Sarah Brumfield
- Graduate Studies Senator
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
UNO is very special to me. I first transferred from another Omaha institution in the summer of 2005, and graduated with my B.S. in 2008. Throughout those three (very busy) years, I found myself at a university where I knew that I was important, not just to my professors and instructors, but to the entire UNO community.
Returning for graduate school in 2018 felt like coming home; my fellow graduate students, along with the faculty and staff are an incredible family that have already done so much for me. I would like the opportunity to give back to that family by serving as a Graduate Senator.
Which issue do you think should be changed or improved on campus?
Despite representing nearly 20% of the student body, graduate students are often the most overlooked group of students on campus. A perfect example of this is the lack of a Graduate Senator in 2019-2020, and only one in 2018-2019.
It is far too common for one graduate student to not know other graduate students outside of their department, and there are even some who don't know who the other students are in their own graduate program. While UNO is different than other schools in that most graduate students work part or even full-time off-campus, this should not prevent a better sense of community being created among all graduate students.
First and foremost, there needs to be more communication about events that include reminders that, yes, even graduate students can participate in both on-campus and off-campus events. Another important piece of information that I believe needs to be more well known are the number of resources available to students, especially financial assistance and SNAP benefits.
Finally, I believe that more consideration needs to be done when planning special events on campus, whether this involves exploring the possibility of adjusting the hours of an event, or even holding events specifically catered to graduate students.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
I have held various leadership positions throughout my life at the local, state, and national level. Through those rolls I have learned valuable skills, including event planning, public relations, organization, and communication. I enjoy both working with and helping others, staying busy, and never like to turn down a challenge.
Additional Information
Why are you running for Student Government?
UNO is very special to me. I first transferred from another Omaha institution in the summer of 2005, and graduated with my B.S. in 2008. Throughout those three (very busy) years, I found myself at a university where I knew that I was important, not just to my professors and instructors, but to the entire UNO community.
Returning for graduate school in 2018 felt like coming home; my fellow graduate students, along with the faculty and staff are an incredible family that have already done so much for me. I would like the opportunity to give back to that family by serving as a Graduate Senator.
Which issue do you think should be changed or improved on campus?
Despite representing nearly 20% of the student body, graduate students are often the most overlooked group of students on campus. A perfect example of this is the lack of a Graduate Senator in 2019-2020, and only one in 2018-2019.
It is far too common for one graduate student to not know other graduate students outside of their department, and there are even some who don't know who the other students are in their own graduate program. While UNO is different than other schools in that most graduate students work part or even full-time off-campus, this should not prevent a better sense of community being created among all graduate students.
First and foremost, there needs to be more communication about events that include reminders that, yes, even graduate students can participate in both on-campus and off-campus events. Another important piece of information that I believe needs to be more well known are the number of resources available to students, especially financial assistance and SNAP benefits.
Finally, I believe that more consideration needs to be done when planning special events on campus, whether this involves exploring the possibility of adjusting the hours of an event, or even holding events specifically catered to graduate students.
What makes you qualified to sit on Student Government?
I have held various leadership positions throughout my life at the local, state, and national level. Through those rolls I have learned valuable skills, including event planning, public relations, organization, and communication. I enjoy both working with and helping others, staying busy, and never like to turn down a challenge.