Jelena Vladikovic
Statement of Purpose
This semester, I joined GPSA as a National Relations Director. However, I have been following developments in the organization since I began my Doctor of Musical Arts studies at Herberger College, School of Music. Having worked with the current Vice President of External Affairs, Zoila Mena, I have not only developed a good understanding of this organization and its needs, but have become a close working partner with her. There is no other, more natural transition into the VP External Affairs position. Electing me for this office would be a great privilege personally, but it will also provide for the continuity in office that this organization needs.
We live in rapidly changing times and the change is not always for the better. Here in Arizona, and all across the country, the sagging economy, job losses, real estate crises … etc, create an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern and affect us both as current graduate students and as the future job seekers.
Education, and especially higher education is often the first to feel the pinch. As a grad student organization, we must not only be on top of the current economic issues, but we must – together with the students from across the state and the country – work tirelessly to affect the budgetary decisions that are made on our behalf by our elected officials. We must raise the awareness that the decisions they make will have a long lasting impact not only on higher education, but will negatively impact the whole economy. Today we witness the ever increasing erosion of high-skilled jobs, the very jobs we are preparing for, and we must work on stopping the trend!
I also want to work on developing stronger ties with other grad student organizations. We have to work on sharing ideas and resources in order to make an impact and achieve positive results that we so desperately need. We need to develop our communication to a level that will facilitate better understanding of our needs internally, but also externally. We are in a position to take a leading role among our state universities' graduate student organizations. We are poised to be the ones who will inspire and unite graduate students in our state and develop strong ties with those in other parts of the country.
We must communicate with the student body in a more effective and convincing way. We need to educate our colleagues about the organization and what it can do and it does for them. We have to develop an atmosphere in which all graduate students will feel satisfaction with belonging to a strong, effective organization. To that effect, I will work on developing a full strategic and communication plans as soon as possible. These important documents will help guide us to success through the years to come.
I would like to see us ignite interest and foster enthusiasm throughout our student body so that when we have events, campaigns and actions, we have enough people willing to participate and to carry them through – which has been a constant struggle.
I spent 18 years away from music. After obtaining a journalism degree I worked first as a print and broadcast journalist, and later as a communications/PR consultant in two countries achieving international recognition and awards. I intend to use all of my business acumen, marketing and communications/PR/media relations experience, as well as any contacts and resources I have used in the past for the benefit of our organization. I believe I bring a wealth of knowledge and skills that can greatly enhance GPSA’s position within ASU, in our state and nationally.