Two first-year students are running for Student Government Association president for the next school year.
The candidates are Chris Chambers, an engineering student, and Dammy Oyewumi, a nursing student. The winner of the election will replace second-year kinesiology student Meredith Dales, who will graduate in May.
Students may vote for president on The Nest between April 28 and May 4. Campus Current will host a debate between the two candidates on Wednesday, April 23, at 2 p.m. in the SUN cafeteria.
Chambers said he is running for president to bring the college community closer.
“I know that when it comes to community colleges and commuter colleges, the school spirit and the feeling of that regular college experience is lacking,” Chambers, who serves as vice president of public relations for the SGA this semester, said. “I want to work hard to at least bring some of that to the community college.”
Oyewumi, who spent a large portion of her life in Nigeria, agreed, adding she wants to “be a voice, just to represent the students and, like, improve the campus life and just be an advocate.”
Chambers previously ran for president in a special election in February after several SGA officers, including former President Jayeim Blake, resigned mid-semester.
Oyewumi said she has leadership experience working with youths in Nigeria. This semester, she serves as the social media chair for the African Student Association.
Chambers said a goal as president would be to make sure all SGA offices are filled.
Oyewumi said her goal is to be the voice for students, especially for foreign students.
She said most African students she knows are “scared to do a lot of things and stuff like participate. So I want to, like, be an inspiration to them.”
Both candidates said they would work hard as SGA president.
“I know I should be president because I’m going to, like, lead with passion,” Oyewumi said. “I have the passion for it, and I’ve always been leading since when I was in Nigeria.”
“I’m a hard working guy,” Chambers said. “I’m diligent. I enjoy doing what I do. I enjoy helping people.”
One candidate, student Jolie So, will also run for office during the election. So will run uncontested for the vice president of public relations role.
SGA officers will take nominations for vacant positions, including multiple vice president roles that no candidates have come forward for, next semester.
