Student gov't president takes part in White House roundtable
President Barack Obama drops by the Youth Engagement Roundtable at the Winning the Future Forum on Small Business at Cleveland State University on Feb. 12. Seated, facing President Obama is Steve Sedlock, president of Associated Student Government (right, in silver tie). Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
Steve Sedlock, president of The University of Akron’s Associated Student Government (ASG), has taken advantage of several opportunities to meet top legislators during his time at UA, rubbing elbows with leaders such as Vice President Joe Biden, Ohio Sen. Frank LaRose and Ohio Rep. Vernon Sykes. Nothing, however, tops who he got to meet on Tuesday, Feb. 22 — President Barack Obama.
The 2006 Canton McKinley High School graduate was selected to be part of the White House Roundtable with Young Leaders at Cleveland State University, which was part of a larger forum on small business development.
According to Sedlock, the young leaders’ group got right down to business and focused on three major topics: funding startups and supporting new technology; the affordability of higher education; and helping graduates stay in the state through strategic job placement.
“The conversation began with how we can improve funding for startup businesses, and how to continue to drive technology and support new technology,” says Sedlock. “For example, we explored how the government and private organizations can make startups possible through seed money.”
Tuition is focus
An issue near and dear to Sedlock – rising tuition costs – was discussed at length. “The rising cost of tuition and fees is a big concern to students, and President Obama clearly cares about higher education,” he says. “As the cost of living continues to rise, with unemployment being high, and interest on financial aid and loans being difficult to pay back, student priorities are being reorganized. Currently, ASG is working with UA President Luis Proenza on ways to make higher education more affordable and attract the highest quality students.”
The White House also is looking for better ways to inform students about Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which gives students an opportunity to have their federal loans cleared after 10 years of public employment and 120 consecutive monthly payments, with stipulations. In addition, despite pressure from legislators, President Obama refused to cut the college tax credit worth up to $2,500.
Roundtable participants also discussed a Carnegie Mellon virtual reality program through which all graduates are guaranteed a job. “We could explore enticing large companies to do this with UA polymer graduates, for example,” Sedlock explained. “Job placement after graduation is a salient issue, and ties back to the funding of startups.”
The hour-long discussion was “very laid back and open,” according to Sedlock, and included representatives from Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State, Ashland University, Cuyahoga Community College and the College of Wooster.
President Obama joined the meeting, and after one-on-one introductions, he thanked attendees for being involved citizens and continuing the entrepreneurial spirit into the future. He urged young leaders to go back to their campuses and organizations and continue the conversation. Through May 31, White House officials will participate in 100 roundtable discussions with young Americans across the country. Following President Obama’s 15-minute visit, the leaders were escorted to watch the President’s closing remarks with many university presidents, including Dr. Proenza and other dignitaries.
“Overall, it was amazing to know that the highest office in the country cares about what students think,” says Sedlock. “We very candidly exchanged ideas and offered feedback. Often, the White House staff had answers right on the spot and we already are planning to do follow-up conference calls.”
Influence on University decisions
Sedlock, a senior marketing management and e-marketing/advertising major, plans to graduate in May and pursue a master’s degree in higher education administration at UA. Post-graduation, he hopes to work for a university in admissions or student life and possibly teach part time.
Sedlock has been involved in ASG all four years of his college career, and served as interim chairman of the Ohio Student Government Association, a collaboration of Ohio’s 13 four-year public universities. He ran for ASG president to make a difference and bridge the gap between students and administrators.
“I wanted to see our campus have more student input and involvement in serious conversations,” he says. “We were directly involved in UA hiring 12 new full-time academic advisers; safety and security evaluations and improvements off campus. As UA continues to grow, education through eLearning and Distance Learning are being asked for more and more, and we are in the process of meeting demand.”
He encourages everyone to get involved in student government, and holds up his own positive experience as an example. “I enjoy getting to meet and work with people from all over the university and state,” he says. “Knowing that there are so many talented and dedicated people that care about our education and well-being is reassuring. Listening to student issues and working with university officials to resolve those matters is also tremendously rewarding. To me, it’s all about leaving UA a little better than we found it.”
On campus, he also is involved as a peer mentor with the Business Living/Learning Community and student assistant in the Office of the University Registrar.
Sedlock doesn’t necessarily have political aspirations, but he hasn’t ruled it out, either. “I enjoy working with people and being able to help make my community a better place,” he says. “I don’t plan on going into politics, but who knows what the future will hold!”
Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.