Happy-go-lucky is the word that comes to mind when you first meet Student Government Association president JR Husmillo. The 23-year-old finance major is in his final year here at ETSU, where he serves the student body as any notable leader, not without controversy.
Days after the dramatic Homecoming events that had the Johnson City community in an uproar, Husmillo sat in his office relaxed, legs crossed Indian-style, his face bearing its signature grin, willing to recount all he had learned and anything else required of him. A testimony of his character.
The Ludacris fiasco forced Husmillo into the spotlight. “JR handled it very well, he articulated well what the students opinioned,” said Dr. Sally Lee, associate vice president for student affairs and SGA advisor.
Lee commended other SGA members on and off the Homecoming committee as well. The unexpected community reaction has left Husmillo with, “a harder job to do than previous presidents,” said Lee, making him much more mature.
Service leadership appears to be the domineering trait that has kept the Filipino native afloat throughout his reign as SGA president. “It’s not about [credit], it’s about being there for what the students need,” he said describing his position as solely that of servitude to the ETSU student body.
He uses this principle even within the Student Government itself. “There’s been less controversy among the SGA themselves,” said Lee, “What’s happened is that he pulls everyone together.”
In 1996, after moving to Johnson City from New York with his family because of his dad’s job as a structural engineer, Husmillo began attending Science Hill High School where he served as senior class president. After graduating he attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) before transferring to ETSU and changing his major. He saves money on expenses by living with family, and becomes very involved in campus life. He was appointed SGA chief justice in his first year.
Almost three years later, Husmillo holds the title of SGA president. He’s a member of the social fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha; Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity; POLO (Preview and Orientation Leader Organization); and once held the title of Homecoming King. He seems excited about his accomplishments, but in JR-style commented modestly with a contagious laugh, “I didn’t like the crown, it was big and bulky,” he said. “I liked the sash but not the crown.”
Family is important to Husmillo. He currently lives in what he describes as a, “little brick house,” with his cousin, brother and best friend. In fact, it’s his brothers – including the one he jokingly described as a seventh year senior here at ETSU – which he holds as role models. “He’s like my best friend, we’re so much alike,” he said of housemate and brother Mark, 25. While he referred to August, 26, who lives in Salem, N.C., as a successful achiever, a people person, who is worth admiring simply because of the presence he brings.
As his term nears an end, Husmillo takes memories and lessons dear to him. “Don’t give up, just because something doesn’t go your way, doesn’t mean you have to stop there,” he said of the latest homecoming efforts adding that the support he received from students and administrators was a significant motivating factor. “There are more people behind you than you think,” he said.
The SGA president however does have issues with his alma mater, including construction, which he admitted was for the greater good in spite of the inconveniences. “We do have a drive to be diverse, but I think people in general need to be open-minded,” he listed as his ETSU pet peeve. ” It’s everyone’s responsibility,” he added.
Husmillo has made his mark on ETSU, as the first SGA president to initiate the student concert, and allocated the increased student activities fee passed last spring, but undoubtedly ETSU has also helped to shape his character. “Being SGA president, being able to represent students and serving them, this is the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” he responded when asked about his greatest achievement to date.

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