With the odds stacked against her, Sarah Salter, junior mathematical science major with secondary education certification, emerged victorious with 55 percent of the vote in the 2012-13 student government election. Seldom does a student transition to student-leader readily equipped to tackle student issues within their respective campus; yet, students of next year will have Salter - an advocate for students willing to take on two campuses.
Salter entered into the election as a candidate for the Vice-President of Kean at Ocean: a position created two years ago to serve as a liaison for the students on the university's Ocean County campus. Salter, having learned about the position from peers and administrators - both urging her to enter the race -- assessed the pros and cons of her commitment to a student government position.
With one week till deadline, the already engaged student green-lighted her candidacy; and this left Salter in a position statistically resulting in failure: she entered a solitary unit against a formed ticket party.
Not being discouraged, Salter pressed on with her campaign taking a particular interest in effective public relation and social media use. Already practicing delegation and recruitment, she sought the aid of supporters to distribute campaign material. She even managed to win over supporters of other candidates emerged in election mode. Mario Fernandez, then candidate for student alternate trustee election for the board of trustees and now official winner, was impressed with Salter during her campaign and decided to vocalize his support of her to voters. On Election Day, Salter and Fernandez walked campus grounds together to inform voters of their respective stances.
It was during campaigning when Salter says she really had the opportunity to learn of the pressing issues students considered most important to them. During the election's "Meet the Candidates" event, Salter addressed the issue of a need for equal student services offered to both the Union campus and the Ocean County campus.
"Students on both campuses pay approximately $1,800 per semester in student fees; yet the services offered to both are largely different," stressed Salter. "The students of [Kean at Ocean] would like to see more programs on professional development, as well as fun-filled events." Salter went on to acknowledge that though the Gateway Building linking the county college to the university is currently under construction, proactive measure for offered services is a present task.
Salter says she is well positioned to serve as the liaison for Kean at Ocean students, not merely because she completed her associate degree with the college, but because she is the product of being an Ocean County resident her whole life. The Toms River native says she knows well the atmosphere of school and her community.
Next year's position on the student government executive board will not be the first university engagement Salter tucks under her belt. She is a member of the Math Club and is a "founding sailor" of the KU Sailing student group. Salter is currently treasurer for the latter, and anticipates the role of vice-president for the group next year. Recently, the team sailed against the University of Pennsylvania and exited the race first-place winners.
Salter has even taken the lead on organizing a new honor society for the university.
"Many academic departments within the university have an honor society; but math does not. Dr. Raymond Viglione
With this kind of momentum, senior year is shaping up to be a productive and rewarding one for Salter. She stares down academic and professional field work, adding her new role as a Ronald E. McNair scholar; but she will stack it against new leadership roles, student affairs advocacy, and a the tall task of syncing the students of campuses miles away from each other. Though, Salter is approaching the upcoming year with confidence.
"I am an extremely diligent and passionate person. I consume myself in a task if I want to conquer it. That is my work ethic."
