Joseph Caldwell

Year in School: Senior
Major/Minor: Urban Studies
Expected Graduation: 2019

Extracurricular Activities:
I'm currently serving in my second year as the Student Director of The Men of Dillard and as the President of the Beta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, I work with the Office of Admissions as an Ambassador where I have the opportunity to welcome students and families to campus I also have the opportunity to use my knowledge of urban studies and political science first-hand as a member of the Political Science Club. For three years I served on student government, first as the Freshman class President followed by a two-term vice-presidency with the Student Government Association. Following my service with SGA, I have continued to passionately advocate and serve our student body as the Chair of the Auxiliary Services Committee which allows the university to ensure students have a voice in all of the campus' third party amenities, including the campus bookstore, the university dining hall, and laundry service. Lastly, my role as Mister Dillard University allows me to not only represent our student body but also to be an agent of change within the Greater New Orleans community by planning and executing numerous community service and service-learning projects throughout the academic year.

Career Goals:
Upon graduation, I aspire to continue my work in the community as an eighth grade history teacher. History is the key to understanding our current society; as such, it is important to start educating our youth early on about the past which I will be able to do in this role. This past summer while working with Relay Graduate School of Education, I had a hands-on opportunity to teach students and practice classroom management; this is when I had the epiphany which led me to explore education as a career path.

What is your most memorable contribution as a Campus King?:
My most significant contribution has been initiating the University's inaugural Men's Suit Drive. This initiative is a partnership between the Men of Dillard student organization, of which I am a founding member, and the Royal Court. We were able to collect over 200 suits and donations to provide suits for all of our men on campus. It has been so rewarding to see this program evolve from a simple program where we taught men how to tie their ties to providing suits, ties, and mentorship to the men of the Dillard community. On the first day of classes all of the men wore their suits and the campus had an overwhelming reaction. The students were filled with a sense of pride which has left a lasting impression and even led to a weekly event called "Boss Up Monday" where everyone dresses professionally to start the week. It is my sincere hope that this initiative continues to grow and expand in the coming years and becomes a staple program to the future titleholders of Mister Dillard.