Nathan Warner
Chris Chambers, left, and Dammy Oyewumi agreed students need to be more aware of The Nest.
The two candidates running for Student Government Association president said on Wednesday they will spread awareness about how to get involved on campus.
Chris Chambers, a first-year engineering student, and Dammy Oyewumi, a first-year nursing student, met on stage in the Hawk’s Nest cafeteria for a debate. The two discussed their plans, should they be elected SGA president for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Being a leader, to me, isn’t all about responsibility,” Oyewumi said. “Sometimes you need fun, you know, just to be social. And I’m quite funny. … I’m a listening ear, too.”
Both Chambers and Oyewumi agreed that the priority of the SGA president next semester should be trying to recruit officers for the executive board and student Senate. During this election cycle, Chambers and Oyewumi, along vice president of public relations candidate Jolie So, a first-year biology student, are the only members of the student body running for any of the seven SGA offices that will be vacant at the end of this semester.
“I know that many students here would like to get involved and would like to lead, but they don’t have the opportunity to do it,” Chambers said. “They’re not aware of the opportunities that are there. So [I will focus on] making sure that we spread more awareness about The Nest, updating the nest. Hang up just a million posters. Hold events to bring awareness.”
Chambers serves as the vice president of the SGA this semester.
“Another thing I like to do is encourage creativity,” Chambers said. “I love telling anybody that works with me, works for me, that if there’s any idea, it doesn’t matter how crazy it is, let me know, and maybe we can work on it and create something really awesome.”
Both candidates agreed that being able to recognize one’s own shortcomings and ask for help is a sign of a good leader.
“Sometimes I, like, do not understand stuff because my accent isn’t like everyone else’s,” Oyewumi said. “And sometimes I don’t understand, like, English and stuff, so I have to ask [for help].”
Oyewumi, who is from Nigeria, serves as the social media chair for the African Student Association this semester.
After the hour-long debate, So took to the stage to address the audience. She said she is going to do her best to make sure students feel heard and supported.