The Kent State Undergraduate Student Government election begins Monday, March 13, and lasts through the March 15. Students can vote through FlashLine or the USG website. 

Here are the candidates for the Senators of USG:

Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences

The senator of the College of Arts and Sciences works closely with its dean to collaborate on how to make the school better for all students. They are in charge of organizing and hosting events for the college, reaching out and listening to students’ wishes and demands, and creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all. Part of their duties includes offering scholarships within the college and raising awareness that such opportunities are available.  

Candidate: Logan Hannum, sophomore international relations major

Platform:

“When I transferred here, I had learned that many of the students here feel like they don’t have a voice in our school. They feel like they don’t have a say in what should happen. They don’t feel that they are represented well. So I want to make sure that the students here feel like they have a voice. I want them to feel like they have someone they can open up to and who will listen to what they say. I’ve had students walk up to me while I’m asking for signatures and campaigning, and they tell me that whenever they speak, things just get pushed to the wayside. My goal is to make them feel like they’re not being pushed to the wayside. This is their school, and they should be represented.”

Why should people vote for you?

“I’m well-versed. I’m an international and political science dual major. I’ll be doing this for the rest of my life. I actually had an internship with government in fall, so I know what I’m getting into. I ran for government in high school, and I got positions every time. I definitely know what it takes to do that at the college level. I’ve gone to meetings and I understand how these governments should be ran. I just bring a different voice and a different outlook and I believe that I should be voted (for) because I can bring that outlook to USG.”

What changes are you looking to enact?

“It’s making what’s already here better. A lot of the students here, and teachers as well, feel as though they don’t have good communication with one another. And even though they have email and stuff like that, the email only gets used so much. A lot of people just look at their emails and they brush it off.

One of the things I’d like to implement is basically having a student and teacher appreciation day, allowing students and professors to be able to come together. Professor’s offer office hours, but not many students utilize it because many are actually terrified of professors. I want to be able to let students know not to be afraid of who’s teaching them. Because their job is to be there and teach them.

Especially now, with midterms and everything else, so many kids are stressed. I’ve heard so many kids say, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do this.’ And that’s every college student. So I want to be able to make that better — to have a coffee day before midterms or something like that. Especially because my college is the biggest college on campus, to have something to try to settle their nerves right before they take those big steps in college. Something that can help those students feel like they’re comforted instead of going into this blind.”

Candidate: Pooyan Mirjalili, sophomore biology major

Platform:

I work at the Office of Global Education, I do research with the university, and I work in the university hospital.

Why should people vote for you?

“I’ve been through college life and I’m really involved on campus. I know a lot about the opportunities students can get on and off campus, and I (also) work with a lot of international students. They come to me and they tell me their concerns and the problems that they’re facing. And I think I can help them to feel more welcome on campus.”

What changes are you looking to enact?

“Educating our campus about mental health (and) associating the community with the mental health consultants on campus, (as well as) educate our campus about opportunities on and off campus to have careers for Arts and Sciences majors. My third one is to be a voice for all students regardless of their sexuality, gender, and background. And to make sure everyone on campus is welcoming. The fourth one is outlining some sort of scholarship for Arts and Sciences majors to study abroad because I work at the Office of Global education and I work at the study abroad department, and I can provide scholarships for study abroad for Arts and Sciences majors.

Candidate: Adriano Mangiryous, freshman biology major

Platform:

“(My goal is) to make students under the Arts and Sciences to know how USG works for them and to get the students more involved on campus. And of course to increase more events and involvement.”

Why should people vote for you?

I think I have experience with the culture. I have a cultural experience, being an international student. I have those connections. I think the ones I have would make for a great thing, being able to communicate with different types of people. Someone who has this position has to be diverse, know a lot of people, have that communication skill and a lot of responsibility. I have everything needed to be the senator of the College of the Arts and Sciences, for example, and I can engage people to work with their professors, for example. I want to engage more students in activities outside the campus and on the campus.”

What kind of of changes are you looking to enact?

The changes would be for the student government in and of itself. Not many people know about USG and what it can do for them. Some people think of the USG as a separate body and some sort of student organization. I want to let students know how the Undergraduate Student Government works for student organizations. The Student Government makes important decisions for the students and for any organizations that are hosting events. I want them to know the events going on campus that are done by (USG). USG hosted the TedX event, and more and more large events are done by the USG. I want to get students more engaged with the USG.

Senator for the College of the Arts

This role acts as the voice for students within the College of the Arts, working with faculty and USG to make a better learning community.

Candidate: Jordon Wurthmann, freshman pre-fashion merchandising and design major

Platform:
“As a representative for the arts, I realize that the platform an artist holds is critical. I believe that extending the reach that KSU creatives have is what is most beneficial. Generating larger audiences at shows, exhibits and galleries means more eyes on the talent of students. I will work diligently …  to bring the right audiences to (Kent State). My plan is to develop a strong relationship with each and every student organization in the College of Arts to aid their members and help their organization flourish.”

Why should people vote for you?

“I would ask for your vote because I am passionate about making the College of Arts a better place for students to express their creativity and to share their passions. I decided to run because as a new student to the campus, I have experienced issues accessing the help I believe all students deserve.”

What kind of of changes are you looking to enact?

“Many of the College of Arts classes lack educational assistants. I want to work with faculty to correct that. Finally, I will push for additional outlets and opportunities for the advancement of students.”

Candidate: Nathan Glowacki, senior theatre studies major

Platform:

“My platform is based on three things: resources, cooperation and inclusion. In order for students to be able to make truly great art, they must have access to the many resources that Kent State is capable of providing. There are many resources available to students, but many are under-utilized or completely unknown to the majority of the student body. Cooperation between the schools within the College of the Arts is key because when we pool our resources, talents and knowledge, we all benefit and grow as artists. In order for the art we make to be true to life, we must be inclusive of people from every background. When we include people of different backgrounds, we gain perspectives which allow us to make our artwork more closely mimic the beauty and reality of life. If elected, I will work to ensure that these things are made available to students internally and externally.”

Why should people vote for you?

“ I am an intelligent, hard worker who is dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of every student in the college. I have held leadership roles throughout high school and college and I am prepared to work closely with the dean of the college as well as the directors of each school to enact real change.”

What kind of of changes are you looking to enact?

“Changes that I hope to enact are centered around increasing resource availability to students, as well as starting a program of bringing in guest artists and professionals in the art industry who will be able to share their knowledge and perspectives with students. By increasing resources available to the students, they will be able to hone their artistic abilities and increase their marketable skillsets, which will help them get jobs post-graduation. Bringing in guest artists and professionals will increase the knowledge that is available to the students, as well as give them new networking opportunities into the professional world of their choice.”

Senator for the Honors College

This position is the liaison for Honors students, who span various majors and concentrations.

Candidate: Mariah Kahwaji, senior biology major

Platform:

“Above all, I would like to make the Honors College a more inclusive place for all students, especially those who do not live in the Stopher-Johnson complex. In order to do this, I plan to incorporate student-led discussions with topics chosen by the students. (This will provide) an opportunity for Honors College students to expand their learning outside of the classroom and prepare themselves for life outside Kent State. Additionally, I would like to put a larger emphasis on discussion-based learning in Honors courses, especially those that are major specific. Often, courses are “piggy-backed” on one another, combining a regular course with an Honors course, and these courses often lose their discussion aspect.”

Why should people vote for you?

“I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I have experience with both USG and the Honors College. I began involvement with USG last year as a Street Team member and I am now a member of the Allocations Committee. Through the Honors College, I have lived in the Stopher-Johnson Living-Learning Community for almost two years and have connected with many students through my Honors courses.”

What kind of of changes are you looking to enact?

“If elected I plan to create student-led discussions to promote leadership and global awareness within Honors College students outside of courses. Additionally, I would like to better publicize the resources and opportunities available to Honors College students. The Honors College holds a lot of diversity and that diversity deserves to be shared between students and with the Kent State community as a whole, which can be achieved by increasing the involvement of Honors College students.

Candidate: Sabrina Edwards, junior managerial marketing major

Platform:

“If elected, my focuses for the 2017-2018 academic year would include, but aren’t limited to: informing and promoting students to take on research, whether that be undergraduate or in the form of an Honors thesis; creating more career preparedness programs and seminars for Honors students and more relationships with alumni; informing Honors students of resources and programs available to them within the Honors College and USG that maybe aren’t being utilized to their fullest potential, if at all; highlighting Honors student achievements and efforts — big or small — in the hopes of promoting a competitive environment and encourage Honors students to push their limits; acting as a bridge of communication between the Honors College and its students, as well as between the Honors community as a whole and USG.”

Why should people vote for you?

“If I’m being honest, this would be as much of a learning experience for me as it would be for the Honors students I’m representing. I chose the focuses and goals that I did because, as an Honors student myself, I feel that these areas are areas that I haven’t been exposed to as much as I would like this far into my college career. For example, I feel that I’m not as well-versed as I’d like to be about research opportunities, and that the Honors College hasn’t informed me of or provided me with opportunities to prepare me for the workforce. I believe that Honors students are some of the most talented and driven students at Kent State, and ultimately I want to ensure that Honors students are being given the resources and support to succeed and give the Honors College an astounding reputation.”

What kind of of changes are you looking to enact?

“My focuses for the 2017-2018 academic year, if elected, are similar to the previous Senator’s focuses. I believe that the goals from this past year are still relevant and could be enacted further. If anything, the changes that I would make would come after analyzing how the previous Senator went about completing their goals, and determining alternate ways to continue promoting them, with some minor alterations if their promotions proved ineffective. Collaboration with the previous Senator will be necessary.”

Senator for College of Business and Administration: This candidate will need to serve as a liaison between USG and the College of Business and Administration, as well as be responsible for student input into the college. They will need to review positional goals and explain why or why not the goals have not been reached, establish future goals and increase productivity.

Senator for College of Business Administration

Candidate: Joshua Gregory, senior computer information sciences major

Platform:
“The four main points I will be touching on (are) personal development, diversity and inclusion, social events and making curriculum more receptive to students. A big problem I have been seeing with students is the calculus class has a 50 percent withdrawal rate and that’s a class all business students have to take. I am going to be extremely receptive to the problems student have. I want be a liaison between the administration and the students. Another thing I want to touch on within diversity and inclusion is women in business. Specifically, women in IT. There are so many opportunities for women in IT and business. There is more room to grow in the college and we have about 60 percent men in the program. We can close that gap with the opportunities we have. I also want students to know more about Undergraduate Student Government, so one thing I want to focus on is spreading awareness of this organization because we are here to serve the students.”

Why should people vote for you?
“I think I’m a different kind of candidate. I’ve got a diverse skillset. I think with all of my experience with previous internships and the multiple student organizations I’ve been in, it really opened my eyes to what students need and I know those are needs that need to be addressed. I like to see results and I don’t stop until I get them. I would like to take that energy to this position.”

What changes are you looking to enact?
“The College of Business is very well-rounded as it is. The administration works hard to provide endless opportunities to the students. One niche I did find that the college can really work on is personal development. Everyone learns the elevator pitch. Everyone learns how to sell yourself. I think the skills that professionals really can’t teach are those soft skills that we all kind of teach ourselves. Public speaking skills, leadership skills, how to handle ethical developments or how to dress well for interviews… Those are issues that are really need to be paid more attention to for personal development. Helping build those skills are what we really need to focus on. Another thing I’d work on is spreading awareness of current events. For example, watching the debate in Bowman Hall last year. I think we need to do more of that with events within the College of Business, so people can be included and see what we’re actually talking about.”

Candidate: Nadia Dansani, junioraccounting major

Platform:
“My main platform is awareness of the resources.I’m trying to ensure that students have a smooth transition from high school to college. I want them to be aware of the resources Kent State has to offer, especially the financial resources because a time and time again, people say they can’t afford to come to school, but they can apply to grants or loans.”

Why should people vote for you?
“I love talking to people so I can go and help people, engage people and get them to be interactive with the organization.”

What changes are you looking to enact?
“I want to bring more awareness to the organization and restructure the FYE class for a smoother transition.”

Senator for the College of Communication and Information

We vote on different things that the student body wants. We bring to the table some of the events that go on campus. Like DKS or when we bring like future and things like that. We also vote on gun rights and stuff like that — if you want to carry guns on campus. That’s basically some of the stuff we do.

 Candidate: Tyler Niederriter, junior organizational communication major

Platform:

“My platform is basically being a vessel for students, no matter if it’s CCI, JMC or VCD. I want to actually have their voices heard; know that USG — our student government — exists. Make sure that their needs and anybody else’s needs are taken care of. That is my position as being senator of communication.”

Why should people vote for you?

I want to be a vessel for them. I don’t want to have my opinions, my ideology, get in the way of what the majority of students — and maybe even marginalized students — feel.

What changes are you looking to enact?

Personal freedoms. Say someone wants to bring a speaker, or say someone outside of the campus, to speak and I hope they can do that. I also am running, again, on making USG known … actually be a public servant.

Senator for College of Education, Health, and Human Services

 Candidate: Samantha Scozzaro, junior middle childhood education

Why should people vote for you?

Students should vote for me because through my own experiences and listening to my classmates, the biggest change I would like to make as the senator is to increase communication so students are not left in the dark about advancing through their programs.

What changes are you looking to enact?

I plan on doing this by utilizing the power of students helping students. I want to meet with leaders of the EHHS LLC and other organizations within the college to figure out what they need help with. I want to search for and make known opportunities for members of the college to be involved with experience related to their field. This could be done through volunteer opportunities, job shadowing, or internships. I want to create a mentor program for older students to help younger students in the same major. I also want to work with FYE instructors to give students more of an experience related to their major. I hope to help first-year students feel more welcomed into the college and to feel prepared for the next four years at Kent.