A Chatlotte, NC native, Hamlin is a Political Science major, and self-proclaimed Student Government junkie. As Chief of Staff, he serves as an extension of the President – writing her speeches, setting up meetings, talking to Vice President Ken Zick, and most recently, handling parking situations.
“Nilam and I have a very good relationship,” he says. “Our strengths and our weaknesses match up well, so we make a pretty strong team.”
So far, their good relationship seems to have weathered the storm of having a whole campus of students in an uproar about parking changes. Unfortunately, a lot of these complaints often stem from miscommunication or misunderstanding.
“The message that gets sent out and the message that actually exists are often two very different things,” Hamlin points out. “Trying to be the student that breaks the bad news, but also understanding why the bad news has to come, means that a lot of the time you catch a lot of flak for it.”
So why should students be supportive and flexible to the new parking plan? Although it may not seem like it, the University really isn’t trying to sabotage their happiness or well-being.
“The proposal that’s in place is a lot better than what if could’ve been,” Hamlin says. “We fought really hard for students.”
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Nobody said that being Chief of Staff was easy, and it certainly isn’t. Despite the challenges of trying to keep students happy while supporting the administration’s controversial 10-year plan to make Wake Forest an even more competitive national university, Hamlin has learned a lot about how things work on campus. And more importantly, why.
“Change is a long process, and I’ve fortunately been able to see what that process looks like this year,” he says. “Before this year, I was a little blinder to it. But in my role of Chief of Staff, I’ve come to understand more.”
When he’s not busy playing politician, Hamlin is working on keeping hungry students and late-night studiers happy.
As he puts it, “Anything that falls under the umbrella of food, I’m involved in in some form.”
His most-notable achievement? Ousting that disappointing excuse for Mexican food known as Zoca, and replacing it with Moe’s.
It took him and those on the Dining Commission nearly two years to see their idea for a Moe’s in Benson come to fruition, but after endless focus groups, faculty and student interviews, and polls and surveys, all their hard work finally paid off. On opening day alone, Moe’s served over 1,000 people – not too shabby.
“You’re always nervous to see if something new will work, and then when you have all these people lining up and waiting for 20 minutes to get their food, it makes you feel good that you’ve actually made an important and an appreciated change on campus.”
Other successes have included brining the salad station and Boar’s Head Deli to Benson, as well as more eating options to the Sundry. Hamlin’s even had a hand in revamping the Pit with more vegetarian options, and the much-celebrated Mongolian grill.
“It’s nice to see that the food situation I came into as a first year student is very different than what I’m leaving it, and it’s a tangible thing,” he reflects. “A lot of times in leadership positions you don’t necessarily see your ideas come to fruition while you’re there.”
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If you’ve ever had the opportunity to spend much time with this down-to-earth, friendly guy, you are probably already aware of how much he genuinely loves Mother, So Dear. Much of his deeply-rooted Deacon Pride stems from the meaningful relationships that he has developed over the past four years.
Case in point: he credits Dr. Welsh in the Political Science department with inspiring him to choose his major area of study.
“She was the first professor I ever met, and is the most genuine, caring individual that I have ever met.”
Outside of the classroom, he still grabs drinks at Shorty’s with the administrators he’s worked with.
What has he gained from developing and maintaining these key relationships?
“I’ve really learned that I’m a valued member and can be a valued addition to whatever group I’m in,” he says. “Whether it’s the first time you’re in a group or you’ve been there for 30 years, you are always a valued person and there are people that are willing to listen to you.”