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Greetings, graduate students of University of North Texas!
My name is Erica Paige and I am a Master of Public Administration candidate,
nonprofit management concentration at the Toulouse Graduate School. I am seeking
your election as Graduate School Council (GSC) President for the upcoming 20152016 academic year. I will be entering my second and final year in the fall and it is
my hope to be an international public servant post-graduation by serving the world
and inspiring change within underprivileged communities both in America and
abroad. I am willing and ready to serve you all in the greatest and smallest of ways
with honor, heart and extreme dedication.
I have been a public servant since I can remember. I began as a little girl singing in
senior citizen homes, volunteering at church all while growing up in a single parent
household myself. I have spent this last year serving my community in various
capacities, including traveling to India in December to serve. Now, I want to bring
that same passion and commitment to my UNT graduate school family.
My involvement in Student Government is engrained in my educational journey. I
have been involved in student government since high school and I served on
Spelman Student Government Association all four years of my undergraduate career
at Spelman College. As an active member at Spelman College, I served as special
events coordinator, Market Friday director (local market for students every Friday,
also the greatest source of revenue for SSGA) and my highest ranked position, VicePresident. As Vice-President, I presided over the House of Representatives, which
comprised of over 300 students (one from every student organization represented
on Spelman’s campus). I have also worked for the honorable Democratic Minority
Leader Nancy Pelosi as a Fall 2013 congressional intern in which I was asked to do
her personal introduction a year later at my Alma Mater. I do not tell you all of my
accolades to boast nor do I tell you to show you that I am qualified to be GSC
President. I state these past experiences to show you my heart and commitment to
service.
My platform can be described by one word, FEARLESS. Recently, I received a
necklace from a company entitled The Giving Keys. The purpose of the organization
is to give old keys a new meaning by making them into various accessories and
engraving words on them. The purpose of the word chosen by the customer is to
conquer it and as a purchaser of the product, you promise to pass it on once you
have fulfilled the meaning of the word. I chose the word fearless and I carry it
around with me as a daily reminder. It is my hope that I can provide my fellow
students with the tools and resources to be FEARLESS and then to pass it those that
are entering and to come into graduate school at UNT.
What can I do for you and why should you vote for me? My first plan of action is to
create visibility and transparency. Meetings are held once a month and each meeting
will take place in a different department building so that it is convenient for
everyone to come equally. There will also be emails sent the day after every meeting
informing all graduate students of issues discussed. Therefore, we will maintain
open and consistent communication amongst the student body. The greatest
challenge for graduate students is time. We are mostly adults with families, children
even full-time jobs so there will be e-meetings for the convenience of everyone who
want to be involved and informed. Whatever is required to fulfill the needs of our
diverse student body will be addressed and taken into consideration.
My second plan of action is to increase networking opportunities. This will be the
most important component of my Presidency. One of my greatest strengths is my
ability to connect and remain in contact with people. I will be fearless in my pursuit
to bring professionals to you in both formal and informal settings to increase job
potentials and create you with a plan post-graduation both at the Masters and PhD
level. The career services department and the Alumni of our respective programs,
has a plethora of resources. There are also surrounding schools that I will network
with on the behalf of all graduate students. I will use both of those resources to
make our community aware of available positions as well as connect with
professionals. We will also network within our community with each other after all,
we are the leaders of tomorrow and we have power within ourselves.
I have an impeccable work ethic and a commitment to being hands-on in the success
of all graduate students at UNT. After all, it is my life’s mission to do for the world
what I have the potential opportunity to do for you all. Please consider me and vote
for Erica Paige as your next GSC President. I am you and you are me, what I do is just
for me but for you. I will carry you all in my heart with every decision I make and
every stride I take.
Love Always,
Erica Paige