Newly elected Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada (CSUN) Student Government Executive Board members were sworn in to their new positions on May 1. It marks the first time that all three executive position have been held by women of color. And, CSUN President Makayla Franklin, Vice President Morgan Dunbar, and Senate President Samara Woolfolk are also all three members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Some of their goals for the upcoming year are to continue to share and embrace the diversity of UNLV and raise awareness of and increase access to resources for students.
Makayla Franklin — Student Body President
How do you feel about this historic election?
I am absolutely excited to be going into my last year here at UNLV knowing that we are making history and making a mark as we finish off our final year at UNLV. I have been a part of CSUN since my freshman year, and this has always been my dream. From the day I finished my orientation, I told my parents that I would be the person to change UNLV for the better, and that is precisely what I plan on doing. I believe there will be many eyes on us, some looking for the good and the bad, but the cool thing about making history is you get to continue to write your own story and that is what we are here to do.
Can you highlight some of your favorite projects and accomplishments as an individual and as a team?
As an individual, I have loved how much I have been able to get involved on campus. From being an intern in CSUN to joining the executive board, becoming a senator, and now becoming student body president, every step has been an accomplishment. I have loved all the opportunities given by UNLV Housing where I have been able to serve as the Dayton Complex president, the vice president/national communications coordinator for two years, and now being able to serve as the president of the Residence Hall Association. I have loved the opportunities to be a part of the Black Student Organization and to have been able to be one of the chairs who brought a conference for about 500-600 Black students to UNLV this past January. Overall, I have absolutely loved being an orientation leader and being able to make all the connections that I have with students. I have been able to see students flourish and grow, and I could not be more proud than to be their orientation leader! As a team, I think the greatest accomplishment that we have all been able to experience is joining the best sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Through this, the three of us have become closer as women and as sisters, and none of us would change it for the world. We also believe that being able to make history is also a HUGE accomplishment, and I would not want to take on this task with anyone else.
What are your plans for the upcoming term?
My plan for this upcoming term is to start creating more initiatives for student safety as that is something that many students have been asking for. I also want to continue to celebrate the many cultures and identities that make UNLV diverse. This then brings me to my next goal is to find ways to make the resources offered at UNLV accessible to students. There are so many resources for students, and I think a lot of them do not know about them and that is the exact opposite of what we want to happen.
What is your professional end goal?
I am currently a hospitality major with a minor in Spanish and human resources. I wish to present Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership training to executives in different hospitality locations. The hospitality industry is so diverse, and it is important to capitalize on that diversification to help create deeper connections with guests. I want to be able to create the reminder that we all have a reason to be in the positions that we are in, no matter where we grew up, the way we look, or the identity that people will hold.
What are you hoping to learn during your term?
During this term, I plan to learn how to connect students more to CSUN. There are many times that there are mixed feelings about CSUN, but with your team coming in there are opportunities for different types of outreach to students. We are students for the students, and I am here to learn how to maximize the voice of the students to higher administration, not only just hearing them — rather hearing their wants and needs and finding proactive solutions to these things from the students.
Morgan Dunbar — Student Body Vice President
How do you feel about this historic election?
Honestly, it still is mind blowing to have had the opportunity to make history at the university. To be the first all African American female ticket to win elections for CSUN is such an honor, and I am excited for what’s in store. I feel confident in the way we work as a team. I believe that we are all very powerful and being something new to CSUN will allow us to thrive greatly. I am excited, but also nervous to see where this will take us. I hope that us winning this term will encourage more students to pursue roles in CSUN in the future.
Can you highlight some of your favorite projects and accomplishments as an individual and as a team?
As an individual, I loved how I came out of my shell. As a young child, and even in my teenage years I was very shy and did not talk much. Once I came to UNLV, I quickly started seeing a shift to where I started to come out of my shell and be more vocal and engaged on campus. My first E-board position was being the historian for the Black Student Organization. There, I was able to meet students just like me who endured the same hardships and problems and we were able to connect on a different level while being a support system for each other. Additionally, as my major is architecture, I am one of the few people of color within the major. To get into the major, you have to apply and only 30 of hundreds of students are admitted which makes it very competitive. After being denied my sophomore year, I strived to make it a goal to be accepted and at the end of my junior year, I did just that. Lastly, the best accomplishment I could have done for myself was join the BEST D9 organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Through becoming a member, I was able to meet the two young ladies who are on this ticket with me, and it has been the best experience ever. Through the organization I learned so much and am very grateful for the opportunities it has presented.
What are your plans for the upcoming term?
My plans for this upcoming term are to make sure every RSO is equipped with all the resources they may need. It is my job to make sure that all the students are taken care of and that is what we will do. I want to start having conversations with presidents and executive boards of all the RSO’s to ensure they know all about the resources CSUN has to offer for them.
What is your professional end goal?
Ideally, I just want to be the best resource I can for that student body. Upon coming to UNLV, I was not aware of all the benefits CSUN provides for students, so I want to ensure all students receive the help and support they need. Additionally, I want to make sure all RSOs are well taken care of.
What are you hoping to learn during your term?
During this term, I hope to learn about how to make CSUN more accessible to students. I was always reluctant to join CSUN, because I was never really sure what they did for me as a student. If I felt this way, I know other students might feel this way as well. Through this term, I also hope to learn new leadership techniques that can help me grow as an individual to be successful in life.
Samara Woolfolk — Senate President
How do you feel about this historic election?
I'm very excited for what's to come and even more proud of the three of us for seeing it through! There is a lot of pressure considering the history that has been made but I have no doubt in my mind that we will exceed expectations. As stated by the notable Shirley Chisolm: "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," and that is EXACTLY what we have done. I have learned that making history can come with many hardships which is something we were all aware of when we decided to apply for these positions, however the three of us each have a sense of resiliency and empowerment that will allow us to continue to be the leaders that we are.
Can you highlight some of your favorite projects and accomplishments as an individual and as a team?
Individually I have been very involved in my sorority locally and regionally, which has grown my leadership skills immensely. I have held every position in my chapter and currently serve as chapter president, was elected collegiate member of the Regional Nominating Committee for the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta for the 2020-2022 biennium, and have successfully guided nine amazing young women into our illustrious organization (DST was also the first Black Greek lettered organization at UNLV). On campus, I have been actively involved in the Black Student Organization since my freshman year and have held several e-board positions including director of membership, executive assistant, and current vice president. Through both of these organizations I have been able to help create safe spaces for Black students, successfully teach UNLV about Black culture and history, and enhance my leadership in ways I could have never imagined. Winning the executive elections in CSUN is definitely our biggest accomplishment as a team and this is only the beginning. The three of us were brought together through Delta Sigma Theta, for a reason. UNLV is about to see exactly what that reason is this upcoming school year as we plan to make big changes and continue being the trailblazers that we have grown to be.
What are your plans for the upcoming term?
I am really seeking to make CSUN more approachable and inclusive for not only the student body, but for those already involved in CSUN. I want to help elevate the student experience here at UNLV in as many ways as I can and ensure students feel proud to call themselves a Rebel.
What is your professional end goal?
I am an early childhood education major and currently work as a full time nanny for a one-year-old baby girl. My ideal professional end goal is to have my own daycare to continue the driving passion I have for children. After I graduate next year, I plan on teaching kindergarten for a few years as I create and perfect my dream childcare center. I also plan on continuing my education and pursuing a master's degree in pediatric occupational therapy or early intervention later down the line.
What are you hoping to learn during your term?
I'm hoping to really learn how I can be of service to CSUN and the student body as senate president. I am also very excited to learn more about UNLV internally as this is my first leadership position in a capacity as big as this one.
