Josh Bramlett: A Quick Q&A

Josh Bramlett, 21, is president of the senior class at UCA. He grew up in Conway and graduated with honors from Conway High School in 2006.  He is in the UCA Honors College and is majoring in political science.  He is working on his senior thesis, “Civic Education in Arkansas.” He serves on the Student Government Association publicity committee, student fee advisory committee, and library committee.  He has been involved with the SGA since his sophomore year as a representative and worked his way up the ranks to win the spot of senior class president.

We caught up with him this week to ask a few question. Here's what he had to say:

Where are you from?

Josh Bramlett

What is your major?

“The only subjects in school that I could ever pay attention to were history, civics, social studies, and psychology.  It only made sense to major in political science.  I am minoring in honor's interdisciplinary studies.  The Honors College has really benefited my perception of higher education, society, and the individual’s role in both.  The Political Science Department has some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable experts I’ve ever met.”

Why did you choose your major and what do you hope to do with it?

“When I was deciding my major, it was between political science, history, and philosophy.  I was lucky to receive an internship for U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor in June 2008. When I got back from D.C., it was clear which path I was going to choose.  Right now I am working on the Lt. Governor’s re-election campaign, and hope to work in future campaigns and for office holders, that is, until I am qualified enough to do it myself.”

What or who inspired you to run for a position in SGA?

“I saw the flyers as a freshman and knew I had to be on SGA.  I ran for freshman VP and lost, then the next year ran for sophomore representative and was on SGA.  After that, it was time to step up the responsibilities and work.  So I ran for junior class president and senior class president, unopposed. (Haha!)”

What committees do you serve on and do you think it will help in your future career and goals.

“I serve on the publicity committee, student fee advisory committee, and library committee.  Committee work is what it’s all about.”

What do you think is the biggest issue affecting students at UCA?

“The price of tuition and books.  Maybe the parking situation.  Right now, I’d say it is having to trudge through the mud while the new sidewalks are being built.  The retention rate is a troubling statistic as well. I am saddened by it.  There has to be a reason that so many people who start at UCA do not graduate, but who knows how we could figure it out.  I think money has a lot to do with it.  Higher education costs way too much nationwide.  It’s a load of BS that in order to be educated, and have the potential to be a contributing member of society, you have to start out with $50,000 debt.  That should be the federal government’s priority.  Make college affordable!”

Now for some fun questions

“These questions have all been fun.”

If you could be a super hero, who would it be?

“Spiderman.  With great power, comes great responsibility.”

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

“The Fred Flintstone push-up sticks”

Book or Kindle?

“Most of the time that I am reading, it is on the laptop or the iPhone.  Most of my reading is politico.com, Huffington Post, RealClearPolitics, Arkansas Times, and I am constantly scouring the newsfeeds on twitter and facebook for the latest word.”

What is your favorite genre of music?

“Classic Rock.  The Beatles, Stones, Creedence, Zep.  I get the Led out every night at 8 pm on the Point 94.1.  I also listen to the student radio station, the Bear 91.3, religiously.”

Is there anything you would want the student body to know about you?

“Be cool and stay in school”

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