Samantha Simmons is a sophomore majoring in political science and the current chief administrative officer for academic affairs. She is running uncontested to be the next vice president for academic affairs.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: My peers and I came to UA to receive a quality education first, and I know that our peers deserve an advocate who dedicates their time to making the academic experience at UA a positive one. I have found so much fulfillment in helping students succeed academically. What a joy it will be to know that I will be helping community leaders across the nation succeed in their coursework and professions. I care deeply about students across campus, and it would be an honor to serve in this role.
Q: What are the key parts of your platform?
A: My platform is focused on giving students the tools and resources they need to thrive academically while fostering meaningful partnerships with the community and faculty to celebrate academic achievements. I’m grateful to be a part of a team that worked diligently to gather student feedback through surveys after our events. This valuable data helps us understand what students appreciate and where there is a need for improvements within SGA academic affairs.
With this insight, I’m excited to create a more meaningful, thoughtful and intentional experience that directly addresses student needs. It is truly an honor to contribute to the continued success of our campus community, and I look forward to supporting students in a way that makes a real difference.
Finally, I’m excited at the chance to provide a voice to our students, faculty and administrators, from attending Faculty Senate meetings to serving as a member of the University’s core curriculum ready and willing to serve in this capacity.
Q: What are two specific conditions you want to accomplish in this position, and what time frames will you accomplish them in?
A: My team and I crafted an incredibly digital platform that works with the needs of students from across campus. First and foremost, being proactive in our outreach system organizations by expanding the SGA club chat initiative. This will happen the first day that we’re in office. I hope to partner with each Executive Council member, team with students face-to-face and tell them about the resources that we offer, while learning about how we can best serve them. We also believe that it is crucial for our peers to know that SGA is rooting for their academic success.
I will work to bring back the SGA president’s list reception, where the celebration will allow students to form connections with faculty and friendships with other students. I will begin working on this program over the summer. Hopefully, as the next vice president for academic affairs, I want to ensure that students know how much my team and I care about them, both here at UA and after graduation.
Q: Your position is uncontested this year. Knowing this, how will student voters be able to hold you to your campaign promises?
A: I truly don’t take being uncontested for granted. I want to assure the student body that I’m fully committed to serving you and delivering on every promise I’ve made. One initiative that I’m particularly passionate about is encouraging SGA Executive Council to connect with as many student organizations as possible throughout the year to ensure that we’re being held accountable by the student body.
I believe that meeting students face-to-face, we can foster a deeper understanding of what SGA does and how we can make a meaningful impact on student life. Engagement will not only strengthen our connection to students, but also create future engagements in the years to come. My goal is to make sure that every student feels heard, valued and created in the process. My team and I will also keep the monthly tabling outside the Student Center to make students aware of the resources that we have to offer.
Q: How would you define the role of vice president of academic affairs, and how do you plan to make an impact?
A: Vice president for academic affairs is a peer advocate on behalf of the 40,000 students. I’ll constantly be in meetings with faculty, advocating on behalf of the academic success of my peers, reading initiatives that best serve them, equipping them to succeed academically, intentionally celebrating their success and sustaining the critical programming that peers value. I really hope that students will constantly hold me accountable through my daily initiatives and meeting students face-to-face.
I’ve actually served in this role as chief administrative officer for academic affairs throughout the year, so I have the institutional knowledge to have a head start in the process and have those faculty connections. My team and I have been really intentional about serving students before and after programming, so we know what students value in various programs and we know where we need to catch up to meet student needs, and I’m excited to use that data for programs.
Q: What are your top priorities for improving the academic experience?
A: We have to reward academic success by partnering with the community to provide student discounts when they are on the dean’s or president’s list. We also hope that students are aware that SGA is here to support them and celebrate their successes. I really am fortunate to have the institutional knowledge to sustain a critical SGA programming that students value. So we will continue SGA programming like Student Success Week, Academic Acclamation Week and Legends Lives to connect students to successful alumni post grad and other various academic opportunities.
Q: What challenges do you anticipate encountering and how do you plan to overcome them?
A: I certainly feel as if all my initiatives are incredibly accomplishable, and I’m excited for a team dedicated to meeting those goals. And I always know that there will be challenges along the way, compromises with faculty and community to make sure that we succeed those goals. And so I look forward to seeking compromises and ensuring that we can achieve all of our campaign platform points.
Q: What is one last thing you want your voters to know about you?
A: I want students to know that I care deeply about their success and wellbeing. I’ve been involved in SGA throughout my college experience. I’ve also made a point to engage with student organizations outside of the SGA office. This involvement is the main perspective on the challenges students face, and it has equipped me with the understanding to create meaningful solutions to those challenges. I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to dedicate myself to your success in the next administration, and I would be honored to earn your vote. Please join me in this journey of growth and success with students on Feb. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on myBama.
