A second-year kinesiology student is the new Student Government Association president.

Meredith Dales, 41, won against first-year engineering student Chris Chambers in the online election, which ended on Feb. 23.

“I’m pretty excited, to tell you the truth,” Dales, who has been involved with the college’s Leadership Challenge Program, said. “I have a really good feeling. … And I’m excited to pull from the groups that I’m involved in and do this with everybody.”

Dales replaced second-year kinesiology student Jayeim Blake, who resigned in January halfway through his two-semester term as president. Several other SGA officers resigned over winter break as well, citing academic or time-management struggles.

Students elected some of their replacements during the election for executive vice president and the vice presidents of finance and outreach.
Dales said she meditates and has good coping skills that will allow her to devote herself to her job as president.

“I almost want to say it’s a superpower. It’s a super skill,” Dales said. “Meditation is a huge part of my ability to regulate my nervous system and to perform academically.”

Dales, who plans to graduate in May, added: “The time is right. It’s in alignment with my, you know, what I’m already trying to achieve. So I feel pretty confident that, of course, we’ll be able to pull this off.”

Chambers will serve as the vice president of campus activities. Student Kade Diane will become executive vice president; Adrian Perez will serve as vice president of finance; and William Menjivar will be the vice president of outreach.

Dales, who lives in Annapolis, said she wants to be a voice for students as SGA president.

“I’m really hoping that … I can start collaborating [with students] because … taking this role on, I want to be a conduit of many,” Dales said. “This is not about me. This is about how to support the voices being heard.”

Dales, who has a 19-year-old son, added: “Being a voice for him, he just got his high school diploma. He’s got a story of his own. And you know, being a role model for him, it doesn’t ever stop. So why would I stop?”

Dales earned an associate degree in art from AACC in 2014 and a personal training certificate in 2018.

Dales said her professional goal is to be ”a voice of wellness across economic boundaries. That’s as a professional outside of school.”