ONE-ON-ONE with 2021-22 Student Government Leaders

The Scranton Journal talks to 2021-22 student government leaders Claire Sunday ’23 & Adrianna Smith ’22, G’23.

2021-22 Student Government leaders, from left: Claire Sunday ’23, then-vice president, and Adrianna Smith ’22, G’23, then-president.
2021-22 Student Government leaders, from left: Claire Sunday ’23, then-vice president, and Adrianna Smith ’22, G’23, then-president.

Adrianna Smith (AS)
Student Government President for 2021-22
Philosophy & Theology Major, Biology Minor
Smith, a member of the SJLA honors program, will pursue her accelerated master’s degree in theology at Scranton after graduation and then plans to go to medical school. She has spent three years in Student Government and has been an RA, co-director and tour guide in Admissions, an orientation assistant and a mentor for other first-generation students through THR1VE.

Claire Sunday (CS)
Student Government Vice President for 2021-22
Philosophy & Theology Major, Political Science & Spanish Minors
Sunday, a member of the SJLA honors program, has served on Student Government for three years. In addition, she has worked as a tour guide and has been part of the orientation team. She served as a volunteer for Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti’s successful campaign in fall 2019 and as an intern in the Office of the Mayor in summer 2020.

2021-22 Student Government leaders, from left: Adrianna Smith ’22, G’23, then-president, and Claire Sunday ’23, then-vice president.
2021-22 Student Government leaders, from left: Adrianna Smith ’22, G’23, then-president, and Claire Sunday ’23, then-vice president.

 You’re the first all-female Student Government leadership duo. Why is this important to you and/or the University?

AS: Many other students were very happy to see two female students in these executive positions, and my main hope is that it will inspire younger female students to pursue leadership positions as they grow at Scranton.

CS: I think that it is important for women to have this type of representation, especially in college, which can be such a profound period of growing up.

Can you give us a glimpse into what you do to get people to understand how all-encompassing these jobs are?

AS: The president’s role mainly focuses on advocating on behalf of the students. I get to spend a lot of time in different types of meetings sharing the opinions of students, and it is very rewarding to be able to make changes in this way.

CS: As vice president, I am mainly in charge of the clubs that Student Government charters. I help students properly petition for their club to the rest of senate, and I also run the meetings and oversee the committees.

What has been the most challenging part of leading through the pandemic?

AS: The most challenging part has definitely been trying to navigate the difference of opinions among students on campus and trying to best advocate for everyone. It has been difficult to figure out how everyone feels as we move toward normalcy, but we have been able to start doing a lot more in-person events, which has been great to start interacting with students again.

CS: Yes, we have all been affected by the pandemic, but we have all been affected uniquely as well. Some students are less comfortable with certain things than others (which is completely appropriate and understandable). I have been trying to balance concerns in such a way that one student’s concern does not overshadow another’s.

"I think that it is important for women to have this type of representation, especially in college, which can be such a profound period of growing up." -Claire Sunday '23

What was the most important lesson you’ve learned this past year?

AS: I’ve learned that it is OK to not always have the right answers all the time. Being in a position like this, other students often assume that I know everything that is going on. While I wish I did know all the answers, I have learned that it is OK to ask others so that I can best tell students about what is happening on campus.

CS: I think the most important lesson I have learned is to listen, to truly listen. I am trying to make this school the best place for everyone, and, to do that, it’s important that I take to heart what everyone has to say.

What were your goals going into your tenures as president and vice president and what do you feel you’ve achieved?

AS: Our main goals really focused on getting the campus back to normal. For me, it was about getting our community back to the way it was before the pandemic. Our community really came together for each other these past two years, but nothing really compares to how close and inclusive our community was pre-pandemic.

CS: A big goal was to attend to mental health issues on campus since the pandemic did affect it greatly. To do that, we have tried to be a strong voice for students in trying to safely move our campus back to normal. At first, the steps understandably had to be small, but even small steps helped the students ease back toward normalcy more comfortably, and, as we approach normalcy more, the students’ smiles have grown larger, and their laughter has grown louder. Although mental health on campus is not perfect, I believe it is better than it was.

You’ll become alumnae soon. How will you feel about entering this new network?

AS: I’m definitely very excited about entering this new stage in my life, but I am sad to leave my undergraduate life behind. I’m hoping to continue to be as involved as an alumna as I was during my time on campus.

CS: I feel fortunate now that I am only a junior, but already I have started to feel sad due to the thought of leaving. Yet, you never really leave the University due to its amazing alumni. So although it will be hard to leave, I am happy that I get to continue to be part of an amazing group of people.

How do you help to continue to lead after graduation?

AS: Since I will still be starting at the University for graduate school, I’m hoping to be able to lend a helping hand to the new executive team of Student Government. I often rely on the last president when I have questions, so I’m hoping my presence will be helpful to the new team.

CS: After graduation, I have considered being a professor, whether a law professor or an undergraduate professor in philosophy. The professors I have had at the University have given me extraordinary life advice that has guided me throughout my time here, and I want to do the same for my own students someday.

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