Gadiel Salinas
- College of Arts and Sciences Senator
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
I am a 2nd generation college student. In fact, it took my mother (the only other college graduate in my family) a span of 18 years to complete her degree. This life experience has in the past (and sometimes still does today) shaped my educational, social, and cultural abilities and challenges in attending a university.
I know that I am NOT the only student with this experience. By some standards, such as my socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, and being a 2nd generation student...I am considered a non-traditional college student. The main reason I am interested in a position in student government is to assist the University in integrating all students (traditional and non-traditional) to the university climate by providing educational, social, and cultural support for students at UNO.
Which issue do think should be changed or improved on campus?
The ability of our university to best serve its students is a challenge that is fluid and ever changing. As a senatorial candidate, I am most interested in addressing administrative policies at our university that affect the ability of our institution to best serve our student population.
As our student population changes demographically and in terms of student needs, our administration should adopt policies that best serve the student body. It's my philosophy that the best administrative policies will come out of a collaborative effort between our student body and administration. The issue of fostering such philosophy/culture of collaboration is a key issue I look forward to working on.
Another key issue I look forward to working on is rooted in my purpose for being in student government. I'd work to collaborate with other student government leaders, our student body, and our administration on serving the educational, social, and cultural needs of non-traditional students at our University.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
I’ve worn many “hats” so to speak. I entered the workforce at age 15 as a retail sales associate for a multitude of private corporations. By the age of 18, I was promoted to a management position. Working as an “assistant manager” from age 18-21 helped me develop professional skills that are compatible to what may be needed to sit on student government. Communication, organization, time management, leadership, and working in a team are all skills I’m confident I posses and could utilize as necessary in student government.
To compliment my vocational experience in retail management I have recently graduated from a rigorous academy of training with the Nebraska Department of Corrections. I am now serving our great state as a correctional officer within the Nebraska penal system. Though my career has just started in the correctional field, My time spent learning new skills has been concentrated and focused. I am confident to say that corrections has enhanced my skills and ability to work with a diverse group of people with different educational, cultural, and behavioral backgrounds. All while carrying out my duties as an officer to the highest of standards.
I also participated in student government as a high school student. In my school building I was a member of the “Principal's Advisory Council”. Collaborating with my HS building principal on issues that impacted the student body. Attending formal meetings, collaborating with other council members were just a couple experiences and norms of the position that qualify me to work in student government at UNO.
I also was a member of the “Omaha Student Voice Council”, which was a student council body that had students from each high school across the entire Omaha Public Schools district. The purpose of this student council was to meet with the staff of the office of equity and diversity in order to collaborate on issues and policies of equality and diversity that affect the students of the district. In closing, I’ve worn many “hats.” Meaning I have developed my professional skills and development as a young adult threw different roles I’ve taken on in my young professional and educational career. All of which certainly qualify me for student government at UNO.
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
I am a 2nd generation college student. In fact, it took my mother (the only other college graduate in my family) a span of 18 years to complete her degree. This life experience has in the past (and sometimes still does today) shaped my educational, social, and cultural abilities and challenges in attending a university.
I know that I am NOT the only student with this experience. By some standards, such as my socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, and being a 2nd generation student...I am considered a non-traditional college student. The main reason I am interested in a position in student government is to assist the University in integrating all students (traditional and non-traditional) to the university climate by providing educational, social, and cultural support for students at UNO.
Which issue do think should be changed or improved on campus?
The ability of our university to best serve its students is a challenge that is fluid and ever changing. As a senatorial candidate, I am most interested in addressing administrative policies at our university that affect the ability of our institution to best serve our student population.
As our student population changes demographically and in terms of student needs, our administration should adopt policies that best serve the student body. It's my philosophy that the best administrative policies will come out of a collaborative effort between our student body and administration. The issue of fostering such philosophy/culture of collaboration is a key issue I look forward to working on.
Another key issue I look forward to working on is rooted in my purpose for being in student government. I'd work to collaborate with other student government leaders, our student body, and our administration on serving the educational, social, and cultural needs of non-traditional students at our University.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
I’ve worn many “hats” so to speak. I entered the workforce at age 15 as a retail sales associate for a multitude of private corporations. By the age of 18, I was promoted to a management position. Working as an “assistant manager” from age 18-21 helped me develop professional skills that are compatible to what may be needed to sit on student government. Communication, organization, time management, leadership, and working in a team are all skills I’m confident I posses and could utilize as necessary in student government.
To compliment my vocational experience in retail management I have recently graduated from a rigorous academy of training with the Nebraska Department of Corrections. I am now serving our great state as a correctional officer within the Nebraska penal system. Though my career has just started in the correctional field, My time spent learning new skills has been concentrated and focused. I am confident to say that corrections has enhanced my skills and ability to work with a diverse group of people with different educational, cultural, and behavioral backgrounds. All while carrying out my duties as an officer to the highest of standards.
I also participated in student government as a high school student. In my school building I was a member of the “Principal's Advisory Council”. Collaborating with my HS building principal on issues that impacted the student body. Attending formal meetings, collaborating with other council members were just a couple experiences and norms of the position that qualify me to work in student government at UNO.
I also was a member of the “Omaha Student Voice Council”, which was a student council body that had students from each high school across the entire Omaha Public Schools district. The purpose of this student council was to meet with the staff of the office of equity and diversity in order to collaborate on issues and policies of equality and diversity that affect the students of the district. In closing, I’ve worn many “hats.” Meaning I have developed my professional skills and development as a young adult threw different roles I’ve taken on in my young professional and educational career. All of which certainly qualify me for student government at UNO.