Cassidy Ann Daniel
Cassidy Ann Daniel, a senior double major in political science and speech communication at West Texas A&M University, was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to a one-year term as A&M System Student Regent in February. She is one of 10 Student Regents named to higher education governing boards across the state, and the second to serve on the A&M System Board of Regents. Here, she discusses her experiences and her goals for the year.
Why do you think it’s important for students to be represented on the Board of Regents?
The Board of Regents is the governing body of the A&M System, and as such, it is imperative that members be informed first-hand about student concerns and successes.
Students have an entirely different aspect and perspective to bring in many situations; however, they are not as knowledgeable of the ins and outs of the System. When the Board makes decisions, being able to quickly tap into student opinion through the Student Regent benefits the System and students as a whole. I also personally think this a great way to make gains toward increased student involvement in the workings of the System and also in building cohesion between the various schools.
What was your reaction to being selected?
When the governor’s office called to inform me that I had been selected, even as a finalist, I was surprised and ecstatic all at once. When I submitted my application I knew that I would be in competition with some of the most outstanding students in the state. Upon receiving the final call, I was thrilled about the opportunity, honored to be selected from such an amazing group of applicants and humbled that I would be able to represent my fellow students.
What are you most looking forward to as a Student Regent?
Many of the opportunities already presented by this position have been those of a lifetime. Being able to travel to Qatar and meet A&M students halfway around the world was an amazing experience. It also allowed me the chance to understand the System and meet many of the key individuals that I would be working with and to make new friends of both current students and alumni.
I am also looking forward to meeting students from the other campuses in the System and, I hope, making a trip to see each campus. Each university has many unique attributes, and there is much to be learned by meeting the students who attend.
What do you hope to accomplish in your one-year term?
The major issue I would like to tackle is tuition. From talking to students on the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board and others throughout the System, I think that each university has a unique procedure on student involvement in setting tuition policy. By taking a closer look, I think it might be possible to find some way for students to have more interaction with the policy before it gets to the Board of Regents. The A&M System has been a leader in tuition issues, so it would make sense that we take the next step and allow for more information and discussion on this issue.
You participated in your first Board meeting in March. What was it like?
The first Board meeting was a bit overwhelming. I had been to the Texas A&M campus only once before, so the size was a lot to take in. Tyson Voelkel, who was the first person to serve as Student Regent, had given me the suggestion to start reading the Board materials as soon as I got them. Am I glad I followed that advice! Thankfully, we did not have a Board meeting during finals! There was a ton of information to take in, figure out and then discuss.
However, at the Board meeting in Kingsville in May, I felt as though I understood some of the issues and presentations with a working knowledge. The best part was getting to know the Regents and Chancellor on a more personal level. The topics of dinner conversations can range from stories by fellow Regent Coach Stallings to rattlesnakes.
Other boards around the state also have added Student Regents. Have you met with your counterparts? What are some of the common issues you all face?
The Student Regents have not yet been able to meet face to face as a group this year. I have met the University of Texas System Student Regent, and we email back and forth pretty frequently. We are trying to find a way to set up a meeting not just for the new Student Regents, but also for the former Student Regents.
Speaking with Tyson has been a very valuable asset to me, and all of the first-year Student Regents have been through some of the issues and situations that we now face. We are hoping to set up a workshop that would become a yearly event, held every summer to help the incoming Student Regents. The group as a whole has created a Listserv and we do correspond a bit.
I think for the most part we are all concerned about tuition and fees around the state. I know some of the other systems are trying to find ways to get information from their different schools. Since the A&M System has the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board, it is much easier for me to contact students at each institution.
What is your favorite part about being a student Regent so far?
My favorite part has to be traveling and meeting so many fun and unique people. I was able to attend the System Symposium hosted by Prairie View A&M, and there met so many people that are part of making the college experience real and fun for so many students.
The hardest thing about Board meetings and the A&M System in general is keeping all of the acronyms straight. We are so diverse that at one campus a committee may be called one thing and a committee that handles the same kind of work at another campus may be called something completely different.
Did your predecessor, Tyson Voelkel, give you any advice? If so, what?
I am very thankful that I have had several occasions to meet Tyson. He is such a wonderful person and a tough act to follow. He encouraged me to ask questions and voice concerns. I know that may sound like simple advice, but it is very true. In the meetings you are treated as another Regent. They do not ask you for your input; they expect you to voice it.
You have served as the president pro tempore of the West Texas A&M Student Senate and are involved in various conservative political groups. Do you aspire to a career in politics?
Politics is where my passion lies but I am not sure what will happen. Based upon observation from experience, I think I would enjoy being a campaign manager, but I do not want to limit myself. I have recently become very interested about conservative women in politics and also the relationship between higher education and politics. Ultimately, time will tell where my future lies. I never planned on having this position, but I am very thankful to be given the opportunity to see a different view.
