Thinking about the driving force behind her campaign for student body treasurer, Natalie Hageman summed up her greatest passion: “to give back.”
The second-year business student and Rock Hill, S.C., native credits that passion to her parents, who she said have always supported her and equipped her with the tools she needed to succeed.
“I come from a very, very fortunate home,” Hageman said. “My dad inspires me and I try to make my parents happy.”
That inspiration has led Hageman to interact with students through different on-campus organizations, including Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and the Residence Hall Association, in which she serves as the South Campus liaison. She is also a supplemental instruction leader for MATH 122, which she said lets her reach out and help other students.
What she said best prepares her for the role of treasurer, however, is her experience in student government. Having served as senate finance chair since mid-November, she said the role taught her how to communicate with other organizations and “make things better.”
“I’m a really selfless person, and I always try to put people before myself,” Hageman said.
She calls her introduction into the world of finance an “accident,” as she originally wanted to focus on the academic side of Student Government. However, when the Senate finance committee needed another member, she served under former senate finance chair Ashley Farr and an interest in finance developed. Hageman said she realized that role would give her experience she “couldn’t get anywhere else,” and she soon changed her major from political science to business.
As she now seeks a higher office in SG, Hageman says her friends have been a great base of support for her, although they were shocked by the amount of work that goes into campaigning for an executive position.
“I have about 10 close friends, and they mean everything to me. When I told them I was doing this, they thought I was crazy but said ‘I could see you doing that,’” Hageman said. “They’ve been very supportive.”
Hageman said campaigning hasn’t been easy, especially since she said she isn’t fond of public speaking, but that the experience has taught her more about student thoughts and ideas.
“I do love this, and I would never give back what I’ve learned from the process,” Hageman said. “As a person, I’ve definitely grown and become a better public speaker from it.”
Looking ahead, she said she hopes she wins the election to better give back to USC’s student body.
If she doesn’t win, however, she plans to focus on internships and possibly join the Congressional Advisory Board, which would allow her to lobby lawmakers with other students.
“I just want to find a way to give back,” Hageman said. “I want to make someone’s experience or life better.”