– Your major and your post-grad goal(s).
As a biology major with a pre-medical concentration, my first career goal is to commission in the United States Navy as a Doctor. I want to serve those that deserve the care they need, especially in third-world countries.
After gaining valuable experience in the military, I plan to pursue a political career in an effort to represent the underrepresented as government doesn’t always work in our favor. I know what it’s like to live through adversity, but I also know that a helping hand, open ears, and a clear conscience can change lives, and this is the premier reason why I want to get into politics.
– How you’re involved on campus.
Georgia State has over 450+ student organizations, and I’m grateful to have participated in many, especially in those I’ve held leadership. In Student Government, I’ve garnered a passion in politics that has led me to join impactful groups such as Panthers for Bernie and Young Democrats of GSU. With International Students Association Council, I’ve experienced multiculturalism through organizations such as Saudi Arabian Students Association and Filipino Student Association. Through the Office of Leadership Development, I earned a leadership certificate through their transformative Student Leadership Series. From Sept. 2014 to Feb. 2016, I served as the Vice President of Medical Students Making a Difference to coordinate programs including community services, donations for the disadvantaged Atlanta population, and medical school preparations for pre-med students. Recently, I joined the Sustainable Energy Tribe to learn more about sustainability and how it can impact our everyday lives. Aside from student organizations, I work at our university as a First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) Mentor in Housing where I mentor new freshman, and in between classes, I work as a Special Events Tour Guide at the Welcome Center to immerse prospective students into GSU.
– The most pressing issues on campus.
The foremost concern of students is Campus Safety, which is broken down into issues related to: the library; the urban environment; promotion of security resources; escort service efficiency; Police-student relationships; and what I personally believe to be the most alarming, Campus Carry (HB 859).
Questions that students need addressed include: “Why are the escort services so inefficient?”; “Why are there so many cops in the library, but not enough near Aderhold?”; “Why don’t I know about the security resources I need?”; “What is GSU going to about guns in the classroom?”; and the one we all share, “do I feel safe on campus?”.
Aside from campus safety, we need to address students’ concerns with obtaining more funding for student organizations, as we’ve had major cuts this past year due to enrollment levels. We need to ensure our online systems are secure to minimize the risks of hacking and information theft.
We need to address the service of the Advisement Center and the quality of each advisement through reviewing and implementing students’ feedback. We need to advocate for longer operating hours of Panther Shuttles, Panther Dining, and the Library to accommodate for commuter students who stay on campus late. We need to address the efficacy of One Stop Shop (financial aid office) to ensure you’re getting your financial aid right the first time. We need to improve our level of sustainability initiatives to set forth a cleaner, less-polluted and healthier learning environment. All of these issues are ones that will take much dedication and effort to address, but with an ambitious and proactive Student Government Association, many issues can be addressed with the aid of our university administration.
– Your platform.
As the advocate of the student voice, I will use the office of the Executive Vice President to RISEUP our students by:
– Reviving the Organizations United Fund to increase student organization funding and increase diverse collaboration
– Improving student services from: developing a parking availability notification system through a mobile app; increasing the # of healthy, vegetarian and vegan options on campus eateries; the implementation of a 24-hour library space; and extending Panther Shuttle and Panther Dining operating hours
– Strengthening sustainability initiatives to promote a healthy learning environment
– Ensure that campus safety concerns are addressed by creating student relationships with campus police, improving security systems, (such as replacing library card scanners with biometrics ‘fingerprint’ technology), and educating personal safety outside of classrooms
– Uphold advocacy for ALL students without bias, favoritism and prejudice, and to address the discriminatory concerns students face in today’s political climate
– Promote the importance of students engaging in the political process through voter registration initiatives
– Your experience.
I’ve been a proactive member of the Student Government Association ever since my inception into Georgia State in Fall 2014. I’ve held every essential position and gained the necessary experience to lead the Student Government Association as the next Executive Vice President. I served my first role in SGA as a Freshman Liaison, a new position created by then-Senator Justin Brightharp, to advocate on behalf of the freshman body. As one of six Freshman Liaisons, I was unanimously elected by the Senate as the Head Freshman Liaison to lead our efforts in representing first-year concerns. My key role as the first Head Freshman Liaison was to define the role for future administrations, and in doing so, I was awarded the title of “Liaison of the Year” by my peers. Right into the second semester of freshman year, I applied for a senator-vacancy in the College of Arts and Sciences and was selected by the entirety of SGA to represent 1,000 students of my college. As a senator, I worked with then-Senator Brightharp, former SGA President Henson, and the Office of Sustainability to acquire the “Big Belly” solar panel recycling bins around campus. I voted in favor of this initiative to promote sustainability throughout GSU. In the 2015 SGA Elections, I was elected by the students to continue my service as a Senator in SGA.
Over the summer, the then-elect Vice President of Public Relations resigned from the position. After much encouragement from many SGA members, I applied for the vacancy and was chosen by a majority vote to succeed the position.
My tenure as Vice President of Public Relations has fully prepared my candidacy for Executive Vice President. As an Executive Board member, I got to understand the flow and functioning of SGA at every level. As the Chair of the largest standing committee, the Public Relations Committee, I learned to delegate effectively, to give individuals an opportunity to grow, and to manage a team of individuals to go out and improve this university. And as an SGA representative with over a year under my belt, I can confidently state that experiences have prepared me to be the next Executive Vice President.
– What separates you from the other candidates.
What separates myself from the other candidates is the relevant experience needed to undertake the position of Executive Vice President.
As the only candidate with over a semesters’ participation in SGA, I can state that I am the longest serving member running for Executive Vice President. As the only candidate who has served in all levels, from Liaison to Senator to Executive Board, I am able to guide every single member of the Student Government Association with total confidence. As the only candidate to have chaired the largest standing committee, I know what it takes to delegate senators not only to get work done, but to give them an opportunity to grow and undertake leadership positions.
I set myself apart through the work I’ve done in SGA and that is my greatest difference between my competitors and I – I’ve done the work needed to improve this university for our students.
– How you’ve proven to others that you’re a proud Panther.
Georgia State University has given me opportunities I’d never have anywhere else, and that is something I am proud of. I like to see myself as the direct result of what this university does for individuals – it breeds leaders to go out and change the lives of others, and that is my calling after I graduate. But until then, I plan to service and represent our university in any way that I can and that is what makes me a proud Panther.
