Welcome to The Daily Helmsman’s first Leader Spotlight of the semester. This week, we are highlighting current SGA (Student Government Association) Vice President Christopher Bailey.
Referred to as ‘Debo’ by his peers, Bailey is currently a junior business economics major who aspires to be a lawyer once he graduates college. He is also an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and serves as the vice president for Empowered Men of Color (EMOC), an organization on campus that focuses on the academic success of colored males on campus.
Before becoming involved on campus, Bailey considered the University of Memphis as a pit-stop to something greater. Having no idea of the untapped potential he had at the time, his focus was getting good grades and transferring so he could get out of his hometown. However, someone convinced him to stay.
“I went to an EMOC meeting my first semester and told Ryan I only intended on being for one semester then leaving,” said Bailey. “He told me not to leave, and that I didn’t know what all I could accomplish. He kept me here.”
“When Chris first came to campus, he was reserved and was trying to find his niche.” said Ryan Wade, EMOC Advisor and mentor of Bailey. “Since then, I’ve watched him grow into an outstanding young man and leader on campus. He guides other students to focus on academics while also getting involved and making connections. He leads by example and with integrity.”
Bailey advocates to be a voice for all students through his involvement with the student government. His aspirations to be a lawyer stem from his passion to serve and help others.
“I just want to be of service to other people, service is something I’m very passionate about,” said Bailey. “Whatever I have to do regardless of if I gain something out of it or not, I just want to be able to help everybody out.”
He is viewed as a role model in his community and on campus. Even from an early age, his impact showed and rubbed off his peers. He is highly touted and seen as one of the most impactful leaders on campus today.
“He’s always been a person who isn’t afraid to show his personality and has showed his leadership skills since I met him in 6th grade.” said Gregg Thomas, one of his childhood friends. “As his world grew the more he cared. The more people that came into his life the more people he wanted to be involved with”
When asked about his outlook on the future of SGA, Chris expressed his goal is to help student better understand what it stands for and how they can be a resource for students on campus in times of concern.
“I hear a lot of students say they don’t understand SGA and that we don’t do a lot for them and that’s something we as an organization have to work on,” said Bailey. “I could be worried about the future, but I want to focus on where we are currently”
Bailey put a strong emphasis on how important the students are to the success of SGA. He feels that a new foundation should be set for his successors so that SGA becomes an even stronger avenue for students to have their voices heard.
“How can we lay a foundation for those who come after me so they can know what students expect of them and how to execute it,” said Bailey. “I think a really big thing we’re missing in SGA is that transition, how to go from one assembly to the next with the same goals and vision in mind... We can’t keep changing what that service looks like.”
With the next election for SGA fast approaching, instead of focusing on campaigning for another term, Bailey instead is committed to the present and continuing the bettering of SGA in whatever time he has left in his position.
Fun Fact: In his free time, Debo loves to work on any car he can get his hands on. Whether that be his own, yours, or his friends’, Bailey loves the grit and grind of the mechanical scene.
