Collegiate Times

The Student Government Association is attempting to reshape the image of Virginia Tech students through its Student Spotlight on Diversity.

Organizers of the “Everyone is a Hokie” campaign label the program an opportunity to showcase different students.

“When people think of what a Hokie is, people think of a certain (type of) person,” said Terrance Austin, the SGA’s director of equity and inclusion. “It’s a diverse community, but not, at the same time. This is an opportunity to showcase different cultures, communities, someone different, but just as important to the community.”

This month, the spotlight was cast on Frank Hernandez, a senior mechanical engineering major. 

Hernandez, a member of the Latino Association of Student Organizations, sees this program as an opportunity for different organizations to receive some recognition.

“I think it’s great,” Hernandez said. “This gives a unique opportunity to show how different Hokies and different organizations share a common goal.”

The idea of highlighting a student was brought about in hopes of reshaping the image of Tech’s student body.

“The community is not aware of these things. This is creating awareness through unity,” Hernandez said.

When asked why he accepted the recognition, Hernandez said it was so he could “spotlight” his organization.

“It’s been tough in the past. There’s a survey every year about how aware you are of organizations. Something like 95 percent (of the Tech population) said ‘not at all’ about LASO,” Hernandez said.

Austin said the goal was to recognize at least one student per month. 

Hernandez, the first student to be recognized, was a random acquaintance Austin met at GobblerFest.

“Frank is involved on campus, part of a larger organization, a leader and good student,” Austin said. “We’re looking for an ideal representative of the university. Anyone can identify with him.”

Austin said the selection process will likely continue to be people he chances upon and finds to be a good representative of what a Hokie is. 

Austin explained they are not just looking to recognize minorities, noting the organization would also look to spotlight a member of Tech’s corps of cadets.

Austin hopes the effects of this campaign will be both obvious and positive by the end of the semester.

“It’s something small. Some table cards and the website, but I hope people will feel more included,” Austin said.

Hernandez noted the challenge in creating immediate impact with the program.

“As long as this is creating awareness,” Hernandez said, “then I am all for it.”

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 20 issue of the Collegiate Times.