Bo Mantooth: The man behind the name

Bo Mantooth is an epic name. It conjures up images of hardened war veterans, vicious boxers and menacing bodyguards. However, few people in our society see beyond the surface level.

Mantooth is the new Director for Student Leadership and Engagement at Union. His office is located in the Student Life suite in the Student Union Building. While the name can be somewhat intimidating, sitting in his office is strangely comforting and talking to him puts one at ease.

“Why am I being interviewed again?” he asked modestly as our conversation began, uncertain about being in the spotlight.

Mantooth, who has worked in higher education for over 12 years, most recently worked at Indiana State University. He grew up in Middle Tennessee and later earned his bachelor’s degree from UT Martin and his Ph.D. from Auburn University. He knew the Jackson area well and often visited to go to the “city” during his years at UT Martin. He said that he and his wife were talking about their next step for the future. They decided to look at Union and found a job opening.

“It was just a perfect fit,” Mantooth said. “It was what I was looking for as far as the next step professionally, and personally the location couldn’t be better. It just all lined up, and everything happened super fast.”

SLE oversees several different programs on campus, including the Student Activities Council (SAC), student councils, student organizations and Greek life. Mantooth is in charge of the Student Government Association (SGA), the three campus fraternities and student councils. He also oversees what SLE does and tries to figure out who is best equipped to help students in different areas.

Mantooth says that the previous director, Jason Castles, was taking the students on a good path and that the SLE team hopes to build on his work here. Mantooth cares about students and wants to encourage them to reach their potential in all aspects of their lives.

“[I want to] help students understand and realize their leadership potential and sort of figure out…the inside of the classroom, the outside of the classroom, their future professional walk, their spiritual walk, [and] how all of that sort of lines up together,” Mantooth said.

He wants to help any student, no matter where they are involved.

“We have different areas, whether they’re in SGA, whether they’re in a sorority, whether they’re just in a student organization that doesn’t have letters and initials,” Mantooth said. “It’s helping them understand their full potential and make their experience at Union a better experience.”

Mantooth is looking forward to the authentic atmosphere at Union.

“One of the biggest draws was the idea that my professional and spiritual walks could collide, and I could get to do that and sort of be my true self all the time,” Mantooth said.

Josiah McGee, junior political science major, is involved in SGA and is looking forward to working with Mantooth. McGee also cautions not to think of Mantooth as just a replacement.

“My first impression was strong,” McGee said. “He seemed very patient and down-to-earth. He also asked a lot of questions. He will bring his own set of experiences and knowledge, and I’m happy to observe that he seems invested and has already started putting down roots involving himself in Union and the Jackson community.”