Name: Jonathan Williams
Major: Public Relations and Communication Studies, Business Minor
Year: Junior
Hometown: Greensboro
Q: What activities are you involved in?A: On campus, I am the President of AppSpeaks, I am a Resident Assistant in Cone, and I am also involved in RUF. Other than that, I love doing outdoor things like hiking and skiing. I haven’t been camping yet, but I’m dying to go camping.
Q: What made you want to become a Resident Assistant?A: I had a great RA my freshman year, and it just seemed to be a worthwhile experience. Just to be a student leader on campus in a professional environment really appealed to me. I’ve met a lot of people, and it forces you to get to know people you wouldn’t normally associate with. Getting to know all of the residents is really cool and having a positive impact, especially on the freshmen that come in not really knowing a whole lot about college, is really rewarding.
Q: So what is App Speaks?A: We are a club that tries to create a community conversation, or discourse for our university and the larger community of Boone. We do it through Socrates Café every week and also hosting and creating forums throughout the year to get discussions going about issues facing our campus, our nation, and our world.
Q: What are some things your organization is doing this year?A: This semester we are working with the people who organized Panorama last year, which is a night of TED- inspired talks by students. We’re trying to expand the range of topics covered and overall boost participation. Because the girls who organized it last year are graduating, we just want to engage people and make sure Panorama continues in the future.
We are also partnering with other clubs on campus for Socrates café. This week we are pairing with the LGBT center and we’ve been working to promote that as much as possible. We also have been talking to the Women’s Center, SGA, and the Multicultural Center.
Q: What experiences have shaped your overall experience here at App State?A: This summer I worked in the office of senator Richard Burr in D.C. It was an awesome thing and I’m so glad it did it. It was weird applying for both Hagan and Burr but I did look into both just to cover my bases. I’m more moderate so it didn’t matter as much to me, but it was interesting working in the Republican office where not everyone shared my same viewpoint. There strangely was a lot of respect for my opinions even though I didn’t voice them too much. It was more me being a voice for senator Burr so my opinions didn’t matter in that respect.
I definitely have a lot more respect for congress and how they operate. I don’t see myself going into government but I would definitely love to work in D.C. again.
Q: What are some of your goals?A: My everyday goal is to project happiness. It sounds cliché but I like making people laugh. People always ask me why I’m smiling but smiling is my favorite. I like being involved, and new, different experiences.