Student Government Association
2022 Elections Special Edition Magazine Who’s Got Your Vote?
Welcome!
SGA Elections Issue
Welcome to the Student Government Association Elections Special Edition Magazine, produced by The Avion. With the upcoming elections for the next SGA Executive Ticket, Student Senate, and Student Treasury, The Avion has made a way for all students to make an informed decision on selecting the next representatives for the student body. For this special edition, The Avion conducted interviews with the candidates of the 2022-2023 SGA Elections, which were held during the week of March 07 - 11, 2022. All candidates were given an opportunity to select a time to have their interview conducted. During the interviews, each candidate was asked the same questions as other candidates running for the same respective position. The Avion has transcribed a few questions and candidate responses for the student body to read here. The full interviews are available online for students to view. The magazine pages are ordered in the same order that the candidates submitted their elections packet to the SGA, and also represents the same order their names will appear on the official election ballot.
Official Ballot List Executive Ticket
Student Treasury
Salim Roig, Kaley Eaton, Alexis Mathis Savanna Sheahan, Nolan Vores, Harley Valdez John "Jack" Frankie, Yashika Vadlamani, Logan Matthews
Timothy Olson Jonathan Saier Bryce Farnham Eric Suarez
Student Senate College of Arts & Sciences Kaitlynn Baker Zachary Shepley College of Aviation Ander Turueno Garcia Elian Polanco Connor Brooks College of Business Jose Moreno Kathleen Perry
College of Engineering Teshome Teshome Rowan Gruffydd Dylan Sowma Xavier Gorman International Student Papa Abdoul M. Sene Melanie Patron
Student Life Jake Homer Oliver Du Bois Housing & Residence Life N/A Veteran N/A Graduate N/A
Student Government Association
Every
Voice Matters April 4 - April 9
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
Voting will be available on CampusGroups starting April 4 at 8:00 a.m. and ending April 9 at 11:59 p.m. Questions? Contact dbsgaecc@erau.edu
Executive Tickets
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Executive Ticket #1
Our ticket exists with the single unified goal of helping out the students of Embry-Riddle in any way we can. We will strive to bring forth the necessary voice of the students on every topic. For parking on campus, we will try our hardest to ensure students are there when the parking committee decides to implement new parking rules and sanctions. For mental health, we will provide a safe and open platform
“Making A Better Tomorrow, Today!” for all to discuss why they feel about the campus they wish to anxious and what the SGA can do report, we will be happy to hear to help them. you and work to see how we can improve that issue. For RSOs, we will aid you in any way we can to ensure that you feel With all this in mind, we your club is both supported and hope you vote for us so that we heard, no matter what. could have an SGA where all voices are heard! Under our ticket, the SGA will become an open place of diverse thought where all feel welcomed the second they enter the Student Leadership Suite, and if they ever have a single issue
Executive Ticket #2
We are proud to present our team, Savanna Sheahan (President), Nolan Vores (Vice President), and Harley Valdez (Treasurer). Together our mission is fourfold: foster between the SGA, student organizations, and different communities across campus; • provide for the various goals of the Student Government Association; and provide a pathway for students to address issues with the administration; and
•
“Unity. Clarity. Impact.”
leave a positive lasting for one another, and creating on students’ experience during partnerships across campus. their time at ERAU. There is no average student at To unify our ERAU community, Embry-Riddle. Each student can we will work to support the make an impact on our community causes and interests of our peers. and our ticket is devoted to helping Providing clarity promotes open you achieve these goals. This is how communication and allows students the standard of unity, clarity, and to understand the inner workings of impact will be implemented. the university. Providing a pathway for students to the administration Everyone on this campus has an offers an important voice and important role to play and our goal representation as it affects student is to encourage and support your life. Impact is finding a way to make journey to excellence. a difference in our community by getting involved, looking out •
Executive Ticket #3
Transparency is at the forefront of what we stand for. We all have different ideas for how we want to improve communication and the representation of the student body; but as a team, we want the student body to understand exactly what the SGA is doing for them. Actions speak louder than words and we will show that through clear communication and progress.
“This is where your voices lead to change.”
student body. We know that RSOs are the foundation of student life on campus and we want to ensure that they’re able to get the funding they deserve to operate successfully through the year, whether they are brand new or well-established.
other and the students we represent. While we’re looking ‘in the now’, we’re also keeping the future of the university in our minds. We want to ensure that the SGA will be selfsustainable in the years to come in order to better our tomorrow.
We know that there is always One thing that we believe strongly in is going directly to the students, work to be done and progress to rather than waiting for them to come be made and will give 110% in to us. We want to be as approachable everything we do. and open to new ideas as possible.
While we might have differing perspectives occasionally, we want to make sure that every decision that we What sets us apart is our willingness make can be decided as a collective to always learn and improve. We are group and clearly explained to the always looking to learn from each
Executive Ticket #1
President: Salim Roig
Junior Aerospace Engineering , Housing & Residence Life Salim Roig (SR): Hi there, my name is Salim Roig, and I am one of the candidates for SGA President. A fun fact about myself: ever since I was a freshman, I loved interacting with RSOs. Back then I was a member of SHPE, I was a member of RAER, I was a member of the Art Club, a bunch of stuff like that. As well as that, I also noticed there are certain issues on campus that I want to improve, and as a result, I looked for a ticket that can help me best improve that. So, my main ideal right now is fixing the campus as much as we can now, so in the future it becomes a way better place for everyone.
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SR: One of the things I would do is make it more transparent and clear. Me and my ticket have talked about this a lot, we believe that if you’re an RSO and
you come to us, let’s say for the senate if you want help setting up an event, you want to go to WIKD if you want to set up music, Avion - if you want the event recorded. Or, if you go to Treasury and you’re a bit unsure why certain items of yours were rejected or reallocated. I want to make sure that when they enter those meetings, they don’t leave it confused. Like, they know that the choices made were made because of the following, because a lot of RSOs here don’t really know why certain things were approved the way they were approved. So, I want to make it so that anyone who enters and leaves, they’ll know “this was approved because of this,” “this was rejected because of this,” so that when they come to us again in the future, they’ll know exactly what they have to do. And thus, I feel as a result of that a lot more progress can be made.
Vice President: Kaley Eaton The Avion: How would you use this position to create a positive and productive environment in the SGA and around campus as a whole? Kaley Eaton: I think already the SGA has a very cool community. I know my friends and I always study back here all the time, it acts as like a quiet space, and as a nice way for everyone. As soon as you see someone, you always get smiles and you always chit chat with them, which is really cool to
Year: Sophomore Major: Engineering Physics Campus Leadership: Sigma Sigma Sigma, Dance Marathon, Track & Field
see, but also making sure that everyone from each College is represented, because sometimes it may seem that one College is seen differently than another; and I think having that connection not only with the Colleges, but every student as well, feels like they’re seen and feels like they’re being heard.
Treasurer: Alexis Mathis Junior Year: The Avion: As the SGA’s Treasurer, you are Astronomy and Astrophysics Major: responsible for managing and improving the Campus Leadership: Sigma Sigma Sigma, budgets of organizations across campus. How will Men’s Rowing, AcaBella’s you ensure that money is distributed fairly and organizations have what they need to operate? Alexis Mathis: If I’m being very honest, I want to implement a very truthful system and something that you can see through very transparency with our money. I think there should be, you know what you’re going to, you know what’s being approved, what’s not being approved and why; it’s very important.
You should always be honest especially with money - you should never have to worry about like where it’s going to, so I want to make sure that people are aware of that.
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Executive Ticket #2
President: Savanna Sheahan
Senior Mechanical Engineering, Accelerated MBA SGA Treasurer, Women’s Soccer Savanna Sheahan (SS): Sure, my name is Savanna Sheahan and I’m running for SGA President. I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering in the robotics track and then I’m looking to pursue my accelerated Master’s in Business. Outside of that, I am on the Embry-Riddle women’s soccer team and I’m also the current SGA Treasurer. I love being involved on campus; I was on Dance Marathon for the first two years that we started it up as Marathon Director, and that was really really rewarding, and my experience in SGA has been phenomenal so far. I think I’ve learned so much and I’ve grown with a lot of people.
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SS: So, our platform as a ticket is to promote unity, clarity, and impact.
What that means to us is essentially promoting unity is to support one another in all of our interests and what we’re looking to do. Whether what your interests may be, or our cause may be, it’s kind of supporting one another in those roles. Clarity requires open communication, I think that’s a really big thing that I’ve been hearing throughout the SGA, throughout the student body, so promoting clarity is going to be important, whether that’s just updates, providing a platform for students to be able to voice their concerns or maybe provide solutions, ideas for improvement. That will be very important, and as far as impact - it’s finding a way to better yourself on campus or people that you come across - whether that be your community on campus, like athletics, ROTC, Greek life, the aviation community. I think it’s really important to find your role and be able to make a difference and better the student life.
Vice President: Nolan Vores The Avion: As the Vice President, you have a very supportive role to the President, as well as being head of the senate. So, how would you use this position to create a positive and productive environment in the SGA? Nolan Vores: So, we really want unity, clarity - so that’s our mission, right. We want to come together not only as an Exec Ticket, but as an SGA as a whole. That’s really what we’re striving for — bringing everybody together, so I think me being a VP and me as a Student Treasury member.
Year: Junior Major: Aeronautical Science Campus Leadership: Delta Chi, Student Treasury
Savanna is currently my treasurer, so I’ve, this semester, been in that supportive role to her in the treasury aspect, so now carrying this over to the SGA Exec aspect is going to be very easy and a very quick and easy transition. And I really think we can really magnify the things we’ve done in treasury to the entirety of the SGA.
Treasurer: Harley Valdez Senior Year: Mechanical Engineering Major: Campus Leadership: Student Treasury
The Avion: What does the SGA mean to you? Harley Valdez: SGA means to me…selflessness. In essence, that’s what we are here for. We joined this organization whether it’s Touch-N-Go, Avion, WIKD, Student Treasury, Senate, whatever part of SGA you are a part of, you’re here because you want to contribute to something greater than yourself. ... That’s why I got involved with Student Treasury. Because, I want to see every single kind of org really prosper and I want to give them all the wealth of knowledge because, like I said, there is a really high
turnover rate in a lot of things we do at school here, and everything moves so fast-paced that it’s hard to keep up. I just want to make sure that time—or the lack thereof—isn’t a reason that people fail or there’s issues or misconceptions. I think that should be the heart and mind of, really, anybody who is in SGA, that you are there to give back and really create a platform that creates success and lasting change for anyone that comes after you. Page 11
Executive Ticket #3
President: John “Jack” Frankie
Freshman Aviation Business Administration Student Senate, Dance Marathon
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Every single student has a voice and the SGA is listening to it. I feel like I’m the best candidate to voice these concerns because I have the experience, but also the knowledge and the insight to every single student here on campus.
John “Jack” Frankie (JF): Sure, I’m a freshman in the College of Business, studying Aviation Business Administration. I’m also a student senator within the Student Government Association, and I’m also a brother in FIJI which is a fraternity here on campus. JF: SGA, it’s a family for I’m also involved with me. It’s representing many RSO’s including every single student and the Sailing Team, the it’s really about everyone Sailing Club, and the coming together to serve Business Association. one single purpose and that is making progress and making change for the student body. And I’m grateful to be a part of the SGA as a student JF: I think having the aspect senator and as a student of seeing the issues and here on campus but I general concerns of the am excited for the future student body, both as a of the SGA, to see what student on campus, but the future holds. also as a student senator within the SGA, I’m able to see both sides - not just what students see, but also what the SGA is trying to do and how the SGA is helping students in voicing their concerns.
Vice President: Yashika Vadlamani The Avion: How would you use this position to create a positive and productive environment in the SGA and around campus? Yashika Vadlamani: I think one of the biggest things that this position definitely needs is the ability to tell students what we’re doing. We could do as much as we’d like to do but if students don’t know what the senators and their representatives within the SGA are doing for them, it’s just an uninformed student body. So, in terms of making this position as reachable to the student body as possible, a lot of it would be not just me sitting in the senate
Year: Junior Aviation Business Administration Major: Campus Leadership: Student Senate
office, it would be going out to students, talking to them, seeing what their problems are and also following up with them. If I’m working on something that’s related to their problem, I want to make sure they know what I’m doing and I want to make sure that the senators are involved with what I’m doing so that they are informed. So, when a student asks them, “What is the student senate doing for me?” they have a clear answer.
Treasurer: Logan Matthews Year: Sophomore Major: Aerospace Engineering Campus Leadership: Phi Gamma Delta
The Avion: How would you define risk management in relation to your position, and how would you use the skill in your position if elected? Logan Matthews: With the treasury, risk management is a little bit different than what you see with the President. However, when you have allocations with Registered Student Organizations, it’s important to realize that certain monetary values can be used for inappropriate things. We’ll be upholding the guidelines and bylaws that are already
established to make sure that people are not spending their money in the incorrect way and on top of this, any other money spent towards other items in the budget, such as Touch-N-Go or ERT and what not, will be used fairly, as well as in a way that will ensure student safety, especially with ERT.
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Student Senate College of Arts & Sciences
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College of Arts & Sciences Kaitlynn Baker The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
you, it usually ends up backfiring.
Kaitlynn Baker (KB): So, I’m a freshman in Homeland Security. My minors are Cybersecurity Engineering and I’m doing a coherent block that combines the language parts of Arabic and Russian.
Then I also do work hard. I am a go-getter, so if I want something I do everything in my power to get it even if you know it doesn’t end up coming/going my way, at least I can say I tried my best.
I actually didn’t really And also, I mean I know we had senates know a lot of people until like a couple do like people to be TA: How will you months ago but I also honest with them with improve the ERAU thought that was kind this type when you experience for your of a problem that I have that type of power constituents? think is important so I would like to that people are aware also do that. KB: So, I’ve been told they have senators and by a lot of the College people to kind of speak TA: What is the purpose of Arts and Science for them when it comes of the SGA senate? people I’ve talked to to SGA and like if they so far that, one, they have like issues that want more. The same they have someone KB: The purpose as far as way that engineering or I have heard is that each they can talk to about aviation - they have all those who will like College has someone of these labs and stuff, actually fix them. to represent them that there are labs that who, one, understands we could either improve TA: What makes you a how they feel, but can on or like we already qualified candidate for also relay all those have or just make this position? concerns and issues new labs that could to the SGA President, be more beneficial to KB: I’m pretty straightTreasurer, and VP, so the hands-on learning forward, I’ve been told. that hopefully, with environment we try to I like to keep it honest the funds that they give most majors here. and to keep it simple receive are able to make Even, for example, I’m because if you try to something to benefit a tour guide, so I know keep lying or bending it’s kind of hard for us their College. just to make people like
because we don’t have those labs to show people. While we do have like that great education, we have to kind of just tell them about it rather than being like, “See here’s the Rocket Propulsion Lab.” Like we don’t have something equivalent of that for the Arts and Science building. That also giving prospective students more of an interest.
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College of Arts & Sciences Zachary Shepley The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself. Zachary Shepley (ZS): Hi, my name is Zachary Shepley, I am a sophomore from Charleston, South Carolina, and I am a Computer Science major with a minor in Cybersecurity Application and Management.
ZS: The SGA senate is designed to be a liaison for the students of a specific college or group, so, for instance, for the COAS, it’s designed for the students of the College of Arts and Sciences to reach out to me or whoever the senator is, and then I can take that and implement change within the SGA.
TA: What makes you a qualified candidate for to the senate and then this position? TA: How do you to the powers that be. plan to elevate and ZS: I believe that my excommunicate issues periences while I’ve that your constituents TA: How will you improve the ERAU been in college have are concerned about to experience for your prepared me for this the College of Arts and constituents? role. For instance, I am Sciences? currently the Internal Vice President for the ZS: I believe that the ZS: I believe that the best way to improve stuPi Kappa Alpha fraterbest way to go about dent experience within nity. So that has taught implementing change the College of Arts and me how to receive feedand listening to change Sciences is to improve back from an organiwould be to provide their productivity in the zation and implement an open... so I know way that they learn. So, growth and large-scale they do office hours, so I believe that the best change within the orto provide an open... way to implement that, ganization. dialogue with all my for instance, would be constituents as a way to to add more accessible TA: What is the purpose be accessible at all times, of the SGA senate? and then bring that up charging stations with-
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in classrooms, because I know other organizations, like the College of Business has this option. A lot of other buildings on campus have it, and I believe it’s time to incorporate that into the College of Arts and Sciences.
Student Senate College of Aviation
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College of Aviation Ander Turueno Garcia The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
So, you can approach me personally and instead of reaching out to a form or any type of link or any general thing, you can approach me personally and just talk to me and approach your concerns or any other idea in the College of Aviation. I’m open and very communicative with the student body.
Ander Turueno Garcia (ATG): My name is Ander Turueno. I was born in Mexico City. I’ve been always committed and passionate about aviation ever since I have four years old. I got my private pilot license when I was 17 years old, and ever since then I have been very passionate and TA: What is the purpose committed to achieve the of the SGA senate? I have many communibest of the best in aviation. cation skills that made ATG: To represent everyone me approach to random Throughout my life, I in the COA. That people or something. have been always also includes AMS, any major Instead of just asking very passionate in helping in the COA building people to look at me, I people achieve the best of and pretty much also in will more just go ahead the best in the industry the flight department. and talk to people about or whatever they want to It is to enhance student their concerns or someachieve in their life. body’s voice in the thing, and if they have College of Aviation anything just be open. I TA: What makes you a regarding the senate. am very open to anything qualified candidate for you guys have. this position? TA: How do you plan to elevate and communiATG: Throughout my life, cate issues that your con- TA: How will you improve the ERAU experience also, I’ve been in many stituents are concerned for your constituents? leadership positions and about to the College of also, I am very passionate Aviation? ATG: Maybe like a better in helping people out. transition to EmbryAlso, I’m now the current ATG: Ever since I got here Riddle. I feel like coming COA senator for the to Embry-Riddle, I’ve out of high school is a little semester and I’m very been very communicative bit difficult on coming devoted in helping people with all the student body, here to a college life and not just in a general way, not also with my friends especially to another but also in a specific way. but also to everyone else. Page 18
good university where things work different than high school. And also people that... are transferring to from other universities - maybe a little bit better transition and just smooth it out and trying to get you through the transition before coming here to Riddle - I think that’s something to enhance.
College of Aviation The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself. Elian Polanco (EP): My name is Elian Polanco, originally from Orlando, Florida. I’m currently a junior studying Aeronautics. Here, at Embry-Riddle, you know, I’ve been involved in a couple things here and there. One of my most prominent things - I served as the Dance Marathon Executive Director, this year. So I had the great opportunity of overseeing this program and helping fund the hospital and bring different resources to campus to help our students and faculty understand who we are, what we do, where our money goes, and things like that. Prior to that, I had the opportunity of serving as the Finance Director. Over in that year, I accomplished a lot of things. We were able to raise a little over $19,000 to name us the highest fundraising philanthropy on our campus. And that was a super, you know, grateful opportunity for me, just because, just having been here for 2 years, and these different philanthropies that have been on campus for many, many years, have yet to raise as much money as we have. So, you know, I was super
Elian Polanco
delighted to have flipped those numbers at the end of our event and see that I was able to help facilitate the resources and things like that, for our student body and our campus partners and community partners to raise $19,000 to help fund these kids at the hospice for the equipment that they need, medical care, and things like that. TA: How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about, to the College of Aviation senate? EP: As a student here, like I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been here and gone [through] a traditional year - my freshman year, then I went through a COVID year, and now I’m here. Hopefully, everything can continue as a traditional year. Obviously, things are still a little different, just because COVID, and it’s going to take us a lot to overcome that, as the pandemic slowly disseminates, and things like that. But, I think one of the most important things…and from my freshman year, I saw a lot of involvement with the senate on campus and things like that. I think we should get back to that. Have more student projects, interact
with these students oneon-one, because honestly for me, if I don’t go out to these events, at least in my past, if I hadn’t gone out to the events, I really didn’t know my senators. I know office hours are open, and things like that, but you don’t know anybody, and you don’t know what they might be open to doing. They might be shy to come into office hours, they might be reluctant because they feel like their issues are not going to be taken into consideration. So, I think, as that person in that leadership role, it’s our job to go out and interact with those students - ask them, have different activities on campus and make them more inclined to come talk to you - and then you never know, within that conversation, once you’re able to get that
personal, professional kind of interaction with them, they’re going to come on and speak more. So, I think, as senator, one of my biggest things is to get me to be out there, interacting with students, whether it’s in between classes, in front of the College of Aviation stopping students, making it fun, vlogging or something like that, or just catching different scenarios from different students, but again, I think just going out there and making that we’re interacting with them and not expecting them to come to us is more important.
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College of Aviation The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself. Connor Brooks (CB): Well, my name is Connor Brooks, and I am running for College of Aviation senator. I guess the best thing for people to know is I absolutely love flying. Shoot, I’ve been doing flight sim-ing since forever. Then I decided I wanted to be a pilot after getting my pilot’s license. Other things, I love hiking, I’m an Eagle Scout, I’ve been in servant leadership since age 11, so this is very natural for me. Yeah, Connor Brooks. TA: What makes you a qualified candidate for this position? CB: That’s a great question. I would say probably what makes me most qualified is the fact that I’ve been in servant leadership for so long. I’ve always been a servant leader. Actually, just this past year I stepped down from my position as Training Chair in the Nawakwa Lodge back in Virginia, as I oversaw the training of over 1,100 youth and adults. So, that was definitely a tough job and definitely one that makes me feel ready to be senator to my College of Aviation constituents.
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Connor Brooks
TA: What do you believe the purpose is of the SGA Senate? CB: So, when I first came here last semester, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I mean obviously I knew I was here to be a pilot but I didn’t really know like what there was to do, who was my representation, who was there to talk to. And, I personally, if elected, would love to change that. I want to be a senator for the people because, quite frankly, I am the people because I think everyone’s voice should be heard. So, to answer the question, the purpose of the SGA senate is to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, fairly and equally. TA: How do you plan to elevate and communicate the issues that your constituents are concerned about to the College of Aviation? CB: I’ve had lots of talks with students already about problems that they see within the flight department, the College of Aviation and AMS. I’ve also had talks with the representatives of the veterans and a multitude of other groups and I feel the best way is, if elected, is to really make myself heard, not just sit in the
background and just kind of watch what’s going on, but really be in the conversation, getting the issues out there in the public, so that way it can be voted on and, hopefully, changed. TA: How will you improve the Embry-Riddle experience for your constituents? CB: So, in the talks that I mentioned earlier, one of the common themes that I saw with College of Aviation students, and, specifically, flight students, is they noticed, I guess I would say, a lack of not care, but, sometimes, they felt rushed through their flight training and the flight instructors were more or less there to just push them through. And I know from experience, and I’m sure people who are flight students know, when you have a flight instructor
who doesn’t care and is just pushing you through, it completely changes everything, your training isn’t fun. And, so, I was fortunate enough to have three awesome flight instructors, and I want to make sure that everyone has that same opportunity because flight training here is awesome. I absolutely love it and I want everyone to be able to feel that, as well.
Student Senate College of Business
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College of Business The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
So just through meeting people, seeing the opportunities that’s out there, and kind of getting a good scope as to what goes on throughout a day in the life at EmbryRiddle, I think my input would be well received and I would like to share what I’ve learned throughout the past three years and implement it into everyone’s student life here at the COB, at least, from my position as a senator.
Jose Moreno
Jose Moreno (JM): This is my junior year, being here at EmbryRiddle. I’m an Aviation Business Administration major with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and I have been just going about my classes, trying to meet new people, just getting good grades, just going through it, and well it’s time to take that next important goals as being step to get more involved a College of Business on campus – and this is senator – is to really get my next step. TA: How do you everyone connected. And plan to elevate and being such a tight-knit TA: What makes you a communicate issues that College, we share a lot of qualified candidate for your constituents are the same common goals, this position? concerned about to the I believe, so that would College of Business? be my first step. JM: You know, I’ve been here for a while. I’ve JM: So, when it comes to TA: How will you improve that, really just going been able to see for the the ERAU experience out there, meeting some past three years how are for your constituents? people through there, things done, throughout maybe doing some JM: Kind of like I just SGA, throughout the surveys, some polls, and College of Business, and teased a little bit, the kind of get some info on College of Business is I’ve been involved in what the student body small compared to the many, many different thinks within the College College of Engineering or organizations throughout of Business and maybe the College of Aviation, the years including address any concerns that here at Embry-Riddle. Dance Marathon at they may have, or would So, I do believe a lot of us Embry-Riddle – I was like to see more of. have the same goals, and Finance Manager there. in fact, a lot of the alumni I have also spent all three And, just, you know, that have probably left years in Pi Kappa Alpha – be a friendly face there our College of Business my fraternity. – it’s one of my most are in positions right now Page 22
that students want to fill in, right now, and there’s not much student-alumni type communication, from what I’ve seen in my past 3 years. So, I’d like to connect that a little bit more. I’d like to also bring on some events and anything to help socialize within the College of Business that we all kind of get to know each other. You should be able to walk into the College of Business and see a familiar face, say hi, because I think most likely we all have some of the same goals.
College of Business
Kathleen Perry
The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
administration that I can then carry with me to my senate meetings and into the projects that I help organize.
Kathleen Perry (KP): My name is Kathleen Perry. I sometimes go by Kat or Katie and I TA: How do you am running for reelecplan to elevate and tion for [the] College of communicate issues that Business representative your constituents are position, and I’m also concerned about to the involved in Tri-Sigma, College of Business? the sorority, varsity sailing, and I’m a Resident KP: So a common issue Advisor on campus. that I hear with the SGA is that it’s separate from TA: How would you improve the ERAU TA: What is the purpose the student body and experience to your of the SGA senate? that sometimes students constituents? don’t feel heard by the KP: So, the purpose of SGA, or that there’s just the SGA senate is to a disconnect there. So, KP: So, my biggest project and reason for rerunning act as a liaison between it’s by my involvements is the mentorship the student body and on campus and through program within the administration, as well outreach to RSO’s College of Business. So, as SGA. So, through in the student body last semester we were able my involvements across that I represent. to begin the process of campus, I believe that I organizing a mentorship have access to be able to So, organizations within program; however, it’s hear the voices of maybe the College of Business, not as at the scale that I more students than other such as Phi Beta Lambda, would like to see it at by candidates−maybe not Business Aviation Student the time I graduate. other candidates−but Association - outreach to many students. these groups as well as BA So, currently we have a 101 classrooms like I did mentorship program in So, in large part, my in the previous semester place as of this semester involvements on campus as College of Business to help struggling freshallow me to be better senator, that I’m able to men, those who are on within the SGA because kind of seek out these early alert for academI’m able to hear these concerns and reach out to ic reasons. They’re each voices and concerns hear the voices that don’t paired with an upperabout the SGA and about feel heard, currently.
classman at an academic good standing to help them through the process of like getting their grades up, helping them with their four-year plans etc. But I’d like to see this expanded throughout the entire College so that each freshman that enters into the College of Business is paired with an upperclassman to help them with their four-year plans, help them with classes, or connect them with their other upperclassman friends that may be able to help them with course work that they’re struggling with.
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Student Senate College of Engineering
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College of Engineering Teshome Teshome The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
what they’re doing and I’m very motivated to help out students. So, my interest in helping other students makes me qualified for this.
Teshome Teshome (TT): So, my name’s Teshome Teshome. I am an international student from Addis Ababa, TA: What is the purpose Ethiopia. I’m currently of the SGA senate? 20 years old and I’m currently majoring in TT: The purpose of the Aerospace Engineering, SGA senate is to help minoring in Computer out other students Science and Applied in need and make Mathematics, and I everything that needs they have, I’m going am a junior student, if to be accessible even to go to the Dean or I said that. more accessible to somebody on the adstudents, and helping ministration and talk TA: What makes you a them out even more. to them ... like students qualified candidate for need help on this, or this position? TA: How do you something needs to be plan to elevate and fixed on this level. TT: I feel like I’m qualified communicate issues for this position that your constituents TA: How will you because I know a lot of are concerned about to improve the ERAU engineering students, the COE senate? experience for your especially upper-level constituents? classmen who give TT: Essentially, my main me a lot of tips and goal is to make a list TT: So, I feel like Embryknowledge about what of what issues need to Riddle is already a they have done in their be fixed at the COE – good school, but it can previous AE courses College of Engineering be a better school. For and other engineering – and ask the students example, I’m always courses. And I feel like to make a poll out of at the library; you can I’m very well-versed in it, and the biggest issue always find me at the
library. But I feel like the library should be more open, like 24 hours, maybe. Or, even be open a little earlier during the weekends. So, I feel like those needs to be improved on.
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College of Engineering Rowan Gruffydd The Avion (TA): Tell us TA: Sounds like you’re about yourself. pretty accomplished. What do you believe Rowan Gruffydd (RG): the purpose of the Well, my name is RowSGA senate is? an Gruffydd. I was born and raised in Massa- RG: I believe the purpose chusetts on a little isof the SGA senate land called Martha’s is to act as sort of a Vineyard, off the coast. direct link from the I am an Aerospace Enstudent body to the gineering major, finSGA, and in addressing ishing my sophomore the problems either year, right now, and I’m perceived by the senate running for College of members or brought Engineering senator. to their attention by noticed, and would the student body and like addressed. And TA: What about you to do as much as they I would do a polling makes you a qualified can to help remedy system where I would candidate for this those issues. look at issues most of position? all by the most amount TA: How do you of students would be RG: Well, throughout plan to elevate and addressed first. high school, as well as communicate issues during now, my college that your constituents TA: And finally, to wrap career, I’ve had a lot of are concerned about up this interview, how leadership roles. I’ve to the College of will you improve the been on the Executive Engineering, if you get ERAU experience for Board as President this position? your constituents? or Vice President on 2 RSOs, here at this RG: One of the first things RG: The biggest thing University. I also I plan to do, should I be I want to do for the founded my own club elected, is hold a form College of Engineering – the photography club of town hall like the and all its students is back at my high school. SGA does as whole, give them a chance to And I also directed but specifically to really enjoy the Embrymy own play while in bring up issues for the Riddle experience. theater club. So, I have College of Engineering, As of right now, most extensive leadership and any students that engineering majors at experience for this role. have problems they this school, if not all Page 26
of them, have a really rough time studying for classes, keeping up with their grades, and it really takes away from their time availability to enjoy being at college, which is a fantastic experience. I want to make sure, through what I do and implement, that they get the time to enjoy what they’re doing at this school.
College of Engineering The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
Dylan Sowma
to talk to other people and communicate, and I think those will be really good aspects to help me succeed in this position and also give me a lot of ways to where you have a lot of drive and a lot of hard work. So, I’m ready to work.
Dylan Sowma (DS): My name is Dylan Sowma. I came here to Embry-Riddle to study Aerospace Engineering; I’m on the Aeronautics track. I’m pretty involved on campus: I’m in TA: What is the purpose Greek life, I’m on the of the SGA Senate? soccer team, I’m in a bunch of other clubs DS: Pretty much, what I TA: How do you see where the problem but you know they think the SGA Senate plan to elevate and actually is and what shuffle around. is if a student has a communicate issues people want to change. complaint or wants to that your constituents Pretty much, I came voice their opinion. are concerned about TA: And how will you here to follow through Pretty much we are to the College of improve the ERAU my dad’s footsteps the middle man Engineering? experience for your and also my own. So, and we take all their constituents? that’s pretty much complaints, decisions, DS: I wanted to do about me and I’m from benefits and we make surveys and see what DS: To improve the Miami, Florida. a qualified decision on people really want to ERAU student life, I whatever happens. change and I already think trying my hardest TA: What makes you a started asking people in to make sure everyone’s qualified candidate for Let’s say they want the Lehman Building voice is heard and also this position? chairs or a charging for COE and the all the changes they port or a coffee machine options are very mixed. want to see, trying to DS: I think being in a lot or something and they Some people want this, make it happen to the of clubs like Greek life want to get it done, we some people think it’s best of my abilities. and the soccer team are the middle man of perfect, some people gave me a lot of traits the voice to see if it’s don’t know, so I just such as leadership and worth getting it out of want to get a survey, then not being afraid all the opinions. like a mass survey, and
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College of Engineering Xavier Gorman The Avion (TA): So, tell us about yourself.
able to find students to assist me with that and execute a plan to completion.
Xavier Gorman (XG): Hi, my name is Xavier. I’m an Aerospace TA: What is the purpose Engineering student. of the SGA Senate? I started attending Riddle last summer, XG: I think it provides however I am scheduled an opportunity sort of to graduate in 2024. like a pathway between I’m from Charlotte, students and either North Carolina. I like the administration or interacting with other higher faculty within students, I participate the college. So, if you XG: I plan on meeting in Greek life, and I am ever had a problem in regularly with the Dean trying to branch out any of your classes or and other faculty of the to some other clubs you just had suggestions SGA so that way if there and I also work as for improvements for is an issue that needs a tour guide. the college, I feel like to be addressed, havreaching out to your ing regular meetings TA: What makes you a senator so that they scheduled previously qualified candidate for are able to reach out so I have the opportuthis position? to either the Dean or nity to bring up those the proper faculty, it’s a issues, I feel like will be XG: I’ve always had a sense good pathway. very important. of like responsibility and direction so if I’m So, I think it’s important TA: How will you working on a task, I to have a senator improve the ERAU am able to stick with that you feel a good experience for your it as well as I’m good connection with. constituents? with being able to create and organize TA: How do you XG: I think that a group of people so plan to elevate and improving the amount if I want to work on a communicate issues of like activities and project such as making that your constituents events the College of like activities fair or are concerned about Engineering holds will something like that, I’m in the College of be pretty important. really good with being Engineering? Page 28
I think doing tabling with companies and giveaways with things like t-shirts will be really cool for students and help them hangout in the atriums after classes and in between as well as just providing a little more comfortable study areas like tables, chairs, nice places to just sit down so that way you don’t have to go all the way to like the Union or another college in order to study between classes.
Student Senate International Student
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International Student Papa Abdoul M. Sene The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself. Papa Abdoul M. Sene (PAS): My name is Papa Abdoul, originally from Senegal and France, so my mom is from Senegal and France and my dad is completely from Senegal. I’ve grown up in various different countries in West Africa – Nigeria, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso – both French and English countries, and also Spain and France.
being my mother tongue. I grew up in various different countries so I knew various different people from different cultures and all that helped me become a more outgoing person. I’m very good at communicating with people, talking to people, getting to know them, getting to know their issues and I also like to get things done very fast and in the best of ways possible. When I set my mind to do something, I will do all my best to get it done and I think these are qualities that will certainly help me.
I got here in Spring of 2021, did my first semester online in the Fall of 2020. This is actually my second year in the US. I play here – TA: How will you improve I’m the goal keeper on the ERAU experience to the soccer club here at your constituents? Embry-Riddle. PAS: My constituents, like I TA: What makes you a mentioned before - I feel qualified candidate for like the international stuthis position? dent community is very separated from the local PAS: I think my background student community here most of things makes me at Embry-Riddle, like very qualified. I speak there is a big bridge befluent Spanish, French tween each of us. Whenand English – French ever I go to events by the Page 30
International Student Services, I see that there’s groups of people like the international students usually hanging out with international students and I feel like that’s kind of missing out on the point of being here, which is trying to know different culture and mixing different people. My first step will be helping the people to get to know other American students and mix with them and essentially create a more diverse community inside. My next step will be to address issues such as work on campus here for international students
which I know is very hard to find – the fact that you have to get a social [security] number before being able to work, which shouldn’t be like that. You should be able to start working once you’ve had an appointment for social security. Small things like that to help out students in their everyday lives. I know that a lot of them are looking for work on campus here. The database for international students looking for work, reaching out to them once there are new jobs opportunities and things like that.
International Student The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself. Melanie Patron (MP): My name is Melanie. I’m a sophomore in Aviation Business Administration. I come from the island of Mauritius, which is off the east coast of Madagascar in East Africa. I am also a student ambassador for everything related to international student life, and a student assistant for the International Student Services. TA: What makes you a qualified candidate for this position? MP: To begin, I have experience working in large teams. I’ve been part of the Student Council in high school and I also have a lot of experience working with people from all sorts of backgrounds. I’ve been a student ambassador and a student assistant for the International Services for about 6 months now. I’m very used to working with people from all over the world, and I love doing that, which is the reason why I really wanted to become a senator, as well.
Melanie Patron
I love working with people from different cultures; learning about different ways of living, different languages, and I think that I have a very sincere passion for this and that’s why I think that I’m very qualified for this position. TA: How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about, to the International Student senate? MP: Well, I feel like that’s kind of a direct process. You can communicate your issue via email or social media. I’m very active and public on social media so I’m easy to reach out to. And then, during the weekly meetings, I would bring it up, if there’s anything that I cannot solve on my own. And, I guess it kind of depends on the nature of your concern. If it’s about more events, if it’s about something that you would like changed, then I’ll do my best to take care of it on my own, then bring it up during the weekly meetings, or have a talk with whoever is in charge - the President, I suppose.
TA: How will you improve the ERAU experience for your constituents? MP: So I’ve been working with the ISS for a pretty long time, as I mentioned. The core of my campaign is that I would like to combine our programming, in the sense that I would like the SGA and the ISS to work hand-in-hand when organizing events for international students.
the SGA, which is what I wanted to work on, as well... to have certain reforms that I’m still thinking about, but that I’m going to shape up more…basically…during the week that’s coming. Those are my two basic ideas for my campaign, and if you would like to see these things follow through, then you know who to vote for.
In the same way, I would like people to give me their ideas so that I can best serve everyone’s interest. I think that the thing that most people really like to hear about is, first up, more events, and secondly, I suppose, more transparency within Page 31
Student Senate Student Life
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Student Life
Jake Homer
The Avion (TA): Tell us TA: What is the purpose about yourself. of the SGA senate? Jake Homer (JH): So, my JH: In my opinion, the name is Jake Homer, SGA senate is a means and I’m a senior in AE. to provide for change I’m involved in both the for the students and SGA previously for two a way where student semesters as a Senator voices can be heard. for HRL. As well, I have been in multiple TA: How do you plan leadership positions to communicate and in the group, Phi elevate concerns that Delta Theta. your constituents are concerned about up to the standards of TA: What makes you a to the Student Life the university as well as qualified candidate for senator seat? students who go here. this position? JH: So, one of the main TA: How will you things I want to JH: So, having two improve the ERAU address is I know a lot experience for your years of experience of constituents, that constituents? in the SGA, I know being the entire student the inner workings body for me, have a JH: So not only do I and outer workings problem with Sodexo want to improve the of how it works, as food. So, one thing I’d food, one of the other well as being involved like to incorporate, things I’d like to also in multiple student and what I have been work on is developing organizations and working on with the an area where students having various friends head of nutrition at the can engage with in multiple student University, is to have upperclassman in order organizations, I have a a more open dialogue to get a feel about how strong understanding between the students classes will be in the of what students want and Sodexo in order to future and just another to change on campus. provide food that lives way for students to
reach out about the social life on campus and how to get involved in other organizations because we only have the one Activities Fair each semester.
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Student Life The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
TA: How do you plan to communicate and elevate concerns that your constituents are concerned about, to the senate?
Oliver Du Bois (ODB): So my name is Oliver Du Bois, and I am a current Spaceflight Operations major on the Law and ODB: So, something that Policy track. I am a ComI really want to focus on munications tutor for the is to put myself more Virtual Communicaout there for the stutions lab at Embry-Riddents. So, I would like to dle Worldwide, and I’m hold more mini-forums also the current Student throughout the semesters Life senator. - sort of scattering myself along the rest of the TA: What is the purpose Student Union and not of the SGA senate? just the SLS; so hosting smaller events for stuODB: So the SGA senate dents to come out and is essentially made to talk about issues they help amplify the voice of may be having. the students. And what I mean by that is, it sort of And then from there, bridges the gap between addressing them at our students and then the weekly meetings with rest of the SGA, as well as the senate, and then faculty and staff who can going on to bring these help with these issues. to general session…bring these to Exec; things So, as a senator, we of this nature, to make work with the Deans sure students are always who are, you know, who being heard. help with our respective positions, we work with TA: How will you imother faculty and staff prove the Embry-Ridwho also can assist… dle experience for your and we bring these constituents? students’ issues from the students, themselves, and ODB: So something that I’ve bring them up to people been really focusing on who can actually help since I took this position address these issues that has been to decrease the they may have. stigma around mental Page 34
Oliver Du Bois
health, as a whole. I believe that at EmbryRiddle, we have a big culture that stigmatizes mental health. So, we’re frequently seeing burnouts of students, we’re seeing students who are just really struggling to kind of connect themselves socially, and not just academically. So, something that I’ve been working on has been meeting with the Counseling Center frequently, trying to help create workshops and other events to destigmatize going to the Counseling Center. And I’ve also been working on a mentorship program to decrease student loneliness by pairing up students who
maybe are struggling to make connections, with another student who can help them go to events so they’re not alone. Or go out to dinner, or stuff like that. Just so students can finally build those connections when they’re so busy academically, that they don’t take time for themselves socially.
Student Treasury
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Student Treasury
Timothy Olson
The Avion (TA): Tell us TA: What is the purpose of the SGA Treasury? about yourself. Timothy Olson (TO): TO: The purpose of the SGA Treasury is to act as Alright, so my name is a resource for students Tim Olson, I’m a junior and organizations on studying Mechanical campus, assisting them Engineering. I am a financially, and acting member of Phi Delta as a supplemental Theta fraternity, as well resource, and working as EcoCar, and Eagle with them through Electric Autonomous their budgets. Racing. I’m from Pittsburg TA: How would you deEspecially, when you’re fine risk management, originally, and some dealing with lots of clubs and how would you of the things I like to and organizations, relate this skill to your do for fun are going you need to have an position as a treasurer? on runs, watching TV, understanding of all and reading. of them to be able TO: Risk management is to make sure things being able to read a sitTA: What makes you a work the way they’re uation, and understand qualified candidate for supposed to. a situation, and see this position? where things could potentially go wrong, and TA: In what ways do TO: I’m a treasurer for you plan to make sure being able to take steps two organizations on the organizations you to prevent things from campus, as well as rerepresent receive the going in that direction. running for the Student funding they need Treasury position. So, I without putting others When it comes to have an understanding at a disadvantage? the Student Treasury, of the process from when you’re dealing both sides of the field, with money, you need TO: I believe the best way to do this is to and I’d like to do my to be able to take put the time in to part to help the process lots of precautions to meet with treasurers run as smoothly as make sure things are from organizations possible next year. done in the right way. Page 36
so that you have a good understanding of every single case because every single club is different. I understand that there are limitations for what the Student Treasury can do, but if you have a really good understanding where clubs are coming from and you go into allocations from an unbiased perspective, and I believe that’s the best way that you can help all of the clubs on campus equally.
Student Treasury The Avion (TA): Tell us about yourself.
Jonathan Saier
TA: What is the purpose of the SGA Treasury?
Jonathan Saier (JS): JS: The purpose of the My name is Jonathan Treasury is to review, Saier. I’m a third-year analyze, critique, and Astrophysics major in send out budgets for the College of Arts and main SGA organizations Sciences. I’m 20, I come as well as many of the from Connecticut, and RSOs on campus, in its I’ve been involved on most general form. campus since freshman year with the Honors TA: How would you define Student Association, then risk management, and slowly transitioned as a how would you relate member of the Touch-Nthis skill to your position TA: In what ways do Go Productions group on as a treasurer? you plan to make sure campus. From freshman the organizations you year through halfway JS: Risk management is represent receive the through sophomore year taking and weighing the funding they need I was a member of ROTC positives and benefits of without putting others before being released for making certain decisions at a disadvantage? medical reasons. as well as the chances of certain things going TA: What makes you a wrong, again in its most JS: It’s a bit of an off question just because qualified candidate for general aspect. the SGA budget is a this position? zero-sum game. So, in As far as treasury is order for one division JS: As a result of my being concerned, that means or organization or RSO involved on campus weighing the possibilities to receive the benefit of with certain groups, of what could go right and additional funding, it’s I have learned the ins what could go wrong with going to have to come and outs of the process allocating certain budgets from somewhere. the treasury has to go to certain organizations, through, and reading, and determining if it is So the way that you try reviewing, and approving worth the risk, so to say, to ensure that the most budgets, as well as other of giving that money people are advantaged technical aspects of the with the not 100% chance is to ensure that the job at hand. of having everything places that the money that organization or treasury wishes to see comes from and the happen, happen. places the budget is being
allocated from, come from a place that won’t be disadvantaged as much as the place where the money is going to will be advantaged. Essentially, you’re going to have a zero-sum game as far as the budget is concerned, but you want a positive-sum game for the way that budget is being allocated. That is the hardest part of Treasury...to try and force that in the best way that you can, and that comes into the risk management aspects and that comes into the math of it all at in the end.
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Student Treasury
Bryce Farnham
do what they want to do with the amount of money that they’re asking - that may be trips, that may be buying certain items to include more students on campus, and just allow for a great club organization to thrive in the community.
Bryce Farnham (BF): So, my name is Bryce Farnham, I’m a current sophomore studying Aviation Business Administration, specializing in Supply Chain Management. I’m currently on the Riddle Mountain Biking Club team, and then part of Phi Delta Theta. And just, overall, making sure that the safety of everyone and everything that you’re BF: I would define allowing clubs to buy is risk management as safe for everyone, and BF: I think I am qualiunderstanding the not just the one fied for this position amount of risk that specific club. due to past experience comes with every understanding just action that you take, treasury knowledge, and for this position, and through the club I feel like risk in this work that I’ve been certain position kind doing, and overall, of manages—overall just good communicayou have to be very tion skills throughout aware of that you’re multiple clubs. on a board and you’re managing many clubs. It’s not just your own BF: I plan to try to help as many clubs as I can club; you’re managing without giving them a multiple, so you have disadvantage by trying BF: The purpose of the to make sure to keep to allow, as best as SGA treasury is to best that communication we can, to give most allow clubs to basically window open. Page 38
clubs what the dollar amount that they want for them, and making sure that it’s fair for everyone. It’s not that one club is getting more and one club is getting less. It may not be what everybody wants, but just to try to provide a mean for every club.
Student Treasury
Eric Suarez
Eric Suarez (ES): I’m ES: The purpose of the SGA Treasury is to give Eric Suarez, I’m from an opportunity to each Miami, I’ve always been RSO, registered with involved in SGA. So, the University, to be I’m a transfer student able to provide services from Stetson University for the student body. and I was on their SGA, and I transferred here last semester and now I’m involved with four organizations. how much to allocate ES: So currently, I am to each organization, working closely with you have to make sure our Treasurer to make ES: Risk management is it’s given fairly and a system where it something that’s hard every organization has incorporates an impact on all levels. It definitely an equal opportunity. on campus for each has to be monitored ES: This semester I organization, and and distributed fairly currently filled in a between the receivers that would be a larger vacancy for Student percentage of how on the other end of Treasury, so I’m funds are distributed what the decision getting used to the between organizations. you’re making is. process currently. And I’m in the works— So, like, in this case of development—for a Student Treasury where new system. you have to decide
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Think. Speak. Listen.
EXECUTIVE DEBATE March 29 2022 7:30 PM
INSTRUCTIONAL CENTER
IC 101
QUESTIONS? CONTACT DBSGAECC@ERAU.EDU
Outgoing SGA Executive
President: Johan Restrepo
Johan Restrepo: Hey to the potential SGA Executive Ticket, I have some advice and just some overall things. First thing is to understand how much time you have and, with that, what you can and can’t do. While on paper you are in your position for a year, the reality is the time is much less than that, if you count summer, winter break, fall break, Thanksgiving break, and spring break - you are not left with that full year. One thing that you need to know is that you can not put a building up in a year and you can’t reinvent the wheel for things that are established. But with that, you can lay the foundation for those that come after you to continue on your work. To the next SGA President, just make sure you have the eagle’s
eye view of everything and all the decisions that you make. While some things might be great at the moment, down the line they might cause some harm that won’t necessarily be outweighed by the good that it costs. Also, be careful of the promises that you make before you are elected; not everything is as simple as sending an email, and what you asked for comes to be. Just be mindful that you need to learn how everything works before you can start making changes, doing so without knowledge will only hurt the students. As an Executive Ticket overall, just do right by students. Regardless, at the end of the day they are the ones that put you in the position that you hold, so before making decisions, put them at the forefront.
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This magazine, which is also available online, contains transcriptions and highlights of candidate interviews.
View the full interviews here!
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Please direct any questions or concerns about this magazine or elections to dbsgaecc@erau.edu
Meet The SGA Elections Committee
William McNeil
Mady Myszka
SGA Elections Committee Chair
SGA Elections Committee Member
My name is William McNeil. I am currently a freshman majoring in Global Conflict Studies with minors in both Homeland Security and Military Science. I am in the Army ROTC program with aspirations to branch as an aeromedical evacuations officer. I currently serve on the ERAU Emergency Response Team as a Certified First Responder.
My name is Mady Myszka and I am an Aerospace Engineering Major here at Embry-Riddle! I am a cadet in the Army ROTC program, a member of the Honors Program, and a Collins Aerospace Campus Ambassador!
As the Supervisor of Elections, I strive to ensure that everyone participates in the process of voting while maintaining the integrity of the elections for both candidates and voters.
Now, I am a part of the Elections Committee for our SGA. I like attending events on campus and volunteering my time to the programs I am involved with! I tend to do informational sessions as an ambassador and help out in ROTC.
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Claire Lebakken
Richard Pepe
SGA Elections Committee Member
SGA Elections Committee Member
Hello, my name is Claire Lebakken, I am currently a sophomore in the Homeland Security Program here at Riddle! On-campus, I stay quite busy with my involvement in several organizations. I am currently the Vice President and acting treasurer of the UAS Tech club. I also work with the Robotics Association at EmbryRiddle (RAER) as one of the team leads for the sUAS team.
I’m Richard Pepe. I am a Computer Science major and a member of this year’s Elections Committee. On-campus I enjoy spending time with my friends and participating in the Historically European Martial Arts Club.
As a committee member, I strive to help make the SGA Elections fair for everyone and Toby Sopp / The Avion broaden student engagement in the elections. Remember to vote!
As part of the Elections Committee, I make sure that all candidates are following the rules and regulations to ensure a fair and impartial election that represents the will of the student body. I hope to see an excellent voter turnout this year!