My name is Katynja McCory. I am a fourth-year political science
student and I am running for the position of USAC president with
Praxis. The theme of Praxis this year is “revisioning
education through student power.”
Because of my experience, I am confident in my ability to serve
as USAC president. I have been involved with the Community Programs
Office, where I was outreach coordinator and workshop coordinator
for the African Education Project, tutoring youth (age 3-13) in
socioeconomically disadvantaged housing projects in Watts. I have
also been active in the African Student Union as co-director of the
First Annual African Women’s Conference. As USAC general
representative, I have coordinated programs such as the Days of
Dialogue, which fostered dialogue between students and civic
leaders.
I would like students to think of Praxis as a continuum of
student-centered activism. Activism has a past and a present, and
Praxis is the only “viable alternative” for an
educationally empowered future.
Past Praxis campaigns have resulted in a 5 percent fee rollback
for students. Recently, in a town hall meeting that I played an
integral role in coordinating, students gathered with Chancellor
Albert Carnesale to address pressing concerns.
Praxis means “reflection and action.” I would do
this by expanding the existing book-lending program, combating fee
increases in conjunction with the external vice president’s
office and furthering administrative accountability and
accessibility by continuing Days of Dialogue.
I implore you to continue to think past, present, Praxis, and
elect me as president to ensure educational activism and student
empowerment.