From the president
Rachel Paul is a senior at the University of North Florida majoring in Political Science with a Sociology minor. She is passionate about a variety of political and social causes, such as voter education, women’s empowerment, and workers’ rights. For the past three years, she has been the president and founder of Students United for Workers’ Advocacy, a student-led organization on campus dedicated to educating workers about their labor rights and the movement to a fairer workplace. She also works with UNF’s Center for Community Based Learning, where she is an integral part of a team of students and staff developing and promoting Osprey Vote, a student-focused Motivote platform that aims to guide students through the voting process as well as facilitate voter education through outreach and events. In less than two years, the team has led the UNF campus to both Highly Engaged Campus and Highly Established Action Plan designations. In addition, through her involvement with the CCBL, Rachel has joined the Jacksonville and Duval County branches of the League of Women Voters and the National Organization of Women. Her main goals are to empower members of her community to stand up for what they believe in through democracy.
Personal Statement
My exposure to politics was watching the news over my grandfather's shoulder; he instilled core values of integrity, compassion, and community into my impressionable mind. The older I got, the more I realized the importance of grassroots organization and that real change happens from the ground. My heart turned to action after the 2018 Parkland shooting. I was inspired to see people my age strive to make change through March for Our Lives. In college, my classes and peers motivated me to start Students United for Workers’ Advocacy, an organization supporting worker solidarity and education. The importance of community was emphasized when I joined UNF’s Center for Community-Based Learning. Working on civic engagement projects and with local organizations, such as the League of Women Voters and the National Organization of Women, I saw the importance of voter education and action. The best way to promote grassroots change is by increasing civic action in the communities and demographics that need it most. I want to contribute to that expansion. My experiences have taught me three core lessons that I apply in my daily life and service: community is at the heart of change, realistic optimism is important, and scatter kindness.