When Chris Winn returned to college in 2024, student government was not part of his plan.
His peers swayed him in that direction. They recognized he had a certain something.
His willingness to speak up was that certain something. It might account for his new role as Student Government Association president at Virginia Peninsula Community College.
Winn, whose term is for the 2026-27 academic year, said fellow students approached him, airing various concerns. He took their issues to then-SGA president Julian Parker. Their conversations led to an invitation for Winn to apply for an SGA senator’s post.
He served as a senator in the 2025-26 academic year before becoming vice president. He’s proud to have helped rewrite the SGA’s constitution in the latter role.
“I got a lot of satisfaction just being the voice of students,” Winn said. “I’m just not a shy person. I have no issue speaking up. I’ve always been intensely empathetic. If I saw something wrong, I just did something, said something.”
Today, he wants to build on the progress made during his vice presidency. Winn’s priorities include connecting students with resources, helping them avoid dropping out when challenges arise. He said numerous unexpected obstacles, from food insecurity and transportation problems to housing instability and technology gaps, can affect students’ ability to remain in school.
“How do we help people avoid falling through the cracks? The reality is, life happens. I believe SGA is a wonderful organization for connecting students with resources,” he said.
Another priority is strengthening connections among students, alumni and the communities VPCC serves.
“The biggest thing I would like to see is a stronger sense of community, more ways for us to build connections together,” he stressed.
Winn believes community means showing up for others. For instance, a classmate who notices a peer is absent might text that person to check on them. It’s also a friend providing a ride, sharing class notes and other helpful acts.
In other aims, he wants students to have more opportunities to provide feedback to VPCC leaders and the SGA. The student organization approved plans to let students attend its meetings, provide anonymous feedback through a drop box, and eventually submit questions via the SGA website. The online feedback system is particularly vital to Winn given the huge percentage of VPCC students taking classes online.
“We’ve already started the process of finding ways to capture their voices,” he said. “If I don’t account for (roughly) 70% of the population, I’ve failed at the job.”
Winn is a nursing student in the fall 2026 daytime cohort. He anticipates graduating in May 2028. Despite his demanding major, he’s up for his new role.
Maintaining high academic standing is one commitment among many for the Hampton native and Bethel High School graduate. Winn is also a peer tutor at the College, volunteers as an officer of elections during election seasons and works as a bartender.
He admits managing his obligations is a delicate balancing act. To avoid burnout, he has reduced his election work and learned to set boundaries.
As for impact, Winn hopes his SGA presidency provides sustainable systems and relationships that benefit students and the College well into the future. That legacy is one he hopes will include strengthened connections to resources for students, increased support for students who struggle and deeper ties among students, alumni and local businesses.
