Service and Leadership: Five Poole College Students Making a Difference through Student Government

NC State University’s tradition of leadership and service is evident across campus, especially in the hundred-plus student organizations and Student Government.

In the Poole College of Management alone, scores of students fill leadership roles in nearly two dozen student organizations, and many also are involved in organizations and service work across the university. Among those are five Poole College of Management students who are serving this year in elected leadership roles in NC State’s Student Body Government. They are:

• Chandler Thompson, student body president, senior in economics
• Lynn Clark, student body senator, senior in business administration
• Kyle Hartman, student body senator, senior in economics
• James Cronin, student body senator, senior in business administration

• Dennis Martin, student body senator, senior in accounting, informational systems concentratio

Despite the many time constraints placed on the life of a student, involvement in student government is a commitment that takes precedence over their own time, they said recent email interviews for Poole College communications.

“I love NC State,” says Student Body President Chandler Thompson. “I joined [student government] because of the opportunity to work towards positive change by improving traditions.”

“Student government is an avenue to represent, articulate the needs of, and help the students of NC State University,” Clark says.
These NC State Student Government leaders bring more than passion to the table. Their knowledge of business and related fields gives them a unique skill set that aids them in their leadership role.

“I’m an economics major,” Thompson says. “Part of my role as Student Body President is to advocate for students on committees and in conversations about tuition and fees. I believe my classes in the Poole College of Management prepare me for these situations.”

Similarly, Hartman says that, “[a]s part of the finance committee for student government, my business experience from Poole has helped me work with a team to manage our budget allocations in a feasible and effective way.”

Martin expressed the same sentiment. “My first year in Student Senate, I was privileged to sit as the chair of the Finance Committee. Being an accounting [major… made it] a great experience because it allowed me to see how financing worked at the university level. I was able to help fund many student organizations and better understand the inner workings of the university.”

The combination of leadership and business experience not only helps them with their responsibilities as students leaders now, but will also aid them in their careers in the future, they said.

“In a small business or corporation,” Clark says, “business executives and managers are faced daily with the task of deciding what will produce the best results for the company and, ultimately, the bottom line. If the decisions turn out poorly, then negative consequences most likely will occur, with an impact on the whole organization. A business education forces one to grasp this realization. As a result, when I see issues come up in Student Senate, I try and advocate for the best possible outcome that will better both my constituents and the university.”

Cronin said he hopes to use his experience in Student Government in his future career as well. “I know that my selected field (law) will be challenging,” he says, “but my experiences working with people from all different walks of life has been something I will take into my career.”

There is also potential for future political involvement for these students, many of whom expressed a desire to continue being active in the political world after graduation and beyond.

The five Student Government leaders from Poole College provided the following options for other students interested in getting involved in Student Government.

Interested in getting involved in student government?

• Email Phillip Christofferson, the executive chief ostaff, if you are interested in joining the Executive Branch of Student Government. ppchrist@ncsu.edu.

• Email ssp@ncsu.edu for more information about Student Senate opportunities.

Have questions or comments for the Student Government?

• Submit feedback on the Student Government Website.
• Email Chandler Thompson: sbp@ncsu.edu.
• Email your Student Senator. Senator contact information can be found in the Student Senate directory

• Bring your concern or idea to the Roundtable meetings and have the opportunity to present them to the Chancellor at the Chancellor’s Liaison. Email Olivia Desormeaux, executive assistant to the Student Body President, opdesorm@ncsu.edu to learn more about Roundtable and Chancellor’s Liaison.

• TalkBin allows students to text questions and feedback anonymously and have it be answered directly by the organization. You can also text TalkBin at 919-883-9039 or download the TalkBin app on any smartphone.

Websites:
http://students.ncsu.edu/
http://students.ncsu.edu/2011/06/information-about-the-91st-session/

Photo Cutline

In the photo are, left to right: Kyle Hartman, Dennis Martin, James J. Cronin III, Chandler Thompson, and Lynn Clark.