Letters from the Candidates

Kathryn Long

President

"When I first toured App State, the community that I felt was indescribable and led me to come back as a student two years later! But, that community could only be established with the students. After serving on the Tuition and Fees Committee for the University, I saw that students needed to be advocated for in spaces that they have limited access to. Knowing the importance of community, as it brought me here in the first place, I knew that I needed to be the one to advocate for the community of the student body and leave it better than I found it."

Sincerely,

Kathryn Long

Amarah Din

Vice President

"Like many other students, I didn’t expect to be at App State for very long. To my surprise, after my first month here at App, I found my closest friends and community through groups such as Student Government, and I don’t believe I would be able to find anything similar on any other campus. I’m running because after interacting with so many students through the years, there is a clear disconnect between students and our student advocacy body, and SGA needs to mend that bond. It’s imperative that the SGA serves the interest of the students above all else and that students feel truly and equitably represented by us."

Sincerely,

Amarah Din

Meet the Candidates

Kathryn Long

(She/Her)

Classification

Junior

Major

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Minor

American Sign Language

Hometown

Jackson, North Carolina

Amarah Din

(She/Her)

Classification

Junior

Major

Political Science

Minor

Criminal Justice

Hometown

Cary, North Carolina

Campus Involvement

Plemmons

Leadership Scholar

Student Director of Orientation

New Mountaineer and Family Engagement

Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader

Trailhead Student Guide

Honors College Scholar

Volunteer at AppLCEED

Office Assistant to the Division of Student Affairs

APPS Spirit and Traditions Council

I am honored to receive a scholarship in honor of the legacy of Dr. William Howard Plemmons, Appalachian State University’s second president. This scholarship allows me to attend bi-weekly meetings with campus administration and community partners to discuss their leadership impact and how Plemmons Scholars can support their initiatives toward community outreach programs that serve the Town of Boone and the university. My Plemmons cohort allowed me to develop a personal four-year leadership plan to demonstrate how my efforts will impact the University campus and surrounding community. I owe many of my leadership characteristics to this organization as they have invested in my potential as a student leader.

In this role, I was able to be many student’s first interaction with App State outside of an acceptance letter. I had the privilege of hearing the needs and concerns of families and students while being able to educate them on our campus resources. I was able to oversee a group of orientation leaders and develop a training module to help them become knowledgeable on a variety of topics to equip our incoming Mountaineers for success! This leadership position gave me the ability to understand student’s perspectives and needs as well as the role in which our university plays for the student body.

Interning since 2023

Served from 2021 - 2022

Served during 2022

Serving since 2021

Serving since 2023

Working since 2023

Chairperson during the 2022 - 2023 Term

Student Government Association

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Association of Student Governments Campus Liaison

Throughout my tenure leading the DEI Committee, I've cultivated inclusive environments where students feel valued and empowered. Initiatives include distributing 900 donuts for International Day of Happiness, crafting statements on current events, advocating for halal dining options with Campus Dining, and more.

I have connected with many other campuses in the UNC System to discuss various issues that affect all students in North Carolina. I co-authored a resolution calling for the UNC System to adopt an Election Holiday in order to promote civic engagement among students and youth!

Association of Student Governments Campus Liaison

Chairperson of Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Served during the 2022 - 2023 Term

Spokesperson of Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Served during the 2021 - 2022 Term

North Carolina Young People’s Alliance

Serving since 2023

CEL Voter Coalition

Serving since 2023

Kappa Alpha Pi

Serving since 2023

Founding Member

Standards Committee Member

Plemmons Student Union

Student Supervisor

Working since 2023

Serving since 2023

Friendship Story

"Although Amarah and I are very different, we are both great friends! I met Amarah as she was an Orientation Leader when I was the Student Director of Orientation. I got to work closely with her and if you know her, you know you love her. And, the same is true for me! I admire Amarah’s passion and drive to advocate for others when she receives no benefit, the empathy that she willingly shows everyone, and her open mind that strives to learn from other individuals. I am honored to have such a remarkable woman running alongside me."

Sincerely,

Kathryn Long

"I like to think that Orientation allowed me to meet Kathryn but her everlasting positive energy was what brought us to be such strong friends. I admire Kathryn for many reasons, but especially for her ability to get stuff done! She's a natural-born leader who knows how to effectively communicate her goals and vision to both students and professional staff. Kathryn is authentic and true to herself, and I think that through her personality and values, she is a true representation of what it means to be a Mountaineer. I am so honored to be running with a wonderful woman like her!"

Sincerely,

Amarah Din