This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Vanderbilt chapter.
Name: Jude Cohen
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Creating my own- Cross-Cultural Communications with a Focus in Romance Languages; Minor: Corporate Strategy
How did you first get involved with VSG?
My first year I ran for Hank Ingram president and lost, but I still wanted to be involved, so I took another chance and applied to be Hank 3 Floor Representative. It was one of my best experiences freshman year, so I decided to run for Arts and Science Senator this year!
Have you always been involved with student government?
I’ve been involved in student government and other leadership roles since middle school. I’ve always loved serving in leadership positions because I feel like it’s the best way for me to contribute to my community. It allows me to have a connection with both the student body at large, and the administration, and I feel like I can see the direct impact my efforts have on campus. I’ve especially loved serving on VSG because it has allowed me to meet some of Vandy’s most extraordinary individuals who are effecting change not only on campus, but also all over the world! We have such an incredible population of students with such a diverse range of interests, and I love being able to play an active role in such a vibrant community!
What kind of a role do you think VSG plays on campus? Should other people get involved?
VSG is unique as a student organization in that it really touches every student and organization on campus. Whether it’s putting on events for the entire student body, providing funding for other organizations’ events, or making more resources readily available to students, VSG’s impact on campus is pervasive. Whether or not getting involved as a VSG leader is for you, I think everyone should take advantage of the events and resources VSG offers. One easy way to get involved without a huge time commitment is to apply for committees! The application is on Anchorlink, and will be live until Sunday, September 21st at 11:59pm.
Can you tell us a little more about your plans/what you want to change around Vanderbilt?
I’m really excited to be a part of facilitating a new era of VSG where we are more involved in reaching every student organization on campus. We are making much more of a concerted effort this year than in years past to be a resource for student organizations and I plan to do the same in making myself available to any and all students who would like their voices, ideas, and innovations shared in Senate. As I stated on my platform, some of the ways I hope to help the student body include having cell phone and laptop chargers available for rent at the libraries and in main buildings like Sarratt. One of the main initiatives I plan to focus on enacting is “Major Mixers” for A&S students. It will be a forum for upperclassmen and underclassmen to interact with each other and the professors specific to the majors they’ve chosen or are deciding on in a non-classroom setting. I hope for events like this to help bring together students and foster the living-learning community for which Vanderbilt is so highly praised.
What else are you involved in around campus?
I love serving on the executive board of and playing on the Women’s Club Soccer team (come out October 5th and watch us beat Alabama!) as well as being an active member of Chi Omega. I also serve on the exec board of ‘Dores for Israel, and I am involved in recruitment for Hillel. Along with VSG, by far one of my favorite things I do on campus is VUcept. I love my group (s/o Group 41!) and having the opportunity to help the class of 2018 find their places in our campus community.