Name: Chris Simpson
Hometown: Clover, South Carolina
Major: Middle level education with concentrations in math and social studies
Graduation Year: May 2018
What are you involved with on campus?
Currently I’m involved in CMLA: Collegiate Middle Level Association, The Coliseum Crazies, Winthrop Women’s Basketball, I’m an Intramural Supervisor, I am in the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha and have just started an on-campus group called UP. I also used to be Winthrop’s Softball manager.
How would you explain UP to someone who has never heard of it before?
UP is simply an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to develop yourself in a supremely inclusive environment. UP is not a traditional student organization with ideals and policy that mold you into their own vision; you mold your own. If you feel like you have more to offer to this campus through quality effort and ambition, then UP is for you.
How did you decide you wanted to start UP? What was your inspiration?
After a positive first year here, I had time to reflect about my campus environment. There are many students at Winthrop that are underutilized and overlooked. It is my vision that UP can find these types of people and get them to the next level of personal development. There were a lot of people I met that no longer attend Winthrop, and these students may have stayed here if they were involved in an inclusive organization such as UP. I feel that it’s really important to be involved around campus to stay on track during our time here at Winthrop.
What do you hope to achieve with the organization?
Moving forward, the goal for UP is to engage its members to be more involved on campus with all willing and able organizations to create a more side by side type of atmosphere. I hope to spark ambition in the student body and create more opportunities for leadership. No organization is perfect, but I plan to minimize the downsides by providing a truly unique experience of personal development.
What’s one piece of advice you could give to someone who wants to get involved on campus?
Just go for it, and have faith that others will support you in a positive manner. Don’t feel alone or left out. Never stop setting goals. Have fun and keep pushing. Don’t let others dictate what you set out to accomplish. Smile for your haters!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am into a lot of things like DJing, music production, coaching, basketball, and skydiving to name a few. My favorite thing is trying new things!
What was your most current binge watch show?
Person of Interest is my Netflix favorite at the moment. Others include Ballers, Vice Principals, Game of Thrones, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Orange Is The New Black, South Park, and Family Guy.
If you could choose any snack to eat for the rest of your life what would it be?
Mini Babybel and fruit…they’re my weaknesses!