One such leader is Campus Coordinator Bela Cunningham, who is a graphic design  student at the University of Florida. We sat down with Bela to talk about her involvement with SFL and her accomplishments as a Campus Coordinator.

If you are interested in applying to be a Campus Coordinator, click here.

David Clement: How long have you bee involved with SFL and what roles have you taken on?

Bela Cunningham: I am just finishing up my second semester with SFL as a campus coordinator and I plan on returning again next year!

David: What drew you to SFL’s leadership programs?

Bela: I was drawn to SFL because of its focus on facilitating student leadership. I love that as a CC, you are given tools, resources, and training, and then trusted to accomplish whatever goals you set for yourself. I think this is a great model for encouraging personal responsibility, professionalism, and instilling a positive outlook in young liberty-minded students.

David: At ISFLC, you helped plan, coordinate and run the Art Show. Can you tell us about that experience?

Bela: Being one of the Ama-gi Art Exhibit coordinators was an extremely rewarding experience. SFL trusted us to do this ourselves, but was there to provide support whenever we needed it. The response we got from the artists as well as the attendees was amazing. I think giving a platform to libertarian or liberty-minded artists is really important in fostering creativity in the movement. There were constantly people in the exhibit engaging with the works, and being able to relate to their messages of liberty, individualism, and freedom.

David: What makes art a valuable addition to spreading the ideas of liberty?

Bela: I believe art, graphic design specifically, provides a way to communicate some of the dryer ideas in a more attractive, engaging way, without taking away from the idea itself. Also, creating art is a wholly liberty driven experience, in that it is one of the most pure, unadulterated forms of free expression

David: Recently your club was featured in an article for participating in SFL’s Share Humanity campaign. Can you tell us a little more about that?

Bela: My College Libertarian group participated in the Share Humanity campaign by holding a clothing drive for Syrian refugees in our state. During the drive, The Alligator, a local media outlet, came and talked to us about our work with Students for Liberty, the message we were trying to send, and what we hoped to accomplish. A number of people donated because they saw the article, and were excited by what we were trying to do, and that SFL had afforded us the opportunity. We received far more donations than we anticipated, and were extremely heartened by the response.

David: What would you say to someone interested in SFL’s leadership programs?

Bela: I would say this to anyone thinking about participating in SFL’s leadership programs: just dive in and get involved. As a graphic design major, I was skeptical at first that there would be much room for me, but SFL really provides something for every type of student. I have seen in myself, and other students working with SFL, a noticeable growth in professionalism and confidence. Having the support to accomplish my goals in the liberty movement has been incredible, and I have done so much more with SFL than I could have otherwise.