Drew Gilmore
Drew Gilmore - president candidate
Junior finance and accounting major
From Memphis, Tennessee
1. Why are you running for student government?
Through previous leadership I have gained a diverse set of skills that can translate into the SGA presidency skill set. I can turn the University of Memphis into the best place it can possibly be.
2. What is the most important campus issue to you?
Making sure that students are getting the most out of their tuition. SGA has no control over tuition, but we can advocate for keeping tuition low. We definitely want to make sure that students are getting everything they can out of their tuition while they are here as students. So, this means improving career services and making sure the students have exactly what they need to have at the University of Memphis.
3. What do you think about the pedestrian bridge?
It looks very nice, and it is definitely something we need. It keeps students from being late for class. Some days the train stops for twenty minutes and that is not acceptable. Students are trying to get the most out of their tuition, and if they can’t get to class, the money is going to be wasted. So, I think it is an excellent addition.
4. What do you think about the new recreation center?
I was, like many other students, distraught about the situation. I did understand where President Rudd was coming from being an accounting and finance major. We do have to be efficient with our money and spending on campus, but students have been looking forward to the new recreation center. So, we definitely need to proceed with the next step towards building. I was also upset how the university relayed the information to the students. They should have been more up front and talked to the students before they made a decision.
5. What do you want to accomplish during your time in student government?
I want to make every Tiger feel included and part of the university. I want them to have the best and most efficient time here and make sure they gain as much knowledge as they can. Of course, SGA can only do so much within our power, but, if elected, we will do everything we possibly could to make sure our students could get everything they can out of this university.
6. Do you do any volunteer work?
I volunteer through my fraternity Zeta Beta Tau. I volunteer for Service on Saturdays, Habitat for Humanity and Bellevue Loves Memphis.
7. Organizations you are involved with and what role you serve:
Zeta Beta Tau —brother
SGA senator
Frosh Camp — counselor
Blue Crew — president
Fogelman Student Ambassador Board — vice president
8. Three fun facts about yourself:
1. I love to travel.
2. I love the outdoors.
3. I work at a barbecue restaurant named Marlowe’s. It is an all-Elvis themed restaurant.
Kevyanna Rawls
Kevyanna Rawls - vice president candidate
Sophomore, English and African American studies major, sociology minor
From Little Rock, Arkansas
1. Why are you running for student government?
I believe that my talents and abilities as a leader would help me make a greater difference on campus through legislation with other benefits. I believe working with other senators will help make the greatest impact on campus.
2. What is the most important campus issue to you?
Representation and inclusion — I believe that working through senators we can make a student government association more reflective of our students and more diverse. Since we do have students from more than 36 countries, 50 states and two territories, we have to make sure these students are represented and their issues are not put to the side. This includes disabilities, even the sexuality differences. Just making sure those things are included with speaking to students and making sure they feel as though they are represented and represented well.
3. What do you think about the pedestrian bridge?
I am very excited that it is being built and we will have the opportunity to get to class faster. We will avoid getting stopped by the train and avoid having to climb over the train. So, that safety measure is important and making sure that it gets taken care of. I am still concerned about the dark spaces, but I have faith that it would be taken care of officially.
4. What do you think about the new recreation center?
I was very disappointed that it was delayed. I am excited to see what they end up doing considering the reconstruction and the redoing of the plans. Just seeing how they make the plan cost effective, as well as including the most for our tuition. Hopefully, I am able to use it. It was a big deal that students have something to look forward to.
5. What do you want to accomplish during your time in student government?
I want to make the university a better place and making sure all students feel welcomed. I want to build on things the university already has in order to guarantee that students have the best experience possible and that they feel included, not excluded.
6. Do you do any volunteer work?
I am the president of an organization called Queen in Me. Through Queen in Me, our biggest goal is to empower woman. Also, I am involved in Habitat for Humanity and Service on Saturday.
7. Organizations you are involved with and what role you serve:
SGA — RSO cabinet member
Student Activities Council — Ideas and Issues Committee
Queen in Me — president
Helen Hardin Honors Program
Black Scholars — unlimited member
Rapid Response Committee — student representative
8. Three fun facts about yourself:
1. I like Boomerangs (Gifs).
2. I am a frozen yogurt mixologist.
3. I like bubbles.
