Mark Galvez
Q: What inspired you to run for the position of SA President?
A: I was a missionary kid, so I lived in Adventist universities for most of my life. I am a son of professors, and I saw the struggle of international students throughout the years. These students are more than just a number of diversity, or a number to raise scholarships. These are my family and friends.
My predecessors had such incredible leadership, but I think we can always aim to do better. I think that person to do better can be me. Through a lot of prayer, fasting and conversation with the Lord, I decided to run. I love this campus, I see a lot of passion and talents here. I hope to continue Rhidge’s ministry.
Q: What are some changes you hope to make?
A: I’m making changes as Senator, which I hope to continue if I’m elected President. Some of the changes include, solving transportation issues for car-less students, creating better experiences for international students, growing the Activate Southern movement and a meal plan app. I also want to focus on emotional health because I believe that’s very important.
I’m putting in a lot of hours to make change, and I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep.
Q: If you’re elected, what kind of leader do you hope to be?A: Open as possible. Previous presidents have always been friends to the students. This is the kind of excellence I hope to achieve. I hope to interact with and meet with new students daily. I have so much respect for the passion, drive and determination of the students. Nobody can do you, like you. I want to be as open as the previous presidents were but in my own way. I want to be fashionable in my own clothes, a good communicator in my own words and hopefully half as successful. I’m not perfect, but I know what I’m capable of. I have confidence that God can work through me, just like He can work through anybody else.
Q: How do you plan to implement more spiritual activities on campus?A: There has always been an emphasis on spirituality with SA and Campus Ministries. They have done a great job, and I think that spiritual change has succeeded organizationally and institutionally. I won’t fix something that isn’t broken. I would like to support every spiritual initiative on campus, and I plan to visit every life group on campus. Not because I’m a theology major, but because I’m a Christian.
Delaney Harris
Q: What inspired you to run for the position of SA President?
A: It all started last summer, when I felt very impressed. At first I was nervous, but I prayed a lot and asked God if He wanted me to run that somebody would come up to me and ask specifically. A week later, somebody stopped me on the promenade and asked if I would ever consider running. I feel like there is so much change that can take place on our campus, and I want to be part of that change.
Q: What are some changes you hope to make?
A: The biggest change I would hope to make is to bring in an SA position for health. This person would facilitate things like fitness competitions, focus on dietary health, etc. I would also love it if the culinary art majors could get involved. Perhaps someday they could take over the cafeteria menu for a day? Fitness and health are really important issues to me, and I want to provide more options for people.
Q: If you’re elected, what kind of leader do you hope to be?A: I want to reflect kindness. I think having a positive attitude is so important and can go a long way. I also want to reflect the changes I incorporate. But most importantly, I want to reflect the character of God and incorporate all the fruits of the spirit in my life every day.
Q: How do you plan to implement more spiritual activities on campus?
A: Campus Ministries decided to add a VP of Religious Life on campus. I’m really excited about that, and I want to do everything to help that person succeed. Everything we do should be God-driven. I would like to see more scripture on campus, Bible verses to help inspire us and point us back to God. I feel like sometimes religion is an afterthought, and I want it to be our main focus. When we wake up in the morning, we should be driven by our love for God.
Tiago Ferreira
Q: What inspired you to run for the position of SA President?
A: I attended the town hall meeting at convocation last semester. I felt the answers given were not concrete and there was a disconnect between leadership and the students. I heard a lot of complaints, and thought, “What are we going to do about it?” As a political science major, I think I have learned a lot of useful skills I can bring to the table. I want to step up and bridge the gap. There is a lot of potential on this campus to do great things, so let’s capitalize on it.
Q: What are some changes you hope to make?
A: Community is very important to me. I want everyone to feel at home at Southern. Some changes I hope to make are improving MyAccess to keep students up to date. I always want students to be more aware of what is happening on Senate.
It would be nice to include a political correspondent position on SA or the paper. I want to prioritize SA’s budget to reduce the costs of printing and parking. I would love to see Southern allow us to have competitive sports teams or continue to work with the administration about why meal plans are not being refunded in total. These all are big changes and will not be viable all together, but I believe with hard work we can make one or two of these things happen next year.
Q: If you’re elected, what kind of leader do you hope to be?A: I hope to be somebody who listens to the students. I will be a mediator between them and the administration. I want to give the student body their voice back.
Q: How do you plan to implement more spiritual activities on campus?
A: I want every goal we work toward to be Christ-centered. I think we can always do more spiritually. I will help every position on SA work to their capacity. I think the Religious VP will help keep spiritual activities up to date. I think you can go into any field and serve the Lord, I may not be a theology major, but I’m ready to work for God on this campus.
Eveling Grajales
Q: What inspired you to run for the position of SA President?
A: I was an SA president in high school, and when I got to Southern I realized all the potential we have to offer here. Last year, I started praying with Rhidge and Lizel, and they encouraged me in my journey to think about running. I prayed and fasted like never before, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. God really gave me peace about it, and I know He wants me to run and teach me something from this experience.
Q: What are some changes you hope to make?
A: I want to provide more options for students to develop their careers. The end goal of college is to get a job, and I want to give students the skills to do that.
I’ve also been talking with Pastor Ferguson about the idea of a spiritual leadership program. We have a church family in Collegedale, and I think we should capitalize on those connections. Everyone is a leader, even if you don’t see yourself as one, you are.
I also want to work on smaller projects that bring people together as a community. I would also really like to get more involved with Chattanooga and give students an opportunity to showcase their talents more.
Q: If you’re elected, what kind of leader do you hope to be?A: I aspire to be a leader who is a facilitator for the students. I want to be unbiased and look at non-traditional outlets. I want to pay attention to people’s time, their talents and potential. I think ideas are only as good as the work that goes behind them.
Q: How do you plan to implement more spiritual activities on campus?
A: I really love Lifegroups. I’ve had one for three years now, and it has been such a huge blessing. I want to open the floor for more people to participate in worship and music. I would love to see more mentorship happening. I like non-traditional vespers and small group discussions. I want to see more active and fun afterglow services, and I want us to challenge our faith. Let’s create a culture of intentional prayer and spirituality.
