Name: Wawa Gatheru
Major: Environmental Studies
Minor: Environmental Economics and Policy
Hometown: Pomfret, CT
Current USG position: Student Services Chairperson
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a sophomore pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, with a double minor in Environmental Economics and Policy and Political Science. At UConn, I currently interns at the Office of Environmental Policy and serve as the Student Services Chairwoman of the Undergraduate Student Government. In addition, I serve as an FYE Mentor and volunteer for SOS Food Recovery and Cross Cultural Connections. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of environmental activism and food sovereignty, previously serving as a student coordinator in the Husky Nutrition Program and currently acting as a research assistant in the Nutrition Department. A proud environmentalist, I’ve been at the forefront of several sustainability initiatives on campus, including serving as a lead student advocate for the creation of an environmental sustainability general education requirement and as the brains behind the availability of free, chlorine-free menstrual products on campus. In fact, this past November, I was chosen as the youngest UConn@COP23 Fellow, where I represented the university at the UN Climate Change Discussions. Outside of my campus involvement, I’m also a research intern for WECAN International and a Global Heath Fellow with the UN Foundation. My post-graduate goals include becoming an Environmental Foreign Service officer for USAID, a goal that was solidified during my year-long fellowship with the U.S. State Department in Thailand as a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) scholar. In obtaining this goal, I also hope to take part in the redefinition of culturally-competent, sustainable environmental development.
How did you two decide to run together?
Ama was one of the reasons I initially joined USG. Though I had been involved with student government in high school, I was a bit apprehensive and intimidated by participating at the university level. It was actually after a conversation with Ama that I gained the confidence to join the organization – and I haven’t looked back since. Choosing Ama as a running mate was an easy decision, as her work ethic and passion for the organization mirrors my own. In addition, an interesting dynamic that really solidified our decision to run together is our different perspectives on a wide variety of issues. Considering the diversity of thought and ideologies on campus, our different perspectives will help a greater representation of the student body.
Why do you want to be USG VP?
The role of USG Vice President is one that marries the importance of positive administrative collaboration and USG organizational productivity. Having two years of experience in USG, I understand the strengths and weaknesses within facilitating both of these goals, and would like to spend the next year improving upon our already strong foundation. USG has truly transformed my undergraduate experience and has provided me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined. Serving the UConn community as the Vice President and improving relations with USG and the student body at large would be an opportunity to give back to the organization that has fundamentally altered my college experience for the better.
What are some of the issues you plan to take on?
As VP, I plan to work towards a more inclusive, accessible USG and overall campus. Within USG, I would like to strengthen our recruiting methods and rebrand USG as a space that exists for students’ best interests. With the campus as a whole, I would like to utilize my position as a founder of President Herbst’s Council on Race and Diversity to collaborate with other student leaders and administration on university-wide initiatives that can aid facilitate a more inclusive environment. Environmental sustainability issues and initiatives are also incredibly important to me. As a die-hard environmentalist and environmental studies major, I would like to continue USG’s involvement in the creation of an environmental sustainability gen-ed requirement, as well as be a resource towards the promotion of more sustainable, campus-wide projects.
What challenges do you anticipate during your campaign?
I’d say the biggest challenge will most likely be adding a campaign to an already pretty exhausting schedule. Academics and preforming well academically is a huge part of being a student at UConn, and I am always perusing new ways to explore my opportunities here. That being said, adjusting my schedule for the campaign, while difficult, is totally doable.
All photos courtesy of Wawa Gatheru and Ama Appiah