Avery Danage Junior political science and communications studies major, is running for executive director.

Danage started as a music major at Kent State. He said after he was diagnosed with tendonitis his sophomore year, he switched to political science and communication studies because the tendonitis made it difficult to play his instruments.

Danage said although he has never been involved with USG, he has leadership experiences through other organizations.

Last semester, Danage said he had the opportunity to take political science classes through the Columbus Program at the Ohio Statehouse with governmental leaders as his teachers. Danage was elected president of the student caucus during his time at the Statehouse.

“It was an eye opening experience for me,” he said. “Being leader of the caucus was really rewarding. The classes there taught me how to speak on the spot and increased my chance of getting a job after college.”

Danage now works as a pre-college coordinator with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, leads a study session for 20 to 30 students several times a week and works with a scholarship committee in Phi Delta Theta. Danage said he has also worked with Kent Interhall Council (KIC) for the past three years.

Danage said his platform is based on three criteria: student advocacy, visible leadership and quality experience. He said if he is elected, he looks forward to taking on students’ issues.

“I want students to respect USG,” he said. “I want to help students and take on their issues and concerns as my own.”

Kevin Papp junior international relations major, is running for executive director.

Papp is the USG director of governmental affairs and vice president of the USG allocations committee.

“It’s hard work, but it’s really rewarding, so all the work doesn’t feel like a lot,” he said. “With (USG) you put in a good amount of hours meeting students.”

Papp said he first got involved with politics his freshman year at Kent State. He received a committee position with the Office of Student Advancement and Judicial Affairs in USG and became a member at-large for the USG allocations committee the next year.

“It was a great chance to stay active in USG,” he said. “I got exposure to all different committees on campus by being a member at-large with the allocations committee.”

Papp said his platform for this election is to help create a better Kent State that has superior academics, diverse culture and a strong community. He said he especially hopes Kent State will focus on strengthening relations with the community.

Aside from USG, Papp is a member of the air force ROTC, Tau Delta fraternity, and he works as a student assistant for Iris Harvey, the vice president of University Relations.

Papp said he is passionate about advocating for students, and USG is a great platform for him to do that.

“I feel executive director is a key position to USG and the entire campus constituency,” he said. “I feel it’s important to have experience on USG, and my three years give me a good knowledge base to propel it forward.”

Contact Megan Wilkinson at [email protected] .