New position coordinates students, administration
by Sharron Walls
While most campuses have a director of student activities to coordinate student events, at MCG the Student Government Association handles those responsibilities. But it doesn’t do it alone.
“This is the student government’s show,” said Zameer Sheikh, who joined MCG in the new position of campus life student activities coordinator last March. “My role is to help guide them along in that process. We work in tandem to be a source of ideas and inspiration. SGA is the students’ chance to voice their concerns about the university experience, to have input into the decision-making process.”
As the liaison between students and senior administration, Mr. Sheikh supports leadership development and assistance with social, recreational, civic and government programs. He is uniquely qualified for the position.
Mr. Sheikh originally planned a career in medicine. After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, he applied to and was wait-listed at MCG’s School of Medicine. Dr. Mary Ella Logan, then dean of admissions, suggested that he shift his focus for the time being to law, something that would always come in handy, citing her own legal degree.
While earning his jurisprudence degree at the University of Georgia, Mr. Sheikh became active in student activities, particularly in the Office of International Life, and considered student leadership development and activities management as a career choice. “I had no idea there were degree programs for this sort of thing,” but, as it turns out, lawyers are sought out for such positions.
“The relationship between students and administration is a complex one,” said Dr. Michael Miller, vice president for enrollment and student services, explaining that it helps to have someone well-versed in the rules of law that govern organizations. “Zameer understands the campus structure and he’s a good role model for our students.”
Mr. Sheikh’s unusual career path gives him a useful perspective. “I know what these students go through before they get into medical school,” he said. “I know the concerns they have once they get in.”
A recent project included registering all campus student organizations to give them access to university facilities and to advertise as university-affiliated.
“MCG students are very interested in being involved. It surprised me quite a bit, because you’d think in a professional school environment the primary concern is just getting that degree. Well, these students, they really want that whole student life experience.”