Skylar Bruner describes her college experience as one big puzzle. Each aspect of her life while at Anderson is a piece that contributes to the ‘Skylar Experience.’ 

And just like puzzle pieces, they fit together to create a larger image she could not have foreseen. “All of these things that I am interested in, and skills that I didn’t realize I had prior to college, are all coming together to create what I see when I look back.” 

A large piece of Skylar’s college puzzle is her major. The degree she is pursuing is unique because she has two concentrations: she is studying public policy with concentrations in social and foreign policies. Additionally, she has a minor in public relations.  

“It’s been really awesome to pursue both. They’re both two of my passions. I love communicating with people and I love the legal world,” Skylar says. She originally thought she would go to law school when she enrolled at Anderson as a political science major, but after taking a few courses on public policy, she realized she had found her niche.  

“I do a lot of policy writing, legal writing, and I also do a lot of PR writing with my minor,” Skylar explains. “I just fell in love with both. I genuinely love how they serve different kinds of people in different ways.” 

In addition to her major, Skylar is involved in Liberty Cap, which is the history and political science club, and is in Alpha Mu Epsilon, which is the political science honors society. Through the club, she is able to connect with other students in her department at different events, often with speakers or fun activities. 

Another piece of the Skylar puzzle is her involvement with the Office of Traditional Admission, first as a college ambassador and now as an undergraduate admission intern. Skylar speaks to prospective students about political science, public policy, and public relations and she is passionate about letting students know the pathways they have that they may be unaware of. 

“Because I wish I had known coming into college how many options there were,” she says. “It’s a good way to talk to students before they feel like they are locked into something, and it’s a good way to gauge their interests and talk about those.” She tries to match the interests of the students with what Anderson offers to help these prospective students. 

That’s because she cares about truly connecting with the students and families she guides. “I love being a tour guide,” she says. “There are families that I have connected with over the course of giving tours that I still stay in contact with, which is super sweet.” 

In fact, it was a tour guide who specifically pulled her aside to talk about her interests and plans whose kindness and intentionality contributed to her decision to attend Anderson. 

The next puzzle piece fits well with Skylar’s degree as well, which is her role as Elections Director for Student Government Association (SGA). She first became involved in SGA as a freshman when she ran for senate and was elected to one of the eight positions. Last year, she was elected as the elections director.  

“We’re very close-knit, it feels like a little family,” Skylar says of the community she’s fostered with her friends and coworkers in SGA. She especially appreciates the mentorship she’s gained through the upperclassmen and staff involved in SGA.  

Skylar feels honored to be a representative of the student body, and she takes her job of giving voice to the concerns and wants of students seriously. As elections director, she has also been able to apply her public policy skills by setting bylaws and other stipulations. As she approaches graduation in May, she reflects on her experience in SGA. 

“It feels bittersweet to leave just because I’ve been in it for the past three years and I really do love it. It’s been such a sweet position to be in and to get to connect with potential candidates before they even join SGA, especially freshmen. Being able to connect with them, to help them in any way that I can, is what I really love about it.”

As part of SGA, Skylar is also responsible for planning and participating in A Day, the annual event dedicated to celebrating and improving our campus. “The community that we have at Anderson is unlike a lot of other universities and other communities,” Skylar says. “And it’s so special to celebrate that with everyone.” 

“I think a lot of this student body genuinely loves the school, but I feel like sometimes it can feel just like college or just like a place that you live, but A Day really exemplifies who we are as a university,” she says. “That is my favorite day, it’s so fun.” 

Lastly, but certainly not the least, the piece of friendship holds a lot of space within her college puzzle. Prior to attending college, Skylar had moved around more than ten times, so making and keeping friends was always difficult. Since coming to Anderson, however, she has been able to create lasting and meaningful friendships.  

“It’s really nice to have that here and know that when I leave, I’ll still cherish these friendships and look back and say, ‘Oh my goodness, this was the place that I learned and cultivated so many new friendships, and ultimately learned what friendship really looks like,’” she says. 

Skylar has gone through some of the hardest times of her life these past few years at Anderson, and the presence and love of her friends have been invaluable to her. 

“God has really confirmed this is the place that I’m supposed to be through all of the friendships that I’ve created, and all of the memories within those friendships,” Skylar reflects.  

Although she graduates soon and will move on to acquire new and different puzzle pieces, the ones she has formed at Anderson will always be a part of the jigsaw puzzle that is Skylar’s life. 

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*Featured testimonials and student success stories reflect the experiences of individual students. These stories may not be indicative of the experience for all students. Employment outcomes and job titles are not guaranteed, and results may vary based on individual circumstances, job market conditions, and other factors.  

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**If you would like to support Skylar and other students in the College of Arts and Sciences, consider giving during A Day on April 3, 2025. You can learn more about their A Day cause here.