Welcome to Women in Politics: College Edition, where promising women leaders in student government on college and university campuses across the country will be featured on msnbc.com over the course of the year. Kiran Samra has been nominated by Michigan State University as a leader making a difference not only through key issues on campus, but in bridging the gender gap in politics.
As part of a new series at msnbc, “Women of 2014,” these hand-selected women become part of a larger discussion of women candidates and women’s issues on a national level. “Women of 2014” is a home for all women in politics – notably those in some of the year’s most pivotal races – with newsmaker interviews, profiles, photos, a Twitter trail following more than 35 candidates, and deep dives into the key conversations.
From the Ivy Leagues to the Big Ten to liberal arts colleges and beyond, young women are making a difference across the country – meet them here!
Name: Kiran Samra
School: Michigan State University
Hometown: Macomb, Michigan
Concentration: Marketing, Communication
Role in Student Government: Student Body President
Dream job: White House Communications Director
Class year: Junior
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What is your biggest challenge as a leader on campus?
As Michigan State University has almost 40,000 undergraduate students in attendance, one of the greatest challenges I face as being a leader on campus is ensuring that students are aware of all the important issues occurring on and around campus.
Which female leaders do you draw inspiration from?
Susan B. Anthony.
What comes to mind first when you think about important moments in history?
July 4, 1776; The day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.
What do you think should be President Obama’s No. 1 priority?
Higher Education reform. More than almost any other economic indicator, the cost of a quality education in America has dramatically increased over the last three decades and continues to grow. This increase has far surpassed the rate of inflation as well as average income. As rates of tuition have increased, we have seen levels of public investment in our universities fall by comparison. The tragic result has been that many young Americans never dream about the day when they will attend one of the world's greatest universities because they simply cannot afford it. Among those that do attend college, a great many students like myself will graduate with a tremendous amount of debt from their education. In the state of Michigan, the average student graduates from college with a staggering $27,000 in debt. America now faces a generation of recent graduates, an important demographic of economic growth, who are beginning their adult lives with an astounding $1 trillion of collective debt. It is clear that for the young people, and our country as a whole, the issue of college affordability is of great importance.
If you could have any super power, it would be…
Being able to be in more than one place at any given time, this would allow for double efficiency!
Follow Kiran on Twitter @asmsu_pres and Check out last week’s female leader!