College of Natural Resources Senator Max Stoltz, a third-year studying parks, recreation and tourism management, is running for student body president this year with Wilson College of Textiles Senator Hannah Stoltz, a second-year studying fashion and textile management. The Stoltz ticket hopes to promote wellness, run sustainability initiatives and improve Student Government (SG) outreach.
Max Stoltz, who served in Senate for two years, said he is looking to take the next step in SG leadership.
“I was already the chair of a committee, so this just seems like the logical next step to take,” Max Stoltz said. “I also think representation matters. The fact that I’m a member of the LGBT community, and being able to represent a minority group on a university-wide arena is important.”
Max Stoltz said he and his running mate work well as a team and have a fairly strong dynamic because they are siblings.
“Any shortcomings I have, Hannah completes them in almost every way,” Max Stoltz said. “We make a really awesome team because we can be really honest and truthful with each other. We’ve always been really close growing up.”
The Stoltz platform is based around six topics: wellness, outreach, leadership, visibility, equity and sustainability, which forms the acronym “WOLVES.”
Hannah Stoltz said although physical well-being is important, their campaign takes a more holistic approach to wellness, and wants to support emotional and mental well-being.
“We’re both active in going to the counseling center, and we believe that’s very important to support as well,” Hannah Stoltz said.
According to Hannah Stoltz, their campaign hopes to run more sustainability initiatives because, although NC State does a fairly good job in terms of sustainability, there is always more that can be done.
“UNC just implemented aluminum cups at all their sporting events,” Hannah Stoltz said. “I saw they were doing that at the Super Bowl; those were the cups they were using there. For all the sporting events we have at NC State, I think that would be a great initiative to take forth: implementing aluminum cups to sporting events.”
Attracting rural and low-income students should be a priority, Max Stoltz said, in regard to the outreach side of their platform.
Hannah Stoltz said while NC State has made strides, an even more diverse population would be better. Nontraditional leadership is something the Stoltz campaign wants to promote, as both said they don’t fall into a typical leader archetype, which they see as an asset because it can help them connect with the student body.
Both candidates on the Stoltz ticket currently serve in Student Senate, and Max Stoltz is also the delegation head for his college.
“In that role, I help train and lead the newer members of my delegation and help them acclimate to Student Government as a whole, and understand Senate meetings,” Max Stoltz said. “I also serve on COLD, the Committee on Onboarding and Leadership Development, as the delegation head.”
Max Stoltz is also the sergeant-at-arms, an officer position responsible for keeping order in Senate meetings and speaking to guests.
“I’m kind of the face of Senate, in having to talk to new people a lot,” Max Stoltz said. “I have a unique outward-facing role. I think that translates over to the chair of Student Relations, which is an outward-facing committee.”
Meanwhile, Hannah Stoltz’s work has primarily been through the Wilson College of Textiles delegation. She said that ultimately, their campaign’s goal is to connect with students.
“I think we can bring that personal connection that I sometimes feel like Student Government lacks,” Hannah Stoltz said. “Really connecting with everyone, no matter if it’s in Student Government or out, externally with the whole community, administration — literally everyone. We want to have that personal connection, just to make everyone feels accepted, loved and cared for.”
Students will be able to vote all day on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3 through the GetInvolved website.
