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Aaron Banks already had built up a significant source of life-lesson-building opportunities as a walk-on quarterback on Purdue’s football team and an industrial engineering major.

But as a learner and someone wanting even more growing experiences, Banks asked a mentor for advice last summer on what could help prepare him even more extensively for post-college life. The mentor’s answer: Student government, for which the mentor was president in the early 1990s at Purdue.

So at the start of the school year, Banks joined the board of directors for Purdue student government.

Soon after, he identified areas he thought Purdue could grow, particularly inclusion with minority groups. He didn’t think all students were being recognized and didn’t like the lack of communication with certain groups on campus. He tried to bridge that gap but could only do so much in his role.

So he knew to facilitate real change, he had to make a change.

Banks is running for Purdue student body president, alongside running mate Olivia Keller. The voting began Sunday and continues through Wednesday, and results will be announced April 10.

It’s already been quite the ride for Banks, who had never been part of a campaign, never been involved in politics and never participated in a debate before this race.

“I know there’s a lot I can give with the perspectives that I have, being a diverse person in everything I do myself, engineering, football, internships, fraternity life. I feel like can give a good perspective to Purdue student government and help with the student culture,” he said after Saturday’s football practice.

“I think if I was the face of Purdue student government more people would feel inclined to want to ask questions and feel like they can be part of Purdue student government because I come from the same backgrounds as those groups. But also inclusion isn’t just for minorities. It’s for everybody. I want everybody to feel included. … Of course you’re not going to be able to fund and help every single group, but as many as possible would be my goal. Kind of try to change the culture on campus to make sure everybody is more fairly represented.”

Banks planned to be busy campaigning early this week, but his push certainly started before the voting did.

He was in a debate on campus Thursday in front of about 100 people, he said, and he enjoyed the opportunity to be himself and showcase his personality and platform in that setting. He didn’t write notes or do much advance preparation because he wanted to “be natural.”

“It worked out,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Banks certainly would seem to have more than one built-in base.

He handed out buttons last weekend to his teammates, emblazoned with “Banks & Keller,” and he said a bunch of the players wanted to wear them for practice. (It didn’t happen.) Nearly every time he walks past a teammate, he hears “Banks and Keller” chirping, and that's being promoted, in a way, in Purdue's social media series that has players mic'ed up. Teammates already have been pushing for Banks via social media and out on campus.

“He’s the kind of high-character guy people would follow,” fellow quarterback David Blough said. “That’d be really special to have him in our quarterback room doing that. … I know he’s got as good of shot as anybody in the race. He’s got our support. We’re going to be pulling for him big-time.”

The support for Banks goes deeper than his teammates.

Coach Jeff Brohm said he’d “bet” on Banks.

“I would vote for him. I think he’s sharp,” Brohm said. “He’s got the look. He’s got the charisma. He’s got the smile. I think he’s got a good chance to win.

“I think it’s great any time our guys can take pride in the events on campus and being part of the university. I think he’ll do a great job. I would bet my money on him.”

Banks and Keller, a junior in Krannert whom Banks called “very ambitious and driven,” have three initiatives highlighted on their website: Redefining culture, enhancing community and instilling compassion.

And they have three more days to push them.

“At the end of the day, I do what I can and then don’t really worry about too much. I’ve learned that from football,” Banks said. “I’m going to go hard these next (three) days with publicizing it, and it makes it easier it’s just a link you can go to online and vote. Just trying to get it out as many people as I can.

“I’m excited.”

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