Karina Collins is a sophomore majoring in public health who currently serves as a senator for the College of Human Environmental Sciences.  

Q: How did you get involved with SGA? 

A: “Okay, so last year, I ran for senator for the College of Human Environmental Sciences, I ran because my friend kind of encouraged me to do it. I was a little scared to run, but I went forward with it. And that’s how I got involved in SGA. So I currently serve as a senator.” 

Q: What made you want to run for this position?  

A: “Yeah, so throughout the year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a few student organizations on campus, ones that have been more prevalent recently, just for the spring semester that I worked with, was Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Black Faculty and Staff Association Ambassadors, and when I was writing legislation and my attributes past it, I kind of sat there and realized that a lot of stuff I had written this year or sponsored is related to student affairs, and … I was trying to get endorsed by the vice president for student affairs with my legislation. So I thought, you know, might as well try and run for a bigger position for this upcoming year, because I’m already so focused on trying to increase inclusion and everything within our student body. So that’s why I’m running, just because I want to amplify student voices and make sure our student body is continuously being heard.” 

Q: Why do you think you are the best choice for this position?  

A: “I think, throughout this year, I have shown that I truly care about the student body, I have been transparent with each and every student on this campus by providing a link in my Instagram bio with my linktree saying how I voted, why I voted that way, and what the actual legislation was about, I update them on what I have written throughout the year and the organization that I have worked with. So I’ve just remained transparent with the student body. And I want to continue that if I am elected for vice president for student affairs. And I also believe that I’m the best for the job, because I truly will fight for the student body and any way that I can. If they need me to talk to administration, if they need me to figure out things and try to get it passed [through] Senate I’ll reach out to anyone and everyone I can to make things make sure things are done in our Student Government Association.” 

Q: How do you plan on increasing SGA transparency? 

A: “So like I said, this year, I had the opportunity to put everything on my Instagram; in a perfect world, I’d like for us to continue, of course, to post the dockets and everything that we do already within Senate but for executive, I want to make sure that we are updating the student body on the initiatives that we’re doing, I think often students don’t know what is going on in SGA. So I want to make sure that the students know what we’re doing. Specifically for me, one of my platform points is student talks. So I want to try to hold a meeting once a month where I reach out to students and student organizations and be like, ‘Hey, I’m going to be at this specific place. I want to hear your opinions, your ideas, your concerns. And I also want to update you on what I am currently doing within SGA.’” 

Q: How do you plan to improve the student experiences for all the communities on campus? 

A: “Of course, so my three main points are safety, connection and accessibility. So through connection, I want to make sure that first generation students are able to work with alumni and be able to network with them. Of course, I’m gonna do my students talks, make sure that students are able to voice their concerns and I’m able to update them on new initiatives for accessibility. I want to do late-night transit services. I think that would affect the entire student body because I figured a lot of us go out after 7 p.m. even if it’s just to a local restaurant. And then, for accessibility, I also want to make sure that each and every student organization on this campus is aware of the new update to our student block-seating process. I’m not sure if y’all know, but it’s been updated for GPA, community involvement, and now an organization presentation interview. I want to make sure students know about that. But I just want to make sure overall, that students are aware of what’s happening on this campus. And that if they elect me, I will make sure they are aware of it.” 

Q: What is your number one overall goal with this position? 

A: “So my number one goal with this position, is truly transparency. I think this year, a few senators and I have been very transparent. And I’d like to put that in our executive council. So I just want to make sure, again, that our student body is readily aided to and that we are also readily available to them and that they know what SGA is doing and that they can voice what they think the SGA could be doing more of.” 

Q: Is there anything else you want voters to know about you? 

A: “I think that’s pretty much all. I guess of course, we can always tell them that the election is Feb. 28.”