LSU Student Government
As a new member of LSU Student Government, I have already felt the rewarding feeling of helping out my fellow students and working to better the University and it's surrounding community. As the Director of External Affairs, I serve on the Executive Staff, under Student Body President Taylor Cox and Vice President Carrie Hebert.
My responsibilities include completing a department-specific list of initiatives such as, creating and fostering a better relationship with our Student Government sponsors, addressing concerns students have with the surrounding community with local councilwoman Tara Wicker, promoting and encouraging community spirit for university accomplishments, and promoting voter participation. Working on these things, along with attending various SG sponsored events have been extremely fun! I've met so many people and worked to create resources for future officers.
My responsibilities include completing a department-specific list of initiatives such as, creating and fostering a better relationship with our Student Government sponsors, addressing concerns students have with the surrounding community with local councilwoman Tara Wicker, promoting and encouraging community spirit for university accomplishments, and promoting voter participation. Working on these things, along with attending various SG sponsored events have been extremely fun! I've met so many people and worked to create resources for future officers.
HeadCount: partnering with SG to spread voter participation
Our table in Free Speech Alley.
Through Student Government, I was put in contact with Jonathan Brothers, regional team leader for HeadCount, a non-partisan, non-profit voter registration organization. About three times a week for six weeks, Jonathan and I sat in Free Speech Alley at LSU and held voter registration drives. We registered at least 20 students a day and answered questions about registering to vote, location of voting polls and how to apply for absentee ballots.
During these drives, Jonathan wanted to work toward making HeadCount an official LSU student organization. We worked together to turn in paper work and find three other students to serve as founders for the organization and it has now been approved! I serve as the Vice President of HeadCount at LSU under Jonathan, and we continue to think of new ideas to spread interest in civic engagement. Here is an article from the LSU Reveille about these efforts.
You can view HeadCount's official website here.
During these drives, Jonathan wanted to work toward making HeadCount an official LSU student organization. We worked together to turn in paper work and find three other students to serve as founders for the organization and it has now been approved! I serve as the Vice President of HeadCount at LSU under Jonathan, and we continue to think of new ideas to spread interest in civic engagement. Here is an article from the LSU Reveille about these efforts.
You can view HeadCount's official website here.
How to Absentee Vote: a Facebook Page
Many students kept coming to External Affairs with questions about absentee voting, which is becoming more popular across college campuses. With this brought to our attention, my staff and I spearheaded the creation of a Facebook group under "Groups at LSU" called "How to Absentee Vote!" The page itself has links to absentee ballot applications and Secretary of State's websites for every state. Additionally, we included links to each presidential candidates' websites and our contact information.
With almost 300 members of the group, we have seen an increased interest not only in absentee voting, but in the importance of general political participation.
With almost 300 members of the group, we have seen an increased interest not only in absentee voting, but in the importance of general political participation.
SG Bus Trip to Auburn University
Left: Bus Captains after an LSU victory!
Right: Officers and I packing bags.
One of the continuing Student Government traditions is funding a bus trip to an away football game. This year's Bus Trip was to Auburn University for the September 22 game. Sponsors provided bags of poms, koozies, tshirts, and coupons to students attending the Bus Trip, and SG officers serves as Bus Captains.
It was a test for my leadership and organizations skills and plus, it was so fun! The LSU Tigers came away with a victory, and the Bus Trip was an overall success!
It was a test for my leadership and organizations skills and plus, it was so fun! The LSU Tigers came away with a victory, and the Bus Trip was an overall success!
Tiger Nights
R: President Taylor Cox in the dunk tank.
L: SG officers and I with Angelah Johnson (middle, right)
One of this SG administration's initiative was to host a late-night, alcohol-free event called "Tiger Nights." Student Government used sponsor funding to have booths for other LSU student organizations, inflatables, a dunk tank, and a snack tent for the students to enjoy until 11 p.m. The first Tiger Nights ran in conjunction to the LSU Union Theater's presentation of comedienne Anjelah "Bon Qui Qui" Johnson!
We had a huge turnout, and volunteering for this event was enjoyable and I had the opportunity to meet the famous Angelah Johnson!
We had a huge turnout, and volunteering for this event was enjoyable and I had the opportunity to meet the famous Angelah Johnson!
ElectHER: Making Women Win at LSU
SG officers and I (3rd from R) the morning of ElectHER.
Student Body Vice President Carrie Hebert worked with the LSU Women's Center to host an event, "ElectHER: Making Women Win at LSU" to promote women running for offices within LSU student organizations.
I serve on the Louisiana Student Advisory Council for the American Association of University Women, who also helped put on this day-long event at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center on LSU's campus.
Volunteering for the AAUW-LSAC and LSU SG consisted of setting up the event that morning and assisting with workshops being presented throughout the day. Promoting women in positions of power is a great message, and the event had a wonderful turnout.
I serve on the Louisiana Student Advisory Council for the American Association of University Women, who also helped put on this day-long event at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center on LSU's campus.
Volunteering for the AAUW-LSAC and LSU SG consisted of setting up the event that morning and assisting with workshops being presented throughout the day. Promoting women in positions of power is a great message, and the event had a wonderful turnout.
All official SG images on this page courtesy of: LSU SG Facebook page. All other photos are personal photos.