The TCU Student Government Association has a new president: Joe Winick from Austin,
国产麻豆AV, a junior majoring in political science with a criminal justice minor on the
pre-law track. We asked Joe about his SGA involvement, presidential goals and some of his favorite
things on and off campus.
What brought you to TCU?
My dad went to TCU, and I didn鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 go here, but after applying to 11 schools and touring TCU, it just blew everybody else out of the water. I think it was because of the hospitality here, and now I love Fort Worth and could see myself living here for life.
When did you get involved in student government and why?
I was one of my high school鈥檚 student body vice presidents and have always been interested in the student leadership aspect. It鈥檚 an honor and a privilege to be in a position to help other students, and when I came to TCU, I knew I wanted to get involved in SGA. My dad was also in SGA, so public service runs in the blood. The university truly supports and empowers us to do what we鈥檙e doing.
What student government accomplishments are you most proud of?
My work on SGA鈥檚 Academic Affairs Committee has been the most rewarding. Starting in the fall, we now have a new deadline for pass/no credit. For this, SGA rolled up our sleeves and worked on something that will change students鈥� lives. It鈥檚 a project we鈥檝e been working on for a while, and like others, it takes a while to gain traction, but it鈥檚 very satisfying to see a long-term project like this get wrapped up. Another is the university鈥檚 Quality Enhancement Plan, which I, along with others from SGA, helped steer forward as we are a strong advocate for inclusive practices on campus.
What are your primary goals as president?
The fall SGA concert is top of the list as we plan that over the summer. We want to continue SGA鈥檚 work to increase transparency on course descriptions, where professors can provide optional information about courses that will make it clearer so students really know what a class is about. We鈥檙e still working through the technical aspects of that. We鈥檒l also continue work on student safety issues, including a shuttle system, and I want us to see about getting student workers parking passes.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be and how do you plan to overcome it?
Making sure a project doesn鈥檛 reach a stalemate is probably our biggest challenge. Progress takes time; nothing gets done with one person, and our efforts require so many hands from so many different entities. The biggest struggle is to not lose motivation through the process, especially when it feels like something is slowing down. We need to stay motivated and not get discouraged.
What are some other campus organizations you鈥檙e involved in?
I鈥檓 member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and its vice president of academics. I鈥檓 also active in Patrick鈥檚 Purpose to Value Life, the student organization to promote mental health.
What are your goals after graduation?
Right now, law school, though I鈥檓 still deciding which area of law. At first, I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney, but now maybe general counsel for a corporation or a university. But I also have a growing interest in working in higher education.
What do you love most about being a Horned Frog?
It鈥檚 the community. There鈥檚 a home for everyone here as there are so many student organizations. I love that TCU has a big-school feel, thanks to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, but it鈥檚 also small enough that you see familiar faces every day. When I walk to class, there鈥檚 so much activity. Everything is walkable, and I love how pretty campus is. Even in the dead of summer, flowers are blooming and the grass is green. Plus, I鈥檝e made a lot of my best friends here.
More about Joe:
Go-to morning beverage:鈥疌辞蹿蹿别别&苍产蝉辫;
A food you wish was healthy:鈥疨颈锄锄补&苍产蝉辫;
Favorite spot on campus: Frog Fountain鈥�
Favorite hangout off campus:鈥疌ommon Grounds
Favorite movie:鈥疐orrest Gump
Last show you binge watched: Seinfeld, my favorite show of all time鈥�
On your playlist:鈥疌ountry and oldies, like Earth Wind & Fire, Frank Sinatra
Hobbies:鈥疓olf, basketball
Place you love to visit/would travel to one day: I spent a lot of my summers going to basketball tournaments, so I haven鈥檛 had a chance to travel much. This summer, I traveled to New York City over Memorial Day weekend and then to Chicago in June for a 150th mural dedication. Of course, going to Washington, D.C., is on the list.
A professor who had a meaningful impact on you:鈥�Dr. Matthew Montgomery from the political science department. He went above and beyond to connect with me on a personal level and has been a phenomenal resource for me as I have navigated my time here at TCU thus far. On top of being a great professor, he is an awesome mentor who truly cares for his students.
Best TCU memory to date:鈥疶CU鈥檚 last football season, during the Oklahoma State University game, when we marched back and won the game. That鈥檚 when TCU got the nation鈥檚 attention and said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e serious. We鈥檙e here to play.鈥�