38 But in many ways, Bell’s story is that of someone who made the best of the opportunities he was given and has dedicated his career to extending those opportunities to others. He said his undergraduate experience was transformative, as well as rewarding. “My time in Valdosta was definitely critical to me deciding to get involved with public service,” he shared. Given Bell’s success, one might ask where it all started. The answer, of course, is the theatre. It was because of his involvement in VSU theatre as a freshman that the soon-to-be senator and student body president entered student government. The students wanted to expand the repertoire, and Bell saw the Student Government Association as a way to have a seat at the table to achieve those goals. “That experience alone was beneficial to everything I did after that,” he said. Former VSU President Hugh C. Bailey, whom Bell regards as a great man who gave him a lot of great advice, also made a lasting impression. “I can tell you he taught me a lot about leadership,” he explained. “You can only be as strong a leader as the partners you have, and partners are important.” One early lesson in the importance of having partners for Bell is also one of his cherished memories of VSU, and Debra Holley, administrative assistant in the Department of Political Science, played a crucial role. It was August 1999, and Bell was in Washington D.C. serving as an intern for United States Representative Sanford Bishop (D-Georgia). Bell found out that he would have a chance to ask a question of then-President Bill Clinton on national television at a conference in Chicago, and he had only 24 hours to prepare. He was feeling a little lost, so he called Holley. “She was so excited for me,” he said. Holley went right to work rounding up professors to help him formulate a good question for his moment in the spotlight. On the day of the conference, polished question about working mothers and welfare reform in hand, Bell feared he would miss his chance due to time constraints, but he knew he was ready. “When you’re 19 years old and you have a chance to ask a question of the president of the United States, your confidence is pretty good at that point,” he said. Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was his T-shirt. Maybe it was because Bell, all of 6 feet 5 inches tall, tends to stand out in a crowd. Whatever it was that day, Clinton turned his way. “Out of nowhere the president points to me and kind of says tell me about this organization,” Bell shared. “Tell me about this shirt. He actually came up to me out of the whole crowd. I wasn’t nervous; I was just really excited.” Bell remembers Clinton’s legendary charisma and ability to connect from that meeting. “Bill Clinton is a different political creature,” he said. “No matter who you are, you are talking to him. You are having a conversation. You are the only person in the room.” Bell keeps his picture with Clinton in his office at the Peace Corps. Bell is on a riser, bending over a bit to fit into the frame. The president is standing a few steps below. I was fortunate enough to have a mother and father that encouraged not only a good education but also an adventurous spirit in civics. — ASHLEY BELL “ “