Freshman Class President & Vice-President, Chekier Barthley & Tia Coleman, are in a class of their own. Representing the Class of 2016, they are the first of a new Rattler generation. Stepping onto the Hill during a time where the Millennium Rattler is coming of age, Barthley & Coleman are the start of setting the new standard of what it means to be a Rattler. HC FAMU writers, Robyn and I, sat down with Barthley & Coleman for an hour or two and got to know the new leaders of their class.
TC = Tia Coleman
CB = Chekier Barthley
IM = Itopia Mills
RM = Robyn Mowatt
Name: Chekier Barthley
Major: Psychology
Hometown: New York, New York (Queens)
Classification: Freshmen
Campus Involvement: Freshman Class President
Name: Tia Coleman
Major: Political Science/Pre-Law
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Classification: Freshman
Twitter Handle: @fancycash
Campus involvement: Freshman Class Vice President
IM: What made you decide to run for a student leader position your freshman year?
TC: The class of 2016 came to FAMU under a dark cloud and I felt like my running mate and I would be a glimpse of sunshine to the campus.
IM: What is your favorite thing about Chekier?
TC: My favorite thing about Chekier would have to be working with him because he stays on top of things. And when I’m being lazy I just make him do it [laughs].
RM: What is your favorite thing about Tia?
CB: She doesn’t sugar coat anything. If I’m slipping up she’ll let me know. I definitely need someone like that to keep me level-headed.
IM: Fill in the blank: You’d be surprised to know that Chekier:
TC: Is a party animal [Chekier laughs].
RM: Fill in the blank: You’d be surprised to know that Tia:
CB: She parties too.
IM: What brought you two together as running mates?
CB: Our personalities… opposites attract. We met through a chat line one lonely night [laughs]…
IM: Haha, really?
TC: No [laughs]! We met through mutual friends.
IM: How does it feel to know that you represent the freshman class?
TC: It feels great. But, with any position with spotlight comes with different views from your peers.
CB: It feels great; it’s definitely a big opportunity. It’s a big networking tool. It’s definitely a good way to meet people and learn about the different people in your class.
IM: I never got the chance to read your platform points but, what’s the most important platform point to you personally?
TC: The “Meet & Greets” with upperclassmen and organizations. It’s a dire need for the freshman. Though we can’t join anything right now it gives us the chance to reach out to them for support when the time comes.
CB: A “Green University.” It will allow us to team up with the Green Coalition to get a recycling presence on campus. We’re an agricultural based campus so it only makes sense to get students involved in recycling and make it accessible to students.
RM: In what ways do you expect this leadership position to help you?
TC: It’ll enhance my professionalism skills.
CB: So far it has definitely brought me out of my box. I wasn’t an extroverted person, now I’m more personable. It’s helped me become more social able.
IM: Describe what FAMU means to you in five words, or less.
TC: Famuly, ambition, opportunity, and mistakes.
CB: Giving me opportunities to grow.
IM: What is the funniest moment from campaign week?
CB: We were actually sleeping when we found out who won, when they announced the results.
IM: What does holding this leadership position mean to you?
TC: It means growth. I’m one step closer…
IM: One step closer to what?
TC: Um, just one step closer. Put “…” at the end of my response [laughs].
RM: What about you Chekier?
CB: It’s a stepping stone to do greater things on this campus.
IM: You have about four more years here on the Hill. What is one lesson you hope to walk away with when you graduate?
CB: Time management and finances.
TC: Lessons in time management and punctuality. You see I was 20 minutes late here. I need to work on
that [laughs].
RM: What do you do for fun?
CB: I like to hang out with friends, I like to party.
TC: I like to shop. And work because I have a really cool job.
IM: Where do you work?
TC: The Rattler’s Edge.
IM: What’s your favorite food?
TC: Soul food.
CB: Pizza.
IM: That’s definitely a New York thing, I love pizza too!
RM: What’s your favorite color?
TC: Purple.
CB: Navy blue.
IM: If you could describe your personality in one or two words, what would they be?
TC: Outgoing.
CB: Friendly.
RM: Who is your favorite African American figure?
CB: Barack Obama, he’s showed everybody what was thought to be impossible.
TC: Michelle Obama.
IM: What is your favorite inspirational quote?
TC: “Aspire to inspire.”
CB: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” That’s by Aristotle.
RM: Explain your view on life, whether it is an attitude of optimism, realism, etc.
TC: Realist.
CB: I’m an optimist because I try to think of the best case scenario first and just go from there.
RM: What activities, programs and initiatives were you involved with in high school?
TC: Future Business Leaders of America, I ran track, and I directed, hosted, and choreographed fashion shows at school.
CB: I was the Commanding Officer of our ROTC program; I was also in Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the wrestling team.
RM: Despite the negativity stemming from the Marching 100 and Robert Champion’s death, what pushed you to attend Florida A&M University?
TC: I felt like FAMU was just a college of opportunities. From the first tour, I knew it was my time to come here and shine. And that’s what I did.
CB: I came for Spring Preview and I felt a close knit atmosphere and the “FAMULY” atmosphere that everyone spoke of.
RM: Please explain your feelings on the mandatory Anti-Hazing Workshops, which Florida A&M University students must attend.
TC: They’re helpful. But, most of feel like we’re being punished for something we didn’t do. I feel like it’s a good thing because some of us can’t wake up to go to class after coming from the club so how would we be able to balance clubs or organizations? It’s a mixture of a good and a bad thing.
CB: If they are taken a correct way you can learn a lot. They’re mandatory because of the media. The school realizes something has to be put on the table and the school recognizes the need for it.
IM: What’s one thing you’d like to say to your fellow classmates?
CB: Be prepared for the best year ever!
TC: We are FAMU, where lessons are lived and learned!
IM: What was your number one reason behind running for the Class of 2016 President with your running mate?
CB: I picked student leadership because I believed it could make the biggest impact on my class.
RM: For your respectable Class of 2016, what words of advice would you give for students feeling unsure about their choice of coming to Florida A&M University?
CB: Ask yourself where you want to be in four years, I feel as though FAMU is the best place to learn for anybody.
IM: Who is someone or something that motivates you to become successful?
TC: I’ll give credit to two people: my mother, Lynette Clinch, and my mentor, Vincent Evans. They keep me grounded.