Episode Transcript
[00:00:06] Speaker A: Hello. Welcome to Kendall speaks.
I'm Dr. Brian Stewart Kendall, campus president. And today we have four amazing students with us who are current SGA officers, and we're excited to visit with them.
First, our President of SGA, Ms. Nya Escandon. Welcome. Did I say it right?
[00:00:29] Speaker B: Naya Escandon.
[00:00:30] Speaker A: Escandon. I did. All right. Welcome.
[00:00:32] Speaker B: Yes. Thank you so much for having me. We're so excited.
[00:00:34] Speaker A: Yeah. Jacqueline.
[00:00:35] Speaker C: Para.
[00:00:35] Speaker A: Our vice president.
[00:00:36] Speaker C: Para.
[00:00:37] Speaker A: Para.
[00:00:38] Speaker C: Parra.
[00:00:39] Speaker B: Parra.
[00:00:39] Speaker C: Roll the Rs. Parra.
[00:00:41] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:00:42] Speaker C: I'm excited as well. Thank you for having me.
[00:00:44] Speaker A: And we have our treasurer, Miguel Rojas.
[00:00:47] Speaker E: Hi, how are you?
[00:00:48] Speaker A: And then finally, our secretary, Alyssa Gonzalez.
[00:00:51] Speaker B: Hi.
[00:00:51] Speaker A: All right, well, we're really pleased. What you guys don't know is this is around our 35th or 36th podcast. The very first one was Student Government Association. And so it's great that you guys are now back this year to talk a little bit about what's going on. Let's first start with you. Nyah. Give us a little story about how you came to Miami Dade campus, what brought you to the Kendall campus, and tell us a little bit about your past, if you would.
[00:01:15] Speaker B: Okay, so my story is kind of all over the place.
For high school, I had lived in Greenville, South Carolina, and I originally was supposed to go to a college over there. It was called the College of Charleston. I was super excited to go, but for, like, the few couple of years during high school, I was getting really homesick, and I just, like, something was calling to me that I needed to go back home to Miami because I was born and raised here.
And I made the decision very late on in the year to accept a position in the class of 2028 for FIU.
And then when I got back home, I live. My mom's a single mom, and my parents aren't together, so money is not always kind of tight. But it was a lot of pressure for me, especially because I want to go to law school. And it was really important for me to save money. And I was very fortunate to get the Pell Grant that FAFSA covers. So it allowed me to come to college for free and save up as much money as I could. So that way, I was able to later on pursue a law degree.
So, I mean, till this day, I always say Miami Dade College was not my first choice, but it has been the best choice because I've been so blessed to be with so many opportunities. I thank God every single day that I am in the position that I'm in today with such Amazing people, such amazing mentors, and an amazing campus president.
[00:02:36] Speaker A: Oh, you have to add that last part, but that's a great story, and we're glad that you got to Miami Dade and this is sort of your first step law degree.
[00:02:42] Speaker B: It is.
[00:02:43] Speaker A: Well, now let's. Let's move on to Jackie and let's talk about your path. How did you get to Miami Dade? Kendall campus.
[00:02:48] Speaker C: Yes. So kind of similar to what Naya said. Miami Dade was not my number one choice. I actually wanted to leave the state, but at the end of the day, I got accepted to FIU in the summer.
And I was thinking about going there, but again, the same thing. I actually want to go to law school, just like Naya.
[00:03:08] Speaker A: Good.
[00:03:09] Speaker C: And with that, you need to save a lot of money. So I ended up deciding to come to mdc, and I love it. Like, I honestly did not think I would have all the opportunities that I have now, and I did not think I was going to meet everyone here. My first couple of days, I was petrified. I was thinking that I was going to meet anyone. You know, the stereotype is, like, you're going to be in a class with older people, with. With people in their 30s, 40s, you're not going to make friends in a community college. And it really is not that. I went into my first class and I was like, wow, there's a lot of people my age here. Like, there wasn't anyone. I think the oldest was maybe like, 24, 22.
[00:03:50] Speaker A: Old, huh? Real old?
[00:03:53] Speaker C: No, no, I actually, I get along with, like, 22. That's not old.
[00:03:58] Speaker A: That's good.
[00:03:58] Speaker C: But, yeah, I am very fortunate. I'm so glad I came here. I don't think I would have excelled and learned as much as I have if I didn't come here.
[00:04:09] Speaker A: Those are the kind of stories that we love. So, Alyssa, let's talk about your journey. What got you to the Kendall campus at Miami College?
[00:04:14] Speaker D: Throughout high school, like, I always knew that I wanted to stay in Miami for college, and I just knew I was going to come to Miami Dade. Like, I remember telling people, like, I'm going to go to Miami Dade. I'm going to do my first two years there, and then I'm going to transfer out, see, wherever I go. So I always knew, and I remember people would frown up, frown upon it, but I think it's the best decision I've ever made. I would have never met, like, my friends that I have today, professors that I've had. It's honestly one of the best experiences that I've ever like, that I've ever chosen. And I'm. I'm so glad I picked it. Like, I'm genuinely really happy with coming to Miami Dade College.
[00:04:48] Speaker A: Well, we're happy you're here too. Miguel. Wrap us up. What got you to Miami Dade College?
[00:04:52] Speaker E: Well, honestly, I am the youngest out of four children, so all three of them, we all went to mdc. So they were the ones that said, this is a great place to get the foundation started, get your AA and transfer out to wherever you go. And all of three of my siblings have had great professions. Like, my sister got a bachelor's here in science, and she was elementary school teacher, and now she works for FIFA. So she's enjoying it over here. And she says it all the time, that NBC helped her a lot. But senior year, I applied. I threw my application to any school and hope that it will land. And I was between three choices. It was, I think, the University of Kentucky, Oklahoma University, and University of Alabama.
[00:05:37] Speaker A: Oh, big.
[00:05:38] Speaker E: And pretty much they were about to cover 50% of my tuition, but my parents were just saying, we can't. We can't afford that. I'm sorry. And so I said it. I'm gonna go to mdc, get my AA and hopefully transfer out. And I was lucky enough to be gifted the presidential scholarship. So I'm here on scholarship, and it's been great ever since.
I realized going on campus had a lot of free time. So that's why I wanted to join SGA and other clubs on campus, and it's been great ever since, and I'm just enjoying it every day.
[00:06:06] Speaker A: Well, we're so glad the four of you have chosen and you're each in your own different path. And you mentioned sga.
You guys are following a legacy of some amazing officers. This is my second SGA group, and each of them are different. But you all are such amazing leaders. But what interests you? Nya, let's start with you. What got you interested, involved and say, hey, I want to be an sga, and we'll go around the room and ask everyone.
[00:06:28] Speaker B: Yeah. So for me, I actually had known Sophia Tarnow, our past public speaking director. I had known her since I was younger and I was coming back home to Miami. I really didn't have a lot of friends because a lot of the friends I grew up with were actually going to college out of state for the next four years. So I knew I was gonna be coming to MGC in July. And my mom remembered following her mom on Facebook and being like, turno's mom.
[00:06:55] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:06:56] Speaker A: Oh, wow.
[00:06:56] Speaker B: Yeah. Cause we did dance when we were little together, and my mom was like, oh, look, she's having so much fun. Like, that should be something you should do. And I used to do student government when I was in middle school, but I had never, like, I hadn't gone back into the pond of doing student government. Then I remember I got interviewed, and I was like, I really like this group of. I made a lot of friends. Fortunately, the people I'm sitting with today were some of my close friends at the time. And, yeah, the rest is history.
I love it. Like, every single event that we've had, even from last year to this year, it's just been so transformative. Like, all the opportunities. We've done a lot of community service projects, and I think it's. SGA is one of the best clubs to get involved in because you're dipping your toe into so many different, like, areas of the campus and the college that it just really allows you to grow as a person.
[00:07:49] Speaker A: Yeah, well said. All right, Jackie, what got you interested in Student Government Association?
[00:07:54] Speaker C: So in high school, I was part of student government there.
[00:07:58] Speaker A: What high school?
[00:07:58] Speaker C: Give a shout out, John A. Ferguson.
[00:08:00] Speaker A: Okay. Okay.
[00:08:01] Speaker C: Go Falcons.
[00:08:02] Speaker A: Been there.
[00:08:02] Speaker C: Yes. So over there, I wasn't as involved. I was a senator, and we had a couple activities, but it wasn't more like here. But I did meet a lot of people over there. I made a community.
And once I got here, I knew already that it was something I want to be part of again. So once I joined and we had Club Rush, I signed up for sga and I signed up for a bunch of other clubs, but SGA is the one that's more on top of you, that texts you, sends you emails. Be like, oh, like, you have an interview. You have to come this day, do that. So they're more on top of everything. And at the end of the day, I got a position as a senator, and I joined and I made a bunch of friends, and with that came a bunch of activities and opportunities.
So originally, I joined because I already had a foot in sga, but other than that, like, it's been a great experience, and I've loved it, and I'm gonna continue doing it in further universities as well.
[00:08:55] Speaker A: Okay, good. That's very good. All right, Alyssa, what got you interested in sga?
[00:09:00] Speaker D: So I've been doing SGA since, like, well, student government since middle school.
So I did it all throughout middle school. I did it all throughout high school. Throughout high school, I had various, like, Club officer positions. And I just wanted to continue to do that because it was something that I truly enjoyed doing and I loved giving, like, my time to. Giving back to the community and giving back to my school.
So when I found out that we had it here at the Kendall campus, I did my interview, I turned in my paperwork, my application to join, and I truly ended up really enjoying it. Like, I wasn't sure if I was, and I really did. I mean, I made a bunch of friends, I go to all the events, and it's truly, like, one of the best experience I've. I've had here at the college.
[00:09:40] Speaker A: And I can vouch for it. You guys are at all events. Miguel, what got you interested in sga?
[00:09:46] Speaker E: What got me interested in SGA in the first place, I think, was my senior year of high school. I realized that senior year of high school, I needed to do something with my school.
[00:09:55] Speaker A: Miami Art Studio, give a shout out to yours.
[00:09:57] Speaker D: Miami Art Studio.
[00:09:58] Speaker E: Double dip here.
[00:09:59] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:09:59] Speaker E: Yeah. So I knew Alyssa in high school, and I did notice Alyssa was an sga, but I knew that SJ was like, a big commitment, and I just wanted to go to other clubs. So I was president for my honor society for history, and I was vice president for my marine environmental club, and I was class historian. And I just realized during those times, like, my senior year was, like, probably the best year of high school because I was really involved in staying on campus until, like, 4 o' clock in the afternoon. And that's what I really loved. So coming here fall semester, and it was club Rush, I knew immediately, like, SGA had the loudest and the most amount of people surrounding that table. So I had to sign up and join, and it's been great ever since. And if you were to tell me back then that I'm a treasurer and I'm talking to the campus president on a podcast, I would have not believed you. I would have just been, no, you're lying. There's no way you've gone that far with sj.
[00:10:50] Speaker A: Well, you've made it. You're here.
[00:10:52] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:10:52] Speaker A: And we should give a shout out to someone else in the room who's too shy to be on the microphone, but our leader and our director of student life, Ms. Karen Ramirez, is in the room. Let's give her a big shout out.
[00:11:04] Speaker B: Karen, let's go.
[00:11:05] Speaker C: Karen, we love you.
[00:11:07] Speaker D: We love you, Karen.
[00:11:09] Speaker B: We call her our Mama Duck.
[00:11:10] Speaker A: Mama Duck. All right, Nya, let's talk a little bit about some of the key initiatives that you guys have been working on this semester.
[00:11:17] Speaker B: Yes. So one of the biggest things I think we've been really honing in on this year especially, is service, like serving back to our community. I mean, Miami Dade county is one of the biggest counties in the country, and they do so much for our community, and we just really want to back them up with everything we do between farm shares. Going to our different local community centers, like the Branches Empowerment center, that we've been doing within cares and student life. And I think that it's also really important that we also focus on the different things that we have here on campus, specifically the Environmental center.
Student government in general throughout the entire college has really grown a relationship much stronger this year with the ISA department.
Such a great department.
Everybody there is so welcoming. They are so engaged when it comes to us saying, we want to have an event with you guys and do something about it. And we've been really fortunate to really help them with our environmental center here at Kendall and really grow it, clean it up, make it really nice. We even had an event where we painted rocks, like, to decorate the butterfly garden. So, yeah, we've been really fortunate on giving back to our community a lot. And, I mean, I. I think I could speak for the eboard. Like, that's one of the biggest things that when we all joined office, we said we want to focus on community service and giving back to our wonderful community.
[00:12:38] Speaker A: And that's what's so cool about SGA is you guys get to kind of channel your energies and your goals however you want to do them. And your goals are different than the previous year and the previous year. And I think you've done an exceptional job with the environmental center and all the different events. Jackie, talk to us a little bit about particular student concerns or issues that you guys are passionate about this year.
[00:12:58] Speaker C: Yes. I'd like to say for me, and I think for all of the E Board, we like to focus on making the community feel welcomed and making everyone on campus feel comfortable and feel the need and the ability to come up and talk to us about issues or anything that they have and maybe ideas for activities or anything that we have. And that's been something that we've been focusing on, making everyone feel comfortable on campus. And that's one of the things that we keep in mind every time we do an activity. Make sure that whoever wants to speak about something can speak. Whoever wants to say something, says it. Whoever wants to focus on something, do something.
Anyone on campus should be able to feel like, welcomed and feel the need to put their Foot in and make an impact the way that we have.
[00:13:48] Speaker A: That's what a college campus is supposed to be for you guys to learn and grow and do those things. That's a great statement. Well, Lissa, I have a little more serious question for you. Who on the executive board is most likely to be late for a meeting, but with a cafecito in their hands?
[00:14:02] Speaker D: So I'm going to say Nio, because Naya always has coffee, and she literally, like, I'll be on the phone with her. She's like, hold on. I'm ordering my Starbucks. I'm getting my coffee. Or I'm getting my Dunkin. I'll be at school. And I'm like, we have to be at this thing in, like, five minutes. She's like, but I need my coffee.
[00:14:17] Speaker B: To my defense, I'm never late. I've only been late one time.
[00:14:22] Speaker D: Yeah, I know. She's really good with time.
[00:14:24] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:14:24] Speaker D: But she needs her coffee first.
[00:14:25] Speaker B: Yes. I'm like, one of those people that, like, I wake up and I need, like, coffee. I have, like, five cups of coffee a day.
[00:14:30] Speaker E: I just want to know your bank statements towards Starbucks, how much money you're helping out the campus.
[00:14:35] Speaker C: How many stars do you have?
[00:14:36] Speaker D: Yeah, how many stars do you have on Starbucks?
[00:14:38] Speaker B: Only have I checked, like, just now, because I had a coffee this morning was, like, 19 stars, because I use.
[00:14:43] Speaker E: Them a lot, but I don't get the stars conversion. I don't.
[00:14:47] Speaker B: This has, like, 500 stars.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:14:49] Speaker D: Yeah, I have, like, 500 because I.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: So Starbucks, your preference choice?
[00:14:52] Speaker C: No.
[00:14:52] Speaker B: So actually, my favorite coffee from actually my whole life is a coffee shop in downtown that's called Panther Coffee. They have. And Jackie tried it the other day, they have the best roast because they roast it in house, and it's the best. But if I'm around here, like, yeah, Duncan. I like Duncan better than Starbucks.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: Well, there's some endorsements there for some of our audience. Go ahead.
[00:15:12] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:15:12] Speaker C: I was just gonna say that she did take me. I accidentally spilled the coffee on my computer.
[00:15:19] Speaker E: Yeah, I witnessed all of it.
[00:15:20] Speaker C: I freaked out a little bit, but the coffee was amazing. It was really good.
[00:15:24] Speaker A: That's good. We all need to find our own way to wake up and get ready for class.
Next question is. Let's talk about the executive board in collaboration with other student organizations and departments. Alyssa, you want to. Who want to hit stat?
[00:15:35] Speaker D: I'll go first.
[00:15:36] Speaker C: I'll go first.
[00:15:37] Speaker D: So I think one way that we collaborate with, like, other. Other students and other clubs is definitely at our cso meetings, which are monthly meetings we have with club presidents, club secretaries, basically any other E board member from any of the other clubs on campus. And we share different events that are going to be coming up that we are all allowed to attend to. And I think it's just like a way to get the word around and spread out. That way everybody has, like, their chance to be involved.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: And I just wanted to add that I think that also the cool thing that we've been able to experience with CSO is that we've been able to grow a relationship with other clubs, like, for example, like PTK and fbla and really have different community projects that we've been able to grow with that has allowed us to have events with those other clubs and grow relationships, not even just in a professional aspect, but also like in a friendship aspect. And it's just been really nice to get to know other students on campus because sometimes, like, we all are sometimes in our bubble, and it's nice just to meet other people and collaborate with others.
[00:16:35] Speaker A: And it's such a big campus that that's good to do. Miguel, talk about how you're going to apply SGA to your future. Maybe you get your bachelor's with us and go on to a master's. What do you. How do you see SGA helping you.
[00:16:46] Speaker E: In the future with hanging. Hanging out and working with the executive board? I think cooperation, that's the easiest I can say right now.
Being creative as well, being adaptive to just those three things right there, I think can be used in a future profession. Like, I am a psychology major, so I do want to go into pediatric psychology.
So just being adaptive towards clients and being cooperative with my other psychologists that I'm surrounding myself with, I think that's really important as well. And it's not even future profession. It's just with family, with friends, other professors on campus as well. In my classes, this is. These just skills that I'm learning every day while in sga and I apply it to everyday situations.
[00:17:30] Speaker A: Anyone else? Jackie, tell us how you're going to apply sga.
[00:17:33] Speaker C: Yes, SGA has helped me step out of my shell a lot beforehand. I would have never expected to say a speech in front of 40, over 40 people or be on a podcast.
[00:17:47] Speaker A: With our audience that's gonna hear you speak.
[00:17:50] Speaker C: Oh, I don't even know how many people are gonna hear this, but yes, I would have never thought that Karen's over there laughing on this side.
I would have never thought that I'd be able to speak so comfortably in front of an audience before, and SGA has really helped me with that. And also meeting people that you have to be more professional and more aware of of how you're talking and how you're acting. And so it has helped me be more professional and definitely helped me step out of my shell. And I could see that in the future, especially as a lawyer, I'm gonna have to for sure fight and defend and speak in front of a lot of people and a lot of important people. So I'm very fortunate and very grateful for this opportunity.
[00:18:38] Speaker A: And what's cool from my seat is what we're in November now. Just wait till May, wait till April to see how even more you grow.
[00:18:44] Speaker C: Oh, God, I'm excited.
[00:18:46] Speaker A: No, it's awesome. It's great. All right, we're going to go around the table on this, and we'll start with Miguel first on this one. Who is your mentor or role model here at mdc?
[00:18:54] Speaker E: I think Professor Pomaras.
[00:18:56] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:18:57] Speaker E: She works in the social sciences department. She teaches human growth and development and interest in psychology. I am involved in other organizations on campus. I am the social media director for Psychology Student Association, Psy based and national allegiance on mental illness. NAMI and Primaris and Professor Grimes. They're both advisors for those clubs. And just having her as my professor last spring and this fall, I talked to her a lot more, getting to understand the future of psychology as well. She's helping me a lot through applications, and she's just been such an enormous help on my academic and confidence. She's getting me out there meeting new people and just trying to put on a better brand for the psychology class.
[00:19:41] Speaker A: A great story. You have to make sure she listens to this podcast. Alyssa, who are your role models?
[00:19:46] Speaker D: I'm also gonna say Professor Bomades twin. I.
I had her in the spring semester and I'm taking her class now, and I've met with her multiple times. She's just, like, genuinely such a nice person. Like, she has been there for me when I've needed help with a paper, when I've just needed to talk or like, college applications. She asked me. She was like, when are we gonna get started on your college applications? Like, you know, I'm here. Like, she's just like such a nice person and such a great professor, and I. I just love her so much.
[00:20:16] Speaker A: Well, great. That's great to hear. Naya. Role models.
[00:20:19] Speaker B: I will say I do look up to a lot of the women on this campus that are a lot of the administrators. Like our amazing student Life Director Karen Ramirez. I also look up to Dean Vasquez a lot. She has been such an incredible help to me, really, like, because I relate to her a lot on a lot of levels. We're first generation, both of us, and she's really just given me such a comfortable space to grow, not only as a leader, but as a. As like a human being.
Ms. Anya as well, she's incredible. All the women in building are. And all the women in administrative positions have been such powerful role models for, like, how powerful women can be when you give women the opportunity. And I think that it's so important to me that we have that in our campus. And, yeah, all the women at MDC are incredible. Claram Diaz, too, our associate Dean of academics as well.
[00:21:16] Speaker A: And you've spent some time with our college president, too, who's amazing.
[00:21:19] Speaker B: Yes, she is. Oh, yes, she is incredible. And Provost Harrison are amazing. Yes, I look up to them a lot because I think sometimes we forget that it is a little bit difficult sometimes to be a woman nowadays in the professional fields. But definitely how President Pumadiega and Provost Harrison and all the women at mdc, how they really carry themselves is very, like, impressive, and it inspires me every time. I was very fortunate to be invited to the Ladies of the Women who Lead event, and it was so inspiring to see them just really guide our next generation forward as women.
[00:21:56] Speaker A: So, yeah, that's great. That's great. Jackie, who are some of your role models that you've. You've run across in your time here?
[00:22:02] Speaker C: Yes, I would say Professor Nelson Sotomayor. I had him last semester for Economics, and he's an amazing professor, the way that he teaches, the way that he explains everything.
And I actually had a really tough time in his class at first. I had to go to tutoring and everything, but he made it very simple. Like, he told us, hey, we have a tutor that can help you out. And I also have open office hours you can pass by whenever you want. And I ended up going to his office and talking about where I wanted to go to college in the future.
And he actually told me his whole life that he had, and he ended up going to nyu, which is one of my dream schools. And so he was like, if I can do it, you could do it too, and I really believe in you. And he told me he can also go to all these other different schools and all these opportunities that he had. And he showed me everything, and I was not expecting that at all, but I really appreciate him, and I'm Actually going to have him next semester. So I'm very excited.
[00:23:02] Speaker A: Well, that's one of the things I'll say. Going by faculty offices is a great thing, and I think a lot of students sometimes are intimidated to do that, but faculty love it. So thank you for bringing that up. We'll stay with you, if you don't mind. Jackie, talk to us about your favorite event that you've been a part of on campus and why.
[00:23:19] Speaker C: I think my favorite event so far this year, or it can be any.
[00:23:25] Speaker A: Other, anytime you want. It's up to you.
[00:23:27] Speaker C: I like to say the farm share that we had last year, I really liked it. I got closer to Nya and Alyssa on the E board, and we actually found out that we were going to be on the E board that same day together. So it was a happy memory that we have. And giving back to the community, seeing everyone come to receive the food and the bags and being able to help them, like, so little. It took two seconds to place the bag in their trunk, but it changes their life so much.
[00:23:58] Speaker A: When we were in the middle of COVID we did that, and, you know, they had to stay in their cars with their windows up and they popped and there was. That was the best feeling in the world to be able to put that in their trunk. No. And one time we had cat food and dog food. So we had to say.
And those are the kinds of things that just that resonate with you. So that's a great example. Alyssa, what's your favorite event and why?
[00:24:18] Speaker D: It's hard to pick a favorite, but I would have to say, like, I just love people's reactions at Sweets with Stewart, like, when everybody sees you out and about and, like, they get to take a picture with you and get cafecito and, like, a little sweet treat. Like, everybody just loves it. And I just love seeing, like, all the student engagement and everybody's reactions to just being able to just take a picture with you or just shake your hand.
[00:24:39] Speaker C: So.
[00:24:40] Speaker D: So it's something that I truly enjoy. Like, it just, like, it gives me a little bit of joy just seeing how happy everybody gets.
[00:24:45] Speaker A: Well, I appreciate you saying that. We'll keep doing that. We have one coming up in December, don't we, Christine?
[00:24:51] Speaker E: I'm excited.
[00:24:52] Speaker A: I love the food. Miguel, what's your. What's. Thank you. Yeah, it's always good to feed students. You know, whether it's pizza or hamburgers.
[00:24:59] Speaker D: Or whatever it is, the students love it.
[00:25:00] Speaker A: Yeah. And we love doing it for you, too. Miguel, what is your favorite event? And why?
[00:25:04] Speaker E: My favorite event that I've had on campus, I think it was IMMDC day.
[00:25:08] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:25:08] Speaker E: Having your burgers and delivering. I think it was NYA and I, the speech that we gave. That was amazing. That was an amazing event. I remember freshman year, I was at the event, and I was like, wow, this is so much fun. These are actually, like, so many kids here. I've never seen that many kids here on campus at that time. And just being a part of it the second year this year, it was amazing. Just in a different perspective in an organization, sga. Just seeing the students come together and enjoy what an amazing day. President Boomaniega was there. We got to talk to her.
I think that was my favorite day here on campus.
[00:25:44] Speaker A: It makes you realize how big we are.
[00:25:46] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:25:46] Speaker A: When that hasn't been. All right, now you got to follow those three. What is your favorite event and why?
[00:25:51] Speaker B: Miguel kind of stole it from me. But I was gonna say.
[00:25:53] Speaker E: I'm not apologizing. That was a really good event. It was a really good event.
[00:25:56] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:25:56] Speaker B: I will say it was a really good event. I thought it was so amazing to see all the different people from not only the Kendall campus, but all over the college. It's just so amazing to see how powerful Miami Dade College really is as a school. And, I mean, every day I walk through these doors, and I'm just impressed every single day, because similar to what Jackie said, like, I would hear these stereotypes growing up, and then IMMDC Day really locked it into my brain, like, wow, what an amazing institution we're blessed to be a part of. And, yeah, delivering the speech with Miguel and being able to give our own aspects of what MDC really means to us. Being able to speak to Madeline Pumadiega as well. And the burgers. They're the best burgers in town.
[00:26:40] Speaker A: Well, thank you for that.
[00:26:41] Speaker B: We all agree.
[00:26:42] Speaker A: Little Texas trick there. I will also say, too, that you guys walk in shoes of giants. When I'm in the community, so many people come and say, hey, I went to Kendall campus, or, I went to south campus, if it's back in the day. And there's just so much history at this place. That also makes it great. Nyah. Let's stay with you real quick, and let's talk about how you describe Kendall in three words.
[00:27:02] Speaker B: Well, honestly, it is the best campus ever.
To quote Alyssa.
[00:27:08] Speaker A: Okay. Did she steal yours, Alyssa?
[00:27:10] Speaker D: She did, because I literally said that's what I was gonna say on the way over here. I was gonna say the best campus ever.
[00:27:15] Speaker B: It is the best campus ever. Okay.
[00:27:17] Speaker A: Okay. Miguel, you got one. I'll let these two things.
[00:27:19] Speaker C: Four words.
[00:27:20] Speaker E: I need to think now. I think, I think the three words that I can describe this campus has to be huge. The campus is huge. It's energetic. We always got something going on every week.
And caring. I know this campus and every other campus at Miami Dade College, they care for the students. And every day I walk on here, I know I'm going to be taught by a professor who cares about my education.
And if I go to building R to talk to an advisor, anybody for that matter, they care about what I'm doing. Just those three are just what I see every day on this campus.
[00:27:53] Speaker A: That's great. Alyssa, your three words and you can stretch them out since yours was stolen.
[00:27:59] Speaker D: Yeah, mine was stolen.
I would say that this campus is amazing. It's awesome and it's beautiful. Like I just love sitting outside and just looking. I mean people are like, oh, it's so small and, and like it's little and it's, and it's old and it's run down. And I'm like, no, but if you look at it like, look at all the changes that are coming. Like there's construction constantly going on in Building 6 and the new student orientation center. And like, like we were talking about the other day how pretty Building R is. Like we were sitting in the bit center and we were just like, this building is actually so pretty.
But it honestly is the best campus ever.
[00:28:34] Speaker A: I was walking today and outside of building three, I'd never seen this bench before and there was this couple sitting out there under a tree and it's such pretty weather right now that there are all sorts of places I think to your point, that students can hang out and study and you know, it's a great place.
[00:28:50] Speaker B: I was gonna say before Jackie that I would say, I would say I think the cool thing about being a part of the second campus for Miami Dade College is that it is like nostalgic because my aunt came to Kendall campus, my mom actually went to the Kendall campus and it's just very interesting. Like you walk through here and I work in the new student center and people say it all the time. I remember when I used to, to be a student here and I remember walking to the building and it's just cool. Cuz I get to see a lot on my day to day these parents bringing in their kids to come to the campus that they came to. So I think that's one of the cool things about being Part of one of the original campuses.
[00:29:31] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, that's great. All right, Jackie, your three words is. Three words is.
[00:29:37] Speaker C: I would say caring, engaging, and delicious. The food we have is very good.
[00:29:45] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:29:46] Speaker A: Starbucks chick Fil A. Yeah. Pie. We had pie yesterday.
[00:29:50] Speaker C: Oh, my God. The fight was really good. Miguel did not have a good time.
[00:29:54] Speaker E: Oh, my gosh. I. I don't like pie in the sense of this, the texture. It's a. It's a very specific experience.
[00:30:03] Speaker C: You pick the worst pie, though.
[00:30:04] Speaker E: Yeah, I know. And somebody.
The whole point of the pie eating concert is that you have to run through a pie quick. So I used my hands and I had apple pie. And you can imagine apple pie is chunky. So I'm just putting it in my mouth, and I'm not gonna say it, but I, I, I felt nauseous, and I was like, no, I gotta stop. And my team saw me, which I did not know that until I finished, and I had to run up on stage to go talk to you, and it was amazing. I was like, I. Right now. I just finished eating pie. Now I'm on.
I'm on stage talking to the campus president.
[00:30:36] Speaker D: He multitasks something.
[00:30:38] Speaker E: Something different every day.
[00:30:39] Speaker A: That's right. All right, how about a fun question? If the executive board were stranded on campus overnight, who would take charge, who would panic and who would fall asleep first?
[00:30:49] Speaker C: I like to say I would take charge.
[00:30:52] Speaker A: Jackie says she take charge.
[00:30:53] Speaker E: Oh, thank you, Nya. She's pointing at me. She's pointing at me.
[00:30:56] Speaker C: You think Miguel would take charge?
[00:30:58] Speaker B: I think it depends on the situation. Like, if we're in a classroom, definitely. Miguel, I think you would start sitting, screaming, hello.
[00:31:06] Speaker C: I think that would be you.
[00:31:08] Speaker B: No, I would be on my phone.
[00:31:10] Speaker E: Like, oh, okay, okay.
[00:31:12] Speaker A: All right. So we've talked about who's in charge, who would panic.
[00:31:15] Speaker C: Alyssa.
[00:31:19] Speaker B: No, not.
[00:31:20] Speaker E: Karen just pointed at Naya.
[00:31:21] Speaker D: I agree, but it's definitely me. Like, it's. It's definitely me.
[00:31:26] Speaker E: It's between you and n opinion, but more me.
[00:31:29] Speaker D: Like, I, I admit to it. I literally panic about everything.
[00:31:33] Speaker A: Makes you a good officer because you worry about this.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:31:35] Speaker A: And finally, who would be the first one to sleep?
[00:31:37] Speaker B: I think me.
I used to fall asleep in the fireworks at Disney World. Like, I could sleep through anything. Like, I think I'll be fine. I think it depends on the room. Like, if we were, like, in the bit Center, I would fall asleep.
[00:31:49] Speaker E: No, but we're on a. We're on an island. This is the camping campus. Oh, stranded on.
[00:31:53] Speaker A: Stranded here.
[00:31:54] Speaker E: Wow. Okay.
[00:31:55] Speaker B: To the bus stop and wait for the bus.
[00:31:56] Speaker E: I think building our might be a good place to sleep. The AC in there is super nice.
Library.
[00:32:03] Speaker A: Well, you guys did well on that question.
Couple more. If you could plan your dream event at Kendall campus, what would it be? Naya, it looks like nya's got the first event here for us.
[00:32:14] Speaker B: I actually.
We have been discussing this in our president meetings, actually, with all the other campuses as well. I think it would be really cool to have an entire college field day with a bunch of students who sign up and you compete against campuses. So it would be eight different teams representing different campuses. I think that would be one of the coolest things that we could do. And it could turn into a fundraiser as well.
Yeah, I just think it's fun when people come, like, to our little home of Kendall, of the other campuses. And I think it's really fun when we get together with the other E boards as well, because they're like us. They're going through the same thing. So it's really nice to get to know them and being able to have an event like that, like a big family field day where everyone just has fun and it's nothing serious.
[00:32:58] Speaker A: Little competition. We have the pool, we have the gym. We'd be the logical place to have.
[00:33:02] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:33:02] Speaker B: I mean, come on, guys.
[00:33:04] Speaker A: Okay, that's a good event. There's event one. Alyssa, what's your event?
[00:33:08] Speaker D: I really liked the event we did last.
Last spring when we did, like, the pool day. So definitely something like that. And like. Well, I don't know if this is possible, but, like, water slides and like, bounce houses. Just like a big, like. Like a big pool party. That was something I really enjoyed. And a lot of people enjoyed it too. Like, so. Something like that.
[00:33:25] Speaker A: Yeah. We had two events going on at the time, and the one at the pool was very popular. And several people have mentioned things like that around the pool, maybe even doing a cookout around there, so. So that's a great idea. I think that's a. You'll see that expanded maybe in the spring. You're next.
[00:33:38] Speaker C: Jackie, I don't know about you, but I love movies, so.
And with this cold weather, I would love to cozy up in a blanket with some hot cocoa and a big movie.
So I would love to do maybe like a drive in movie. Okay. Or I don't know, a movie night. Here you come in your pajamas. Everyone gets to watch a movie together. Okay. I would love that.
And maybe have your burgers, too.
[00:34:02] Speaker A: Do that too. I'd have to Work. You wouldn't let me watch the movie.
What movie do you have in mind? See, there's a new movie. You see the movie. Now you see me.
[00:34:10] Speaker E: Now you see me. Now you see me.
[00:34:11] Speaker A: Four is coming out.
[00:34:12] Speaker C: Yeah. Okay.
[00:34:13] Speaker A: In a week.
[00:34:14] Speaker D: Yes, I've seen the first one, but I haven't seen the second one.
[00:34:16] Speaker A: Oh, they're so good. We can work on that. We. Last year we did a movie, a Christmas movie that we showed by Building M. It was a nightmare Before Christmas, I think, which is okay.
[00:34:28] Speaker C: I mean, I like that movie.
[00:34:30] Speaker A: Yeah, it's very culty. If you like it.
[00:34:32] Speaker E: Yeah, it's. It depends on like a Christmas movie.
Halloween. Christmas.
[00:34:37] Speaker A: Yeah.
But, you know, we could do that in the spring to start the year off or something and do some sort of something. That's a good idea. Okay, cool. All right, Miguel, we got to hear your event.
[00:34:48] Speaker E: I think having a panel here at the Kendall campus from notable alumni and notable Miami natives, people who are impacting Miami every day. Like, we have Pitbull come on campus and we have the Alexa. Oh, Alex Earl. Oh, the. The girls are telling me Alex Earl. I know she's a social media influencer that went to the University of Miami. She's really well known.
Getting the alumni from NBC that opened up Night Owl Cookie. Getting him to come and talk about that. We can. On 88th Apocalypse Barbecue. We have him come and talk about the importance of entrepreneurship and things like that. Talk about.
[00:35:25] Speaker A: He will be coming. We've got. We've arranged for him to come.
He's going to talk about entrepreneurship.
[00:35:31] Speaker E: That is pure coincidence, guy.
[00:35:34] Speaker A: We actually had worked last year to have the gentleman from Night Owl here.
[00:35:37] Speaker E: Nice.
[00:35:38] Speaker A: We couldn't get him, but he got in our hall of fame. The college hall of fame.
[00:35:41] Speaker E: Nice.
[00:35:41] Speaker A: So we can re. Pursue that. We did. Mr. Red, I don't know if you're familiar with.
[00:35:45] Speaker E: Yes, I know Mr. Red.
[00:35:47] Speaker A: We did a fireside chat with him. So maybe we could do some fireside chats in the spring. Yes, that's a great idea. All right, guys, we got some good events coming up in the spring. I love these ideas.
Last question for you. Let's talk about what song represents the spirit of Kendall campus to you.
[00:36:01] Speaker E: Oh, my gosh. I need to think about this. I love music.
[00:36:05] Speaker C: I need to look at my playlist. I need to open up Spotify.
[00:36:09] Speaker E: While I'm thinking. I think you want to. Let's say you want to help me out. Figure the song.
[00:36:13] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:36:14] Speaker E: Okay. So what type of song would it be? Would it be A hip hop or.
[00:36:17] Speaker D: No, it would be.
[00:36:18] Speaker C: I don't even know.
[00:36:18] Speaker D: I think it would be more pop. Like definitely something upbeat.
[00:36:21] Speaker E: Okay, I agree. What about you?
[00:36:24] Speaker B: So we actually do this thing on Instagram. On our Instagram every month we change the song that is like on our bio. And this.
This month I put what is life By John Summit. It's like a, like a dj, like house music song.
[00:36:38] Speaker C: And I.
[00:36:39] Speaker B: It's so like vibrant and like happy. And I think that's what Kendall brings. It's just like a very vibrant, fun, warm hearted energy that like everybody always talks about. Like, Kendall's such a fun campus to be a part of. And the energy when you're walking through in the morning, the rush and everybody's sitting outside, it's so fun. So I think that that's a good song. I feel like, what is life?
[00:37:00] Speaker E: I have my phone out right now and I favorite it because I love it. Early 2000s song, you get what you give by the New Radicals. It's a really good uplifting song.
For anyone listening to this, play that song right now. It's a great song and I believe. Play that song. And while you're walking, nine o' clock in the morning, the sun's up and the canvas is like bustling with students. Listen to that and you'll get what I'm saying.
[00:37:26] Speaker A: Okay. All right. Anybody else?
[00:37:28] Speaker D: I really don't know.
[00:37:29] Speaker C: I don't know either.
[00:37:30] Speaker D: I really don't know.
[00:37:31] Speaker A: Something to have an answer.
[00:37:32] Speaker D: It would be like very Miami. Like, like, I'm thinking Pitbull.
[00:37:35] Speaker C: I was thinking people like time of.
[00:37:37] Speaker D: Our, like, time of our lives. Because right now, like, a lot of people that come here are in like their early, like, young adolescent stage. So I'm gonna say time of our Lives by Pitbull.
[00:37:46] Speaker A: You guys did mention it, but the day we did the dancing, the line dancing, we had, a lot of people like to dance on this campus. So any kind of music like that I think would be really great. All right, my last question to each of you is for our audience and for students who may be thinking about coming to the Kendall campus, what would you say? Nya? What would you. What would be your. Your advertisement? What would be your recommendation to students who are thinking about the Kendall campus?
[00:38:08] Speaker B: Well, as someone who kind of has an insight of student recruitment, I definitely would say give it a chance.
I do know the stereotypes. I do know. But honestly, come stop by Kendall campus will surprise you. We are a very fun campus with a lot of stuff to offer. We have a Pool, a state of the art gym, the Bit center, MDC works like, the college is so impressive and a lot of people, like, really, like, look to the side of it. And I just say give it a chance because Kendall campus will definitely surprise you. In the college itself, I've been so blessed to be a part of, exceeded any expectation I ever had, for sure. I've made incredible friends, incredible mentors. It's really allowed me to put my foot in the door when it comes to stepping up my education.
And yeah, just give us a chance and we'll surprise you for sure.
[00:39:00] Speaker A: That's wonderful. That's a wonderful advertisement. Jackie, what would you just say to someone who's thinking about the Kendall campus?
[00:39:06] Speaker C: I would say, in the famous words of Nike, just do it. Just come.
[00:39:10] Speaker A: All right. Just do it. That's three words. There's your three words.
[00:39:13] Speaker C: Yes, the three words that describe Kendall Campus. Just do it.
[00:39:16] Speaker A: All right, that's good. Alyssa, what would you say?
[00:39:18] Speaker D: I would say, come by, do it. It's right in your backyard. Everybody lives by here or around this area or around one of the campuses. Just come by, look, explore. There's a lot of things that Miami Dade College, not just the Kendall campus, but the college in general, has to offer.
[00:39:33] Speaker A: Okay, well said. Miguel.
[00:39:35] Speaker E: I think I would say just be different in the sense of you're thinking about going to the Kendall campus and you're trying to talk to your friends saying, I don't know what campus to go to, what campus should I go to? And they're throwing you out the other campuses names, and you're like, wait, I want to think about Kendall. Just be different. Just go out there and be the one to have that experience for you to say that story later. I went to Kendall campus and it was an amazing experience. I loved it. I did not listen to what anyone else was saying. I formed it. I formed my own opinion and experience, and it was amazing. Just be different.
[00:40:10] Speaker B: All right.
[00:40:11] Speaker A: Well, one of the very first things, the very first broadcast that we did, the SGA students, just on a whim, ask if they could ask me a question.
So at every podcast we've done since, we've turned the microphone to end the interview with turning the question back on me. So if you guys want to ask me anything, I'll answer any question you want to ask.
[00:40:31] Speaker E: I have one right now.
[00:40:32] Speaker A: Okay, Mikael, you're first.
[00:40:33] Speaker E: Quick. Right now, if you were talking to your younger self, like imagine yourself younger, do you believe he would have attended Miami Dade College, Kendall campus, if he was Here. Here in Miami, possibly.
[00:40:46] Speaker A: I would have played college basketball here. I would have loved to play. I played college basketball. So, yeah, I could have seen myself coming here. The. The one thing I would. I was a part of SGA at my college, but I didn't run for office. I was just like a senator. And I regret doing that. I remember I was encouraged by faculty, like some you talked about. And. And that's a regret I have. But, yeah, I think. I think academically, this place is amazing. The teachers we have, I could really have seen myself excelling in math, which is my chosen discipline here. So. That's a great question.
[00:41:14] Speaker E: Okay, nice.
[00:41:16] Speaker D: Alyssa, what is your favorite thing about the Kendall campus? It can be events, just anything in general.
[00:41:23] Speaker A: Wow, that's a really hard question.
I was at the medical campus for six and a half years, and I was always jealous of the other campuses because I didn't have honors students. I didn't have presidential scholarship. I had SJA officers. But at the medical campus, they were very.
They're in their nursing program, they're in their PA program. They don't have the time to dedicate to it. So I was. The biggest thing is the jealousy of the student population that we have here.
You know, I missed. I love the medical campus. I love those students that know they want to be a sonographer or they want to be a PTA or whatever, but I also love the student that know what they want to be, that maybe wants to be a lawyer right now, and who knows if that's what you'll be? Or be a psychologist. You may be a faculty member psychologist. Who knows? And so I think that's my favorite part of this campus is students that are still kind of making their way to what their career is going to be.
[00:42:15] Speaker D: Great answer.
[00:42:16] Speaker A: Thank you.
[00:42:18] Speaker C: My question is going to be, what is the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on campus.
[00:42:25] Speaker A: On campus?
[00:42:27] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:42:27] Speaker A: I may have to think about that in a minute. Christine, you have an answer for that yet?
[00:42:34] Speaker B: We stole it from the Post.
[00:42:36] Speaker C: Yes, from Christine's question.
[00:42:37] Speaker E: That was my question. That was my question.
[00:42:42] Speaker A: Well, I hate to even tell you this story, but growing up, my parents didn't give me a very good haircut. And you still may say it's not very good now, but I had really.
[00:42:52] Speaker E: No, it's good. It's a good haircut.
[00:42:56] Speaker A: All the way through my life, once I got old enough to make my own decisions, I was very concerned about who cut my hair. I've had maybe three or four people my whole life. And then I came to here to try to find someone. And fairly recently, someone did a terrible job.
I was really embarrassed. I wanted to wear a hat to work. It was so bad.
But that was probably the biggest one that could come to mind. I mean, maybe there's others.
I reserve the right to add one if I think one later.
[00:43:21] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:43:22] Speaker B: And then my question is, what is the most valuable lesson that you've learned with being a part of Kendall campus?
[00:43:31] Speaker A: Wow, that's. That's great. That's a great question.
A couple things I would say. You know, one of the reasons I'm sitting in this seat is because of playing college athletics.
The discipline and being a math major, those are two things that don't go very well. So I've learned a lot from our athletic program in that I think 54% of our students are not from the United States. And so we get a lot of students that come over here and don't know anything about our part of the world. And here they are at Miami Dade College. Two of our volleyball players are considering going to St. John's in New York. Imagine going from a country in Colombia is one, and the other is Brazil going to Miami Dade, and now you're going to go to St. John's and so that's one of the things I've learned is in Texas, we were very protected in terms of all the countries. And so I think I've become a more of a global, worldly person with all the. All the places our students are from.
The other thing I think is it's helped me bring back my academic roots being here, because when you're at the medical campus, you're so focused on those students. And I spent my whole career dealing with SGA and Phi Theta Kappa and opening new campuses. And so coming here has kind of just re. Brought my mind back to. To where my career began.
[00:44:42] Speaker D: Awesome.
[00:44:43] Speaker A: All right, well, great questions. Thank you all for being here today. I predict this won't be the last podcast we do together.
[00:44:49] Speaker E: I don't want to hear that.
[00:44:50] Speaker C: No.
[00:44:51] Speaker B: I don't want it to be so fun.
[00:44:52] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. So we'll find a way to do one maybe later in the semester, maybe about an event. But I want to thank you all for being here and taking the time and thank you for what you do for our students because you guys help make Kendall Campus great. And.
Go ahead, Nya.
[00:45:06] Speaker B: And I was going to say thank you so much for you and the amazing administration and for faculty that we have here. Like, it's because of you. Guys, allowing us to be in these positions and really letting us grow us not only as leaders, as people like because of your guys support and really allowing us to be ourselves and grow it has really made this experience incredible.
[00:45:28] Speaker A: Well, I don't know how we end a better broadcast than that. So thank you all for being here today. I want to thank Christina Signs, our head writer, Paul King, our executive producer and Alex Bellows, our producer. Thank you for listening today and goodbye for now.
