Meet the SGA candidates: 14 run for senate
Student Government Association candidates opened up to The Panther about their campaigns and why they should be voted into the senate. Panther Archives
Fourteen Chapman University students are running for open seats in the Student Government Association’s Senate committee, in which most of the candidates are running unopposed. The Panther reached out to the candidates to compile their campaign platforms and plans if elected as a senator.
The candidates’ responses have been lightly edited for clarity and stylistic standards.
Academic Organizations seat
Lexi Reekie
Name: Lexi Reekie
Seat: Academic Organizations Senator
Year: Freshman
Major: Political science, philosophy double major
Platform: Ensuring voters’ needs are met and that student organizations have all of the possible resources to help members succeed, working with academic organizations and making sure they’re heard and promoting education, communication, dedication and involvement
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want to build upon the previous initiatives Student Government Association (SGA) has promoted for academic organizations and to continue to provide extensive opportunities.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I feel that my positions acting as academic chair of Chapman Grand Apartments’ community council, historian of Kappa Alpha Pi (KAPi) pre-law, co-ed fraternity and even my previous experience holding the Academic Organizations senator position this past semester have allowed me to gain an insightful perspective into the needs of undergraduate students pertaining to academics. I have seen the inner workings of Chapman’s academic organizations up close and believe I have the resources and ideas to help them succeed
Greek Student Organization seat
Elyse Crimmins
Name: Elyse Crimmins
Seat: Greek Student Organization
Year: Freshman
Major: Political science, strategic and corporate communication double major
Platform: (Spreading awareness to) students involved in Greek life of the resources they have in SGA, promoting initiatives that improve the structure and effectiveness of Greek life on campus coming out of remote learning
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I’d like to see a more cohesive bridge between Greek life and SGA for easier communication and fluidity.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I am involved in both political science and KAPi on campus, as well as a social sorority. Having those connections gives me a unique ability to communicate between SGA and Greek life to bridge that existing gap in any way that I can.
Upperclassman seat
Sarah Band
Name: Sarah Band
Seat: Upperclassman
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology
Platform: Advocating for programs that help guide students as they work toward graduation and possibly post-graduation careers and degrees
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I would want to promote more student and faculty involvement as we go back on campus. I’ve noticed since we started online classes, the interaction between the students and their professors has dramatically decreased. Many students like to be able to form connections with their professors. I would possibly want to work with other senators to host dinners with professors for each college to create those connections.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I really care about listening to student voices and advocating for what changes they would want to see on campus. My involvement on campus has given me an insightful perspective on what changes could be made to make the Chapman experience better.
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences seat
Whitney Gassmann Mennes
Name: Whitney Gassmann Mennes
Seat: Wilkinson College
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political science
Platform: Securing representation and resources for students by strengthening existing programs and pushing for continued growth, ensuring that Wilkinson’s importance and what it stands for as a community is accounted for
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: If elected senator of Wilkinson College, I will increase awareness, support and resources for the ethnic studies cluster, Africana studies minor and other diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. I aim to strengthen the connection with the Center for Undergraduate Excellence to increase accessibility for research opportunities and work toward peer advisement for all departments in Wilkinson College by collaborating with faculty and students. I will also work towards strengthening support for student-led initiatives through forums within Wilkinson College and Chapman.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: My experience with a minor in another college has demonstrated to me what makes Wilkinson special and what we can do to maximize what Wilkinson can offer its students. Political science and the leadership minor have provided me with numerous strategies and techniques for serving and positively transforming one’s constituency and finding shared understanding in order to enact groundbreaking change. I’ve been able to put this into practice through leadership positions in KAPi pre-law fraternity, Circle K International service club and working with faculty as a We CU! mentee under Dr. Roxanne Greitz Miller through the Cross-Cultural Center.
Victoria Mas
Name: Victoria Mas
Seat: Wilkinson College
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology
Platform: Keeping SGA focused on being committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, passing the microphone to other students
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want to be able to see more commitment to the topics that affect our marginalized groups on campus. An idea that I was thinking about was creating a social justice committee that can help promote ideals that are not considered currently. Activism on college campuses is key to enacting change, and I think this would be an amazing place to start.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I was the Wilkinson College senator last year. I can go into the position with previous knowledge and have the power to pick up where I left off on a lot of initiatives. There is so much that can be done with some familiarity in place.
Argyros School of Business and Economics seat
Richard Rodriguez
Name: Richard Rodriguez
Seat: Argyros School of Business and Economics
Year: Freshman
Major: Business administration
Platform: Representing all business, economics and accounting majors at Chapman, promoting action that generates a higher chance at success for students
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want there to be more opportunities for all Argyros students. As of right now, Chapman’s undergraduate population carries many business students that don’t feel like they are as involved. I also want to publicize the different emphases that our business school has to offer, so that any incoming business students can have a better idea of what they want their emphasis to be. In general, I want to make sure business students are aware of what is available for them, whether that be graduate business programs, business minors and more.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I am always striving for something more. I am a business student that holds myself accountable and continues to push even when I am successful.
Schmid College of Science and Technology seat
Mo Hijazi
Name: Mo Hijazi
Seat: Schmid College
Year: Freshman
Major: Biological sciences
Platform: Pushing for a community built on Schmid College students’ differences, bringing new opportunities to the school, advocating for more funding that will be allocated to research and the costs of Medical College Admission Tests, medical school applications
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: Currently science, technology, engineering and math abroad studies are very confined, but finding new ways to diversify and bring study abroad opportunities to Schmid is essential to grow and progress our Schmid community. Many of Schmid’s students are constantly looking to get involved in volunteer programs such as Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) Health Scholars, and Health and Sharon Disney Lund Medical Intelligence and Innovation Institute (MI3). With a large pool of students joining these programs, it’s difficult to stand out. I hope to bring a resource to Schmid College with a primary role of advertising and helping students find unique programs that fit their career goals.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: Being an underclassman, I plan on not only inspiring my upperclassmen peers but to push fellow underclassmen to speak up about the changes they want to see. I have begun to do so by personally reaching out to students of all grades to learn more about their experiences in Schmid College. Schmid College will be our home for the next few years and I am committed to making it as comfortable and opportunistic as possible.
Fowler School of Engineering seat
Juliana Glodek
Name: Juliana Glodek
Seat: Fowler School of Engineering
Year: Junior
Major: Computer science, film production double major
Platform: Establishing a stronger sense of community and diversity within Fowler, giving the school the recognition it deserves both on and off campus
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I want to create a digital presence, encouraging growth of Fowler student organizations, and developing a student-alumni network that fosters support and mentorships.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I’m passionate about uplifting the college. I have the motivation to do anything and everything to make sure all students’ voices are heard and action is taken.
School of Pharmacy seat
Jonathan Vergonio
Name: Jonathan Vergonio
Seat: School of Pharmacy
Year: Freshman
Major: Pre-pharmacy
Platform: Increasing mental health awareness, ensuring progressive initiatives for ethnic minority groups, streamlining connection with workshops, an ambassador program
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: Within the School of Pharmacy, I hope to create a “community” culture, as we have been isolated from online learning. I hope to achieve this by having student-led educational workshops, study support sessions, mixers and more.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: As a first-generation student at Chapman, transitioning into college can be daunting. I believe I fit this position because it is my mission to listen to students who face adversity, and I can be a genuine voice fighting for equitable initiatives on campus.
Attallah College of Educational Studies seat
Hannah Welsh
Name: Hannah Welsh
Seat: Attallah College
Year: Junior
Major: Integrated educational studies, psychology double major
Platform: Focusing on career readiness initiatives, increasing accessibility to various resources for all students
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: My pride in Attallah College and respect for its leaders has only grown during my term this past year. One change I want to work toward within my college is increased collaboration between different departments across campus. I feel that, often, different groups unintentionally work toward the same objective, unknowingly completing the same work and research more than once. A better alternative I see would be working together and pulling from a wider and deeper pool of strengths to succeed.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I feel proud of my first term and hope that I have proved myself to my constituency as capable and competent in this position. I have a deep love and respect for the Attallah College of Educational Studies and would save ample time in this position, as I will not have to go through the awkward introductory period and can hit the ground running with continuing and building on initiatives I have already started. I am also heavily involved with Attallah College through other avenues, including the Undergraduate Leadership Council and Mentorship Program.
School of Communication seat
Kyle Tanimura
Name: Kyle Tanimura
Seat: School of Communication
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political science, strategic and corporate communication double major
Platform: Uplifting the voices of students who feel like they are not being heard, serving as a bridge between faculty and students
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: As a senator, I want more students to get involved. The School of Communication is amazing, and I think we can create a place where students can be a family and a supportive net for each other; that was something that I experienced during my freshman year orientation. I want to continue to allow connections and bonds between students to last past college. I know this will be a challenge as we continue to work virtually, but I am determined to work hard to make it happen. I also want to highlight the tremendous work our faculty has done to be able to create a great learning environment for us during the pandemic.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: This is what I was born to do. Since the first grade, I have participated in leadership roles where the representation of a community is important. Something that makes me stand out is my passion; I feel like my passion radiates off me and inspires others. I want to continue to be someone who inspires others to pursue their dreams and be themselves.
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts seat
Brady Francisco
Name: Brady Francisco
Seat: Dodge College
Year: Freshman
Major: Creative producing
Platform: Pushing for initiatives that will facilitate connections, prioritizing creativity and the collective wellbeing of Dodge College, promoting the value in human connection and the importance of maintaining good mental health
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: Some changes I’d like to see moving forward are making more Dodge College students informed of the opportunities the college provides for their creative and career-related endeavors as well as getting more new members of Dodge College involved in the community and affairs.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I have over five years of leadership experience through student government, extracurriculars and sports teams paired with over 100 hours of community service in the past four years, so I am well equipped with talents in leading, taking initiative and staying organized. I also believe my values in community, creativity and wellbeing will aid me in my responsibilities as a senator.
College of Performing Arts seat
Talia Israel
Name: Talia Israel
Seat: College of Performing Arts
Year: Junior
Major: Theater performance and directing
Platform: Making sure all students — including College of Performing Arts (CoPA) students — feel wanted, heard and included
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: As a junior transfer, I have only seen one CoPA senator before me, Nikki Trippler, and I think she is truly wonderful. Being a senator during this pandemic could not have been easy, and I am truly honored to know her. I would love to do as she has done in uniting our CoPA community and keeping them in contact with the other disciplines at Chapman. I’d love to come back to campus strong in the fall with connections made and ready to go, come our in-person return.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I am passionate about CoPA and Chapman as a whole. I really had to work at finding my place at Chapman and getting settled in, especially during the pandemic. My passions for CoPA and Chapman University are what have driven me to thrive this past year, and I want to share that with the student body.
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences seat
Rachel Berns
Name: Rachel Berns
Seat: Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Year: Freshman
Major: Health science
Platform: Promoting the strength of Crean as a distinguished science college at Chapman, further amplifying student voices in the college’s affairs
Q: What changes do you want to see made as a senator?
A: I am eager to push for college-wide workshops on topics like inequity in medicine and healthcare, funding for graduate school exam preparation books, strengthening career resources for psychology students and improving outreach to incoming freshmen during their high school to college transition.
Q: Why do you believe you are best fit for this position?
A: I have a strong connection to both the health science and psychology departments that comprise the college and want to expand and uplift both equally. Furthermore, I have spent this past year as the SGA lowerclassmen senator learning the ins and outs of the job and am ready to bring those experiences to this new position of advocacy and representation.
Voting closes April 14 at 5 p.m. To vote, visit chapmanvotes.com.
