UND sophomore and Brannon Hall President Jon Schindler. Photo submitted. 

With his backward cap, long board and Mountain Dew in hand, many might not expect Jon Schindler to represents hundreds of young adults.

Schindler, a sophomore, is Brannon Hall’s new president. Schindler himself is new to Brannon, as it is his first time living in the residence halls. He spent his freshman year living off campus.

Now he’s living in the same building as more than 300 students.

“It’s my first year here. Last year, I wasn’t in the dorms and I wasn’t involved with any organizations or anything really around UND,” Schindler said. “There’s so much stuff I missed.”

While most people may run for a presidential position with a deep passion and mission, Schindler won on different terms.

“At first it was kind of a joke, because I’m the president of a college church group called Submerge,” he said. “So, my roommate one day was like, ‘Hey, we should make you president,’ and it caught on. I’d kind of say that I got the popular vote. There was one other candidate, but I came out on top.”

Schindler admits he hasn’t had much experience prior to his position in Brannon as he wasn’t involved in student council or similar groups in high school. Despite that lack of experience, he says he’s gotten along just fine.

“It’s a great learning experience,” he said. “And I’m learning to be a more developed leader. There are many aspects of leadership — I’m strong in some points, weak in others.”

As hall president, Schindler has his hands full with meetings and reports, but he still finds meaning through all the tasks, which can range from planning hall events to volunteering for other events organized by the Association of Residence Halls Policy Board.

As part of being president, Schindler holds a weekly hall government meeting and attends the weekly Policy Board meeting. The board is made up of presidents from each of UND’s 13 resident halls, chairpeople of ARH boards and an executive team.

“It is a higher calling,” Schindler said of the position. “You have to be way more responsible with time management, organization, communication and with other people.”

While the hall government members are delegated tasks and have meetings of their own to attend and report on each week, Schindler said the presence of other students at hall government meetings is welcome and important.

“If more people got involved with hall government, it would improve living in the dorms,” Schindler said. “It doesn’t mean you really have to pour into it. You could go to a meeting once a week and see what’s up. With more participation from residents, we (can) offer more to students.

“If you show up to these meetings, you have a say in what goes on. I don’t get to make decisions myself; we do as a whole.”

For those who are looking to take any type of position in hall government but feel as if they lack experience, Schindler offers some comfort.

“I think that (experience) definitely would (help), but it’s not necessary,” he said. “You can still figure it out. You may be a little slower than others who have been in government type work longer, but at the same time, you can catch on and get the flow of things.”

Schindler believes the main perk of his job is just being informed, but the job has also helped him grow personally.

“I’m always growing, and I’m always learning more, and I appreciate that. I want to become a better leader.”

Paula Kaledzi is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]