SGA presidency with helping her grow and open up as a person, graduated with her Associate of Arts degree and is heading to the University of Missouri – St. Louis in the fall to work towards a bachelor’s degree in either social work or psychology.

“I found out that once you say ‘yes’ to the things that scare you, the whole world opens up.”

Last Updated: June 22, 2017