We’ve told you why you should vote. We’ve shown you where to

go to vote. But we don’t want to tell you how to vote.

Instead, student politics reporter Jenna Staul asked the

Undergraduate Student Government candidates to tell you why

they deserve your vote in their own words.

Executive Director

• Jonathan Bey

junior finance major

USS senator for community affairs

Delta Tau Delta fraternity

On why he decided to run for student government again:

“When it came down to all the hard work we put in restructuring USS into USG, I wanted to and needed to stick with it.”

On what he is looking forward to as Executive Director:

“I’m looking forward to seeing the changes. It’s going to be exciting to be the first executive director of Undergraduate Student Government.”

On what is the greatest issue facing USG:

“The logistics of having 25 people instead of nine. With meetings and stuff we just have to make sure we get everybody’s opinions.”

Director of Community Affairs

• Rachel Bower

junior architecture major

College of Architecture Student Union

Week of Welcome

On why she decided to run for USG:

“I want to try to bring the community and Kent State students together.”

On why she is the best person for the position:

“My major helps me. I’m used to working on quick deadlines.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“I would tell them it’s their school. Their opinion counts. If they come to these meetings they can give input and get what they want.”

• Andrew Fontanarosa

junior classics major

Phi Alpha Delta fraternity, pre-law club

Eta Sigma Phi, classics honorary society

On why he decided to run for USG:

“For a while, they didn’t have any candidates. I felt (the position of) director of community affairs is something that could be done better.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“There needs to be more one-on-one interaction instead of trying to get people to go to a meeting. Why don’t people show up for a lot of things? It’s definitely one of the most pressing issues facing USG this year.”

On what he wants to do if elected:

“I really want to reformulate the community task force.”

•Adam Patterson

sophomore nursing major

Kent State Student Ambassadors

Delta Tau Delta fraternity

On why he is running for USG:

“I’ve received a lot of opportunities here at Kent State. I feel like I should give back.”

On why he is the best person for his position:

“I consider myself outgoing, approachable and dedicated.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“I don’t think a meeting will really attract people. It’s my responsibility to approach the students and tell them why it matters. The students need to be educated because they don’t really know what’s going on in the community.”

Director of Governmental Affairs

• Ronnie McArdle

junior political science major

Sigma Chi fraternity

Kent Student Center Programming

On why he decided to run:

“I think it’s an important position. This is something I want to get more involved in.”

On what he looks forward to doing once in office:

“Probably the voter registration drive. Since it’s a presidential election year, a lot of people will probably be involved. I want to make it more informative and try to give students an understanding of the candidates.”

On running unopposed:

“I can make a bunch of promises, but I was always told it’s what you do not what you say.”

Director of Academic Affairs

• Sean Mostov

sophomore middle childhood education major

Delta Tau Delta fraternity

Relay for Life

In an e-mail response, “I am running for USG because I have a strong sense of commitment for the improvement of student life here on campus. If elected I promise to make our voices heard in dealing with all academic issues.”

Director of Student Involvement

• Bill Hilbert

junior business management major

Sigma Chi fraternity

On why he decided to run for USG:

“I’m a junior and the first couple of years here I was trying to focus on my education. But now I realize the importance of getting involved.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“I want to work on trying to get students involved. It’s not that they don’t want to, it’s that they don’t know how.”

On how he felt after Thursday’s debate:

“I really wasn’t nervous at all. It was a unique experience.”

• Emily Kiracofe

freshman fashion merchandising major

Alpha Phi sorority

Fashion Student Organization

On why she decided to run for USG:

“I just want to get involved in the campus. In high school I was involved in a lot of things.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“I really think it’s going to take a lot of work and effort to figure it out. I don’t know what it is yet. I haven’t figured it out, but I will.”

On how she feels about the election:

“I’m not nervous, I’m just interested in how it will all turn out.”

Director of Communications

• Robert Haas

sophomore business management major

Delta Upsilon fraternity

USS Street Team

On why he decided to run for USG:

“I know a lot of guys who have done it in the past, and it just seemed like a good thing to do.”

On what he is looking forward to doing if elected:

“Probably getting to learn the opinions of student organizations and being able to do something about it.”

On what makes him best qualified for the position:

“I have leadership skills. I just feel I can do all the tasks at hand. I have ideas to bring to the table.”

• Adam Smithberger

junior advertising major

USS public relations and marketing assistant

On why he is running for USG:

“It’s what I’ve been doing there as the public relations person for USS.”

On having experience working with USS:

“I think there is a lot of experience coming in with the candidates it just isn’t specifically with USS. There are definitely some people who are inexperienced, but inexperience will give us a fresh perspective.”

On why he is qualified for the position:

“I have very, very strong opinions. My being opinionated is one of my best assets.”

Director of Programming

• Marie Daher

junior communications major

All-Campus Programming Board

Kent State Food Committee

On the greatest challenge facing USG:

“Now that there’s so many new positions having it actually work. The next year will be a big trial year.”

On what she will do if elected:

“I want to sit outside in Risman Plaza and have a survey where students can come and bring their opinions.”

On why she decided to run for USG:

“Since I am on ACPB now, I decided that I might as well jump on the bandwagon.”

• Michael Szabo

junior marketing major

Phi Kappa Tau fraternity

Inter-Greek Programming Board

On why he decided to run for USG:

“I have a lot of experience in it (programming). I can set the bar for what is expected in the position. I want to get my feet wet in it.”

On what he plans to do if elected:

“I’m going to make sure people have a voice in what we bring to Kent State. I’m going to go around and just kind of talk to people.”

On the how he felt Thursday’s forum went:

“I think it went really well. I like the question-and-answer session because I felt I really got to express myself.”

Director of Business and Finance

• Nikole Keslar

junior biological chemistry and pre-dentistry major

Allocations Committee

American Medical Students Association

In an e-mail response: “I feel I would be a great director of business and finance because I have already sat on (the) Allocations Committee for one year and from that have gained experience. I know the procedure and would work my hardest to see the student activity fees spent in a manner in which the largest group of Kent State students could benefit.”

Director of Student Advancement

• Scott Sherwood

sophomore biology major

Sigma Chi fraternity

Relay for Life

On why he decided to run for USG:

“I always wanted to get involved on campus. I really like Kent State. I met all of my best friends here, and if there is anything I can do to help I will.”

On why he is the best person for his position:

“I’m a great listener. I can listen to people’s concerns.”

On getting students interested in USG:

“I guess the best way is to let them know it’s the perfect forum to express themselves.”

Senate

Senator for the College of the Arts

• Michelle Wilkes

freshman fashion merchandising major

Alpha Phi sorority

On what makes her qualified:

“I’m a born leader. Any task I take on, I have to make sure it’s finished.”

On running unopposed:

“Technically, even though I was unopposed, I still really care about this.”

On what she’ll do in office:

“I want to open lines of communication. When I talk to the dean of the college, I’m going to make sure everyone in the college knows what’s going on.”

Senator for the College of Business Administration

•Ryan Bernstein

junior marketing major

Sigma Chi fraternity

Kent State Men’s Chorus

On why he’s running for USG:

“I basically always wanted to get involved. I’m involved in my fraternity but I don’t think it’s enough.”

On the greatest issue facing USG:

“I think it’s under the radar. No one really knows about it (USG). I feel like people don’t know about it or care about it and they should.”

On why he is qualified for the position:

“I feel that whatever I do I don’t stop until it’s done. I go above and beyond.”

• Sean Brady

junior accounting major

Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity

Kent State tour guide

On why he decided to run:

“I spent a lot of time thinking about it. I want to try to give something back to the campus.”

On the greatest issue facing the new USG:

“I think awareness and involvement (are the greatest issues). It just doesn’t seem that the campus as whole cares. (Students) aren’t as involved as they should be.”

On why he’s qualified for the position:

“I’m a hard worker and I love Kent State. I’m here to make it a better place.”

Senator for the College of Communication and Information

• Jessica Lumpp

sophomore magazine journalism

Columnist, Daily Kent Stater

Greek life reporter, Daily Kent Stater

On why she decided to run for USG:

“I really think people have a lot of ideas but they don’t know where to go with them. I could step in and help make it happen.”

On what she wants to do in office:

“I really want to add more computer and Internet courses to the curriculum.”

On the greatest challenge facing USG:

“Probably getting people involved. There’s only so much you can do. You can hang posters and stuff, but students will only get involved if they really want to.”

Senator for the College of Education, Health and Human Services

• Richard Fallon

sophomore physical education major

Sigma Chi fraternity

Boy Scouts of America

On why he is running for USG:

“I am running for USG in order to represent the students in the college and to ensure that policies made by the university are in the students’ best interests.”

On what he wants to do once in office:

“I want to make sure all students get to meet their new dean. I’ll definitely be working with Meet the Deans Week.”

College of Arts and Sciences

• Joe Derkin

sophomore political science major

College Republicans

Kent State Rugby Union

On why he’s running for USG:

“I really wanted to get involved. I heard a lot of good things about USS. I think it will be a good experience.”

On why he is the best person for the position:

“I have ties to a lot of other groups on campus, and I have friends in a lot of groups. I deal with the professors a lot, too, so I could work with both groups.”

On what he wants to do in office:

“I want to open up an e-mail address where all the students can e-mail me, and set up office hours where students can come in and talk to me.”

• Heather Seedhouse

sophomore biology and pre-medicine major

Townhall II crime victim advocate

American Medical Students Association

On why she decided to run for USG:

“I decided to try and give back to the Kent State community.”

On why she is the best person for the position:

“My personality is really outgoing and I’m a hard worker. I really care about the students and what kind of problems they have in the college.” On the biggest challenges she will face if elected:

“There’s a lot of diversity in the college. It’s the broadest college and unifying all of those people will be extremely difficult.”

Senator for the College of Nursing

• Josh Lea

junior nursing major

National Residence Hall Honorary

Jamaican Missionary Projects

On why he decided to run:

“I wanted to run because I thought there are a lot of things that you can change in the college.”

On USG’s newly added positions:

“I think opening the senator positions will be very hit or miss. I hope things go well, and I think they will.”

On running unopposed for his position:

“Personally I think it’s unfortunate. I think you can do a lot of change on USG. It’s one of the most prestigious positions on campus. People deserve options.”

Senator for the College of Technology

• Neal Konesky

senior construction management major

Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans

President of Construction Management Student Chapter

On why he decided to run:

“It’s a small school, and I want to better represent it and make sure the students are aware of events.”

On why he is the best person qualified for the position:

“I like to deal with people and listen to their concerns. I think I’ll be a good fit.”

On what he looks to do if elected:

“I’m supposed to be the liaison between the college and the government. So if I can help our students a little bit more than what’s already offered, that’s a big step.”

• Anna Wiest

junior flight technology major

Dispatcher at Kent State airport

On why she decided to run for USG:

“Because I wanted to get involved.”

On why she is the best person for the position:

“I’m very well-connected with students and professors within the college.”

Senator for the Honors College

• Tim Muir

junior electronic media production major

Sigma Chi fraternity

TV2 operations manager

On why he decided to run:

“I’ve always wanted to do it, and I think I have something to offer. Also, my Honors College advisor recommended it.”

On what he’ll do in office:

“I want to encourage involvement. I want students to take a bigger part in the Honors community, especially students who don’t live in Stopher and Johnson. (At Honors college events) You see mostly freshmen and sophomores, but you don’t really see older students.”

On what makes him qualified for the position:

“I think I’m a good leader. I’m very organized and I deal well with people. I’m personable.”

Senator for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design

• Nicholas Hurst

sophomore architecture major

Intramural flag football

On why he decided to run for USG:

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

On what he hopes to do if elected:

“I want to collaborate with the design schools outside of architecture. We can combine forces and really accomplish things.

On why so many architecture students are running for USG:

“All of us came (architecture candidates) to the decision that we will all work together.”

• Samuel Marcum

senior architecture major

On how he felt last Monday’s forum went:

“I think they went really well. It made it clear what the issues are and who’s the most qualified to get the job.”

On what he is looking forward to doing if elected:

“I think we’re a very small college and we feel like we have the least say in university affairs.”

On why so many architecture students are running for USG:

“We have a lot of things we think we can do to help the college.”

• Annissa Pontikos

junior architecture major

On what she wants to do if elected:

“I want to provide a college that’s more united, more collaborative.”

On why she is qualified:

“I was president of my high school student body, and I’ve already worked to make Taylor Hall a 24-hour hall.”

On what she has to offer as USG senator:

“I know a lot of the faculty and administrators on a first-name basis. I won’t hesitate to open my mouth. It’s going to take a lot to get heard, and it will take a loud mouth to do it.”

•Michael Turk

sophomore architecture major

American Institute of Architecture Students

On why he decided to run:

“I was really surprised that no one ran initially. I just wanted to get in there and help out.”

On why he is best qualified for the position:

“I’ve been the assistant manager for a bike shop in my home town since I was 15 years old, but I’ve got great networking and organization skills from that.”

On what he looks forward to doing if elected:

“Just the opportunity to be involved in other classes and to gain that perspective.”