Alfred University senior serves as ‘President for a Day’

ALFRED, NY – Alfred University senior Gillian Flint, a political science and accounting major from Caledonia, NY, served as President for a Day on Monday, May 2.

The Division for Student Experience Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and President Mark Zupan’s Office started the President for a Day program in 2018 as a way for the student body to interact with the president. Flint, a senior from Caledonia, NY, and Zupan walked in each other’s shoes for the day.

Flint was selected as runner-up from among several nominees for the Spring 2021 President for the Day, Director of Student Activities John Lewis explained, and was invited to serve in the role this Spring.

“I would like to be Alfred University’s President for a Day to gain insight to what makes AU ‘Outside the Ordinary,’” Flint wrote in applying to be President for a Day. “In President Zupan’s tenure he has highlighted the uniqueness Alfred University offers. President for a Day would be a great experience to learn from President Zupan how he transformed Alfred into what it is today.”

Zupan began the day attending Gillian’s morning Advanced Accounting class, taught by Theresa Gunn, professor of accountancy. After meeting with Zupan in his office in Jordan Hall, Gillian met Vice President for University Advancement Erin Martinovich, with whom Zupan had an afternoon meeting. Later in the day, Zupan introduced Gillian to Amy DeKay, who was on campus as a candidate for the position of vice president for Student Experience.

“I learned how busy the president is day to day,” Gillian commented. “I am thankful he was able to fit this experience into his already compact schedule.”

Gillian, who is a member of the Alfred University women’s basketball and softball teams, said the experience of being President for the Day provided the chance to network, which will benefit her in her career.

“This was a great opportunity to meet with people President Zupan meets with on a regular basis and make those connections,” said Gillian, who plans to return to Alfred next fall to pursue her MBA and is considering enrolling in law school. “The greatest benefits to serving the President for a Day was getting to meet all the amazing people he interacts with daily.”