2022-2023 Student Body President/Regent, Vice President, Chief of Staff Sworn In
President Tori Sims, Vice President Veronica Chapman, and Chief of Staff Nate Johnson, were sworn into office on Thursday, April 28.
- published: 2022/04/29
- contact: Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications
- phone: 402.554.2358
- email: contact@unomaha.edu
- search keywords:
- Student Government
- Board of Regents
Tori Sims, student body president and regent; Veronica Chapman, student body vice president; and Nate Johnson, chief of staff, were sworn into office as UNO's next student representatives on Thursday, April 28.
The Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications asked them questions to help provide more information about themselves and their vision for UNO.
Read about the full results of this year's Student Government elections here and get to know the 2022-2023 class of incoming college senators and other student body representatives.
Q: Why did you run for your office?
Tori Sims: "I saw this as an opportunity to become more of an advocate for all the communities I’ve been apart of on campus!"
Veronica Chapman: "I decided to run for Vice President of UNO Student Government Association because I firmly believe in the mission of creating a campus community that reflects our student body and their goals. This can be accomplished by amplifying the student's voice. The student's voice is at the heart of the student experience. Through my extended experience on UNO’s campus, I understand the necessity of advocating for continuous improvement whether this improvement is found in student access, sustainability efforts, or conversations focused on accountability and transparency. In office, I look forward to collaborating with students and administration alike to create a campus for everyone."
Nate Johnson: "I ran with Tori and Veronica because I believe that our combination of experiences, accomplishments, and perspectives made us well-suited to advocate for and with students on campus. We've seen Student Government grow over the years and focus more on serving others and we've been a part of that change. In my time as a Senator I’ve been able to make an impact. I wanted to work with other students who also care deeply about improving our campus. We have over 15,000 students on campus and our Student Government should work to represent them all. Our varied backgrounds position us to coordinate student-centered advocacy around issues that matter to the University's primary stakeholders—students."
Q. What do you hope to accomplish in your time in office?
Tori Sims: "To broadly and briefly state my goals: support student leaders on campus; increase the transparency of student government and UNO in general for students; make student government and involvement elsewhere more accessible; continue to push for sustainability to be a priority at our campus; and advocate for student wants and needs!"
Veronica Chapman: "When I look back on this year in office, I hope to have contributed to a more engaged student body that will further support our Student Government Association. This year, Student Government has transitioned to the Student Government Association, this transition will ensure accessibility and encourage students' voices to be heard on all topics. Through continuous support of our student agencies, an emphasis on advocacy and transparency, and prioritizing a more sustainable UNO, our campus will become more representative of the students it is there to support."
Nate Johnson: "The position of Chief of Staff is new, so I have a few goals. The first is to effectively manage the seven directors on the executive team and provide coaching and guidance to help them with their duties. Second is to create a strong foundation for future Chiefs of Staff. This position is new, so the work that I do becomes the new “normal” for the position. Third, I want to continue to work with our agencies, which are student-run and student-funded resource offices, to continue to support students on campus. Lastly, I want to use my knowledge and experience to help other people in Student Government to make an impact and navigate the often-complex University systems."
Q. Why did you choose to come to UNO?
Tori Sims: "UNO stuck out to me as an opportunity to join an inclusive and forward thinking community that offered my programs and opportunities to be involved in the community while not having to leave my home state/community!"
Veronica Chapman: "I chose to attend UNO because, like many of our students, UNO was and continues to be the best option due to our campus culture, financial support, and opportunities from the Omaha community. Since making the decision to become a Maverick, I have never once doubted my decision and know that this campus will and has met our students where they are to get them to where they want to be."
Nate Johnson: "College was a major financial decision and UNO was not only the safe option, but it was one that I was already connected to through my community involvement. I was excited to build on this involvement given the value that the campus places on engagement and knew that this would help me build personal and professional opportunities across the city in the industries that I work in. I am so glad that I chose UNO and know that I would not be who I am if not for my time here."
Q. What does being a Maverick mean to you?
Tori Sims: "Being a Maverick, to me, means that you are looking out not only for yourself but for the entire community that surrounds you. It’s taking an approach that prioritizes thinking and creating in a manner that will yield results that help others."
Veronica Chapman: "To be a Maverick is to be unapologetically yourself. UNO cultivates a campus culture that allows students from all backgrounds to fulfill this, oftentimes creating a safe environment for them for the first time in their lives. I am proud to be a Maverick because it is a promise to be true to yourself each and every day."
Nate Johnson: "To me being a Maverick means knowing who I am and how I am connected to the world around me. As independent or unorthodox we might be, we exist as a part of a community of people who are learning, living, and growing together. In a culture in which we prize self-made people, being a Maverick means recognizing that no person is an island, and that we all do better when we all do better. We can look critically at things and question if we are doing things because that’s how they’ve always been done or if it's because it is actually the best way to do things. Being a Maverick means, at a University where many of our students are the first in their family to attend college, standing up for each other and helping make our journeys easier. A Maverick is not just a person who can decide things for themselves, but is someone who is a friend and support to others."
Q. Is there anything you would like to say to the student body?
Tori Sims: "First and foremost, I’m really proud to be apart of our student body. We have truly incredible students here at UNO that show a lot of resilience and achievement! I also would like to say that I want to be a resource for our student body as much as possible, so if there’s a way that Student Government can help you out, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to be of support to you."
Veronica Chapman: "The Student Government Association is in place to advocate for YOU, all 15,000-plus students that call UNO their campus. Do not be afraid to utilize this resource, to ask questions, to ask for more of your university. I cannot wait to get started in this position, let’s do this, Mavs!"
Nate Johnson: "I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve students along with Tori and Veronica. Student Government can—and should be—a place that works for all students. We’re dedicated to living up to what our Student Government, and our University, can be for all of us. If there’s ever anything we can do to help, please reach out."
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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