Meet The Candidates Who Want To Represent You In The Most Powerful Lobbying Group On Campus
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| (Source: Uthman Badru, Senator Candidate) |
On Thursday, the Student Government Association (SGA) will open its polls to student in its annual fall elections for new student senators. There are 27 candidates and 25 available seats.
Since student government is arguably the most powerful lobbying group on campus, with its positions on official policy going all the up to the Board of Regents desk and it being the official voice of 10,000 UT-Tyler students, The Campus Conservative Blog attempted to contact all 25 candidates via email Tuesday to learn more about who wants to run this powerful organization.
Thirteen candidates responded and the Blog includes their responses below. The Campus Conservative is grateful for candidates’ responses on short notice and hopes the information they provided can produce a more educated and empowered student voter.
Here are some of UT-Tyler’s Fall 2018 student government candidates.
Uthman Badru
I am running for the Student Body at Large seat.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I want to be a senator because I seek an opportunity of offer my leadership experiences to serve the students, as well as promote overall growth and achievements of every student on campus through variant innovative ideas that I intend to bring with me to the office.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
To run for this office, I am offering my experiences and know-how. I was the Vice President of the Student Government Association at Navarro College. I was also an active member of the Texas Junior College Student Government association (TJCSGA).
I am a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors. I have received several awards and recognition from my previous school owing to my contributions; I had been awarded the: Most Outstanding Student of the Year Award; Top Dawg, to mention but a few.
I am a problem solver, I am dedicated to serving others to make the world a better place; I am a team player and I get along with everyone. I am creative and innovative, and I look forward to suggest meaningful ideas that will help improve personal, social and academic achievements of every student on this campus. I am goal oriented, and I keep a positive attitude to everything
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
As a senator, I look forward to suggest meaningful ideas that will help improve personal, social and academic achievements of every student on this campus. I will also to the best of my ability represent the concerns and ideas of every student. I also will work to promote unity and respect, as well as equality.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Voting for me is a legit investment, as I will ensure to work for you; I will be there to listen to your concerns and work to ensure providing a satisfying solution. I will promote your ideas and welcome your suggestions. I will be responsible and accountable to you for all issues regarding my representation, and most importantly, I will be transparent in my dealings.
Q: Anything else you would like students to know?
As an individual, I am self- motivated, goal driven and diligent. I identify and respects the difference in people. I take it as a duty to inculcate positive vibes into my environment, I am very passionate and always ready to help. Thank you for your vote.... I will strive to serve you
Gilberto Cardenas
(Photo unavailable.)
Q: What seat are you running for?
Senator for College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
This is my second year at the university and I wanted to be involved in the Student Government Association this year. All the officer positions were filled, so the next best option was to run as senator for the College of Engineering.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I have previous experience as the president for the American Society of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio. In my position as president for ASCE, I’ve had to speak to many engineering companies to invite representatives plus had to develop fundraisers (with the help of the other officers) to have enough funds to compete all over the nation in the steel bridge competition.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
I plan to fix any concerns and improve as many things as possible in the College of Engineering. I want people to notice an improvement by the end of this year.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
I am the most fit for the position due to my experience plus I will be running unopposed and there needs to be someone to fill out the position as senator for the College of Engineering.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
N/A
Austin Chambers
I am running for the Student Body at Large seat.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
There are four main reasons that I decided to run for Senator:
1. Transparency. It is a core belief of mine that transparency is one of the main roles of an elected official at any level. It is my goal to be one of, if not the most available Senator at UT Tyler.
I want to engage students of all backgrounds to understand what can do better. If elected Senator I hope to engage in honest conversation so that we may create solutions that will enhance the overall experience of every Patriot.
2. To be a voice for all students, traditional or non-traditional. I am a 23-year-old Junior at this university. I left the university for a year and a half and worked full-time for a commercial insurance company.
Through my experience, I have learned that so many of my classmates are like me in the fact that they might not have come to UT Tyler straight from high school.
The external factors that come along with being a non-traditional student play a large role in the overall college experience of so many at this school. It is my goal to have more representation of students like myself in the SGA because it is our duty to maximize the experience of all students at UT Tyler.
3. To continue the growth of UT Tyler as the pillar of higher education in East Texas. UT Tyler has changed so much in the short time since I first stepped foot on campus.
The opportunities for students have grown exponentially as we have transitioned from a small, local, commuter school into a university that is attracting top notch students from everywhere around the world.
The education that is available here in Tyler, Texas is incredible to say the least. As our community continues to grow, the opportunities on campus are following suit. I am so proud to be apart of our ever-growing campus and I know this institution can produce leaders across all industries around the globe.
4. Work as a liaison between the students and university officials to promote beneficial programs for students to encourage personal growth and success.
I do not believe that a university’s sole purpose is to teach you a few classes and hand you a piece of paper that says you can start applying for jobs.
A university should be here to help guide students into their future success. As a senator, I want to work with my fellow students, our faculty, and our administration to best use our vast resources to create a campus environment that is conducive to personal growth and success.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I served in student government throughout my primary education as a representative, officer, or President every year from 2nd-12th grade. I am familiar with the process that goes into student governance, and how we can use our power to create actual impact in the daily lives of students.
My most relevant skills are that I am an outgoing, approachable person who is committed to giving full effort to accomplish my goals. I am comfortable and confident to engage in meaningful conversation with those who I know can assist me in accomplishing the goals of the student body.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
I am not coming into this election with an agenda. I simply want to be a senator of the people. My
only goal as a member of the SGA is to serve as a voice to all students.
I plan to be engaged with campus activities, form and maintain relationships across campus organizations, and to continue the strong relationships between student leaders and our university officials. This is the only way, in my opinion, that the needs and wants of our student body can appropriately be acted upon.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
I believe that I can be an effective senator because I genuinely care. I am so thankful to have some great mentors in my personal life, and there is no way I would be in a position to serve as senator if it were not for them.
I have learned that we all experience adversity in different ways and every individual handles it in their own way. That is what makes us unique!
There is a fine line between overcoming adversity and falling victim to it, and most of the time the difference is having someone to go to bat for you who genuinely cares. If elected senator, I hope to provide that open line of communication to anyone and everyone who needs it.
Q: Anything else you’d like students to know?
It would be an absolute honor to represent the student body in the SGA. If elected, I look forward to forging relationships and creating solutions to improve the UT Tyler experience for everyone.
Jimmy Counihan
I am running primarily for Freshman Senator but my name will be under all the seats that apply to me. (Student body at-large/Liberty Landing resident)
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I am running because I think student government anywhere can always do a better job of being more visible and as someone who is looking to get involved in things like model UN, art, and Debate I can be a bridge to not only the freshmen class but other, smaller, less represented groups.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I went to high school in Austin, Texas and was president and Vice President prior to that of a school with around 3,000 students. I often had to make large speeches, participate in spirit rally’s, lead group meetings, organize charity events, and do all the gardening on our campus.
While some of these are more applicable than others I think I’ll be able to draw on my experience as a leader and effectively represent the freshmen class using both policy proposals, personal influence, and through coalition building.
I also served as the only student on an the Austin Independent School District’s Advisory Committee where I represented my school of 3,000 and 82,000 other students who attended AISD schools. On that I learned how systems are run and how bureaucracy moves.
Lastly, I was the president of my debate team and competed in congressional debate where I had to manage rooms of thirty or more people using Roberts Rules of Order. I learned how to manage rooms fast and fair while also giving speeches that concisely state my arguments.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
First and for most I want to learn more about Tyler. I am not a native to East Texas and I have a lot to learn.
But I’d like to improve livability on campus with sidewalks, better access to the lakes, (I think canoe rentals would be great way to raise money) and also better communication between housing complexes so that residents can broaden their communities and students can have better access to the events going on around campus.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
I think students should vote for me because while I like to have fun I’m also ready to double down, learn about the community, and work with others to bring change people can see and experience.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
I’d like people to know I care a lot about Tyler and public service. I want to major in government and social work because I have always wanted to do the most good when and where ever I can.
Ava Floyd
I’m running for freshman senator, as well as Liberty Landing representative.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I want to be a senator because I not only enjoy planning events but I also want to make a positive impact on UT Tyler.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I’m an extremely organized and detail oriented person. I was the logistics chair my high school’s Model UN conference for three years in a row, as well as was involved in NHS and a teen leadership organization known as Teen Impact officer.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
I hope to help plan fun events that students want to be involved in, as well as hear students concerns on what can be done to improve.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Students should vote for me because I not only care about the students’ wants and needs, but also because I believe to be a highly qualified candidate.
Natoya Inglis
Q: What seat are you running for?
I will be running for Freshman Senator.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I would like to be a senator to further develop the educational, socio-economic status of the college community in which I reside. In doing so I will be able to raise awareness of the student body within their particular career fields.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I am an individual equipped with many skills and talents including but not limited to excellent oral and communicable skills, being bilingual, detail oriented, and dedicated. In addition, I am adaptable to change and work very well on any given team.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
I would like to accomplish a speedy process in registration, advising new students, and providing more resources to parents and students in the financial aid department.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Students should vote for me because I am reliable, I complete any given task or assignment in a timely manner. I would also be an advocate for students' rights while trying to improve students life on and off campus.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
I hail from the lush tropical beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia and I moved to Texas when I was ten years of age.
Fahim Khan
Q: What seat are you running for?
College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
Lots of international students are coming to UT Tyler and we can truly make it a center for world class education if we can get everyone to feel equal and i just want to be their voice because I believe that being an international student myself I can understand them better.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I have traveled a lot so I feel that I can understand people. I know a lot of people in UT Tyler so it will be easier for me to work with them better and understand their concerns and hopefully solve them. The best part is I am neutral so I wont be making biased decisions.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
As a senator, the first thing that I would do is try to make the campus more connected. We have bike sharing now but a lot of people aren't using it still. Definitely try to improve the wifi, do community service and focus on cleanliness and hygiene.
Improving Quality of the MET food is another thing that I hope to achieve. My other goals would be to host fundraisers, dances and recreational nights where all students can get together and have fun.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Students should vote for me because I am one of them. I do not want to lead them into darkness and gloom. I want to work with them, be amongst(sic) them and guide them. That is how I hope to improve our University.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
I am from Bangladesh and I come from a political background so I tend to know what to do. I am an organized, hard working individual who will do whatever it takes to improve conditions for both existing students and future students.
Mir Khan
Q: What seat are you running for?
I am running for a freshman seat in the Rules Committee. However, I am more than willing to take part in other committees should I not get into this one.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I have a great passion for optimizing and extending the role and influence of students for their educational institutions, and I believe I have the significant and needed skills required to be a part of that movement.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
I believe I am a natural born leader. In high school, I was secretary for the business organization DECA and also the secretary of Habitat for Humanity for over 2 years.
I won my position by exhibiting leadership and taking action when I filled in for officers who could not do the work themselves.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
As a member of the Rules Committee, I will ensure that the rules and regulations of UT Tyler Student Government are air-tight and followed, and I hope to extend my influence into other important aspects of SGA so that we, as a collective, can create a strong and smooth system of student voice, protocol, and process.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Back in my hometown of Sugar Land, Texas, I have a reputation for taking charge when needed and going above and beyond my duty to set the bar higher and accomplish more than the bare minimum.
I can form positive and productive relationships with students and staff alike, and I will do my best to make sure that everything is in place and running as it's intended to.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
I'm excited for the opportunities I'll come across and the people I'll meet!
Josh Menhennett
Q: What seat are you running for?
I am running for Freshman Senator of the Class of 2022.
Q: Why do you want to be a senator?
I want to be Senator because I want to be in a great position to make a positive change on campus, but more importantly in Tyler.
Q: What skills and experience would you bring to this role?
My experience includes being my high school student council Vice President then President during my Senior year.
I led my council to receive two Sweepstakes awards during both years. During high school I accumulated over 400 service hours towards my school, community and state projects. I am also very outgoing and have a large familiarity with Tyler and its areas.
Q: What do you plan to accomplish as senator?
As Senator I would love to start an organization involving the class of 2022 in its entirety in service projects in Tyler and its surrounding cities. I also want the class to have a voice to find positive change in all fields.
Q: Why should students vote for you?
Students should vote for me because I am outgoing enough to step out of the box and pursue large endeavors. I also think people should vote for me because I find myself capable of letting people find how outgoing and how great leaders they can be.
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
I think students should know that I'm willing to go above and beyond typical expectations of a student government officer, and take many hours of my personal time and devote them to the needs of the class.
Twitter: @Jhescock
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