The Student Trustee is a time-honored tradition at Springfield College. The Student Trustee is a voting member of the Board of Trustees, which is the primary governing body of the College and is responsible for major decisions and changes on campus. According to the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, just 10 percent of independent institutions have a student member on the Board of Trustees.
The Springfield Student asked Student Trustee candidates to provide statements and answer the following questions about their qualifications to become the next Student Trustee-elect.
1. What makes Springfield College so special to you?
2. Why are you deserving of becoming a Student Trustee?
Hannah Gilooly
1. College was never something that I saw myself going to. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but being away from home was terrifying to me. I was applying and choosing schools during the pandemic, so I was touring campuses myself. The second I walked around Springfield College, I knew it was the place for me. I wasn’t able to let my shoulders down at any other place. The intentions of spirit, mind, body and Humanics hit very close to home for me and that kickstarted my love. Seeing smiling faces, friendships, and having the opportunity to have a voice was really intriguing. There is a spot for many kinds of people to feel welcomed and heard, which I think is really cool.
2. I will soon have two years under my belt here at Springfield College. I have loved this campus from the start, but as highly as I think of it, there are some adjustments I would like to speak on. I also was never offered a position like this before, so to even have the opportunity to apply was really amazing. I have participated in a lot of leadership positions and clubs on campus, so I am getting a good grasp of the Springfield College community. I know I can be good at this, if given the chance. I am passionate, fiery, a good listener, and considerate. I cannot wait to see what else Springfield College has in store for me!
Jasmyn Roark-Somersall
1. Springfield College is special to me because this place feels like my home away from home. I feel comfortable on campus and I love meeting new people here while also making connections. Before coming to college, I had never lived away from home for a long period of time. However, Springfield College welcomed me with open arms! The friends I have made here will last a lifetime and my time here will always be valued.
2. I am deserving of becoming a Student Trustee because I have a different point of view on topics that might be talked about in future meetings. I also want to help give people on campus who may not have a voice that’s well-heard feel like they do have a voice. I want to try to help and support the campus community as much as I can!
Brooke Beneway
1. Springfield College has given me my second home. I love the people, the vibe and my life here. I want to help make a difference and do my part in making it a better place, so it continues to attract the kind of students we want. I love the way it is now, how I was able to come here and learn to call it home within my first semester, and I want to contribute to providing that feeling to more first-year students to come.
2. I am deserving of becoming a student trustee because I have what it takes to be a leader. I see myself making a difference at Springfield College through my relentlessness, determination, perseverance, hard work and grit; these are a few ways to describe my tenacity. If I get this role, it would help me achieve this goal. I’m also a good communicator and an honest person.
Carter Cochardo
1. Springfield College, to me, is not a college or an institution. It’s a community, It’s a home. This place gives me a feeling of comfortability, specifically being comfortable with being my true self. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else or pretend to act differently around people because Springfield College promotes being your true authentic self. The organizations, events and clubs this campus has to offer give students a safe environment to grow and learn to be better people, stronger leaders, and build confidence within ourselves. Springfield College is so special to me because of the space it provides to its students. I am so happy to call this place home.
2. I feel I am deserving of becoming a Student Trustee because everything I take a stab at, I give it my all and with good intention. I take every opportunity to better myself and others in the positions I have been honored to receive. During my experience as a Pre-Camp leader, attending Leadership Training Conference, fulfilling a spot as E-Board for Student Athlete Leadership Team, and en route to becoming Pride Cares certified, I have tried my hardest not to waste an opportunity. I make sure that these positions and events don’t go to waste, that I get everything I possibly can out of them while also putting others first. These positions do allow me to be a leader, so as much as I try to learn from these spots, I also make sure to give everything I can back to the people. I try to create safe spaces for all involved, keep everybody in line, make sure they feel comfortable where they are and be someone they can look up to. Creating strong and healthy relationships to build our community on this campus is something I strive for, and these leadership positions have given me the opportunities to do so. I feel deserving of the Student Trustee position because I make sure to put the campus community first, and will give my all in doing so.
Hrishikesh Lamichhane
1. When I got my acceptance letter from Springfield College, I remember talking to a few students about their experiences, and most said, “Springfield College feels like a home away from home.” A high school graduate, I had yet to learn how I could find a home 7,776 miles away in a different country with different people and cultures. Little did I know that Springfield is not just a home, but a home with family. Alden Street is where my creativity has bloomed. I started by joining the Student Honors Council, where I met like-minded students who are now my friends. I joined the YMCA club and did my first community service. A passionate writer, I joined the Alden Street Review editorial panel and explored my literary interests. As a student advocate, I advocate for peers’ wellness and health promotion. As a residential assistant, I ensure students a safe and fun on-campus living experience. From working at the Wellness Center as a service staff to working at a health association as a service counselor, Springfield College has been the foundation of my academic pursuits, community service, leadership, and passion.
The team of excellent students, faculty and staff, and the campus resources energize me daily to wake up and do great work. Springfield College is special to me because I have not only dreamt of my personal and professional growth here, but I have been experiencing the growth already. It is so special because it has allowed me to wear 10 different hats besides the student hat without questioning my individuality and intersectionality. That is where I am the most expressive and unique.
2. My passion for public health and public policy and my experiences of submerging into communities, finding a health problem, analyzing it, and designing an intervention have helped me gain insight into problem-solving. Being a Student Trustee is all about representing students and their problems. Our commonality is “students,” and this umbrella term has a wide range of students who attend Springfield College – branching out into online and traditional programs, athletes and non-athletes, American and international, numerous programs and majors, different races, classes, sexuality and gender. We all have different roots, beliefs and values but have one common primary goal – attaining education at Springfield College. With that in mind, it is crucial to note that an educational institution is evolving. What helps it grow is student perspectives. What I bring to the table differs from what you get. What you want to express should be heard. A non-biased representation where every voice matters. With the network and relationships I have built on campus, I will be able to hear your stories, concerns, and opinions and listen to them compassionately and without judgment. I will imply my organizational and analytical skills in discussing the students’ problems at the policy-making level. My experiences with public health interventions, similar to disseminating the outcome among students and disintegrating the solution on a large scale among students, will allow me to add value as a student trustee. My intersectionalities as a racial and sexual minority, my unique experiences, and passion for policy-making and intervening make me deserving of this leadership position.
Kushal Bhandari
1. Springfield College has become a new way of living for me. The fresh air of Alden Street revives my energy and reminds me of boundless opportunities I could use to thrive in my academic and personal life. I cherish the unique sense of belonging I feel at Springfield College, as this institution has not only given me a place to learn, but a community to call home.
2. I believe I would make an excellent Student Trustee because I have demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment on campus. Through my past work, I have honed my skills in promoting these essential values, and I am eager to continue building upon them in this role. Furthermore, I possess the leadership qualities necessary for success as a Student Trustee, as I am deeply committed to amplifying the voices of those students whose problems may otherwise go unnoticed or unheard.
Kevin Rosado
1. What makes Springfield College so special to me is the sense of community and inclusivity that I feel here. I immediately felt part of a family from my first day on campus. The small class sizes and supportive professors have helped me feel at home and encouraged me to succeed academically and personally.
Another thing that makes Springfield College special to me is the emphasis on student voice. The administration and faculty genuinely care about what the students think and actively seek our input on important issues. I feel like I have a say in shaping the college’s culture and policies, which makes me feel valued and respected.
Lastly, the College’s mission of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others resonates with me. I appreciate that the College doesn’t just focus on academics, but also encourages us to develop our physical and spiritual well-being. The emphasis on leadership and service to others aligns with my personal values and has motivated me to get involved in various community service activities.
Overall, Springfield College is a special place to me because of its supportive community, emphasis on student voice, and mission of educating the whole person for leadership and service to others.
2. As a college student who is deeply committed to the success of my fellow students and the institution as a whole, I believe that I am deserving of becoming a Student Trustee. I have demonstrated a track record of responsible decision-making and leadership throughout my time at this institution. As a member of several student organizations, I have gained valuable experience working collaboratively towards a common goal.
In addition, I have excellent communication skills, and I am able to effectively articulate the interests and concerns of the student body. I have always been approachable and willing to listen to the perspectives of others, which has allowed me to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing our institution.
Furthermore, I have a deep commitment to the mission of this institution, and I am passionate about ensuring that it continues to thrive for generations to come. I believe that my dedication to the values and goals of the institution, coupled with my leadership experience and communication skills, make me an ideal candidate for the Student Trustee position.
If given the opportunity to serve in this role, I would work tirelessly to represent my fellow students’ interests, ensure their voices are heard, and help steer the institution toward a future of continued excellence.
Two additional Student-Elect Candidates, Samantha Van Horn and Neilee Hess, had not replied by deadline.
Photo Courtesy Springfield College