Major: Electrical Engineering
Minor: Applied Dance Studies
College: SCSE
Representatives must sit on at least one committee. How will you work with your fellow student representatives and committee members to solve problems, raise awareness, or make changes at UMD?
As someone who is involved in the Sustainability Committee, the Legislative Relations Committee, and the D.E.I. Committee, there are several topics I aim to help promote with fellow student representatives. There is a reason why my major is in Electrical Engineering, my mind is wired for identifying the problem and conjuring the solution. I am also a supportive team member who will listen to my fellow student representatives and committee members with an open mind. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to make necessary changes is the fear of speaking up. Whether you would prefer your ideas to be credited or remain anonymous I am not afraid to step up and discuss it with the members of the SGA. Everyone has an important aspect to bring to the table, and our job as members of SGA is to listen, compromise, and create a better college experience for the community we have on campus.
Describe any leadership experience you have.
I have had several experiences as a team leader in a work setting. There’s a lot to do as a Front Desk Agent. At the small hotel I worked at, I had to assign rooms to clean for each of the housekeepers. Check-in and out guests and tend to their various needs and requests. I had to keep the peace when speaking with frustrated customers over the phone, and if anything went wrong during the day, I was the supervisor to report to. It was my responsibility as a leader to be flexible and ready to help out at a moment's notice in case something went awry. It was my job to make sure the daily tasks were completed each shift.
Describe the relationship between Student Government Association and the student body. Explain how you as a leader and a member of this collaborative organization might strengthen and/or maintain this relationship.
The relationship between Student Government Association and the student body should be a close relationship where there’s opportunity for lines to blur. After all, anyone can sign up to join a committee meeting on the UMD SGA page, and the members of SGA are students too. I’ve made an effort to get to know a lot of the freshmen because I believe being a good leader starts with understanding my peers on the most standard, small-talk level. That way, I know I will be trusted by my peers to execute changes and promotions on campus, and it is that way, I will keep the relationship strong.
Diversity of opinion is one of Student Government Association’s most important characteristics. In many cases, you will have individuals expressing opinions that are different from your own. How might this idea be beneficial when making critical decisions for the organization and the student body? How might you handle a situation like this as a representative?
A skill I’m thankful to have is the ability to take constructive criticism. I know that I will have different beliefs and opinions than some of my SGA committee members. This is a wonderful concept because the variety of members will be able to introduce several different action plans. I am a strong believer in middle ground and compromise. If there is a subject I disagree with, but this subject has won the majority vote, I am more than willing to set my pride aside if it is for the benefit of the entire student body.
What is a song that you think describes you?
I think the best song that describes me is Bohemian Rhapsody.
