The ULM Division of Student Affairs hosted the semester’s first Ties with ULM Guys on Sep. 17. The “Lead or Be Led: The Importance of Political Engagement” session focused on increasing civic engagement ahead of Election Day.
The panel featured Honors Program director Joshua Stockley, Mayor Friday Ellis, associate political science professor Leigh Hearsey, International Student Services director Gina White and Cultural Diversity Council founder Erick Burton Jr. Each panelist described his or her childhood experiences with politics, ranging from being from an uneducated rural area to familial ties with the subject.
Despite having different experiences with politics, the panelists emphasized the importance of college students being involved in elections. The panel promoted civic engagement, defined as the involvement of citizens in political and non-political processes.
According to Harvard University, civic engagement reached an all-time low during the 2012 election year. In 2016, young voters began interacting with politics. The number of young voters passionate about politics continued to increase in the following elections. However, some college students still claim their votes and voices remain unheard by the government. With a presidential election coming up, older generations seek to combat this mindset.
Mayor Friday Ellis explained how the voices of young voters influence local politics.
“When we’re trying to build a future, the future of Monroe, those plans have to include voices and perspectives for the generation we’re trying to build it for,” Ellis said. “We just enjoy coming out here and having those opportunities, your perspectives are very important, and they don’t fall on deaf ears.”
While the Division of Student Affairs sponsored the event, SGA moderated the panel. SGA student life department head Elizabeth Moon brought up her definition of leadership.
“Leadership, to me, is often misconstrued as a title, and I feel like a lot of people feel the need to have a title associated with leadership, but you can be a leader in any facet of life. I’m a construction management major, and I did an internship this summer. I was able to really see that in action,” Moon said. “Whether you have your hands on some tools or up in the office making the decisions with the client, you have a voice in leadership.”
Moon went on to say leadership is subjective. Some see leadership as an exact definition—the action of leading a group of people or an organization. For others, the idea is less concrete and based on actions rather than words.
Senior communications major Jadyn Maloney spoke on how leadership ties into her role as SGA President.
“Whenever I got involved in SGA, I did it just to get a name out there and get involved, and I quickly realized that it was so much more than that. If I see a student struggling, I’ve been given the opportunity to take that to administration, get that worked out, and get that fixed,” Maloney said.
Every panelist gave personal definitions of leadership. Although all definitions differed, the panelists shared common ground regarding voting.
Each described the act of voting as a leadership role. The panel stated that by voting, you are taking action to correct an issue and setting an example for others.
“You are your brother’s keeper; you are your sister’s keeper; you are whoever’s keeper really. You’re being a leader in that you can be an advocate. You’re being the best constituent for those around you,” Moon said.