Shubhi Saxena

What relevant experience would you bring to the position you are seeking?

While working on the Free Menstrual Products Initiative, I already feel like a part of the SGA community. I plan to expand our project using the resources and networks we have already created to build a more gender equitable campus.

I have been a part of the Howard County Association Student Councils since middle school. As Ambassador, I acted as the bridge between HCASC and the rest of the county to inspire people to join their student governments and turn their concerns about school into actions. I also directed a countywide convention that turned the process of choosing the student member of the Board of Education into a student-led procedure, prioritizing student voice over the administration’s. We took a step towards a more student-focused school system. I also served on two county policy committees every year, similar to the shared-governance committees I would represent the students in as a Senator.

How do you intend on fulfilling your role while working alongside other members of SGA? What strategies do you use to address conflict?

As part of the Menstrual Products Initiative team, and being a First Year Ambassador, I am connected with many SGA members and especially senators. I have come to understand what is important to them by learning about their initiatives. I look forward to working with senators on their initiatives while getting their guidance and advice on my own initiative by sharing resources and networks.

Conflict usually stems from misunderstanding, so I promote frequent, open, and clear communication. It takes strength to present your side, but it requires courage to listen as well. I trust that every SGA member I work with has the intention of working for the student body, and so I respect their perspective. Wherever there is conflict, there are likely people who care about the issue. So I will always choose to turn conflict into growth of the students and the project.

What is your vision for UMBC and the UMBC student body?

I will work to help our campus grow in two ways: gender health equity and womxn empowerment. I plan to expand our existing effort of providing resources for menstruating students to include more support for students such as reduced price Plan B or emergency contraceptives on campus. Also, with Planned Parenthood- like services we can create a campus that is more educated and resourced on stigmatized topics like reproductive health and rights, contraception, and menstruation. I plan to partner with all types of clubs on campus to contribute their unique talents and to connect the campus so that students with all interests and identities are a part of the initiative. In collaboration with the Women's Center, our campus would benefit from events that focus on supporting women-identifying students and specifically providing health services. UMBC is constantly achieving academically. This initiative would maximize the wellness and comfortability of our high-achieving students.

How do you plan to facilitate communications with your constituents?

To further expand my community I want to find out more about each club and organization on campus to be able to reach out to the student body when representing their interests on shared governance committees. I have started this through the Menstrual Product Initiative and have seen clubs and students willing to speak up and collaborate which makes me excited to work with them in the future. As part of PhiDE, and as a Meyerhoff, I will use my existing families to branch out so that I can connect with as many people as possible.

I am interested in women’s health and wellness, so I specifically want to partner with the Women’s Center to help expand their influence with projects like the Menstrual Product Initiative. I will use my position as senator to combine what I learn from my peers to inspire supportive action on campus.