Meet the Undergraduate Student Government Candidates
March 11, 2019
Voting for Kent State’s Undergraduate Student Government candidates begins March 12 at 7 a.m. and closes March 13 at 5 p.m.
Here’s why you should care:
By Sara Crawford
Editor’s Note: All the director candidates who responded are in the Monday, March 11 edition of The Kent Stater. Because of lack of room in the paper, all the candidates, including senator candidates, have been put in this online version of the article.
The elections are approaching for Kent State students to have an opportunity to vote for the next officers of the Undergraduate Student Government.
According to USG’s website, it was established in 1924 on the university’s main campus. Since then, USG has served as the representation of the entire student body at Kent State and the liaison between the students and the universities.
“Undergraduate Student Government is the representative body of undergraduate students here at Kent,” said Kevin Cline, the President Election Commissioner. “Basically we represent the students’ voice to the administration and external bodies like we can lobby for students to local and federal government. And then we fund programs and allocate money to student organizations.”
The way USG gets its funding is through the student activity fee. With it, they provide programming for the students, such as Flashfest and TedX. They also allocate the money through the allocations committee to allow for student organizations and individuals to host programs and travel to events and conferences outside of the university, Cline said.
USG represents students to the school’s administration for possible policy changes that students believe are an issue. USG also represents students at a local, state and federal government level when it comes to possible law changes that could affect the student body.
Each spring semester, students elect 25 officials to serve a one-year term in USG. These officials include the Student Body President, eight directors and 16 senators.
In order to become an official candidate to run for a position, students have to collect 226 undergraduate petition signatures.
Every USG also has a “write-in” option, where any student can campaign for a position. They, however, do not appear on the ballot and can’t participate in any USG-organized events.
“It’s important for students to vote because they need to have a voice in representation,” Cline said. “This is the only body on campus for undergraduates to elect the people that control a portion of their tuition. It’s also the only way that they can have a voice in the governance of the university.”
Students can submit their votes on Flashline March 12 and March 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
KentWired reached out to all the candidates running for USG directors and senators. Click “Next” to view the candidates.
Sara Crawford is the student politics reporter. Contact Sara at [email protected].
Candidates for student body president and director positions:
Annelise Stopar
Student Body President Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My platform includes three main topics that I feel are among the most important topics the 2019-2020 USG Board should focus on. Those include Inclusion, Health and Allocations.
I hope to encourage the fostering of a campus of increased collaboration, appreciation, acceptance and learning for people of all different backgrounds. Through encouraging a more diverse board of leadership on USG, I hope the board will be able to reach out and work with more organizations so everyone’s voices are heard and needs are met.
Students cannot be productive if they are not healthy both mentally and physically. Kent State can do more with providing resources for their students’ mental health and physical health. Whether it be establishing mental health statements in syllabi, increasing accessibility and awareness among the campus to mental health resources, or even implementing health education training into courses for first-year students, there are many routes we can take, that I hope to be able to within the 2019-2020 school year.
Undergraduate Student Government is the hub for student programming and allocations. I feel there is more that can be given, and more that can be done for students with the resources USG has. I would first like to increase student awareness of the resources USG offers when it comes to allocations. I would also like to widen the things allocations money can be given for. My goal with this would be to look at the possibility of creating an emergency scholarship for students to apply for if they have a financial tragedy happen that is unpredicted. I would also like to look at ways to make things like textbooks, access codes, and parking on campus cheaper for students.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I feel I am the best candidate to vote for because I have worked during the 2018-2019 school year on initiatives that encourage and support the points of my platform. I am currently working on legislation to restructure a Director position in USG to take the role of a larger resource for organizations and services that foster diversity and inclusion. I am serving as a Co-Chair for the 2019 Larry Pollock Mental Health Summit, as well as being USG’s Kent State of Wellness Ambassador. I am working with the Office of the Provost on implementing a mental health statement into syllabi for upcoming school years. The things in my platform are continuations of what I have already been doing during my time in USG. I want to make these things happen because not only are they important to me, they are important to the lives of the students that Undergraduate Student Government serves.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I am looking at changing the way USG interacts with the student body population. We are leaders, but we are serving the student body, and that should not be lost in translation. In the 2019-2020 school year, I hope to encourage service among USG. Giving back to the community through doing things like clothing and food drives, service projects at local non-profits, and even working on cleaning up the parks nearby is a great way that we as USG representatives can give back. As far as giving back to the student body, I would like to do more to get resources to the students. I am looking at the possibility of creating a “Breakfast in Bed” where USG would offer pancake breakfast delivery to students during finals week to ease the stresses of finals. I would also like to encourage USG Representatives to get more involved outside of student government to get to know more students and hear more of what we should be doing.”
Vala Zeinali
Student Body President Candidate
Q: What is your platform and why should people vote for you?
A: “As your student body president, I will use my background in computer science and mathematics to apply quantitative reasoning to our student government operations. Numbers don’t lie and I want to hear what YOU want from YOUR student government.
My first initiative begins with collecting data from YOU. I plan on collecting your opinions through a software I am developing which helps us gather the student voice, and therefore make meaningful change for our university.
Secondly, I believe that our beautifully diverse university should be represented equally within our student government. Kent State University is a population, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is a sample of said population. In order for our USG to properly represent our undergraduate students, we, USG, must embody our student body. Outreach to diverse student groups will be paramount for a well-represented student government.
Lastly, I want to make sure that USG’s funding impacts the most amount of undergraduate students, while also empowering marginalized populations. As current Director of Business and Finance, I have learned to handle a large budget and I want to carry over my fiscally responsible character to this position. The plan is to make the most amount of impact with the least amount of cost. A vote for Vala is a vote for YOU. It’s EZ vote VZ!”
Tiera Moore
Director of Governmental Affairs Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “I believe that all students at Kent State should be informed about what is happening at their university. It is vital that the Undergraduate Student Government communicates effectively with the student body so that the actions of USG represent the interests of all students. I think that the voices of every student should be heard when matters that directly affect them are being addressed. When students are informed, they are then able to be a part of the change at Kent State University. I believe that implementing legislation that will positively affect students is especially important when creating change at our university. Students should know about legislation implemented at Kent State because it affects many aspects of their academic lives.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “Kent State students should vote for me to create positive change on our campus. Change can only happen if we, as students of Kent State University, work together to implement it. I will make sure that my voice reflects the wishes of every student at Kent State University if I am voted onto Undergraduate Student Government, and for this reason, I believe that Kent State students should vote for me.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “As Director of Governmental Affairs, I am looking to enact changes to improve Undergraduate Student Government’s communications with Kent State students through increased outreach. I also plan to lobby for legislation that will positively affect students at Kent State by actively working with KSU representatives, government officials and other colleges. Another change that I want to enact is to keep all students informed about legislation implemented at Kent State University through increased publicity.”
Donald Wolford
Director of Governmental Affairs Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “I’m running a campaign that aims to empower all Kent State students and listen to all student voices. As Director of Governmental Affairs, I intend to take a firm stand against sexual assault, protect resources that serve members of marginalized communities, and advocate for the mental health needs of students. Additionally, given the multiple political skirmishes that have occurred on campus this school year, I intend to explore options that continue to protect the First Amendment rights of all activists while ensuring that demonstrations do not interfere with the proper functioning of campus and do not put any counter-protesters or bystanders at risk of harm. Ensuring safety and order on campus will be two of my top priorities in this position.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I believe that my past and present leadership experiences on Kent’s campus have enabled me to serve as an empathetic and effective advocate for my fellow Kent students. Last year I served as the Event Director of Koonce Hall and the President of Kent’s Freshman Advisory Council, both of which taught me a lot about listening to the concerns of my peers and hashing out solutions to these concerns with the university administration. Presently, I’m serving the Kent chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon as its Vice President of Communications, a position which has helped me to strengthen the interpersonal and advocacy skills that will be absolutely necessary for Kent’s next Director of Governmental Affairs.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I intend to pursue the following initiatives if elected: Expand funding for mental health care on campus, incorporate voter registration and basic voting information into Kent’s FYE courses, and ensure greater transparency between the university administration and students. Although we’ve done a good job of breaking down some of the stigma surrounding mental illness on our campus, the university still has a long way to go in terms of ensuring awareness of and easy access to resources dedicated to those who suffer from mental illnesses. As a result, I intend to work with the university administration to ensure that some of our tuition fees go toward a mental health services fund. In order to increase student engagement in public affairs, I also aim to incorporate voter registration and crucial voting information into Kent’s FYE course; this should simplify the unnecessarily-chaotic voter registration process that occurs on Kent’s campus every fall. Finally, I would like to ensure greater transparency in the relationship between the university administration and the student body, a relationship which has been unfortunately damaged through decisions such as this year’s change of meal plan. Overall, I would love to see greater interaction between students and administrators, and I intend to do all I can to break down some of the barriers that separate Kent students from the individuals who decide on university policy.”
Ben Rininger
Director of Student Advancement Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: •Nominate and train compassionate, motivated, intelligent judicial advocates to represent those in trouble with student conduct.
•Promote USG outreach, transparency and awareness.
•Celebrate diversity of thought and identity.
•Advocate vocally in students’ best interest.
•Support all cost-effective improvements to sustainability at Kent.
•Support free speech and the ability of students and student workers to voice complaints.
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because I have leadership experience, will listen to you and am extremely involved and passionate about Kent. I’m a criminology and justice studies psychology double major here at the university; directing the judicial advocacy program, therefore, is right up my alley. I’m involved in four clubs and also work a job; I know how to make time for things, and will ALWAYS make time to listen to my constituents. I am an Eagle Scout and avid backpacker, and I know one thing about leadership as I do life: You are always as fast as your slowest hiker. As your Director of Student Advancement, I will advocate for the advancement of students no matter where they are on the trail of college life.”
Chanelle Waligura
Director of Student Advancement Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Campus roads are heavily relied on by students, employees, professors, and visitors for transportation to and from campus. Being a fellow commuter student myself, construction and weather can have an impact on my daily commute. I would like to work with construction companies and Kent’s own employees to enhance and assist navigation around campus construction and hazardous weather conditions. While students are focused on obtaining a degree, the last thing on students’ minds is their safety mainly because we are all expected to respect one another. However, this is not always 100% guaranteed and situations involving power-based personal violence, which are known as Red Dots, still occur throughout campus. I would address the importance of increasing the amount of Green Dots, which prevent Red Dots, in order to maintain a safe campus culture intolerant of violence. Lastly, I would work to continue to improve upon judicial advocate program for student conduct.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “If I were a student, I would be seeking someone who is a people person by having good communication skills and makes decisions and creates programs that are in favor of ALL students. Personally, I believe I qualify for this position because not only am I a very friendly person, but it would be my number one priority to address common issues all students face; I have listed a couple of these in my platform.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I would like to see the campus body united among one another. Sure, we all have our differences but we still struggle the same issues being students on a college campus. The future programs that would be tailored to the issues listed above would each be one step closer to a united campus that promotes diversity but reminds them of the one attribute we all share: graduating from Kent State University with a mission to be the future everyone is counting on. Go Flashes!”
Camya Smith
Director of Programming Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Provide programming with premiere entertainment, thought-expanding forums and events and increase engagement within the body. I will create events other universities will wish they had!”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “Firstly, I will not create events aligned with myself or the appointed cabinet interest(s). I will be an extended resource to Students and University staff. Government is a representation of the student body, so I will make their voice and demands heard first! I will listen to students’ wants in regards to events for a more active campus involvement and retention. Create a safe space for students on every spectrum (everyone’s voice will be represented and protected). I have experience in programming for an off-campus nonprofit organization, an off-campus political organization and a pre-health/pre-med campus organization. Needless to say, I am very prepared for the role.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I want to create a Spring Concert to promote a stronger academic engagement and to create a stronger, open and honest communication amongst the appointed programming cabinet.”
Keegan Lax
Director of Programming Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Kent State’s Undergraduate Student Government has a rich history of hosting some of the most influential and prominent artists throughout time. From names like Drake to Bruce Springsteen, Elton John to Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, John Mulaney and so much more. As a fellow student, having the ability to go to a high end concert or performance is one of the best ways to take a break away from the every-day stresses like a busy class schedule or a heavy workload. As Director of Programming, I want to continue this trend and expand our variety of performances we bring to best cater the student body’s wants. In this position, I will work hard with the student body on hosting the best shows by surveying and interacting with our students to give them the best experience this USG can provide.With my experience working on our shows as a member of the Programming Board this year, I believe I have the incite to fulfill the position and meet my objectives in this role to best represent my fellow undergraduates. My aim is to give the student body something they can look forward to, along with providing memories that will last a lifetime.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because I believe I have the best interests for the undergraduate students here at Kent State. I want to make sure we are bringing in artists, performers, speakers that not only interest the undergraduate students, but that reach the largest group of undergraduate students here at Kent State. It’s very important to me that programming is providing a mix of recreational events and also professional development events such as TedX that students will gain something from and remember the rest of their lives.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “There’s a couple things I’d like to enact if elected as Director of Programming. First I’d like to create new ways of collecting student input such as electronic surveys, Twitter polls, and one-on-one student interaction. It’s very important that we are bringing in programing events that best fit the student body and I believe collecting and studying student input is the best way to do so. The second thing I’d like to enact is bringing back professional development programming events such as TedX and other informative speakers. I’d also like to work close with college senators to see if they’re interested in potentially bringing in speakers that will benefit the students of their college.”
Peter Hans Kierstead
Director of Community Affairs Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Mainly because the 50th anniversary of May 4 in 2020, there’s been an effort by some of the administration to marginalize Dr. Brian Hayashi’s project. Dr. Hayashi is a history professor who is trying to get money from the higher-ups Ohio Humanities Council to do his research, very important May 4 research, there are some people who don’t want all perspectives told. They just want one perspective told, they don’t want the black student movement perspective told or the perspective with respect to Asian history, they don’t want people who were witnesses to be in town, being interviewed and I don’t understand why. I think that’s something that the Undergraduate Student Government can help out Dr. Hayashi with this project because this is very important and we shouldn’t be ignoring any aspect of it. I want some pretty solid guarantees by the administration to student body because they handed over the email system to Google a few years ago and although we all like Google because they have fun products and stuff, their pretty abysmal about privacy and I want the KSU administration to guarantee to students that our emails are owned by us, it’s not like “here this is something you can use.” We are paying a lot of money to our tuition, we should own our emails and that our information is safe. There was a few years ago a problem a few years ago with social security numbers being accessed, some students were having their identity stolen. Things like that.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “The position I am running for is community affairs and so that’s the person who is in the Undergraduate Student Government who is sort of their connection to the city of Kent, government and community. I have lived in Kent almost my whole life, I went to high school here, I am already in the habit of going to city council meetings. I know all the councilmen on a first name basis. I know the city manager. I know the chief of police. My good friend’s aunt is the law director, I already know these people. I already know the people who run the City of Commerce. Just because I lived in Kent I know a lot of the business owners. I am very familiar with Kent the town. So if there is any sort of a problem or issue, say with the police, because every once and a while an issue will come up because there is a certain notion, the current Director of community affairs, he simplifies it by saying “Well the campus police likes students, the city police doesn’t like students.” So I think that is a rather simplistic view but there is some truth in that. But the thing is, if USG has a concern, I already know the chief of police. I already know the safety director and so that I think I am the best person for the position because I already know all of the people that I would be interacting with.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “It’s not much of a change as much as a one-time thing, obviously the May 4 issue and then the emails with some more solid guarantees there. I guess the change would student involvement in the student government. I think last time we only had 8% of the student body voted. If I get elected in, I want to make sure for the next election there’s more involvement. There’s some rules that I didn’t understand like you have to vote from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then it closes and then it opens again the next day at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. and I don’t see why there isn’t a longer time to vote. I guess increasing more student participation in local government and the undergraduate student government.”
Brooke Golden
Director of Community Affairs Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “The city of Kent is not as connected with the university as much as I had originally thought. I’d like to change that. For me, as it is for many, Kent is home for these four years, and I’d like it to feel that way. I’d like to hold more events that connect the community to student life; I’d also like to hold more events that allow international students to feel more at home. Furthermore, I think there’s a lack of school spirit on campus and within the community. I want to create a campus where people are proud of their university and have fun showing it. More school spirit will create a more fun and engaging atmosphere for everyone. In addition, campus safety is very important to me. With my time here at Kent, I’ve heard the experiences of others and have had my own experiences. There are definitely areas on campus where safety can be improved, and I’d like to work on that. These are the three main issues I’d like to tackle as director of community affairs.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I may not be from Kent or as involved as some others, but I DO care. I care about the community, and I care about my fellow KSU students. I can offer a new, unique perspective on things. Most importantly though, people should vote for me because I’m not running for myself; I’m running for the students.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “There’s a lack of lighting on campus in some areas, and campus security isn’t available at some critical times of night where they might be needed. I want to work with the university and security to find a solution to these problems. In addition, with the lack of school spirit, I would like to initiate something along the lines of a ‘Kent Spirit Week’ as a way to show school spirit and boost morale. Lastly, I would like to work with downtown (and the county as a whole) to host more events that connect campus life to community life.”
Caroline Henneman
Director Communication and Marketing Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “I believe it boils down to three simple terms. First is open and transparent communication. Obviously, anything that I put out there, I want it to be put out there for students to see and know about right away. I also don’t want to just utilize USG’s platforms or the university’s media platforms, I want to make sure I am working closely with the student media as well. Just because I’ve worked it for so long that I know it and I know how many people are there. They really do hit a lot of people here on campus, so I really want to work with student media. My second topic is about listening. Communications is a two-way thing, so not only do I want to communicate effectively to you, I want to be able to listen to you guys as well and hear the feedback of the students, and really understand what the problems are here that USG can fix because we are not going to figure it out and we aren’t going to find out what we can do to better the community without listening to you first. Lastly, my next and last platform is talking and working closely with clubs on campus and organizations. There is a lot of resources that USG has that when I talk to students they say I didn’t even know that exists. When it comes to financials or promotional things that we can do for you guys, I really want to make sure that we are talking with the clubs and also getting their feedback as to what can help them, but also getting those resources for them and to have the best college experience that they can.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I believe people should vote for me because with my major in public relations and my minor in Arabic, I have made communications my sole focus, educationally and personally. I believe I am very well-versed in communications, I feel like I have a lot of experience in communications. Right now I am running three campaigns on my own. One for this campaign, obviously for the elections. The next is for raising awareness about the prevalence of childhood trauma in Trumbull County. That’s a really big campaign I am doing right now through communications to better help someone’s lives. Lastly, I am doing one to raise diversity in the communications field. Working on all of these simultaneously I have realized that we can do this kind of work, I can raise a campaign and do research and create strategies and tactics to better understand and better understand the campus. Which puts me on an edge I guess. I know it. I love it. I have revolved my life around it, I love communications and the impact it can have on a person’s life. I have countless stories of how I have watched communications change people’s lives. I think that can happen here too.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “The first thing I want to do if I get elected, the week of, I decided to begin an “Our Voice” campaign. The Our Voice campaign would begin with research because I can already promise transparency and working closely with clubs and communicating with students, but I can’t tell you how or why yet, because I don’t have the research behind it. The very first thing I would do under the Our Voice campaign is to listen to everyone and get your voice. So I would do the research before next year even begins, I would finish up the spring semester doing it and over the summer and realizing and understanding the best way to get to the students. After that, we will go from there from what they said. For example, this year, which is super awesome, USG implemented the free feminine products within Taylor Hall and everything, all over campus. That was from one of the senators who was listening to the students on Twitter saying why don’t we have free feminine products, so she did a whole thing around it. That’s definitely where I want to start. I am really leaning towards sustainability as well and really understanding the reactions of people when it comes to making more green space on campus more readily available. As communications and marketing go, when we get back to campus Black Squirrel Fest is one of the biggest things that happen in September so that would be another thing I would work really hard for first and foremost, would be communicating and marking for that.”
Lauren Novick
Director of Communication and Marketing Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “ I have three main points for my platform. The main one I am running on is called “Speak Up KSU.” It is a public ground that students can come and suggest things to me or voice their concerns right to me, which would then go to USG. It’s really hard for students to be connected to USG and reach out to them. As I have been campaigning, I have been talking to students and they have been saying they want an easier form of communication so that initiative is the main one. Then I am going off of two others as well. One of them is to create a network between organizations and students. For that, it would be an easier way for students to get involved because it’s really difficult for students to know how to get involved because this campus has so many opportunities. So I would go and gather information from organizations and give them to students. My third one is that I would send out bi-weekly status reports to members of the Kent State community and then they would be able to stay updated with what’s going on, what’s happening with USG, what’s going with campus as a whole.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because of my love for Kent State and my experience. I am a fashion merchandising major with a minor in marketing management. Along with that, I am the president of Hillel, which is the Jewish student center, and through that, I have learned how to make connections that exist throughout campus and with strong leaders. I’ve learned leadership skills that you can’t just get from being a normal student. I have maintained a good relationship with all of the administration. I was the VP of marketing on the Hillel Board last year so that has really prepared me to be the Director of Communication and Marketing because I know how to meet deadlines. I am incredible at what I do. I’m very good at promoting things. Along with that, I was referred to this position by members of USG and by administration. The Dean of Students actually handpicks leaders to be on a group affairs committee and that has really encouraged me to take one step forward and run for USG because I was selected to be a part of that.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I don’t know if I would really do any changes to enact, I think as a communication and marketing role, it’s more of how can I promote things within USG. The main thing I want to do is to be transparent with my communication. I want students to know that I am their voice and as a communications director, I would be their voice and I would be the person that speaks up for them and is there for them to listen to, to hear them. That’s what I am stressing, I am the voice for the students.”
Cliford Fumbui
Director of Business and Finance Candidate
Q: What is your platform and why should people vote for you?
A: “Before I get into my platform, I will like to tell you a little about myself. I come from a very humble background and started schooling here in Kent State University very poor. So, in that very critical situation, I started looking for ways to get money to pay for my courses. Then, I found out that there are many scholarship opportunities here in college that students don’t know about. Just, for instance, I had a chance to talk with the current director of business and finance for USG and he told me that every student can apply for up to $750 every year to finance a project or a program here in school. But, most students don’t know.
I’m not doing this for any personal gain I just took it as a duty to help as many students as I can, get finances for their projects or programs and I will do this by creating awareness to the entire undergraduate student body.
What is your platform, and why should people vote for you?;
1) Always do more than you are paid for to make and investment in your future. The word “pay” in that quote does not refer to money. Most students come to college and they do just what the are required to do, to get a degree. But, they forget to know that education is no longer the key to success and knowledge is not power. All these are potentials to success and power respectively. What rely counts is the skills. I’m here to learn and I have a goal to be a financial planner and a good business manager in future. In order to achieve these, I have to get involved when I am in school. Like being part of the USG not just for my self but to make other students get involve and learn the skills. I will do that by making them know that money is not the problem. All the need is to make a plan and vote for Cliford Fumbui as director of business and finance. Then, bring the problems and we will solve them.
2) To become oneself is more than achievement. I like to tell the entire student body that I will not be successful when I win the election but, I will be successful when I will help enough people get finances for their project or program. That is one of the reasons they should vote for me. I had the privilege to have a business mentor who thought me that; it is not the amount that matters but what you do with the amount. He actually runs a nonprofit and I work hand in hand with him. He taught me how to take a little of anything and make a great impact in society, which is exactly what I will do when I get elected.
3) Driven by the force of experience; I have my own business; amway.com/clifordfumbui, I do a lot of networking and I help people budget. When I am recruiting for business, I look at people who want to create an impact not just for themselves but for the society and this is a philosophy I will use to select people for my allocation committee.
Most people think of business as a large institution oppressing its workers. Not realizing that business people are solution finders. They learn how to solve problems so effectively that people pay them for it. That is the mindset that I am planning to bring to the students. Make a change by thinking on how to solve people’s problems and do it well in order to make a fortune in life. Zig Ziggler said ‘If you help enough people get what they want you will have everything you one.’ And I also want students to know that you don’t need money to finance a project all you need is a project. I can help get the finances for you. I have been working with launch net for a year and I know that you can do whatever you want to do if you have a clear written plan.”
Laith Tabbaa
Director of Business and Finance Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “With the honor of being the Director of Business & Finance at Kent State, I intend on working as a catalyst for organizations as well as underrepresented students on campus. First and foremost, I want to be radically transparent with all funds coming in and out of Undergraduate Student Government. Through this transparency, I intend on creating a holistic environment for all groups on campus. I want to implement change here at Kent State. As overseeing the budget, I feel as if I can help many students and organizations attend events that they never knew they could because of funds. Ensuring that not only one group or a selection of groups receive money, but everyone. A large percent of our campus does not even know they can receive funding from USG, I want to change that. Furthermore, with my background working on the allocations committee, and numerous other organizations; I know that I have the drive, work ethic, and discipline to be the next Director of Business & Finance.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I have experience in the field. So the current director of business & finance is Vala Zeinali, he has board members of eight to nine people and pretty much what we do is vote together to pass the funding. What will happen the student will request funding and you will be on that board and you get to go over the numbers, and Vala is always there, so you see how he gets to go about things. Experience is a huge thing. Another reason I think people should vote for me is transparency. So the big thing that I want to do is have a website or a link that shows where are the funding is going. Who is getting funds, and how much they are getting. So if you want to find out how much your organization got to go to Washington for an event, so you can just go on the Google Doc to see how much you are getting. That’ll be a huge thing. Another huge thing is incorporating diversity into Undergraduate Student Government. So a big thing here at Kent is that not many students even know they can get funding. So they can get up to $750 per person to go to any event as long as it is based on their major. Not a lot of people know that, especially the under-represented groups here on campus. So I want to be able to go to those organizations, go to their clubs and be like ‘hey you guys as an organization can go anywhere you want and we can fund it up to $2000.’”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “The big thing that I want to enact is letting people know. Outreach is a huge thing. Like I said, not a lot of people know that we can fund this. So the more people know, the more they can use what they are paying for. Creating a holistic environment on campus, making sure everyone feels safe and that no one feels like they can’t get funding because of their race or ethnicity or religion. The forefront of allocating the money. The big impact would be that I oversee this huge budget of money. So the impact would be giving it to organizations that deserve it, that are going to bring things back from these events and help Kent State.”
Kaelee Dingey
Director of Student Involvement Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My goals are to increase the involvement on Kent’s campus, improve the communication between the university and student organizations and make this a safer environment for those who choose to be involved as well as those who do not. Student involvement is not only an addition to your experience here at Kent State, but is a gateway to connections for your post-graduate life. I want to achieve higher involvement rates from our first year students because it is proven that there is a positive psychosocial effect, allowing students to have a happier and healthier adjustment to college. Boosting these involvement rates would also allow students to achieve the experience and connections that help for post-graduate endeavours. I want to foster a welcoming and diverse environment for students to get involved in, so that they can maximize their Kent State experience. I would also like to mainstream the communication between USG and student organizations, so that they can voice their opinions. While Kent State is ranked among the safest campuses in the nation, I do feel that with more education on subjects such as physical and mental abuse, we can improve our campus further. I will work to implement the things that you all want to see changed on our campus. I want to work for what you—the students—want!”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because of my passion for Kent State. Ever since I stepped foot on this campus I have been inspired to help bolster our community as a whole and share in the pride of being a Kent State student.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I would like to incorporate Green Dot education and training into student organization events, arrange frequent meetings with student organization leaders to encourage communication and create an online form system for student organizations to submit ideas/complaints/suggestions that I can work on for them. I would like to encourage diversity within some of our long-standing student organizations that have grown away from this through incentives in order to provide a comfortable environment for ALL students to get involved in and introduce more professional opportunities for student organizations to connect their students with.”
Chazzlyn Jackson
Director of Student Involvement Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “I would like to direct students to network opportunities to build up their professional profile and build connections and to coordinate with student organizations to enhance their goals and purpose as individuals and their organization itself. I would also like to develop strategies to guide students to find their sense of belonging in out-of-classroom experiences and drive students to discover knowledge of self and others to attain a basis of knowledge of diversity. Lastly, I want to serve as the bridge between Kent State’s resources and students.”
A: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because I have the passion and experience needed for helping students make the most out of their college experience, that is with student involvement! And by experience, I mean my involvement thus far has equipped me with the knowledge of many resources that I want to share with my peers.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “Changes that I am looking to enact is the process on how to get involved on campus with the target audience being underclassmen. I plan on developing a strategic plan to make it easier for students to get involved and the information on how to do so more available, with easier access.”
Drake Wartman
Director of Academic Affairs Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My largest objective in running for Director of Academic Affairs is to revise and shape Kent State academia to be exactly what the student body desires. By encouraging both the students and the senators of each college to closely involve themselves in their education and vocalize the changes they’d appreciate seeing, I’ll be able to provide the proper support and adjustments needed to promote success and improvement in every classroom here at KSU. Each and every Kent State student deserves the ability to receive a diverse, in-depth education while also focusing on self-discovery and personal advancement. I aim to provide the proper academic support and guidance for students from each undergraduate program of study through strengthening major-related organizations, revamping supplemental instruction and tutoring, and emphasizing service-based learning. Each adjustment made as Director of Academic Affairs will be specifically made for the well-being of the student body and aimed to obtain exactly what students are looking to receive from their time as Kent State Golden Flashes.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “My academic achievements, leadership positions on and off-campus and transcripts attest to me being a well-rounded, approachable leader here at Kent State.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “Kent State University is a campus that provides endless opportunities to each and every student. I want to put a heavy emphasis on students being engaged in their academic career and ensure that students are taking advantage of all the academic resources our campus has to offer. In order to do so, these resources (major-related organizations, supplemental instruction, tutoring, service-based learning, etc.) must be functioning at their true potential. My main goals as Director of Academic Affairs will be to get students more involved and take the necessary steps to assure that our academic resources are achieving this true potential.”
Click “Next” to view candidates for senator positions.
Candidates for senator positions
Steven Farhat
Senator for the College of Education, Health and Human Services Candidate
Steven Farhat, junior integrated social studies major, running for College of Education, Health and Human Services senator
Q: What is your platform?
A: “If re-elected Senator for the College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS), I will prioritize the following initiatives:
Increasing Communication between students and EHHS Administration:I believe there should be clear channels of communication between students and administration within the College of EHHS. In the coming year, I plan on assisting in the continuation of multiple programs that bring EHHS students and administration together for the purpose of fostering an open, transparent and constructive relationship. These events include Fireside Chats, Coffee with the Dean and the Deans Council.
Helping EHHS Students Succeed in their Academic Programs: It is essential that we provide students with all of the tools they need in order for them to succeed in their academic programs. As Senator, I want to assist in the continuation of multiple support programs for students, such as the Peer Mentorship Program, Late Night Tutoring and the providing support for the EHHS Living-Learning Community.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “Two of the biggest reasons why I believe people should vote for me is that I am the only candidate who has experience and a proven track record.
For the past year, I have worked to make our college a better place for students by accomplishing the following projects:
● Created the first ever student lounge in the basement of White Hall. This lounge is modern, technologically equipped and includes a microwave and a refrigerator.
● Installed a suggestion box in White Hall for student to voice their opinions and suggestions regarding the college.
● Started an EHHS Podcast Series to keep students informed about college updates, news and events. The first podcast is scheduled to be released in the coming weeks.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I would like to continue to work on what I’ve been focused on for the past year, giving EHHS Students a voice on Undergraduate Student Government.
Throughout many conversations with EHHS students over the past year, I have found that many of our students have great ideas as to how make college a better place. I believe the diversity of opinions among our student population is our biggest asset as a college. As Senator, I will continue to make student outreach a priority, because it is imperative that we both listen and learn from our students.
I will do this by: – Continuing the EHHS Senatorial Committee – Periodically gauge student opinion through surveys, canvassing and other outreach events – Conduct an EHHS town hall annually with both the Student Senator and the College Dean present.”
Annelise Stopar
Senator for the Residence Halls Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My platform includes three main topics that I feel are among the most important topics the 2019-2020 USG Board should focus on. Those include Inclusion, Health and Allocations.
I hope to encourage the fostering of a campus of increased collaboration, appreciation, acceptance and learning for people of all different backgrounds. Through encouraging a more diverse board of leadership on USG, I hope the board will be able to reach out and work with more organizations so everyone’s voices are heard and needs are met.
Students cannot be productive if they are not healthy both mentally and physically. Kent State can do more with providing resources for their students’ mental health and physical health. Whether it be establishing mental health statements in syllabi, increasing accessibility and awareness among the campus to mental health resources, or even implementing health education training into courses for first-year students, there are many routes we can take, that I hope to be able to within the 2019-2020 school year.
Undergraduate Student Government is the hub for student programming and allocations. I feel there is more that can be given, and more that can be done for students with the resources USG has. I would first like to increase student awareness of the resources USG offers when it comes to allocations. I would also like to widen the things allocations money can be given for. My goal with this would be to look at the possibility of creating an emergency scholarship for students to apply for if they have a financial tragedy happen that is unpredicted. I would also like to look at ways to make things like textbooks, access codes, and parking on campus cheaper for students.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I feel I am the best candidate to vote for because I have worked during the 2018-2019 school year on initiatives that encourage and support the points of my platform. I am currently working on legislation to restructure a Director position in USG to take the role of a larger resource for organizations and services that foster diversity and inclusion. I am serving as a Co-Chair for the 2019 Larry Pollock Mental Health Summit, as well as being USG’s Kent State of Wellness Ambassador. I am working with the Office of the Provost on implementing a mental health statement into syllabi for upcoming school years. The things in my platform are continuations of what I have already been doing during my time in USG. I want to make these things happen because not only are they important to me, they are important to the lives of the students that Undergraduate Student Government serves.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I am looking at changing the way USG interacts with the student body population. We are leaders, but we are serving the student body, and that should not be lost in translation. In the 2019-2020 school year, I hope to encourage service among USG. Giving back to the community through doing things like clothing and food drives, service projects at local non-profits, and even working on cleaning up the parks nearby is a great way that we as USG representatives can give back. As far as giving back to the student body, I would like to do more to get resources to the students. I am looking at the possibility of creating a “Breakfast in Bed” where USG would offer pancake breakfast delivery to students during finals week to ease the stresses of finals. I would also like to encourage USG Representatives to get more involved outside of student government to get to know more students and hear more of what we should be doing.”
Lauren Urban
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My platform summed up is ‘by you, for you.’ If you (as a student voter) give me (your candidate) the honor of your vote, I will give that loyalty right back to you. The College of Arts and Sciences is one of the biggest colleges at Kent State University with a high variety of majors within it, so this makes it challenging to know how to improve life for every single member of the college. While I believe that getting students involved is always most important and intend on incorporating that into my platform, I also need to know from students how I can best serve them. I want to raise a sense of pride in the college amongst its members and make Kent State feel like a home for all those who haven’t found their place yet. My number one goal if elected is going to be getting students voices heard and making these four years as valuable as possible for them.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “Since Elementary school, friends, family, and teachers have always said that I was incredibly responsible and driven. Flash forward to my college years, these traits have enabled me to take on leadership roles on campus (serving as president of Hall Councils for two years straight), become a member of multiple student organizations (a pre-professional fraternity, greek life, the Letter Project, and more), take on an incredibly challenging and competitive major and volunteer weekly in a Psychology lab. I believe if given the honor to serve you, the student body, as a member of USG I would never slack or settle for second best in anything I do or achieve for you. In addition, having a major that is more in the STEM field (Biology/Pre-Med) and a minor that is more humanities-based (Political Science) I think my scope of what life in the College of Arts and Sciences is like is much broader than most.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I personally think that the first place to start to make students feel involved is in their freshman year here at Kent. Learning more about the college in First Year Experience courses and having a clear understanding of what resources are available through the college could, in my opinion, drastically improve the lives of students new to campus life. If students could have some sort of a network (Facebook group, phone tree, CAS based organization or club, etc) I think that would go a long way in improving the lives of students. I would love to see changes made to the requirements for double majors within the college such as removing the foreign language requirement (unless directly applicable to the students’ major) for those seeking to double major, and other such changes would encourage students to broaden their scope without fearing the burden of having to stay in school for longer amounts of time to finish courses that aren’t necessarily applicable to their major(s). Additionally, meeting with advisors more suited to one’s major or field could help students gain focus on their respective career paths in and out of college.”
Royce Johnson
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Basically, there’s three things that I’m focusing on: the meal plan, internships, and student voice.
Meal Plan, I would like to increase the amount of nutritious and healthy options for us. We’re here for such a long period of time, during these years the food that we take in is going to take a toll on our bodies. But, most importantly get some variety of food, kind of switching it up, bringing us some more choice in that aspect.
For internships, I would like to work with the Dean of Students and program managers of our various majors that we offer here at Kent State and partner with outside companies, to create a funnel for Kent State students for after they graduate into internships that will help prepare them for the real world once they leave here and also give them a step ahead.
Another thing is student voice. So, in the form of a town hall setting, I really wanna know ‘Hey, what do you like about Kent State? What do you want to change? What do you want to see for your college experience?’ And then what can we do, the best that we can, to make that come true and make that reality happen. So, just to enforce that students have power, we can create change and just be there to be our students’ voice.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I think people should vote for me because I have the ability, the background, and the commitment.
Ability, I am a leader. I can speak up. I have the commitment as far as I am passionate about this. I care about our experience here, I care about our students. Me being a student myself, I understand that these four years are important and let’s make the best of it. So, what can we do to make Kent State the best university that it can be? Also, I have the background. I have been a delegate for my fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., I am also involved in several eboards [and] several different organizations here on campus. It’s just something that I care about and that I am really willing to go ahead and try and do the best that we can do to voice our student opinions and try to create change.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I think that goes along with my platform. Those are the three main things that I am working with, so we’re looking at meal plans, internships, and then student voice. But the main thing that I really want to look forward to is giving students an opportunity to voice how they feel, voice what they like about Kent State, voice what they want to see changed. And then how do we work towards that to allow students to feel like they’re being heard, they’re creating their own experience, and then just enjoying themselves here at Kent. That’s what I look forward to, is being there and connecting with our students.”
Grace Braunlich
Senator for the College of Nursing Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “I have three main goals, which are broken down for my platform.
First of all, I am really interested in encouraging the nursing students to get in involved in all of the organizations that the College of Nursing has to offer. We have so many different parts of nursing, I know personally I am in the Nursing Fraternity Delta Xi and then there’s Diversity in Nursing and Students for Professional Nursing. So, I know that there are a lot of students in the college but they don’t get involved, necessarily, as much as we wish they would. So that’s something that I really want to do in a really great way for all of them, to share our passion for nursing.
Another part of it is, I want to reach out to other organizations outside of our college to provide more volunteering opportunities. So, the clubs that we do offer in nursing, one of our biggest things that we like to do is volunteering. I think that by reaching out to other organizations we can create a better presence on campus.
And then as the Senator of the College of Nursing, I just want to be a voice for the students and convey any concerns the students may have with the college or just with the university in general.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I am very passionate about nursing, which is one of the reasons that I ran. Nursing has brought me to a lot of my friends and I feel like I can be that voice and that advocate that they need because of the relationship that share with a lot of them and the professors.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “Like I was talking about in my platform, I would really love to see students get more involved with the organizations inside of the College of Nursing, like the Diversity of Nursing and the Students for Professional Nursing because that is a great way to build up your resume and get hired, and that is something you want to see, more nurses (and) more employment. And then the volunteering opportunities, because volunteering no matter where it is, like a hospital (or) other organizations, that is another thing to put on your resume, to get your name out, and networking opportunities. And that’s the main goal of all of us at college, is to be employed so that is what my goal is.”
Hailey Lawler
Senator for the Honors College Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Let’s be real, how many times have you been asked: ‘Why did you join the Honors College?’ and you simply responded, ‘The scholarships.’ While there is a strong financial reason to join, I want to work with current Honors students to expand the benefits of the Honors College by:
- Expand the Kent Core honors course options, particularly Basic Science
- Develop clubs to change the “non-social honors student” stigma
- Incorporate the new Honors LLC in Centennial Court B into the Sto-Jo Community
- Expand free printing hours in the Honors Library and to CCB
- Create an Honors Student Advisory Council to add students in the decisions that directly affect us
- Give those completing a Senior Thesis availability to attend conferences to develop and present their projects
- Recognize outstanding graduating seniors for their leadership and achievement
- Partner with local organizations for service outreach opportunities and field trips
Together with my experience working with the Honors Staff and Faculty and the help of the over 1,500 honors students, let’s make a reason to proudly define yourself as an Honors Student.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I have experience working with the honors advisors through Honors Leadership Academy as well as connections with other campus personnel through my research in Sustainable Dining and working as a Kent Student Ambassador. I’m friendly and accepting of others and feel that I represent the average Honors Student. I love Kent State but I feel there are ways to make it even better and I want to work with other honors students to expand the benefits of the Kent State Honors College.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
- Expand the Kent Core honors course options, particularly Basic Science
- Develop clubs to change the “non-social honors student” stigma
- Incorporate the new Honors LLC in Centennial Court B into the Sto-Jo Community
- Expand free printing hours in the Honors Library and to CCB
- Create an Honors Student Advisory Council to add students in the decisions that directly affect us
- Give those completing a Senior Thesis availability to attend conferences to develop and present their projects
- Recognize outstanding graduating seniors for their leadership and achievement
- Partner with local organizations for service outreach opportunities and field trips”
Thomas Niepsuj
Senator for the Honors College Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “My platform sounds silly but is legitimate and it is to bring clout to the Honors College. I want students in the Honors College to have a voice, know who their USG representative is and what they are doing, encourage more students to be a part of the honors program, and help develop programs and facilities to help ensure the success of all honors students.”
A: Why should people vote for you?
Q: “People should vote for me because of my involvement, standing with the university, and work ethic. I am involved with National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Sigma Phi Epsilon where I am the VP of programming, Phi Delta Epsilon where I am on the recruitment committee, Student Success Programs (where I am an SSL, PLTC trainer, confessions of a golden flash panelist, flashguide, and MAPS volunteer), Momentum A’Capella, where I am the marketing manager, and I am a soon to be member of Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious honors society in the nation. All of these endeavors and roles have prepared me to take on higher leadership and represent students from an entire college. I also am a student that has a major and minor in two different colleges, which gives me the unique perspective of seeing how two other colleges are run, and how I can use that knowledge to help Honors Students that come from any of the academic colleges at our university. Also, among the other candidates running for this position, I have been in the honors program the longest which gives me more insight as to what the Honors College is like and how it can be improved. Finally, my work ethic is something I pride myself on and I know that I will work my hardest to make sure students are proud to be a part of the Honors College and really feel the sense of clout that they deserve.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “Before I make any changes too soon, I want to gauge the Honors Students and see exactly what things they want to see in my year of office. I have ideas and plans in my head but there is no point if Honors Students do not like them or think it does not apply to them. Though, with that being said, I still have ideas that I would like to introduce to Honors Students. The first is working on creating a true community in the honors Living Learning Community (LLC), especially with the addition of CCB into our LLC. LLCs are designed to create a true sense of community in your residence hall and with ours being so big it is hard to feel a real sense of community among all other Honors Students, so I want to implement programs or spaces that encourage Honors Students to get closer. I plan to do this by revamping unused spaces, or spaces that do not serve a strong purpose in the honors buildings for students to utilize them however they need and host programs in these newly established spaces. I also want to work on a way to help Honors Students graduate with honors in broadening course work and options for Honors Students when some programs are so stringent as to what you are able to take. I want to create more fluidity in Honors Students programs and give students the option to do more with their degree while still graduating on time and with honors!”
Patrick Moorman
Senator for the Honors College Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “First, is focusing on helping students, well helping Honors College students but also students overall. I want to look into making the Honors College male room into a little work out area with a few treadmills and a lift machine. Basically, I am writing a budget proposal and offer it up to either the Wellness Center or Dean Allison at the Honors College. Either way, I’m going to write a budget proposal saying ‘Hey, we can turn something that we’re not using into something else.’
Another pro-student platform I have is, they already did this last year and I’m gonna just help them do it again this year, the USG making the suggestion to raise the credit hour cap to 21 hours instead of 18 just to make financial burden easier on students.
And of course, also joining the USG in asking for a better meal plan and asking for fewer swipes and more declining balance.
I have a platform about justice. Justice includes supporting campus workers and student workers, that means if you see campus workers going on strike I will be there supporting them through that.
And just supporting an increase in diversity both in the USG and the Honors College. I think there are some problems that need to be addressed especially in USG and the Honors College. I want to leave USG better than I came to it. I want to make sure that USG has less people that look like me as senators there. And I think that’s really just outreach. I think that USG isn’t great at advertising number one, what they can do to empower students and number two, how students can get involved.
One (other thing) for helping out the Honors College is, we have to take the Honors Colloquium and that turns off a lot of people from joining the Honors College in the first place. So, I want to propose that we make Honors Colloquium able to transfer the credit, if you take a history based Colloquium you can make it a history credit instead of an English credit. I think that’s important also for a broader go I want for the Honors College. We advertise ourselves as ‘uber-exclusive,’ ‘It’s just for the smart kids’ thing, well it’s not that at all. You can join the Honors College at any point in your college career if you have a 3.5. And I just think that we advertise ourselves we’re not. We should be seen as a stepping stone to get into Grad School and we should be seen as another resource instead of some exclusive club because we’re not that, we’re just another University resource.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I think they should vote for me because I am definitely going to at least try to take steps to improve the Honors College. A lot of USG candidates who are running will say ‘I can only do so much to get the student’s voice if they don’t come to my office hours I can’t really represent them’ but I am going to seek out the opinions. I’m not just going to sit in my office hours and let the time go by. I’m not doing this for resume stuff or I’m doing it because I’m a nerd and I think politics are cool and I think you change things with politics. I will be actively canvassing and I will be trying to listen to students’ opinions.
I think the biggest thing that will set me apart is that I just take stances on things. I don’t just make the easy promises, I don’t just say ‘We’re going to make the meal plan better!’ I am actually taking stances for justice for hourly workers, I’m taking stances to improve both the USG and Honors College that they represent everyone.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I want to get into my position and I want to, there’s a lot of money that the USG handles, there’s a lot of power that the USG has and I want to make students aware of it and I want to use it to make my college better. And if I am granted a greater voice as the students’ representative and I represent the student’s voice, I want to use that to let the Dean of the Honors College know things that we want to change.”
Lance Stumpf
Senator for the College of Communication and Information
Q: What is your platform?
A: “As Senator, College of Communication and Information I want to:
– Promote a transparent relationship between the students and USG
– Give a voice to the student body
– Help allocate funds based on students needs”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “People should vote for me because I am relatable and I listen. I will listen to the needs of my fellow student and take the best course of action to fulfill those needs.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “I am looking to change the relationship between Undergraduate Student Government and the student body. I want students to know what USG is all about and what kind of amazing opportunities USG has to offer.”
Diamond Daniel
Senator for the College of Public Health Candidate
Q: What is your platform?
A: “Within the vast field of public health, it is often a challenge to narrow down which path to take; that said, once a student determines their goals they are often a few steps away from achieving them. It is my vision to establish a public health symposium composed of public health professionals who are in different stages of their careers. Especially those early in their careers, to help guide students to their first job. My second objective is to use the small size of the College of Public Health to the students’ advantage. I will implement library workshops, research meet and greets, and develop a comprehensive internship database. Lastly, I want to stand as an advocate for not only the majority, but the minority as well. With women representing a vast proportion of our college, we are highly underrepresented in administration. The same can be said for the African American community. The representation on USG has historically lacked diversity; I will be the voice of the not heard.”
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: “The students of public health should vote for me because I am not only extremely passionate about my major, but I genuinely want to see my fellow peers flourish. I feel the students of the College of Public Health are like no other. They’re not in this major for the money, the recognition, or the fame. But because they genuinely are trying to better the world, as far fetch as it may sound. The students of public health are trying to make a safer, healthier, overall better community. It would leave me with no greater pleasure to bring the resources I have gained from several leadership positions, meeting with future employers, and master programs to my college, to help shape the future public health professionals of the world.”
Q: What changes are you looking to enact?
A: “Something I would love to enact within the college is to stress research experience. Something a lot of students don’t realize is public health and research are two different sides of the same coin. Becoming an undergraduate research assistant will not only separate them from other employees and master program applicants, but they will also be that much closer to achieving huge change.”
Other candidates who are running but did not respond:
Mya Taylor — Director of Community Affairs Candidate
Jenkai Desai — Director of Programming Candidate
Aditi Vilas Tidke — Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences Candidate
Sekar Shaikh — Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences Candidate
Madison Ryan — Senator for the College of Public Health
Sydney Purtee, academic affairs reporter, contributed to this article. Contact her at [email protected].
Kimberly Fisher, general assignment reporter, contributed to this article. Contact her at [email protected].
