Meet the 2022-2023 Allied Health SGA Senators
Posted on January 24, 2023 by CAHP
The Student Government Association is the voice and governing body of the students. Between several different branches and committees, the members aim to continuously provide, represent and commit to making the University of South Alabama a better place for the student body. Within the Legislative Branch, each college has appointed senators that set goals of implementing new initiatives, supporting other organizations and improving their respective colleges through senate projects.
The Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions SGA Senators currently have
several ongoing initiatives as an effort to improve the campus life for students.
Some of these jobs include supplying free menstrual products in every female restroom
in the Health Sciences Building, renovating the study room for the biomedical sciences
students on the fourth floor of the Health Sciences Building and helping with the
coordination of parking ticket forgiveness day. Let’s get to know the 2022-2023 Covey
College of Allied Health Professions SGA Senators!
Anita Nguyen
Where are you from?
Mobile, Alabama
Where did you go to high school?
UMS-Wright
What is your major?
Biomedical sciences with a minor in sociology
Why did you choose your major?
I feel that this major would best prepare me for dental school. I also really enjoy
how South's biomedical sciences program highlights a variety of scientific areas that
can allow you to explore different fields of knowledge.
What led you to choose South?
South has always had this charm to it that I initially took longer to notice. I've
lived in Mobile all of my life and believed that I needed to branch out beyond the
city to truly feel the "college experience." However, after visiting South a couple
times, I came to realize all of the opportunities it has to offer. I truly find the
community around here to be so incredibly welcoming, and I definitely think I made
the best choice coming here to pursue my college career.
What inspired you to be a part of South’s Student Government Association?
I feel like becoming a part of SGA really has to do with "what can I do for the student
body?" I thought this would be a wonderful chance to show others that there are opportunities
everywhere to make an impact on those around us.
What is something you have learned as an SGA senator that you will likely use outside
of college?
I have definitely learned how to better manage my time between this role, my other
extra-curriculars, and my academic courses, and I think this will help me better understand
how to manage my time outside of college as well.
What are some upcoming events the Student Government Association is hosting that people
should know about?
We're having a "Brunch with Bonner" event in the Student Center Terrace coming this
2023 spring semester where students can sit down together with President Bonner over
brunch and get to know him!
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
I really like catching up with my friends and picking back up some of my hobbies like
knitting, crocheting, and sewing.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My first time truly flying was an overseas trip to study abroad in Germany!
Hannah Walker
Where are you from?
Long Beach, Mississippi
Where did you go to high school?
Long Beach High School
What is your major?
Biomedical sciences
Why did you choose your major?
I chose my major because I wanted to be able to help people and believed that the
medical profession was the path I needed to follow.
What led you to choose South?
I chose South because it had such a great program and in between the two schools I
was deciding between it was a lot closer to home.
What inspired you to be a part of South’s Student Government Association?
I was in SGA in community college and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of making the
school better each year and wanted to participate and be more involved throughout.
What is something you have learned as an SGA senator that you will likely use outside
of college?
I learned valuable lessons when working with others and how to effectively communicate
if things aren’t necessarily going the way you had hoped.
What are some upcoming events the Student Government Association is hosting that people
should know about?
SGA Meetings on Monday nights at 8 p.m.
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
I like to spend time with my two dogs and go to the gym.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I lived in Spain for a month.
Nick Coda Ramos
Where are you from?
Pensacola, Florida
Where did you go to high school?
Gulf Breeze High School
What is your major?
Professional health sciences with a concentration in healthcare management
Why did you choose your major?
I believe I could go very far in this profession. Whether it be locally or nationally,
there are opportunities everywhere.
What led you to choose South?
South is close enough to Pensacola that I can go home and visit my parents when I
have the chance. I also live in a service area so I qualify for instate tuition!
What inspired you to be a part of South’s Student Government Association?
I wanted to continue my leadership after high school. In high school I was senior
class president, and heard about the First Year Council on a college tour. I knew
that I wanted to grow as a leader and create a bond with the student body.
What is something you have learned as an SGA senator that you will likely use outside
of college?
I have learned how to communicate in groups effectively and how to be a strong community
leader.
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
I love to travel and hangout with my friends when I can. I am also a brother of Pi
Kappa Phi, so I love going out into the community and volunteering.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Fun fact: I have been to all four corners of the country.
Maddie Edgar
Where are you from?
Fairhope, Alabama
Where did you go to high school?
Fairhope High School
What is your major?
Professional health sciences
Why did you choose your major?
My goal is to become a physician's assistant. I chose my major based on this. I have
always been interested in going into the health field, and professional health sciences
is a perfect fit for what I want to do. The program offers broad information in health
related disciplines while incorporating management and communications. I think this
balance is important for being a PA, I believe it will allow me to effectively care
and communicate with my patients. I find my major very rewarding - especially when
linked with volunteer work.
What led you to choose South?
My mom went to South. She always pushed me to go here. It never really caught my eye
until I toured, then I realized how much South had to offer. I ended up canceling
my other tours that were after because I loved it so much and knew I wanted to be
here. When I toured South, it was beautiful, the people were nice, and health sciences
programs really caught my attention. But, most importantly, I felt I could really
be myself here and grow as an individual.
I think college is really tough and it's important to find a place that you can grow
in but also that grows with you. South is perfect in that way, they really adapt to
the student lifestyle and want everyone to feel like it is their Home. I really noticed
that South Alabama made it a point to make every student feel they had a place. I
admire that about this University. I can confidently say now that I have grown in
a tremendous way through this University and that it has also grown with me. I wouldn't
change anything about the decision I made.
What inspired you to be a part of South’s Student Government Association?
I have always been interested in leadership positions and being able to make a difference
in my community. When applications came out, I decided to run for a senate seat in
allied health just to really see what SGA was about - I honestly didn't have much
knowledge other than what some of my sorority sisters had told me about their time
in SGA. I was inspired by how others talked highly of SGA and First Year Council -
I realized soon after my application how much of a difference I really could make
on this campus and specifically for the College of Allied Health. I was eager to respond
to the ideas of others, helping to improve them and making something real out of them
in SGA.
What is something you have learned as an SGA senator that you will likely use outside
of college?
The most important things I believe will carry on with me that I have learned while
being an SGA Senator is preparation, execution and accountability — I believe these
skills will remain vitally important to my career as a PA and in life in general.
In life, you constantly have to be prepared, execute, and have accountability.
What are some upcoming events the Student Government Association is hosting that people
should know about?
Parking Ticket Forgiveness Day!
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
Outside of class and studying, I am very involved on campus. I am an Allied Health
Senator, I serve as the secretary of Pre-PA Society, a member of my sorority Phi Mu,
an Honors College student, and a member of AED. I also work in the Allied Health Advising
and Dean's Office as a student worker. I also love just hanging out with friends,
walking my dog or going to the gym.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I'm an only child!
Connor Lewis
Where are you from?
Florence, Alabama
Where did you go to high school?
Brooks High School
What is your major?
Biomedical sciences and English (double major) with a minor in chemistry
Why did you choose your major?
Primarily, I am following the pre-medical track here at South and, more significantly,
am a member of the College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program. In line with this,
I foster a great passion for science and the variable applications of its faculties,
so far as medicine and the quotidian world in its entirety are concerned. The field
of medicine, in particular, is constantly evolving—always growing in scope and breadth—and
so I, in light of this, aspire to one day contribute, in my own way, to this profound
sphere that I believe to be synonymous with nothing but hope and miracle.
What led you to choose South?
My acceptance into the College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program (as alluded to
above) most significantly persuaded me to attend the University of South Alabama.
Aside from this, however, upon touring USA's campus, I moreover fell in love with
the atmosphere and overarching temperament that seems to define both this university
and its students/faculty.
My overwhelmingly positive opinion of USA, I believe, is inherently intertwined with
my opinion of the people that the university naturally encapsulates; the gestures
of inclusivity and congeniality that have been extended to me during my short time
attending USA have been duly felt, and truly, I could not be happier with my decision
to continue my academic career at this wonderful institution.
What inspired you to be a part of South’s Student Government Association?
Ultimately, as a freshman who knew very few people upon moving to Mobile, I desired
to become more involved on campus—both for my own sake and that of my peers. I observed
several shortfalls that I believed could, with some effort and coordination, be ameliorated,
and so I decided to rise to this call of duty by elevating myself to some position
of charge.
What is something you have learned as an SGA senator that you will likely use outside
of college?
Although I have certainly heretofore been part of my fair share of teams and committees,
be it through sports or extraneous student organizations, I have this year learned
exactly what it means—and takes—for an organization to operate as a truly unified
machine. I have appreciated the profound insight that my participation in SGA has
lent me so far, and I cannot wait to see what other self-growths will be facilitated,
with respect to my future person, by this organization.
What are some upcoming events the Student Government Association is hosting that people
should know about?
Parking Ticket Forgiveness Day - I would encourage everyone, if applicable, to participate
in the event and save themselves a bit of money!
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
I undoubtedly spend the vast majority of my time studying. However, apart from this,
I often work out or play basketball at the recreational center on campus. I find that
these physical endeavors are great for relieving stress and, most importantly, lending
me outlets through which I can clear and recharge my mind.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I earned myself a black belt in Taekwondo by the time I was eight years old!