Following two Illinois Student Senate resignations this month, Jenny Baldwin, former chief of staff and sole nominee, will assume both positions, after being elected to them at Wednesday’s meeting.
“I never pictured VPX (vice president-external) as something I would do,” the junior in LAS said. “But you know, sometimes opportunity just knocks and things happen. I’m excited to get to work.”
Former vice president-external and senior in LAS Ryan Young announced his resignation at last week’s meeting, and former public relations committee chair Rachael Markwell announced her resignation Jan. 19.
Young said he could have graduated last semester and decided recently to retroactively apply to graduate, so he will no longer be a student at the University.
“(It’s) bittersweet of course, but it’s definitely the right thing to do to let new people take over and represent,” Young said. “I’m still going to be involved behind the scenes.”
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Young said in a pre-election speech that because of the past movement of senators within the body, outreach projects have become more the responsibility of the public relations committee instead of the vice president-external. Now Baldwin will take on both roles, something Young had planned to do last semester before his resignation.
“It’s pretty much just merged the role of chief communications officer and PR chair, so that’s really helpful,” Baldwin said. “We’ll be able to get things done faster and more efficiently.”
Baldwin said she wants to start working on promoting student elections, and she is also looking into hiring a graphic designer.
Senator Chris Dayton, senior in LAS, nominated Baldwin. He said she would not have to be brought up to speed, and she has already proved she is qualified to serve as vice president-external.
Young said he wants to actively work with the senate in an advisory role to the new chief of staff until the end of August, when his lease ends. He plans to attend graduate school to study student affairs and hopes to serve as a high-level administrator within a university in the future.
Young also said he looks forward to seeing what Baldwin accomplishes as vice president-external, mentioning that as no one ran against her, it goes to show how much the senate supports her.
“I know she’s going to be focused on really revamping our image and leading PR and the vice president’s office with a strong unified message,” he said.
Tyler can be reached at [email protected].
