By: Reid Griffin, Contributing Writer
March is voting season at Saint Leo University. Elections for Student Government Union positions will take place via Engage Leo, starting midnight on March 3 and ending noon on March 5.
The newspaper interviewed two candidates for SGU President: Alexandra Joseph and Quiwanaki “Q” Ramsey.
Joseph, class of 2022, stresses the importance of students feeling at home and empowered on campus. “I want this position because I believe that we can all build an inclusive community,” she told The Lion’s Pride.
Currently, Joseph is a Resident Assistant, the Multicultural and Diversity Chair of the Campus Activities Board, on the Strategic Planning Committee, and the founder and host of the school radio show “The Dream Room”. She is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in political science.
If elected as president, she will advocate for more resources for future graduate students including LSAT and MCAT tutoring, healthier dining options, and more opportunities for clubs, organizations, and Career Services involvement.
Ramsey, class of ’22, told The Lions’ Pride that the upcoming school year is critical for Saint Leo’s recovery and growth. “Helping our clubs and organizations on campus to return to a sense of normalcy by having a smooth transition of power is key,” he said. “Who is better to lead the student body in the next phase of recovery than someone who was instrumental in the first?”
For four years, Ramsey has been involved with SGU: three years as an SGU senator and one year as the (current) Vice President of Operations. He is on the Student Ambassador Program Executive Board, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega fraternities, and a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. Additionally, he has been an orientation leader and a first-year experience mentor. He is majoring in political science and minoring in global studies
If elected as president, he will advocate for the creation of a Cultural Engagement Center for international students and cultural clubs, as well as a rewards program for SGU sponsored event attendance. He would like to ensure that all clubs have access to marketing and resources, regardless of size.
The newspaper also interviewed two candidates for SGU Vice President of Activities: Jodea Morris and Cornelius Clyde Jr.
Morris, class of 2023, expressed her excitement in having the opportunity to help students have memorable moments in their college life no matter the current circumstances. “With COVID-19 being a major factor in the world today,” she said, “I want to ensure that students here have ways to still enjoy their college experiences safely.”
Presently, Morris is a SGU Senator, a member of the Caribbean Student Association, and a member of Tri-Beta. She is on the Campus Activities Board committee and the Philanthropy committee. She is majoring in biomedical and health sciences and minoring in psychology.
If elected as VP of Activities, Morris will push to get more feedback from students, create a flexible schedule, and overall improve communications between SLU, SGU, and the student body. “I want to use my voice for students to be heard,” she said.
Clyde, class of 2022, will focus on the interpersonal and technological skills needed for activities on-campus. He told The Lions’ Pride that he will “advocate for more large-scale events that involve teamwork amongst students and comradery”.
His leadership positions include Resident Assistant, President of Alpha Phi Alpha, and manager of the Men’s Basketball Team. Clyde is also a member of the Campus Activity Board, the Caribbean Student Association, the Black Student Union, and the Order of Omega. He is majoring in computer science: information assurance.
If elected as VP of Activities, Clyde will promote better usage of technology and advertising for events on campus.
Finally, the newspaper interviewed one candidate for SGU Vice President of Finance: Tamar Mennell.
Mennell, class of 2022, is confident in her abilities as a candidate. “I want to be a part of the growth and successes created on campus,” she told The Lions’ Pride. “…every one of us must be understood, valued, and cherished.”
This is Mennell’s second year as Resident Assistant for freshman housing. She is also the President Elect of Lead Scholars.
If elected, she plans to he plans to promote fiscal responsibility, increase transparency, create a step-by-step tutorial on how to correctly request allocations, approve and deny allocations in a timely fashion, and advocate for an increase in club sponsorships and resources.
Students, remember to vote on EngageLeo before noon on March 5!
