Cortez Whatley slowly enters the multi-storied student union in the center of the University of Central Florida.
As his dress shoe strikes the polished tile inside, he looks up, flashes a vibrant smile and glances at just a few of the over 60,000 students he represents.
“Cortez is someone who is a visionary leader,” Student Body Vice President Rachel Brill said.
As president of UCF’s student body, Cortez Whatley has had life experiences that most 22-year-olds do not get to experience.
Whatley’s unique life experiences began before he attended UCF. As a child he moved often because his stepfather is in the Air Force. He lived in four different states and also lived overseas in the United Kingdom from the age of 8 until he was 11. Whatley’s time in the U.K. lasted three years, but left a lasting impact on his life.
“It was a truly incredible experience,” Whatley said. “While I was there we were able to visit different countries.”
Whatley went on to say that his time spent in the U.K. was an “enriching experience” and made him “more well-rounded.”
“I think meeting the diversity of people that we did had a great effect on him getting to know people as people,” Cortez’s mom Latanya Whatley said.
These experiences helped to shape Whatley into the man that he is today and have provided him with the qualities needed to lead a student body of approximately 60,000 students.
“He knows what needs to get done and knows how to properly delegate that,” Brill said.
“He has to be someone professional, someone who people tend to look up to, someone that is not lazy, hard working and has good social skills,” UCF student Ana Ruiz said.
Cortez Whatley has been able to lead through these qualities. These qualities are necessary if a person in a position such as student body president is going to lead effectively.
“Honesty, and that he is not afraid to stand up for what is right,” Latanya Whatley said when mentioning the qualities that help her son lead.
As UCF student body president, Whatley serves the students of UCF and is looked toward to provide leadership. This leadership includes his role as the voice of the students.
“I think they have a defined sense of responsibility, your job is to coordinate student events and make sure the student body is represented through you,” UCF student Anthony Cambero said.
Throughout his time as student body president, Whatley has experienced things that most 22-year-old do not get to experience at such a young age. For example, he served on the greeting committee when former United States President Bill Clinton visited UCF. Whatley recalled casually speaking with Clinton for 10-15 minutes.
Whatley also sits on Florida’s board of governors.
“As a student representative, you sit on a board that pretty much regulates all state universities,” Whatley said.
In addition to the activities that he takes part in, the people that he works with also are remarkable. Whatley mentions members of UCF’s board of trustees with ties to major companies such as Disney and Sea World. He also works with Wayne Huizenga Jr., son of the former owner of the Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins, on the board of governors.
“I am fascinated by the people I work with,” Whatley said. These experiences and acquaintances have shaped a 22-year life unlike most others. As Cortez Whatley looks toward the end of his term as president and graduation, what his future holds remains to be seen. Whatley will look toward his experiences and leadership qualities to be successful in life post-UCF.
“He is someone who is going to be successful in anything he decides to do post graduation,” Brill said.
