Meet the 2024-25 SGA candidates running for Senate
Chapman’s Student Government Association (SGA) senatorial candidates spoke with The Panther about their campaigns and why they believe they should be voted into the senate for next school year. Photo collage by EMILY PARIS, Photo Editor
14 Chapman University students are currently running for open seats in the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Senate committee for the 2024-25 school year, following SGA’s recent presidential and constitutional elections in late February. This semester’s senatorial election voting period is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 24, with voting closing at 5 p.m.
The Panther spoke with the candidates to learn more about their specific campaigns and plans they’d like to implement if elected to a senate position for next school year.
As of April 23, there are no candidates running for the Schmid College of Science and Technology Senator, the Senior Class Senator and the At-Large Senator positions. Students had until April 19 to file a late candidate packet in order to run in the spring election as a write-in candidate.
Students can vote here if they choose to do so.
The candidates’ responses have been lightly edited for clarity and stylistic standards. As of publication, five candidates did not respond to questions for comment.
School of Pharmacy seat
Name: Marina Awad
Seat: School of Pharmacy
As of publication, no response was received.
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences seat
Name: Manya Chandra
Seat: Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
As of publication, no response was received.
Attallah College of Educational Studies seat
Photo courtesy of Emily Drum
Name: Emily Drum
Seat: Attallah College of Educational Studies
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology and Integrated Educational Studies/Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Platform: I am running with the mission of bringing Chapman up to the standards Attallah teaches.
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: Within Attallah College itself, I would love to be a part of increasing the number of events and activities for Attallah students to participate in throughout the academic year to encourage community. I, too, would love to help work with our admin to develop a more organized system for students to reference when exploring the career and educational opportunities offered at Attallah College. Working on a campus-wide level, I want to create more opportunities for students to interact with local organizations and the community of Orange. Most importantly, however, I want to play a role in bringing the teachings Attallah instills within their students to our campus’ culture and classrooms to enhance students' educational experience at Chapman. This includes creating more continuity between classes, strengthening professors' teaching methods and reframing the way our university addresses disabilities to enhance the experience of students who are marginalized in the educational system at large.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: Taking such pride in my career and identity as an educator, I know how essential a school is in fundamentally impacting a student's life. The great role education plays in a person's life does not end when they graduate from high school. It continues on campuses like Chapman across the world and beyond. There are much higher educational instructions that can be learned from the teachings of the Attallah College of Educational Studies. It is essential to ensure Attallah maintains a strong voice in SGA to drive Chapman in a direction that is best for its students, who are the center of education. With my organizational, leadership and programming skills nurtured in my experience as a lead for the Argyros Forum Student Union, I know I can be that strong voice as an SGA Senator. To contact for further questions, please email drum@chapman.edu.
Fowler School of Engineering seat
Photo courtesy of Nataniel Farzan
Name: Nataniel Farzan
Seat: Fowler School of Engineering
Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Platform: I would like to raise awareness about all of the academic advising resources that Fowler offers to set students up for success. Additionally, I would like to advocate for better professional certification resources so that we can better support students looking to improve their technical skillset. Another important initiative I want to tackle is providing information and support for students interested in participating in hackathons, as these events are a great way to not only improve technical skills, but also work in a team setting.
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I would like to see Fowler provide more resources for engineering career resources. I think more career networking events and workshops specifically tailored to future engineers would go a long way.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe I am a strong candidate for this position because I am actively involved in Fowler, and I want to help create an inclusive and vibrant community of engineering students. In addition to working as an undergraduate researcher, I serve as the secretary of the Computer Science Club, the largest and most active club in the Fowler School of Engineering. I recently had the opportunity to teach a series of workshops that introduced the basics of a few key professional tools for software development.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Yeretzian
Name: Lauren Yeretzian
Seat: Fowler School of Engineering
Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Platform: My slogan is "Let's be a Fowler Family!" I want to use my strengths in communication and my extroverted personality to build a stronger community than ever amongst the student body here at Fowler. I want to push for collaboration and connections between students. As current college students, our studies power the world's future, and it's no secret that innovation only grows with collaboration. Not only is it good to practice networking in the lower stakes of your peers (versus your boss!), but also, you never know if someone around you has the skill set you need for your next project! As your Fowler Senator, I want to prioritize connecting the student body through networking events and all sorts of other "student-to-student" activities!
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want to push for student-to-student networking and see more of a community between all engineering students across all engineering majors. This way, knowing everyone around you can lead to all kinds of projects and ideas to be formed!
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe that I am best fit for this position because of how much of an advocate I am for involvement across our campus here at Chapman. Here's some of the activities and events I've been involved with around Fowler:
Robotics Club, Treasurer — Fall 2023
Fowler Circuit, Senator — Spring 2024
IEEE GameSIG Competition, Lead Student Event Coordinator — Spring 2024
Currently running for SWE Board, Media Chair — Spring 2024
School of Communication seat
Photo courtesy of Chloe Hataishi
Name: Chloe Hataishi
Seat: School of Communication
Year: Rising junior
Major: Communication Studies
Platform: I’ve been campaigning by word of mouth, mostly chatting with communication students about my current projects and what I hope to continue to work on if re-elected as School of Communication Senator.
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: As a Senator, I hope to maintain and create a better community in the School of Communication here at Chapman! There are several great resources within our college, and I want to help students in my constituency get more involved in these programs!
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe I’m the best fit for this position because I’ve been lucky enough to be able to get extremely involved in the School of Communication and have a good understanding of students’ needs within my constituency. I’m also involved in various other organizations on campus and have knowledge about several different resources on campus that could be helpful for many students. Not only do I love to advocate for my peers’ needs, but I also love to meet new people, and I’m excited to hopefully be able to represent Chapman’s School of Communication for SGA!
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts seat
Name: Ryan Kiser
Seat: Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
As of publication, no response was received.
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences seat
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lopez
Name: Jennifer Lopez
Seat: Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: Freshman
Major: Political Science
Platform: Instagram: @jlo4wilkinsonsenator
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: As Wilkinson Senator, I would run the Wilkinson Student Advisory and Leadership Council meetings. As a senator, I'm committed to fostering greater student engagement with our community. One of my key objectives is to enhance initiatives that encourage students to become more involved.
I propose increasing funds to support these efforts to expand opportunities for student activities and events. Every year, a commencement contest allows a student to deliver an address for Wilkinson College during the ceremony.
Given Wilkinson College's status as the largest college at Chapman, establishing diverse connections within the community are crucial. My involvement in projects like the ‘Bound in Bone’ exhibition for the Escalette Permanent Art Collection during my FFC 100 class last semester highlights the value of such connections.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I am the best candidate for this role, as I am deeply committed to representing the student community meaningfully through my openness to viewpoints and my dedication to resolving student issues. Moreover, I recognize the imperative for strong leadership in orchestrating events and activity programs for Wilkinson, an aspect I am fully prepared to fulfill. I am passionate about advocating for others and helping those in need, which would be my top priority as Wilkinson Senator. Despite being a first-year student, I possess valuable leadership experience. I actively participated in the Associated Student Body during high school, stepping out of my comfort zone to coordinate school events and support my peers.
Additionally, as the president of the Ladies First club, I led initiatives focused on addressing domestic violence and fostering open discussions on sensitive topics. Over four years, I dedicated myself to raising awareness and collaborating with organizations like Laura’s House to support domestic violence shelters. I organized guest speakers, participated in club rush events and collaborated with other campus clubs to advocate for important causes.
In my first year, I chose to join Kappa Alpha Pi, a co-ed pre-law fraternity. It marked the start of my participation in the community, which is a decision I value. The following semester, I received guidance from my mentor, Cintya Felix, who serves as Wilkinson's Senator. Thanks to her advice, I landed a job at Chapman Legal Affairs Office on campus. This opportunity came about after interning at a law firm during my senior year of high school. As I begin my journey at Chapman University, I look forward to the experiences ahead. By collaborating with peers, faculty members and staff, I hope to contribute to Wilkinson College's progress to the greatest extent.
Photo courtesy of Valerie Mendez
Name: Valerie Mendez
Seat: Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology
Platform: Community. Collaboration. Connection. Wilkinson students being the hearts and souls of Chapman are VALuable to the community and therefore, deserve the very best. Let’s Work Together to Add VALue To Wilkinson!! Vote Valerie for Wilkinson Senator!
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want all Wilkinson students to have the opportunities available to them to network with other students in different majors and get to know their fellow peers throughout the semester. Because a lot of majors/minors are interdisciplinary, I would love to see how they can all come together in some kind of showcase event.
I would like to increase or budget the college’s funding to provide students with valuable merch or resources that could further enhance their academic success at Chapman.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe I’m a good fit for this position not only because of my extensive experience with on-campus leadership roles, but also because of my ability and love for connecting with others of all different backgrounds. Wilkinson fosters a diverse pool of students and majors/minors, and I believe that I would be a great advocate for all the student voices because of my passion for civic engagement. I also would love to collaborate hand in hand with them on ways to enhance the Wilkinson experience!
Argyros College of Business and Economics seat
Photo courtesy of Diba Vazirian
Name: Diba Vazirian
Seat: Argyros College of Business and Economics
Year: Freshman
Major: Economics
Platform: I am committed to amplifying as many student voices as possible. I want to bridge the gap between SGA, the administration and the student body, which can only be done by prioritizing the concerns of the student population. I am committed to advocating for Argyros students' concerns on campus and improving any areas they see fit, whether it's improving campus facilities, enhancing student services or advocating for academic support programs. I would also like to encourage all students, especially new ones, to get involved with the opportunities that Chapman provides.
I believe in the power of community, and therefore, I will work to foster a campus environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. I will promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that celebrate our differences and unite us as a university. I also want to ensure that the proceedings of SGA are more transparent and that senators are held accountable by the student body.
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: One university-wide change I want to work towards is acknowledging Veterans Day on the university calendar. Many veterans are students on campus, yet Chapman still does not observe Veterans Day. We should be thankful to these students and acknowledge their presence. More specifically to Argyros College — I want to see the Academic Advising office more accessible to students. I want to work towards expanding drop-in hours to times that work for most students, and I also want to make it easier to make an advising appointment in general.
I also want to make it more convenient for students to voice their concerns to SGA. The Argyros Senator should table inside Beckman or in the Piazza at least once a week so students can come up and talk to their senator. Some students might be too intimidated to voice their concerns, but I hope they will be more willing to voice their opinions once they see their senator making the effort to hear their concerns.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe I am the best fit for this position because of my passion for encouraging students to let their voices be heard. Throughout my time at Chapman, I have been actively involved in the Economics Society, Delta Sigma Pi and the Iranian Student Cultural Organization. Being an active participant or board member in these organizations has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary for this role, and it has also deepened my understanding of the needs and concerns of our student body. I am a dedicated and driven individual committed to positively impacting the campus. I am confident in my ability to effectively represent my fellow students' interests and work collaboratively with students and administration to achieve our shared goals.
Student Organizations seat
Name: Ryan Dubinsky
Seat: Student Organizations
As of publication, no response was received.
Name: Jamie Ann Visconde
Seat: Student Organizations
As of publication, no response was received.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Vega
Sophomore Class seat
Name: Ryan Vega
Seat: Sophomore Class
Year: Freshman
Major: Political Science
Platform: I am running to provide a voice for my fellow undergraduates, mainly lowerclassmen, in the hopes of addressing their concerns and resolving any issues they may be experiencing on campus. I will actively seek feedback from my fellow undergraduates and represent our common interests at student government meetings and discussions.
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: As Sophomore Class Senator, I’d like to see greater student involvement and engagement on campus.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I am the ideal candidate for this position because I am willing to listen to everybody on campus and will act in the best interest of my fellow students.
Junior Class seat
Photo courtesy of Jaden Norwood
Name: Jaden Norwood
Seat: Junior Class
Year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-med Health Sciences
Platform: I want to enhance the community aspect within our grade and ensure everyone gets a say in their overall college experience!
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I have a few changes that I want to make. It’s a new position, so I am not entirely sure what to expect. I would like to really encourage more people to make new connections within grades with activities like bringing more activities in the Piazza, having a photo booth with friends or even organizing a nighttime dance just for our grade where you can ask people as friends or as a date and just have fun and listen to music and dance. I also would like to make educational changes like making students’ teacher feedback more feasible rather than not having any real changes made.
My main goal is just to really ensure that we, as a class, have plenty of opportunities to make memories we’ll cherish since being in college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it should feel that way.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I believe that I am the best fit because I am an exceptional leader. I have experience with being class president in high school and playing multiple leader roles within clubs during that time, as well as on basketball teams. I am also a huge people person and always try to collaborate and talk to as many people as I can. I really care about the well-being of our class, and I think that this is the perfect platform to showcase that.
