Five days after passing the torch to current Vanderbilt Student Government President Wyatt Smith, former President Joseph Williams sat down with The Hustler to reflect on his time in office and what he hopes to see in the coming years for the student body and VSG.
Vanderbilt Hustler: What was the main highlight of your term as VSG president?
Joseph Williams: If I had to touch on one accomplishment in the past year, probably the biggest picture one that seems kind of powerful would be the Global Summer Fellows Program. Wyatt (Smith) did a lot of work on this. From proposal to initiation of the program, we got to see all of that happen in one year. With a big program like that, to see $ 250,000 get up for that, to see students get to study abroad because of that funding, was huge.
VH: What hopes do you have for VSG's future?
JW: I would hope that they would be able to push through and expand wireless. I hope that they could get a Chick-fil-A on campus. And I really hope, No. 1, they can continue to get real results that students see and that make life better for every student everyday despite the economic realities, which makes their job harder. I have full faith in Wyatt (Smith) and Lori (Murphy) that they will be able to get those results.
VH: Do you have any regrets and if so, what are they?
JW: I had a good run. It was a good year, I enjoyed it. I loved every bit of it. I feel that every leader has to come to terms with the fact that they are the best leader they can but that the organization doesn't depend on them or their personality or their skill set. I think I have been able to do that. My student government career has shown that losses are just as important as wins in shaping who you are. No regrets.
VH: What is it like now that your term has ended?
JW: I have a lot more free time. I'm hanging out with friends. But weird is the fact that being involved in other organizations, VSG always gave me a constant sense of purpose. And so to have that gone which drove me for so long is strange. Not having my calendar filled and my inbox being constantly refilled is weird. But it's a good opportunity to process by term and my four years in college.
VH: What is next for you?
JW: For the next two years, I will be doing Teach for America here in Nashville. I will be a high school history teacher. All my free time allows me to be anxious about that. I knew I didn't want to go straight to law school and I knew I wanted to do something unique that would give me that drive. It should be a constant roller coaster and fun ride but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared.
ALSO BY SYDNEY WILMER
To listen to the full interview, click here.
