Collins McMurray is a sophomore in chemical engineering and a lover of all things Auburn.

Serving her second term as Miss Auburn University due to the push back of Miss Alabama for safety reasons, she is as passionate as ever about her platform to change the Auburn-Opelika area’s arts education and funding.

Be Well: What is your platform and how did you decide on this platform?

Collins McMurray: My platform is “The Importance of Arts in Education”, and I focus on providing students with arts opportunities on a local and state level, as well as working with schools to allocate more funding for the arts. I have grown up involved in the arts and have been greatly benefitted by it. When I was in middle school, I noticed that arts in some schools were underfunded and underrepresented. I wanted to seek change and improve the quality of arts education throughout the state. I had the amazing opportunity to serve as Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2018 and was so fortunate to work with many schools and arts advocacy organizations to promote arts education. Over the past three years I have continued to work on my platform and bring it to the Auburn community!

BW: How have you been able to impact arts education in the Auburn-Opelika community during your time as Miss Auburn University?

CM: I have loved partnering with arts advocacy organizations, school systems, and campus organizations to promote the arts in education throughout Auburn. I have also had the opportunity to work with the Gouge Performing Arts Center. I think the most special thing I have been able to do is host an entire week on the concourse where I partnered with campus and community organizations to bring arts awareness to Auburn students.

BW: What have you learned from your time serving Auburn as Miss Auburn University?

CM: I have learned so much about the Auburn family and have become so passionate about the city and university while serving as Miss Auburn University. There are so many incredible organizations filled with amazing people and it has been such a joy to be able to serve alongside each and every one of them. I am so excited to serve again for another year!

BW: How can we as students have an impact in arts education?

CM: I think the best thing students can do to promote arts education is to immerse themselves in it! The arts are proven to benefit people tenfold academically, mentally, and socially. Seeing first-hand the lack of funding and support for arts education has instilled a passion in me, and I believe that truly understanding the benefits that the arts has for students is the first step to seeking change. Secondly, I would volunteer with organizations across campus that promote arts advocacy, and even look into serving at the Gouge center! Lastly, we can support our arts programs on campus and throughout the Auburn community by attending events, (whether they are in person or virtually), and showing our support of the arts community that is struggling so much now due to COVID-19.

Hearing more about Collins’s platform for arts education in our communities inspired me. I am glad that students have the opportunity to love and enjoy the arts, thanks to Collins’s continued efforts. 

Be well, Auburn.