Esme Rodriguez
- College of Arts and Sciences Senator
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
As a member of the Freshman Leadership Council, I have devoted part of my time to getting to know student government through observing senate and committee meetings. During my participation in the academic committee, I observed that every single senator had a proposed plan; they were able to follow through and update the entire committee in the progress of their own plan.
Specifically, I was able to witness the first drafts of the plan of providing parking for expecting women. A few weeks ago, I heard that the plan is coming to life. I was able to witness the fact that one person can initiate change in positive ways. Additionally, over a month ago, I was elected to attend the National Public Policy Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School where my passion was ignited to create a change by meeting several people across the nation.
I have the desire to take what I have learned in my national conferences and apply it in a sense of improving the campus. I have observed for myself that a way I can represent my constituents and improve our campus is through having the ability to initiate a resolution.
Which issue do think should be changed or improved on campus?
As a student from the College of Arts and Sciences, I have found myself talking with various people from the college who dream of going beyond undergraduate school; some dream of going to graduate school, medical school, law school, etc. The idea was brought into inspiration after witnessing Vanessa's drive of the PRAXIS books for the college of education. Before those students can enter graduate/law/medical school, they must take exams such as the LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.
The study guides and books to those exams are extremely costly let alone paying for undergraduate expenses. I want to help students go above and beyond undergraduate school by putting together a packet full of previous year's exams of the LSAT/GRE/MCAT and distribute to students who feel the need and have signed up to take those tests, as a way to give students a feel of what those standardized tests look like. I would love to create a drive and contacting/collaborating with current law/medical/graduate school students to help donate any used/new books.
On top of that, I would love to create a resolution that allows to hold de-stress festivities or make de-stress baskets containing a card with words of encouragement for students who will be taking a standardized test in order to go to graduate school.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
Through my involvement in various groups, I have managed to be civically engaged in my community. I have had instances where I wish the concerns of myself and others were not just heard, but are done something about. Through my involvement with being a paralegal for an immigration attorney, the National Temporary Protected Status Alliance, DREAMers Circulo, Make Potter's Proper (in regards to establishing a historical monument for Will Brown and other lives that are not acknowledged at the cemetery), I have exposed myself to environments where I work with diverse communities with diverse needs.
As a woman of color and first-generation student, I can relate to the struggles/concerns that some of my constituents have. Being part of groups such as the National Temporary Protected Status Alliance have given me the knowledge and reasoning to start, witness, and be part of what it takes to mobilize grassroots efforts that lead to solutions. Moreover, I have been able to observe/experience what it is like to draft a resolution and experience how it is like to be a senator by sitting in for senate/committee meetings through my involvement in the Freshman Leadership Council.
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
As a member of the Freshman Leadership Council, I have devoted part of my time to getting to know student government through observing senate and committee meetings. During my participation in the academic committee, I observed that every single senator had a proposed plan; they were able to follow through and update the entire committee in the progress of their own plan.
Specifically, I was able to witness the first drafts of the plan of providing parking for expecting women. A few weeks ago, I heard that the plan is coming to life. I was able to witness the fact that one person can initiate change in positive ways. Additionally, over a month ago, I was elected to attend the National Public Policy Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School where my passion was ignited to create a change by meeting several people across the nation.
I have the desire to take what I have learned in my national conferences and apply it in a sense of improving the campus. I have observed for myself that a way I can represent my constituents and improve our campus is through having the ability to initiate a resolution.
Which issue do think should be changed or improved on campus?
As a student from the College of Arts and Sciences, I have found myself talking with various people from the college who dream of going beyond undergraduate school; some dream of going to graduate school, medical school, law school, etc. The idea was brought into inspiration after witnessing Vanessa's drive of the PRAXIS books for the college of education. Before those students can enter graduate/law/medical school, they must take exams such as the LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.
The study guides and books to those exams are extremely costly let alone paying for undergraduate expenses. I want to help students go above and beyond undergraduate school by putting together a packet full of previous year's exams of the LSAT/GRE/MCAT and distribute to students who feel the need and have signed up to take those tests, as a way to give students a feel of what those standardized tests look like. I would love to create a drive and contacting/collaborating with current law/medical/graduate school students to help donate any used/new books.
On top of that, I would love to create a resolution that allows to hold de-stress festivities or make de-stress baskets containing a card with words of encouragement for students who will be taking a standardized test in order to go to graduate school.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
Through my involvement in various groups, I have managed to be civically engaged in my community. I have had instances where I wish the concerns of myself and others were not just heard, but are done something about. Through my involvement with being a paralegal for an immigration attorney, the National Temporary Protected Status Alliance, DREAMers Circulo, Make Potter's Proper (in regards to establishing a historical monument for Will Brown and other lives that are not acknowledged at the cemetery), I have exposed myself to environments where I work with diverse communities with diverse needs.
As a woman of color and first-generation student, I can relate to the struggles/concerns that some of my constituents have. Being part of groups such as the National Temporary Protected Status Alliance have given me the knowledge and reasoning to start, witness, and be part of what it takes to mobilize grassroots efforts that lead to solutions. Moreover, I have been able to observe/experience what it is like to draft a resolution and experience how it is like to be a senator by sitting in for senate/committee meetings through my involvement in the Freshman Leadership Council.