Name: Dylan RussellMajor: Elementary EducationYear: SeniorHometown: Boone, North Carolina
Q: So, you’re the student body president, which is a HUGE job. How did you first get involved with student government?
A: I first got involved with SGA when I was hired by the Cox and Barnes administration to be on their cabinet. I served as the Director of Campus Outreach where I met with clubs and organizations and drafted legislation off of their needs. Last year, I was pretty new to SGA, however, I wasn’t new to Appalachian; I’ve served as RUF President, an Appalachian Student Ambassador, and as a Resident Assistant while at App.
Q: Wow! You are super involved! How do you find time for yourself away from the craziness of your schedule?
A: I honestly have loved serving in this unique capacity, so I never viewed it as a chore. I love the people, opportunities, and challenges that come with this job. However, when I do need some alone time you’re likely to find me hanging out with my roommates, on the slopes, swimming or running. I also love reading and writing in my journal.
Q: It’s nice to see that even the busiest guy can catch a break! So tell me a little bit about your responsibilities as president.
A: As President, I’m tasked with the responsibility of representing the wants and needs of the 17,000 students to the administration and the state. I serve as voting member on the Board of Trustees and represent Appalachian at the Association of Student Governments. Some of my duties include serving as the only student representative on the Chancellor Search Committee, appointing the Tuition and Fees Committee, and implementing legislation passed by the Student Senate. I am also tasked to represent ASU externally. This summer I frequently lobbied in Raleigh and also worked diligently to return voting back to our campus. One of my favorite things to do is to serve as a spokesperson for the student body and to give speeches. I was honored to address audiences at the Safety Walk, the LGBT Candlelight Vigil, the Faculty Address, the LGBT Center’s Birthday, and more. I also get to work with an extraordinary cabinet and that is a blessing in and of itself.
Q: That’s awesome! But among all these responsibilities, which one is your favorite/most rewarding?
A: My favorite responsibility is advocating for students externally. NC is changing, and rapidly, and as soon as Michael and I were sworn into office, we saw that these changes threatened the student body. Some of my favorite memories involve the discussion we had during our cabinet meetings. The philosophy of our administration has been to speak truth to power. Our actions have resulted in voting restored to campus, an increase in voting turnout, national attention for lobbying against Stafford Loan Rate doubling, national attention for lobbying against guns on campus. We never asked for any of that, but for us it was going on with the speaking truth to power. It was the fact that a group of committed young adults can affect and inspire change.
Q: You’ve made such an impact! Have you ever thought about carrying your political career past graduation?
A: I want to teach somewhere radically different from the farm and mountain town where I grew up. I want to pay back all of the blessings I have received by teaching and inspiring youth in my classroom. However, I am still alarmed by the state of America’s education system. It is difficult to comprehend that the individuals inflicting the most damage to our students and teachers are those who are out of touch with the realities of education. I aspire to be an instrument of change from the inside out. I seek to redesign our American education as a celebrated and progressive beacon of hope, from every student born into poverty to every teacher struggling to make ends meet. My passion is education and that’s where I want to take my political career.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone looking to become more involved with SGA or on campus in general?
A: There is power in being vulnerable and taking a risk. To become apart of any club or organization involves both of those. However, the good news about being vulnerable and taking a risk is that you are doing so in a supportive community. That’s what makes Appalachian so unique. Find your brave and try something new, whether it is SGA, Club Swimming, or any of the other 300+ student organizations on this campus – there is a place for you. These experiences and the relationships that you create will inspire you to grow and learn more, all the while contributing to an incredibly special place.