Photo and Video Credit: Ilouisa Salazar & Wakens Leonard
Name: Shantae Whyte
Major: Biology: HMS/Che
Class standing: Sophomore
SGU position you applied for: Vice President of Activities
What experience do you have which makes you qualified for the position you’re running for and a better choice than your opponent(s)?
Firstly, as a member of Saint Leo University Senate, and Activities committee, I have direct and first-hand experience with the planning and execution of activities, including signing in, set up and breakdowns, food and novelty distribution and more. Other than Senate, four the past four years, I have managed, promoted and supervised several projects, including fundraisers, social and community events. These roles required me to keep in contact with many businesses in order to acquire sponsorship and even discounted prices, along with collecting and keeping a record of funds. From these experiences, I have developed great verbal communication skills. Even now, I keep in contact with persons, at various centers, as one of my roles under working for The Lions Pride Newspaper. Secondly, my Business Management minor, I believe, greatly qualifies me for this position. Through interactive classes, I have learned and been trained in the different techniques of promotion, leadership, motivation, good teamwork management and goal setting. In regards to being worthy component, I am member of LEAD Scholars, so I have been trained to know how to balance my responsibilities and how to work well with others. I am also a faithful and strong person of my word. If I say I’m planning to do something, I will get it done, within the laws of the constitution. Most of all I plan to take complete accountability for any mishap or failure that takes place or prevents me from achieving my goals to satisfy the student body.
Why do you want this position and what/who inspired or motivated you to run?
I want to be Vice President of Activities because I am hardworking, focused, organized, open-minded and a good listener, which I believe are necessary characteristics for VPA. In other words, I believe that I have the right skill set to fulfill this position and it would be a great honor to sit on the Executive Board of the Student Government of Saint Leo University. In my freshman year, my R.A, Joseph Thompson, mentioned that he was Vice President of Activities. Since then, I always found the idea of being in charge of all the different events quite intriguing. Most of all, Melissa Bryan, the 2016-2017 V.P of Operations, definitely increased my interest in becoming a member of the Student Government Union overall. My passion for communicating with people, planning projects/events and making people more aware and satisfied from such projects then kicked in to finally drove me to compete, specifically for Vice President of Activities. Finally, I would highly value, the opportunity to increase school spirit and community.
What do you hope to accomplish and how do you plan to accomplish these goals in your position?
I hope to increase student attendance at on-campus events, diversify food options from off-campus caterers, increase the variety to off-campus trips (concerts for example), take into consideration the opinion/suggestions of students, to increase the satisfaction from events of Saint Leo University students. I plan to accomplish these goals by reaching out to the services provided by a variety of restaurants and businesses in the nearby areas of Tampa Bay, San Antonio, Dade City and more. I plan to have a suggestion box for upcoming concert and off-campus event ideas, and do my best to see through feasible submissions. Keep track of student’s satisfaction from past events, to make room for improvement, while upholding the values and excellence of Saint Leo University.
What would your first action in office be, if you are elected?
When I am elected, my first action would be to view the database on past on-campus events’ attendance and record any differences in features that may have led to increases/decreases in attendance or student satisfaction. Also, I plan to send out a survey to the student body to get a more detailed idea of the students’ interests when it comes to Campus Activities.
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXfyu7PEp0[/embedyt]
