Evan Gildenblatt, sophomore applied conflict management major,

Running for: Director of governmental affairs.

“I think it’s invigorating to be a part of political discourse,” Gildenblatt said. “Whatever party or ideology people subscribe to, it is important they voice their beliefs. I want to facilitate that as director of governmental affairs.”

Gildenblatt said although he is a sophomore, this is his first year at Kent State. He said last year, he spent nine months with a work-study program in Israel. Through the program, he worked for three months with an ambulance service, three months at a public policy organization and three months volunteering as an English tutor.

Gildenblatt said while he was in Israel, he worked closely with international diplomats and high-ranking government officials.

On campus, Gildenblatt is a brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, a first-year engagement intern at Hillel and a member of the Kent State Animal and Environmental Awareness Association.

“I’m a dedicated individual,” he said. “Students at this university will be my first and foremost priority if I get the position.”

Carl Fejko, junior finance major

Running for: Director of student advancement.

“I want to provide the best assistance to students who are going to the Office of Conduct,” he wrote in an email.

Fejko said he is vice president of finance for Delta Upsilon, and he is also part of the Interfraternity Council judicial board. The judicial board handles various cases among men in the Greek community.

Fejko said his favorite thing about Kent State is the accessibility to faculty and representatives on campus. But he said student involvement in campus activities is lower than he’d like, and he hopes to increase that number.

Fejko said he is running in Tuesday’s election because he wants to help the different committees in the student body.

“I really want to get more involved,” Fejko said. “I have the desire to represent the students, as well as voice my opinion here at Kent State.”

Bryan Staul, sophomore political science major

Running for: Director of community affairs.

Staul said he has not been involved with USG, but he has worked with politics. In high school, Staul was class president for four terms. He said he is also a committeeman in Mercer County, Pa., where he works with local members of city government.

Staul is also vice president for the College Democrats, director of Critical Topics for the Kent Political Union at Kent State and a member of the Kent State Environmental group.

Staul said if he is elected, he wants to build relationships with city council and business leaders in Kent. He said he also wants to improve campus safety.

“A lot of people tell me they don’t feel safe walking back home at night, so I think it’s necessary to make safety a big concern,” he said.

Overall, Staul said he wants to see the community at its best.

“Director of community affairs all goes back to having local level experience,” Staul said. “I excel best there.”

D’Angelo McCornell, senior business management major

Running for: Director of community affairs.

McCornell is currently the USG senator of the College of Business. As senator, McCornell said he organized study times for students in the college, assisted with renovations to Room 200 of the Business Administration Building and held monthly meetings with students.

“It was a great experience,” McCornell said. “I felt welcomed by my peers, and it was humbling to see what it takes to become a leader around campus.”

In addition to his senator position, McCornell said he works with TV2 and started “The D’Angelo Show” in fall 2009. He said he started the show because he wanted to integrate different cultures in his info-tainment program, which airs online once a week.

McCornell said although he likes his current USG position, he wants to move forward.

“I’m ready to stretch out,” he said. “I feel I have the best voice for my peers to be USG director of community affairs.”

Zach Botzenhart, senior finance major

Running for: Director of academic affairs.

Botzenhart said if elected he hopes to make all academic tools on campus more readily available to students. He said he also wants to host conferences to teach students ways to improve study habits and GPA.

“I want to make learning easier for students,” he said.

This is Botzenhart’s first year at Kent State’s main campus. He said he attended Kent Trumbull until this year because it was a cheaper financial option.

“I think the biggest difference between here and Kent Trumbull is the social aspect,” he said. “It’s almost easier here because there is an entire building directed toward my major.”

He said his favorite thing about Kent State is the diverse clubs and organizations offered to students.

Botzenhart is currently the treasurer of Delta Tau Delta. He said he was elected to be president of the fraternity next year.

Botzenhart said his fraternity brother Kevin Papp, who is USG director of governmental affairs, encouraged him to run in the USG elections.

“He saw my drive and motivation,” Botzenhart said, “He thought I would fit well with the position.”

Contact Megan Wilkinson at [email protected].