As the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, I find myself sitting across from Xander Bell, one of Woodcrest’s familiar faces and a returning candidate for the Student Council. With a warm smile and an easygoing demeanor, Xander settles into his seat, ready for an honest conversation about his motivations, vision, and what drives him to serve the Woodcrest community once again.
“Hey there, Xander. Thanks for taking the time out to speak with me this evening,” I greet, phone and notepad in hand.
“I guess it was an eventuality,” he replies with a grin. “Thanks for meeting here. I was dying for a coffee.”
Coffee, as it turns out, is a shared passion. “Coffee is my poison,” I laugh, before diving into the first of several questions to help students—especially the newer ones—get to know Xander beyond the campaign flyers and election speeches.
When asked to tell us about himself and what draws him to the Student Council, Xander leans back thoughtfully, taking a sip of his slightly over-extracted coffee. “Honestly? I’m just an ordinary guy, probably an idiot if I’m being really honest… who sees a need. The job of Student Council President needs to be done—and it needs to be done significantly better than it currently is. I came back to Woodcrest because I figured it was about time I finally got a degree instead of non-stop horseplay.”
It’s a refreshingly candid answer, and one that sets the tone for the rest of the conversation.
When I ask what qualities make him a good fit for the Student Council, Xander chuckles, almost caught off guard. “What qualities? What you see is what you get with me. I don’t have some grand plan; I just want to help and get people to engage. Cohesion is important, and it can’t happen if people don’t feel heard. I guess I’d say my best qualities are listening skills and a willingness to let people voice their opinions.”
“You’d be amazed at how far listening can go,” I tell him. “Being heard is something many people crave.”
Xander nods, his tone turning more serious as we discuss how he hopes to make a positive impact if elected. “By giving people an open forum where they can speak,” he explains. “It’s one thing for the Student Council to set an agenda—but it’s even better when students can come forward and make suggestions. If students think the current agenda stinks, they should get to say so. Simple as a pimple. I’ve always hated the phrase, ‘but we’ve always done it this way.’ Change can be good when it’s done properly.”
As the conversation deepens, Xander’s vision for Woodcrest becomes clear—he wants to see more inclusivity, creativity, and engagement beyond the usual Greek life activities. “A student shouldn’t feel alienated just because they can’t find a Greek House that suits them,” he says. “The Student Council shouldn’t just fill the calendar around Greek events either. I’d love to see more varied classes, maybe even let students with certain skill sets teach workshops. And if all else fails,” he adds with a grin, “we’ll just organize wild parties—unless the Tri-Pis are attending, of course. Then there will definitely be wild parties.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Eh, I’m a little biased when it comes to Tri Pi,” I admit. But Xander’s point stands—he’s been listening, and he understands what many at Woodcrest are asking for: more diverse, inclusive, and engaging experiences that bring the whole campus together.
As our conversation winds down, I thank him for his time. “This was very enlightening,” I tell him.
With his mix of honesty, humor, and a genuine desire to make Woodcrest better for everyone, Xander Bell proves he’s not just running for a title—he’s running for connection. And sometimes, that starts with something as simple as a good cup of coffee and a willingness to listen.