The new student body vice president has arrived for Student Government. Taylor Russell, a senior majoring in English, has stepped into the role previously held by elected Jordan Iuliucci after a recent appointment by Student Body President Cody Boyer. Russell, 20, hopes to work in the court system as a court mediator and forensic psychologist after graduation.
In the meantime, Russell hopes to make an impact with SG at USF St. Petersburg. The Crow’s Nest met with her to discuss her goals in her new position.
The Crow’s Nest: What was your previous position in SG?
Taylor Russell: I was the director of University Relations for the spring 2014 semester. Before that, I served within the Department of University Relations as an assistant director. I continued into this term as director of University Relations (before being appointed to student body vice president).
CN: Part of Jordan’s platform was that she would help keep Cody in line with SG policy and procedures. Will you be continuing that?
TR: Since taking office Cody has grown a lot. So he doesn’t need someone to watch him as much to see that he is following SG procedures. However, I do have probably the most experience of within the executive branch of all the directors right now. I am going to use that knowledge to further the executive cabinet.
But right now my role is that I am focusing on clubs and organizations, along with leadership and organizations like Harborside Activities Board and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, in making sure that those relationships within Student Affairs are built.
In addition, Cody and I have a really good system where we are essentially at two places at once. So we are going to meetings simultaneously, then report back at the end of the day. So we are able to meet more people, reach more students, staff and administration, then come back and reconvene.
CN: What do you hope to accomplish while in office?
TR: What I want to accomplish the most is setting up the foundations for a long-lasting, solid relationship between clubs and organizations and SG. In past years, I feel like thats been lacking, and I really want to be that advocate for clubs and organizations so they understand exactly what SG is doing and why they are doing it. At the same time, they feel empowered by SG via funds, knowledge or training.
CN: What would you like the students to know?
TR: I’m really excited for this year. I think we are going to really grow what we are working on, and as Cody puts it, SG 2.0. We are really putting a lot of things behind us and we are ready to accomplish some really great things.
