SAIS DC SGA Elections: Candidate Profiles

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Chris Burger

Youtube link for those who prefer not to read: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgSCNvIHhjw

I am running for the SGA first-year representative position because I would like to find a way to get more deeply involved with SAIS and my classmates. I was kind of an academic underdog, and had to work very hard just to get in. Now that I am here, I feel privileged to now call SAIS home, and coming into school every day is an honor. Because of this, I want to find a way to give back and contribute towards other students having that same positive feeling, and make sure that we all get the best experience possible out of our next two years here. I believe I possess the right leadership skills, people skills, and most importantly listening and communication skills to not only represent my classmates, but to go to work for them in terms of being a link between the student body and the faculty/administration.

I was never involved with student government in the past, but have hosted successful school events. I like to have a lot of fun to balance out a tough work schedule. After attending some of our school events such as back to school night, I now know it is just as important to have social events for students to allow them to cool down and enjoy being together in a more relaxed setting. I would love to get involved with planning these events and make sure my classmates get a healthy balance of work and play during their time here. I will be sure to give this position the attention and commitment it deserves. Thank you for considering me for this position.

Andrew Martinez

I am originally from Bethesda, Maryland and went to high school in Washington, DC, which provided me with a good network here and familiarity with the city. I believe I would be a great resource for people new to the D.C. area. I studied Political Science at the University of Southern California and graduated in 2010. Following college, I worked on the hill for a bit and spent time as a litigation support specialist for law firms in the D.C. area. I then spent a year teaching English with CTLC in Shenzhen, China and am a China Studies concentrator here.

I believe the key to success in this city is your network. Anyone who has lived here long enough will tell you that the easiest way to land your dream job in D.C. is through personal connections. Luckily, we at SAIS have access to some of the brightest minds in international affairs in both the public and private sector through our vast alumni network. My main goal with SGA would be to increase the number and frequency of any and all events with alumni so that you’ll have the opportunity to build your network. I’d also be interested in setting up a system that consolidates all upcoming events at SAIS (club lunches, information sessions, career services sessions, alumni events, etc.) in a comprehensive calendar format for easier reference. Also, I’ll see what can be done about getting a Moon Bounce in front of Nitze, free flowing beer taps, and a zip line system between Nitze and Rome.

Jacob Morrin

I am from Wisconsin where, as a vegan, I have become highly skilled in tactfully declining to consume cheese. After graduating from the University of Chicago in 2010 with the dubious honor of not having attended a single economics class, I preceded to spend two years working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar. Two years of playing (but not dancing) with lemurs and chameleons has convinced me that international development and the SAIS IDEV program are the place to be. Here at SAIS, in addition to the mix of emotions I feel about finally getting around to taking those econ classes, I’m happy to be surrounded by such a talented and friendly group of peop—er, folks, as they say in government. In fact, engaging with the SAIS community—students, faculty, and staff—is one of the reasons I am interested in joining SGA. Having represented my region during my time in the Peace Corps, I know the important role that communicating concerns to the powers that be plays in improving the community. If you vote for me to be first-year representative, I will make sure that your concerns—be they about the bidding timeline or the four different browser windows you need to have open in order to register for courses, look at course evaluations, compare course descriptions, and view course syllabi—have a voice.

Will Yale

I am originally from San Francisco, have lived in China for a couple of years, and am currently a Strategic Studies concentrator. As an undergraduate at Trinity College, I was a member of the SGA for a couple of years and chair of their Academic Affairs committee. While in office, I created a new program called “After Office Hours” that reimbursed students who took their professors out to dinner, and organized monthly “Conversation over Cocktails” events in which selected professors would lead members of the entire community (a mix of students, faculty, and staff) in intellectual discussions in an intimate environment over wine and hors d’oeuvres. The main animating idea underlying my time there was to find ways to bring professors and students together outside of the classroom environment.

I would love to continue similar work at SAIS. I have so far had a fantastic time at SAIS, and no major issues have come up. But I am sure there will always be more work to do in creating a more fun and inclusive environment, both academically and socially. As my past experience attests, I am most interested in programs that bring both of these sides together.

As a graduate of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, I would also like to contribute to more cohesiveness between HNC and the rest of the SAIS community. While Margaux Fimbres is the HNC representative, I would be very eager to help improve both the HNC experience and relations between all three campuses.