The role of College Council executive vice president demands experience, determination and a deep understanding of the student body’s needs. Additionally, the vice president must support the initiatives of the president while providing a unique source of ideas and opinions. Having served as the Oxford Student Government Association’s (OxSGA) Speaker of the Senate, Braden Newsome (25Ox) embodies these qualities. With a clear and actionable platform and a deep commitment to empowering students, Newsome is prepared to lead and advocate for meaningful change at Emory University.
Newsome’s platform, “Power Ahead with Purpose,” is built on three key pillars: tackling mental health challenges, expanding community and strengthening student representation in governance. Newsome offers concrete, practical plans to improve student life and prioritize mental well-being, such as advocating for more licensed counselors to decrease appointment wait times with Counseling and Psychological Services. He also aims to implement monthly forums with students, faculty and administrators across campus to create an “active” mental health awareness campaign. His approach also includes pushing for academic policies that allow mental health days and leading initiatives to break mental health stigma through awareness campaigns — all tangible changes that would create a more supportive campus environment.
Newsome also understands the importance of fostering a sense of belonging at Emory. Drawing from his leadership in student government and his commitment to strengthening campus community, he is committed to expanding mentorship programs that connect first-year students with upperclassmen and alumni, increasing funding and accessibility for cultural and identity-based organizations and establishing emergency financial assistance programs to support low-income and first-generation students. His plans seek to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the resources and community to succeed.
In addition to advocating for student well-being and inclusivity, Newsome is dedicated to strengthening College Council itself. His experience as OxSGA Speaker of the Senate has equipped him with the leadership skills needed to unify the Atlanta and Oxford student governments, improve transparency in College Council’s daily actions through townhall forums and bridge the gap between students and the administration. By implementing an accessible feedback form, organizing direct forums between students and deans and improving collaboration between committees, Braden will work so that student voices are heard and considered.
While admirable in her enthusiasm, Ellie Estridge (28C), Newsome’s opponent, lacks the institutional knowledge necessary for the role, including experience with budget management and with College Council’s operation of the Student Activity Fee. While she has one proposal focused on increasing school spirit, her platform was very sparse and her goals do not address the broader structural and more prevalent challenges facing students, such as open expression and DEI. Although she demonstrates her leadership skills as a student-athlete who balances her commitments on the softball team with other extracurriculars, she lacks the well-defined plan for policy implementation that Newsome has.
The Emory Wheel’s Editorial Board believes that Braden Newsome is the clear choice for College Council executive vice president. His experience, dedication and comprehensive platform show that he is ready to lead on day one. Emory students deserve a vice president who will fight for their well-being, create a more inclusive campus and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making.
Managing Editor Ellie Fivas recused herself due to a conflict of interest with Newsome and was not involved in writing or editing this opinion.
The above editorial represents the majority opinion of The Emory Wheel’s Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is composed of Editorial Board Editor Marc Goedemans, Asst. Editorial Board Editor Carly Aikens, Asst. Arts & Life Editor Hunter Buchheit, Allie Guo, Asst. Opinion Editor Ethan Jacobs, Carson Kindred, Mira Krichavsky, Eliana Liporace, Niki Rajani, Josh Rosenblut, Ilka Tona and Crystal Zhang.
