Kyle Navarro / The Avion
Freshman, BS Aerospace Engineering
"When I first arrived at Embry-Riddle, I started out as a part of the Discover Scholars program. This program helped me and other first generation students get acclimated to college life. This program helped me become an active member of campus, getting involved in many RSO’s and other organizations. In terms of campus engagement,I am the secretary for N.A.S.A (Native American Student Association), a member of First Gen club, and I was also nominated to join this year’s Emerging Leaders program. I believe leaders are built, and these leadership experiences have brought me the confidence to know I can be the best person to fulfill this role to its max and support my goal of being as involved as I can with the campus and my fellow students. As Senator, I would be able to serve the engineering body while also representing multiple different groups within the student body, such as women in STEM, first-generation students, and other diverse communities for the COE."
What makes you a qualified candidate for this position?
"The key qualities I look for in a leader are organization and people skills. These are the same qualities I would search for in the candidate I would want for COE, someone who knows they can fulfill the role to its fullest potential. When I ran for secretary for the Native American Student Association, I grappled with the question of how to convincingly convey my capability to be the inaugural secretary. I decided to be transparent. I showed my meticulous Outlook calendar. I showed that I scheduled everything down to the minute, or at least I tried. While some find it insane to plan down to the minute, the calendar is how I stay organized and help my days go by smoothly. Successfully applying this approach in a prior leadership role within a different student organization serves as tangible evidence of my organizational skills, a quality I am eager to bring to the COE role. This year, my nomination to the Emerging Leaders Program further enriched my leadership journey. This program taught me what it really takes to be a leader, and a revolving characteristic I noticed was people skills. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I engaged with diverse individuals, honing my ability to connect with others. Initially uncomfortable, this experience evolved into a newfound confidence, allowing me to initiate conversations and foster inclusivity. The perseverance I have shown for both people skills and organization is why I believe I am fit for this candidacy and fill this role to its max."
What is the purpose of the SGA Student Senate?
"In my perspective, serving on the student government senate equates to being a student advocate. Holding a position in the Senate means you are the voice of the student body. It involves shouldering the responsibility of voicing the concerns and aspirations of the student body and bringing them up the flagpole, ensuring their perspectives are elevated to the highest levels. While student advocacy stands out as my biggest responsibility, I also recognize the significance of fostering collaboration between different branches of the student government. Going between different branches, such as treasury and president, you must be able to stay open-minded and see both sides to every statement. To be able to maintain a functioning government, you must have people in the middle ground holding the peace, for which I think the Senate must hold this responsibility. Balancing the role of a passionate advocate for students and a mediator between branches is no small feat. I firmly believe that I possess the necessary skills to handle these responsibilities. My commitment to student advocacy, coupled with an open-minded approach, positions me as a candidate capable of fulfilling the multifaceted role of a senate member with precision and dedication."
How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about to the Senate?
"To elevate and communicate the concerns of my constituents, I plan to implement a multifaceted approach that prioritizes accessibility and active engagement. I would promote going out of my way to introduce myself to the College of Engineering student body and show that my main responsibility as a student senator is student advocacy. As for active engagement, I will introduce a platform for students to voice concerns through technology, allowing anonymity. Introducing this open dialogue will show the student body that I am here for them. My game plan to introduce myself to the COE student body is to go to different engineering clubs and introduce myself and also explain my goals as the senate. I will explain my goal of having full student advocacy. I want to be an outlet for COE concerns but actually, be able to possibly fix their problems and be reassuring. I will also table in the COE building, allowing students walking past who aren't in clubs to voice their opinions and concerns. Another way I will provide open dialogue is to have a big digital footprint on the COE senate. I will create forums for people to voice concerns, provide anonymity, and make it easier for students who would not like to tell someone in person their concerns. This footprint could be a website or a social media that can take direct messages from the student body.
To enhance the COE building, my primary focus will be championing improved study spaces that cater specifically to the needs of engineering students."
How will you improve the ERAU experience for your constituents?
"As an AE student, most of the time in my day is captured by studying. While the computer lab is a valuable resource, I believe there's an untapped potential for a dedicated study room designed to foster concentration and cater to the unique demands of preparing for important engineering exams. Student rooms in the COE building would provide focused and beneficial study sessions to the student body. In addition to physical improvements, I am staunchly committed to advocating for mental health within the College of Engineering. It's a facet often overlooked in the face of the rigorous course load engineering students bear. Mental health should be the main concern for students and should not be taken as a joke. By raising awareness, fostering a supportive environment, and ensuring access to mental health resources, we can create a culture within the COE building that recognizes and prioritizes the well-being of its students. Engineering is hard, but with the correct precautions (good mental health), you are able to tackle that course load much more efficiently."
