We sent out a short questionnaire to each of the 2021 USGA Senate candidates for the School of Engineering. Their answers are below.
Candidates
Bailey Anderson
Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering
Other Involvements: Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry Laboratory, SMART Leader, and TrailBlazer
Platform: 1. Place an engaged focus on mental health services. In today’s time, mental health and well-being is one of the largest challenges for students at UAB. I plan to promote additional training for all university professors and employees, and I will support increased publicity of the mental health services that are available to students. In the wake of this pandemic, student mental health has never been more important. I want to ensure that all students have access to quality mental health resources, and that all students in need take advantage of these resources.
- Promote eco-friendly initiatives that encourage a cleaner, safer campus. At UAB, the student body deeply cares about the recycling and the environment. In fact, the recycling bins in the residence halls stay full most of the time, and it can be difficult to locate other recycling bins around campus. As a senator, I will continue to promote and expand sustainable efforts across campus and the Birmingham community.
- Encourage civic engagement. I plan to ramp up the level of civic engagement that we have at UAB. This includes encouraging voting and helping students get registered to vote, educating students about the importance of social responsibility, and supporting a diverse range of student advocacy groups. I also plan to make voter education guides available to any student that would be interested. These guides would serve as a connective bridge between the candidates’ and their ideas and the student body.
- Ensure that the USGA in open and easily accessible for the entire student body. Some students have reported that it can be difficult to contact some representatives. So, I want to create an updated platform where students can reach out to representatives on an individual basis regarding questions and concerns. I also want to ensure that USGA meetings are available and open to all students. This includes promoting student participation and input in the meetings. Most importantly, instead of students reaching out to the USGA, I want the USGA to reach out to the students regarding important dates, events, and meetings.
Why you want to be in USGA? I want join the USGA because I want to advocate for the student body on key issues that we all face today. My platform centers on heavily publicizing mental health services, promoting eco-friendly initiatives, ramping up civic engagement across campus, and making the USGA easily accessible for all students. I want to collaborate with other student leaders and UAB administrators in order to improve the academic and personal experiences for all students at UAB. Most importantly, I want to join the USGA to cultivate a collaborative environment between USGA representatives, UAB administrators, and the entire student body, especially School of Engineering students.
What is the number one issue that USGA faces in the upcoming year? In the upcoming year, the number one issue that we all face is making a safe, effective transition back to in-person instruction. I am thrilled that we will get to return to the classroom beginning this summer; however, I also want to ensure that safety remains a top priority. As buildings and classrooms begin to reopen, student mental health will also be a top concern. As a member of USGA, I will collaborate with other student leaders and UAB administrators to make a smooth transition back to in-person instruction while also heavily promoting mental health services.
Why should students vote for you? I believe that I am an excellent candidate for the School of Engineering Senate because of my leadership endeavors and personal characteristics. I am involved on campus as a teaching assistant for general chemistry laboratory, a SMART Leader, and a TrailBlazer. I believe that these leadership experiences have prepared me to serve the UAB community as a senator for the USGA. I have a passion for this university and the entire student body, and it would be a great honor to serve our diverse campus community. Additionally, I am a great communicator and listener, and I will keep an open mind while applying these qualities as a Senator for the School of Engineering. I will make the USGA a top priority, as I am dedicated to advancing the academic and personal goals of all engineering students. I want to promote a collaborative environment between engineering students and UAB administrators, and my current leadership experience, my passion for this university, and my personal characteristics make me an exceptional candidate for this position.
Raheema Damani
Junior, Biomedical Engineering
Other Involvements: BMES Society, Women in STEM, Alabama Solar Decathlon
Platform: I am running for Senator of the School of Engineering to increase access to professional mentorships and opportunities available to students in research and in the industry. Some of the initiatives that are important to me include:
1) Increasing professional networking events where students can learn about up-and-coming engineering fields
2) Creating programs that encourage students from different engineering disciplines to exchange ideas and build new connections
3) Being a voice on campus for the student body of the School of Engineering
4) Increasing access and awareness of engineering students to scholarship and fellowship programs
1) Increasing professional networking events where students can learn about up-and-coming engineering fields
2) Creating programs that encourage students from different engineering disciplines to exchange ideas and build new connections
3) Being a voice on campus for the student body of the School of Engineering
4) Increasing access and awareness of engineering students to scholarship and fellowship programs
Why do you want to be in USGA? By being part of USGA, I wish to work with the student body to increase student engagement in campus life especially as we transition from remote learning to in-person classes next year. I want to work with the USGA to promote diversity, inclusion, and empathy to ensure that campus can be an engaging and welcoming environment for all UAB students.
What is the number one issue that USGA faces in the upcoming year? I believe the predominant issue that USGA will be faced with in this coming academic year will be to be a support system for students transitioning from entirely remote instruction to in-person classes and USGA will need to actively create platforms, engagement sessions, and resource pages that students can easily access. This will be essentially important for incoming freshman, who might be unsure how to traverse through campus life.
Why should students vote for you? By being part of USGA, I would like to be able to create an enriching college experience for engineering students and work with the other USGA to be able to create initiatives providing lasting professional and personal growth opportunities by promoting student health and wellness as well as increasing access to professional mentorship and networking with alumni and peers.
Kyla Gabriel
Junior, Biomedical Engineering
Other Involvements: I am a pre-med student and a member of various student organizations including the Honors College, AED Pre-Health Honors Society, Biomedical Engineering Society, and Future Health Professions. To directly impact the Birmingham community, I enjoy creating biomedical devices and educating the community on public health. Because of this, I have created a neurosurgical simulator alongside fellow engineering students, and I am working to help patients of various language backgrounds through health literacy. Because I have a passion to serve and help people, I volunteer as a resource to children at the Children’s of Alabama Hospital and actively participate in research for Alzheimer’s Disease prevention.
Platform: To better serve students on campus and advocate to their needs, I am running for senator of the Department of Engineering. Some aspects I would like to improve include (1) creating organizations and programs that give first-hand experience into career aspirations, (2) increasing racial and cultural representation in leadership on campus, and (3) find better study groups and resolutions to aid students in difficult courses.
Why do you want to be in USGA? I want to be an active member of USGA because I want to be a visual representation of diversity in student government. Furthermore, I can use my leadership skills to transform student resources as a future senator of the department of engineering.
What is the number one issue that USGA faces in the upcoming year? The number one issue that USGA faces is that it may not be able to represent every student’s voice on campus. Many students have urged to improve the resources available to students, but many of these aspects go unheard and unanswered. Because the role of USGA is to advocate for student interests, it is vital that we empower the voices of the student population.
Why should students vote for you? I believe students should vote for me because I can be a voice for people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. Because I am multi-racial, I grew up understanding the struggles of many of my peers. Many students have difficulty navigating through school because of language or cultural differences. Being a part of the Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities, I can be a leader for students who have not yet seen themselves represented in student government.
Molly Matthews
Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering
Other Involvements: I’m a member of Planned Parenthood Generation Action and I’m involved a little bit within the Honors College. I’m also a teaching assistant for a couple classes and I work at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a student assistant.
Platform: One of my focus points of the upcoming year is ensuring that student feedback is heard, specifically in relation to professors and their methods of teaching. After talking with other students and my own personal experience, it seems like no matter what students say in feedback surveys professors don’t take that feedback into account. Hopefully, this could be remedied by reviewing the current way these surveys are reviewed and modifying it so that professors have more of an incentive to listen to students. Additionally, I would like to look into making scheduling easier and having more accessible within the School of Engineering. From speaking with upper-level engineering students, it seems like once you get to a certain level of classes you only have one schedule available to you because there is only one section of the classes you are taking. Having virtually no control over your classes makes it hard to schedule class so that you have time for a job. I know personally, that I have to work in order to afford to be able to go to school, so not being able to do that would be very stressful. This may be a little difficult to implement however, by speaking with the Dean of the School of Engineering and other staff it might be possible to get a couple more class options, so students have some control over their schedule. I would also like to ensure that the transition from remote classes to in person classes is as easy as possible, especially for current freshman and transfer students who probably haven’t had a fully in person class at UAB yet. The experience of learning through zoom and learning in a classroom are very different and I think that there should be some resources available to make this transition beneficial for students. One way this could be accomplished is continuing to offer the pass/fail option while students reacclimate to being in person and also getting student feedback about how they would like to be supported during this transition. I would also like to look into revamping and promoting Engineering Peer Tutoring Center. One issue with the Engineering Peer Tutoring Center is that it is not properly promoted and utilized. A way to fix this is by encouraging professors to mention the tutoring center in their class and also communicate more with tutors so they feel more prepared for student’s question’s.
Why do you want to be in USGA? I want to be in USGA because I see how frustrated students are with certain aspects of UAB. While USGA might not be able to solve all of these problems, they do have direct contact with some high-level administration and staff at UAB that do have the power to solve these problems. There are also some issues within the School of Engineering that I want to be changed and would like to have an active role in doing so.
What is the number one issue that USGA faces in the upcoming year? I think that gaining back students trust and re-establishing the mission of USGA is a huge issue that USGA faces. I know that a lot of students feel like the majority of what USGA does is performative and doesn’t actually benefit the students. I think that increasing the transparency between USGA, specifically the executive council, and the student body will help students have a better understanding of how USGA works and allow USGA to hear more from the students they are supposed to be representing.
Why should students vote for you? Students should vote for me if they want to hold administration and professors accountable, more academic resources for upper-level classes, and to develop post pandemic academic and mental health resources to ensure a smooth transition for students.
Hannah Szcepanski
Freshman, Pre-mechanical engineering
Other Involvements: Freshman Forum, ASME, HCLC Committees, Ember Ultimate
Platform: My platform stands for community, diversity, inclusivity, advocacy, and transparency. I will continue to uphold these values during my time within USGA.
Why do you want to be in USGA? I want to be involved in decisions regarding our campus and student body and want to represent the voice of my peers to solve any concerns within the School of Engineering.
What is the number one issue that USGA faces in the upcoming year? Transparency between USGA and the student body is what I believe to be the biggest issue that USGA faces. Students should be allowed access to meeting information and USGA needs to be held accountable for any mistakes or criticisms given by students.
Why should students vote for you? I am personable and can get along with everyone. I have prior leadership and internship experience that could be beneficial to solving general issues and specific engineering concerns. I am not going to make any promises that I do not 100% believe in, but I will do my best to support our student body and act accordingly when it comes to important decisions and reactions.
