Boykin elected DEX state vice president

By Sonya Carney
sacarney1@cougars.ccis.edu

Columbia College junior Wayne Boykin II last month was elected state vice president of Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). Boykin, a speech communication major with a minor in marketing, is the first Columbia College student to hold a DEX statewide office.

Boykin has held numerous leadership positions in DEX and DECA chapters since high school. He currently serves as the college’s state representative and was previously the chapter president.

“I wanted to run for a state office because DEX has been a passion of mine for eight years,” Boykin said. “To hold that office means the ability to take my leadership in this organization to the next stage.”

In addition to his service with DEX, Boykin has been a leader in other organizations at Columbia College. He served as president of the Horizons Gay/Straight Alliance and as off-campus representative for the Student Government Association. He also has been a mentor and peer educator for the college.

Boykin extends his mission of service to nonprofit and community organizations. With 3,000 hours of community service under his belt, Boykin has worked on behalf of the March of Dimes and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His efforts have been honored by the Department of Secondary Education, the Missouri state legislature and the president of the United States.

“DECA was the organization that got me started in my community service. It is associated with MDA,” Boykin said. “Working through DECA and MDA, I realized the importance of community service and helping others who can’t help themselves.”

Boykin entered the DEX state competition with a bid for the office of state president. With a bylaws change, the organization created the new state office of vice president. After the votes were tallied, Josh Jackson of William Woods University was elected state president of DEX. Boykin’s second-place finish behind Jackson made him the first state vice president.

Now in a statewide office, Boykin said he looks forward to the opportunity to strengthen Missouri DEX. He said he plans to improve communication between DEX chapters across the state and with high school DECA chapters as well. He also said he wants to create a program that links DECA chapters more closely with DEX chapters. Boykin said he hopes that a stronger connection between DECA and DEX coupled with a statewide membership campaign will increase participation at the college level.

Photo of Wayne Boykin II by Sonya Carney.