New JU Student Alliance president, vice president vow to get, stay connected with student body

Jacksonville University Student Alliance’s president- and vice president-elect campaigned independently, but have a common refrain now that they’ve been elected: To make the student organization more viable on campus

Indeed, in separate interviews, Baxley and Taylor said this week that most JU students are largely unfamiliar with the JU Student Alliance (JUSA).

“The most significant change I hope to bring, and for which I hold the greatest passion, is reshaping JUSA’s presence on our campus,” said Baxley, a sophomore double-majoring in composition and commercial music who attended Jacksonville’s Stanton College Preparatory School. “I have noticed, especially while campaigning, that there is a huge percentage of our student population which has no idea what the acronym ‘JUSA’ stands for, let alone all of the organization’s functions.

“I desperately want to change this so that JUSA is prominent, accessible and effective among our students.”

Taylor, a sophomore from Springdale, Md., double-majoring in political science and aviation operations and flight management, said he, too, wants to connect the student body with the organization that exists to represent students’ interests on campus.

“In campaigning over the last few weeks it became apparent to me that many of the students were not aware of JUSA,” Taylor said. “Under the right leadership, I believe JUSA can become an organization that all students, both undergraduate and graduate, will feel proud to be a part of and become actively involved.”

According to JUSA’s constitution, the organization exists to “provide leadership to the student body through student representation; provide the opportunity for student discussion of relative and pertinent issues of Jacksonville University; represent the interests of the student body; provide direction in the form of shared governance and financial assistance for student clubs and organizations; and Improve student cultural, social, and physical welfare.”

Baxley and Taylor said their first order or business is to get the word out that they are the student body’s advocates.

“I ran for JUSA office because I see the potential that JUSA has to offer the students and how it can have a positive impact on students’ morale,” Taylor said. “I also wanted to be the voice and person that students turned to when they see problems or things that can be improved on campus.”

Taylor, who also serves as the Black Student Union president and as member of the Political Science Society, said more JUSA-sponsored events will help connect the organization with students,

Baxley, an Honors student and guitar player who also serves as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry vice president, said that enhancing the on-campus food service venues and improving facilities also are on his radar.

“I want students to know me personally and know that I am approachable at any time with any concern,” he said. “If I accomplish only this, I will be very content with my term.”

The new JUSA officers and representatives take office April 4. Following are the newly elected JUSA representatives:

North Campus: Marcus Noah, Luis Grossling

South Campus: Yasmeen Stogden, Brittany Bush, Taylor Salameh

Commuter: Christina Robb, Mackenzie Sanchez

College of Business: Joseph Ramsey, Zachary Azzarito

College of Fine Arts: Max Orozco

College of Arts and Sciences: Christie Charlebois, Youssef Ajjawi, Kelsey Wiggins, Chris Beachler

College of Health Sciences: Nathan Cook

Student Athlete: Kristina Robbins, Zoe Rocke

ROTC: Alyssa May Cardona

International Student: Jia-Siang Leong

Panhellenic: Bridget Korczyk

Interfraternity: Ryan Wagner

At-Large: Kelsey Martin, Courtney Jimenez, Brett Durda, Megan Tully