As the Graduate Employees Union bargains with MSU administrators for a contract, strong leadership is a necessity - one that was provided Thursday when a new president was chosen.
Jessica Goodkind, who ran for the position unopposed, was elected at the membership meeting.
“I’m really committed and I really believe in what we’re doing,” the psychology graduate student said. “Winning the election was a really good step, but winning the contract is more important.”
Goodkind has been the union’s acting president since October when Chris Oliver stepped down from the position because of time constraints.
“I just have to get a bunch of stuff done with my Ph.D., which came sooner than I thought,” Oliver, a sociology graduate student, said.
But Oliver is confident Goodkind will be an efficient leader.
“She’s been with the organization for a while and she knows the ins and outs,” he said.
Todd Mireles, the union’s organizer, said there were a few others nominated to be president, but they declined because they wanted to see Goodkind as the leader.
“I think there are a couple things Jessica possesses that make her the ideal person to do this,” he said. “She has a strong commitment to social justice, she is a good organizer and she’s a hard worker.”
Goodkind has been involved with the GEU for the past year and a half.
“I didn’t plan to become the president, but when Chris needed to step down, I thought it would be a good time to step up,” she said.
As president, Goodkind said she plans to focus on two priorities for the union - getting a contract and continuing to build and strengthen the organization.
“One of the big issues that we’re working on right now is the rights for international students, their right to be here,” she said.
Duncan Woodhead, a member of the GEU’s bargaining team, said Goodkind will lead through example.
“You need a president who won’t just route people to take action but someone who will take action themselves,” the history graduate student said. “She is the leader but also willing to put time in like the rest of us.”
