JSO Presidential Forum 2020
Welcome by Rachel Hamann
Introduction of Candidates
Tell us about yourself. What year are you? What are you studying? Where are you from?
Randy Grinter: Biology Major, Junior, and is looking forward to graduating
Sebby Torres: Sports Management Major, Junior, and is from North Lake, IL
Nikki Dobson: Bio Chem & Chem on a Pre-Med track, Junior, and commutes from Carpentersville
What experience(s) have you had in student leadership?
Randy:
Has been Treasurer for JSO this year
It's not a traditional role on JSO
Has enjoyed getting to meet new people and look into JSO and the student situation on a different level
Being a part of the JSO team you get to work with a lot of great people
Sebby:
Business & ESS Student Advocate
Enjoys team time and growing together
Advocating for people within his majors
Two year Gen Mentor
Be more of an outgoing person
Making connections with new students
Nikki:
Has served on JSO for two years
Student Government Specialist
Commuter president
Connecting with the commuter students
Being able to foster community with one another
Tell us about some of the accomplishments that you have made as a student leader.
Randy:
Being at Judson broke me out of my shell and being a part of JSO has helped with that
Getting to know people
I have gotten to know a lot of people, fostering new relationships and engage in the community in new and different ways
Nikki:
While serving as the Student Government Specialist I was able to develop the student advocacy team
Helped to spear head the new commuter lounge space
It creates a home away from home for commuters
The new commuter lounge opening next week
Its important to connect with everyone from different backgrounds
Sebby:
Being able to be more of an outgoing person
As a Gen Mentor you get to hear from students and meet them where they are at
You get to hear their unique journey
What are your areas of strength?
Randy:
Problem solving
Likes to find solutions to problems
No mater how the problem is working he will work to find the solution
Achiever
Do as much as possible to accomplish things, get things done, and make progress
Individualization
Getting to know people on a personal level
Seeing everyone in the diverse Judson community
Hospitable
Empathetic
Nikki:
Detail oriented and organized
Developing plans and making sure that every student voice and idea is addressed
Creativity
Likes event planning; diverse events
Determined and disciplined
The liaison between student voices and faculty as a whiole
Wants everyones voices to be heard
Hospitable
Empathetic
Sebby:
Positivity
Always upbeat
Included
Wants to make sure everyone is there and will do his best to reach out if they are not
Reliablity
Responsible
Hard worker
Good listener
Listening and helping friends
Hospitable
Empathetic
What is your vision for 2020-2012 JSO?
Randy:
Philosophy in leadership: don't fix it if it's not broken
JSO has had a lot of great events
It has fostered a united atmosphere
Unity, Community, Opportunity
There is some division within the community
Wants to create a friendly atmosphere where students can thrive and shape the world even after Judson
Wants everyone to be heard
Feedback is a great tool
Wants to hear from the students and implement changes for a more positive atmosphere
Nikki:
Better implement community outreach in the Elgin area with different churches, organizations, etc.
Incorporate more local missionary/volunteer work
More partnerships with other groups on campus
Voicing their opinions and collaborating on events
Sebby:
Wants to unite athletic teams with the student body and other student groups
More partnership between JSO and athletic teams
Having events featuring the athletic team
Greater unity with the student body and JSO
Encourage potential JSO team to seek out new people and talk to them
What is your plan to make that vision a reality?
Randy:
Keep what's good
Not changing JSO completely
Past teams have set a great president
Change form of communication
Open up channels where each and every student group can share their thoughts on what's going on
Wants to make a difference
Nikki:
Three branches
Marketing does a great job with marketing events
Wants to add some more positions to amp it up
Advocacy branch
There is a lack of support from professors
Developing the positions and specifically stating what they entail
Social branch is doing well
Student feedback is important
Wants to hear from students more and provide opportunities for students voices to be heard
Fostering and keeping connections
Sebby: See question below
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
Randy:
Loves to listen and take in feedback
Talking to everyone and hear their ideas and vision for what they want Judson to look like in the future
Wants to see everyone contribute to the community
Nikki:
Experience on JSO
Has seen how each branch functions
Has talked with all of the current executive team members
Has learned what goes on, what they want their legacy to be, etc
Has a drive and a passion
Goal = Gets done
Wants to see change happen
Has been both commuter and traditional student
As a commuter she understands the daily struggles of being a commuter
Sebby:
Is personable and friendly
Getting to hear from students and knowing their personal stories
He wants to see people succeed
What events have you guys personally thrown on campus that the students have access to?
Nikki
Commuter events
Getting student deals from local places
Catering food for events
Sophomore year
Went to a lot of the events
Helped set up
Town Halls
Randy
Most deals with what happens afterwards
Hasn't had the opportunity to help with events yet
Sebby
Hasn't had the opportunity to help with events yet
But encourages students to come to the events
What are your plans for incorporating multi-major events?
Sebby
It all starts with fostering a great sense of community
Randy
Fostering community
Advocacy branch and advocates working with the majors and each other to advocate for each other
Fostering advocacy for all majors and athletes
Nikki
Putting out events that are all encompassing and diverse
Different partnerships
Maybe having an appointed position
Social branch could help with this
What are your values as you search for a new team?
Nikki
Having people who are very passionate and have a heart for service
People who are willing to come out of their shell and reach out
Diversity within the team
Randy
Having a lot of people who are passionate about making a difference and using their strengths and gifts
Loves to get to know each person and know where they would fit in within a team
There is a lot of great people here at Judson
Sebby
It's important to have variety amongst the group
What would community outreach look like?
Nikki
Looking at different organizations and opportunities for students to be a part of
Anything community oriented
Randy
It takes a great team to really make a difference
Wants to focus inwardly and then focus outwardly
Beginning with a solid foundation is important
Sebby
Having more events in the greater Elgin community
Having a team with hearts to serve the people
How have you seen yourself create and foster relationships with staff and faculty?
Sebby
Has been able to keep and build current relationships with students and faculty as a student leader and advocate
Randy
Brining what the students want and need to the faculty and staff
Being the bridge
Nikki
Has had the opportunity to sit in on staff and faculty meetings and act as a voice for change during those meetings
Has talked to a wide variety of staff and faculty
What leadership skills do you have to carry out the vision?
Nikki
Patience
Wants to get to know students; know their concerns positive and negative
Responsibility
Addresses things in a professional and timely way
Positivity
Passion, drive, and heart
Randy
Leading a team and facilitating change as a leader and friend
Inspire the team to do good work and do what they love to do
Sebby
Being able to be seen as a friend and help out in any way possible
Having good communication
Whats the best part about JSO
Sebby
Team bonding
Doing life with each other
Randy
It's a great opportunity to work alongside really great peers in making a difference that is seen throughout all of campus
Nikki
The people that encompass and impact JSO
Seeing all the different talents and goals coming together to make a difference
Are you open to making positions for athletes that are less time consuming
Nikki
Yes. Wants to create advocacy positions for athletes to participate in
Randy
Yes. He wants to incorporate athletes within the community more
Has talked with athletes about their experiences with community and being an athlete
Wants to get more feedback and ideas
Sebby
Yes. Is open to creating a part time position within JSO
What is the largest obstacle?
Sebby
Trials and set backs
It is important to work through them as a team
Randy
Time factor
It's important to set priorities
Creating a team that utilizes their strengths to become a unified more efficient team
Nikki
Purpose and communication in how you respond to adversity
Remember who you're doing it for and why you're doing
Making sure everyone feels welcome and that their voice can be heard