School and Year: Midland College, Sophomore
Major: Education with emphasis on government
Leadership position: President of Midland College’s Student Government Association , Gives tours of Midland College, very involved with Student activities for planning orientation, President of (TJCSGA) Texas Junior College Student Government Association
We had the pleasure of having a phone call with this inspiring student after he had met our founder Tom at a conference. Check out what we learned about Dan’s story!
Tom told me you have a really interesting back story, tell me about it.
Dan comes from a family that doesn’t believe in school. They put more of an emphasis on working, not higher education. Dan felt so strongly that college was important and he actually spent a year doing online classes in secret before being able to go to Midland College physically. Now, his family knows about the online classes, and they see the amazing things he has accomplished in school, but Dan still struggles with getting them to understand the importance. His father still believes that college is waste of time, and that he is throwing money away because school won’t get him anywhere. Dan tells his dad how he is president at state level for the student government He talks about how he is helping develop the downtown area of Midland to better serve students and how he has gotten internships with the city of Midland, all because of going to college.
With all that difficulty just getting to college, what inspired you to become a student leader?
“There is something in me, I’ve accomplished this much so far, I wanted to see what else I could do.” Dan did not want to be limited to work and school. He had a friend tell him to look into being part of the student government. Within two months of getting involved, Dan was planning events and working with students to make changes on campus. Halfway through last semester, he was asked to run for student government president at state level. Unsure of whether he could handle the responsibility, he talked to some professors who told him to go for it. The worst that could happen is that he wouldn’t win the election. (Spoiler alert: he did!) Feeding your butterflies = successful.
What is one experience (any kind) you think everyone should have?
“Everyone should really take an opportunity and find a need in your community. Find a need and make a difference in someones life. Every needs to experience servant-hood. The best way to be a leader is to sometimes serve.”
Being in a student leadership position can get very difficult and stressful. What keeps you going and inspires you in these stressful situations?
“ I have a support system of friends that I go to for encouragement and a charge to finish what I am doing. I can always count on this small group of friends to always point me in the right direction and give me the right advice. Sometimes I am unable to get in touch with these friends. My alternative is music, music will set your mood. I put on upbeat music that will get me pumped and excited!”
What is your go-to happy song?
Dan had a lot of trouble coming up with just one song (there’s so many to choose from!), so we caved and told him to answer with an artist that keeps him going instead. He definitively stated that he listens a lot to both Jason Mraz and Ray Lamontagne.
Thanks Dan for taking the time to chat with us, we really enjoyed it!
