Meet the Candidates: James White and Brigid Kelly

James White, a junior who serves as an ambassador to the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Price School of Public Police, is one of three candidates running for President of the Undergraduate Student Government.

"I bring a totally unique perspective to this election and our campus," said White. "My Midwestern upbringing makes me appreciate the diversity [at USC] and makes me really want to bring different communities together."

He said opening Student Government meetings to various campus organizations is one way of achieving that goal.

"I want to start 'Flavor Fridays,' weekly meetings that give all sorts of groups and clubs a place to come together and discuss their different ideas," explained White. 

He also plans to begin a campus-wide bike-share program, as well as a university partnership with Lyft or Uber that offers discounts to students.

"Other universities have done [things like this]," said White. "It's time for USC to focus on sustainability, too."

Brigid Kelly, White's running mate and Vice Presidential candidate, is a sophomore who currently serves on USG's Philanthropy Funding Board and has previously worked with the Alumni Affairs Committee. 

"I'm as passionate and high-energy as [White] is and try to be involved with everything on campus," said Kelly. "[Outside of USG] I am a campus tour guide, Delta Gamma's Vice President of Foundation and the Director of Management for Society 53."

She said working with a variety of different groups has made her realize "it takes everybody - all of us at USC - to make a difference." Kelly emphasized the importance of spring admit, transfer and veteran students, and is working with administrators to enhance their transition to USC life. 

Together, Kelly and White plan to "really look beyond just the athletes and 'academic people' and Greek members in order to connect with every student on campus."

"It's going to take all of us to make USC a better place," said White. "And it's going to take leaders who are as passionate as Brigid and I am."

More information about White and Kelly's campaign can be found on their website.

Voting begins February 10. Students can vote online at http://elections.usc.edu/ until February 13.