In Conversation with SGA President Reid Powell
Powell served as the SGA president for the 2021-2022 year. Reid Powell is set to graduate this May, with a B.A. in Political Science.
What are some of your favorite memories at OCU?
Too many to count! Homecoming has always been a special memory. It’s wonderful to see our campus come together in that way. Our alumni are so supportive, and for our students, it’s the one time when our busy campus comes together to have fun and show the love we have of OCU.
Getting to attend the inauguration of President Evans was also a special memory. The gala had a lot of community leaders present. It was wonderful to hear the impact our university has on the community at large, and to hear how the university plans on growing with the city. As someone who was born and raised in Oklahoma, it’s great to see leaders who are committed to our university and to see its success.
What are some lessons you’ve learned as SGA president?
One of the most important things I’ve learned at SGA is how important it is to listen to the perspectives of other people. We are fortunate to have a vibrant campus community with people of all different backgrounds who are committed to bettering our university. Our generation wasn’t taught to have tough conversations. We weren’t given the tools to handle them. I’ve learned that you can have a tough conversation that is productive, healthy, and positive to learn a different perspective and to understand why the other person thinks the way that they do. Hopefully after you can go forward together. We’ve seen recently how larger scale division is detrimental and accomplishes nothing. On this microlevel, I have been able to see how beautiful it is when people can come together as a team.
Another thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to be wrong or to not succeed. People all have things we need to learn and grow on. As far as SGA is concerned, I was set up with a wonderful support system and able to achieve whatever I wanted to and encouraged to dream big. But at the end of the day if for some reason I could not succeed or meet a goal, I went forward with the mindset that everything is an opportunity for improvement. Reflect and learn on how to do better. Have a team of people to learn from, and to support in turn when they make mistakes.
You’ve had such an long career here at OCU. What are your future plans?
I will be going to The University of Oklahoma’s College of Law to prepare myself for the world of public service! I want to continue to help to improve communities with Oklahoma City and the state as a whole. There is still so much work to be done. It was initially my plan during the first few years of college to get away, but there really is so much potential and opportunities for improvement here. I want to find my place in the realm of public service here, and do my part to help the community grow!
Public service is something that you seem to be incredibly passionate about. Why is it something that you want to pursue?
I ask myself that question frequently! Public service is something that is driven by community. The human experience itself is unique and exciting. It is incredible to see what people can bring to a community, and how different groups can come together to achieve a common goal. I would love to continue to be a part of that collaboration, whether its in the public sector, a non-profit, for the state, or running for office.
What issues in public service are you passionate about?
The one that I am most passionate about, as a whole, is creating an equitable and just community for all people, and being inclusive of people of all sexual orientations, races, gender identities, financial statues, and so on. Everything that makes us different makes us stronger. Everyone should be afforded equal opportunity to access the life that they want for themselves.
Other issues that I am passionate about include affordable health care access, which I am doing my senior capstone on, as well as revitalizing cities. It is crucial to support low income and minority communities so that they are not significantly displaced and that their culture can remain in place. Cities are being revitalized, but only for predominately white, upper middle class citizens. There must be access to affordable housing and other measures in places to curtail systemic displacement.
Any advice that you have for OCU students as a graduating senior?
It is okay to say no! On a small campus, it is common for people to say yes to everything. But this is not plausible! You will get burnt out. It is important to remember that we are students, and people, first. Have fun. Take time to spend with the people you love. The pandemic has taught us how valuable community and connection are. Focus on those two things, they will enrich your life and your time here.
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