By Tristian Evans/reporter
Christopher Anderson, who until weeks ago was homeless, was elected president of the newly formed South Campus Student Government Association.
Along with Anderson, Michael Smith was elected vice president; LaDoris Pope, parliamentarian; Jen Dobson, secretary; Quintella Lister, treasurer; and Iiesha Williams, historian.
Anderson said he ran for the office as a part of his personal “redesign.” After years of partying, drinking and doing drugs, he said he is in a good place in his life and harbors a desire to help his community.
“It’s my way of giving back to the community after making so many mistakes earlier in life,” he said, “Instead of taking, I’ll be giving.”
Anderson is a delegate of several clubs and attends TCC with the help of Visions Unlimited, a program that helps homeless individuals attend college.
“Up to about five weeks ago, that included me,” Anderson said matter-of-factly. “But with the help of this school, wonderful instructors, excellent chancellor, Salvation Army and Potter’s House, I’ve been able to go on — all of these have a hand in my redesign.”
He said his life experience will help him be successful in the position and bring knowledge to the table that others couldn’t. He said his good communication skills, hard work ethic and desire to bring people together will also help him be successful.
He wants to bridge the generation gap between the young and old and wants them to learn from each other.
“I want the [older people] to feel young and vibrant when they’re out there dealing with the day to day,” he said. “And I want [younger students] to feel mature and experienced when handling whatever comes at them.”
This is Anderson’s third semester at TCC, and he hopes to be done in 2012. He plans to double-major in management and social work with an emphasis on the latter.
His first goal as president is to get the SGA out into the public to let the students know that it exists and that it needs their participation.
“It doesn’t make sense for the [SGA officers] to hold these positions if we don’t have anything or anyone to represent,” he said.
Smith, like Anderson, is also a non-traditional student. He is confident he can make a difference, and that’s what inspired him to run for the office of vice president.
“There’s a lot of things around this campus that could be improved,” he said. “I think vice president or any [SGA office position] will provide a much-needed tool for the students.”
Smith plans to concentrate his efforts on engaging the community and creating what he calls a “culture of participation.” He’s aware he has a lot of work ahead of him but seems up to the challenge.
“I’m seeking to get a committee together that will help to advertise and get information out to students about what resources are available to them and what types of clubs that they can form,” he said.
He hopes the South SGA proves to be successful so other campuses will form similar organizations.
A desire to get more involved with the school and student body is what made sophomore Dobson decide to run for office.
“I appreciate my education and this school,” she said. “It’s kind of a second chance, so I want to give back.”
With the SGA just restarting, Dobson said she can bring organization and policy setting. She wants to get things set up for the next group of officers.
“I’ll be the one posing all the questions and getting all questions answered and covered,” she said.
One of her immediate concerns for the SGA is strengthening the communication lines between faculty and students and making sure students know where to find answers.
“I’m just thankful that the students participated in the voting and that they’re interested in being a part of this and making the school better for everyone,” she said.
Pope believes that where there is no order, there is disorder. This belief made her run for parliamentarian.
“I feel that it’s important for an organization to have a person in charge of the rules, someone who is capable of enforcing them,” she said.
Pope said her years of security experience in the corporate world making sure that rules were followed will help her contribute to the unity of the SGA.
She said her first task will be getting a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order to make sure the SGA and other groups run properly.
In addition to being parliamentarian, Pope is also the delegate for the Visions Unlimited program.
The tentative date for the SGA’s first official meeting is Nov. 18.