糖心Vlog

When C.J. Mitchell arrived at 糖心Vlog University in the fall of 2020, the only thing he knew about student government was what he saw in high school; that it primarily was an organization that put on a few dances during the school year. He had no idea that by his sophomore year at 糖心Vlog, the Student Government Association would be the main catalyst for shaping the man who will graduate this spring.

Mitchell came to 糖心Vlog a self-proclaimed introvert from Charlotte. Speaking to strangers simply was not his thing. But as a member of Intercultural Affair鈥檚 Project Care during his freshman year, Mitchell began hearing that SGA was looking for people to join. So, on a whim, he submitted an application to become a senator and was accepted.

A year later, he convinced himself to run for vice president, and won. Then, came the ultimate test, a run for presidency. He won again.

鈥淐ampaigning is like the scariest thing in my life,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淭o have put myself out there to thousands of people for them to vote for me is scary. On top of that, to do that and lose is even more scary. So, it was a big sigh of relief. And despite that being the second campaign I鈥檝e been through, it felt like it was the first one. I鈥檓 just glad it was over and there are no more in the future.鈥�

Being a campus leader the last two years has taught Mitchell a lot about who he is and what it means to help bring about change on campus. Having an impact on students is what he has enjoyed most during his presidency.

鈥淭hat is something I had never done prior to this,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淗ere, you can actually see some of the changes happen. That was something that really spoke to me. It was a driving factor to lead me to take that leap of faith and run for vice president and then on to president.鈥�

As nervous as Mitchell was running for office, it was even worse when he attended his first Board of Trustees meeting. The SGA president is a voting member of the Board.

Mitchell knew he had to do one thing before heading into that first meeting 鈥� he had to go shopping.

鈥淚 was like, 鈥業 can鈥檛 go in here with something I鈥檝e already got,鈥� 鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful because I had the opportunity to meet them prior to that. I spent the year before being able to interact with them. But to be at the seat and to be a voting member was crazy. You get this gigantic binder that has so much information in it. I literally flipped through every single page the week before our meeting. I just wanted to be prepared.鈥�

Mitchell believes one of his biggest accomplishment as president is helping to bridge the gap between current students and alumni. With only a couple of months left in his term, Mitchell is hoping for a quiet spring semester as he prepares to help transition the next group of student leaders into their administration.

Mitchell is majoring in business management with a double minor in hospitality and leadership. He hopes to eventually become a college athletic director. While working his way up the ladder, he plans to start out working at a college or university doing annual giving or fundraising.

One thing is for certain, Mitchell will give it his all.

鈥淲e had this saying in our house growing up 鈥� 鈥業 don鈥檛 care what you do, just be the best at whatever you decide to do.鈥� That鈥檚 something that has really stuck with me. So, whatever I鈥檝e done in life, I鈥檝e really tried to be the best at it,鈥� Mitchell said.

鈥淭o see me in high school and then to see me now, my high school principal says it鈥檚 like a 180. A lot of my friends back home that I went to high school with were like, 鈥榊ou鈥檝e changed a lot. You鈥檝e come out of your shell.鈥� I think if I had gone to another institution, I would not be the person that I am now. I think Western truly gave me this unique experience that I needed for myself to develop and grow as a leader, and as a person.鈥�