University

New leaders of Student Government focus on the future

The recently sworn-in executive leadership trio for the Student Government shares its excitement and expectations for the upcoming academic year.
From left, Student Government executive officers Chika Nwosu, vice president, Jamie Williams-Smith, president, and Tatiana Alvarado, treasurer, were sworn in on April 5 during a ceremony on the Foote University Green. Photo: Jenny Abreu for the University of Miami
From left, Student Government executive officers Chika Nwosu, vice president; Jamie Williams-Smith, president; and Tatiana Alvarado, treasurer, were sworn in on April 5 during a ceremony on the Foote University Green. Photo: Jenny Abreu for the University of Miami

Members of the new leadership team of Student Government hails from Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida, but a common interest brought them together at the University of Miami. 

Today, Jamie Williams-Smith, Chika Nwosu, and Tatiana Alvarado each draw from their campus involvement to formulate initiatives that will enhance student and campus life, academics, and health and wellness.

With her involvement as the junior class senator and the vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Williams-Smith, a double major in business technology and strategic communication, brings a wealth of leadership knowledge to her new role as president. Nwosu previously served as Student Government director of outreach, resident assistant, and as a member of President’s 100—providing her with a wealth of experience to advocate for student voices on campus as vice president. And Alvarado, who is the treasurer, plans to dedicate her time and knowledge to ensure all students feel that they are heard and empowered. 

This dedicated team has its sights now clearly focused on its future and the future of its classmates. Sworn into office during a ceremony on the Foote University Green on April 5, the leaders are busy formulating their strategy to achieve the platform they ran on—working closely with the University’s administration to make a difference. 

They will spend the summer collaborating with the other branches and agencies that make up the Student Government—including Category 5, the Environment and Conservation Organization (ECO), the Elections Commission, and What Matters to U. When they return to campus in August for the start of the fall semester, Williams-Smith, Nwosu, and Alvarado will be primed to implement their campus-wide initiatives. Among them will be the syllabus bank, which will provide more details about some of the University’s most popular courses. This will give students more information before they build their schedules.

“Normally a syllabus for a class will outline what you're going to learn, what you should know coming in, etc.,” said Williams-Smith. “So, let's say you're a transfer student and you want to see if a class you took last semester kind of aligns with something you want to take, or is the next sequence—the syllabus bank will be really helpful for students to see what they're getting into before getting in the class then possibly having to withdraw.’’ 

Maria Galli Stampino, dean of undergraduate affairs, whose role includes working closely with the Student Government executive board on its proposed initiatives, recently met with the elected officers to discuss their ideas—including the syllabus bank, an initiative the University supports.

“UM has acquired an electronic tool that will allow faculty to post syllabus templates that students will be able to peruse,” said Stampino, who believes working with Student Government is significant to her position at the University. “I appreciate the student perspective: I want to support all students, but I cannot talk to all 11,000. Student Government is critical in making me aware of what is a priority and what has the deepest impact on undergraduate students.” 

Additionally, Williams-Smith, Nwosu, and Alvarado indicated that by providing more resources for students to gain knowledge about what the University has to offer them, there will be better individualized experiences. 

“One of the main concerns a lot of students always have is that they sometimes don't know where to find certain resources or certain information,” said Alvarado, a junior majoring in business legal studies and political science. “We’re working toward making sure Student Government is putting out information, so that students know what's going on.’’

Nwosu, a junior studying biology and psychology, said she has been working toward her position since she was a first-year student. “I’ve known I’ve wanted to be VP since I was on the Freshman Leadership Council,” said Nwosu. “It’s a full-circle moment of realizing that I’ve accomplished what I’ve been dreaming of doing for the past two years.”

Alvarado said the realization of her new role hit her on the day the trio was inaugurated.

“Just to see everyone standing together, raising our right hands, and looking at our families in the crowd, it was a moment,” said Alvarado.

“Already, we have worked so well together and the work we have done foreshadows all that we could really do together,” noted Williams-Smith. “As a trio of amazing women of color, we are looking forward to everything next year has to offer.”