Dylan Kowlessar / The Avion
Freshman, BS Aerospace Engineering
"I have always been closely connected with my community and would love to be a part of this one even further. Running for this position has always been my goal since I stepped foot on campus in my first semester. I hope to gain further leadership experience here and use my current knowledge to help grow and develop the community. Helping others has always been a crucial part of my life, and it is something I love doing. I believe I will be an excellent fit for this position as I have dedicated over 400 hours to community service through food drives, road cleanups, projects, and more. From educating kids in high school, building robots, and hiking in the Rocky Mountains, I have done a lot, and I can only hope to achieve greater greatness starting here."
What makes you a qualified candidate for this position?
"Guiding Scouts through the Rocky Mountains on a two-week trek was an eye-opener for me. Many difficulties arose where I'd have to come up with a solution on the spot. A Neo Rev motor broke during a match, and then I fixed it within a couple of minutes so the robot could work in the next match and win it. Through my experiences, I have been able to achieve many great things in the heat of the moment. In all of these experiences, I have been able to figure out the problem and find a solution in a timely manner. My quick thinking ability, paired with previous leadership roles, allows me a wonderful opportunity to be a senator of the College of Engineering. My understanding of collaborating with teammates on a common goal, whether it's leading initiatives, fostering collaboration among students, or working alongside others, I am committed to cooperation within the community. With my knowledge and resources, I can comprehend complex concepts, policies, and issues, enabling me to make decisions and effectively advocate for the needs of engineering students."
What is the purpose of the SGA Student Senate?
"The SGA represents the diverse student body to ensure that everyone's voices are heard and addressed within the university government structure. Also, the Senate has the authority to propose, debate, and pass legislation that affects the student body. As well as allocating funds for various student organizations, reviewing funding requests, assessing their alignment with SGA, and distributing resources in a fair manner. In addition, the SGA senate advocates for student interests to improve academic experiences, campus life, and overall student satisfaction. The engagement with university administration, faculty, and staff to address concerns and implement positive changes. The SGA Senate provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through collaboration, participation, and decision-making. Furthermore, the SGA Senate engages with the community and fosters a sense of belonging among the students in the community. In summary, The SGA Senate plays a vital role in representing student interests, advocating for positive change, promoting campus involvement, fostering leadership development, and nurturing a positive, vibrant campus community."
How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about to the Senate?
"As a Senator of the College of Engineering, I plan to elevate and communicate issues that students are concerned about to the Senate through a strategic approach. I will actively engage with students through regular meetings and social media and by attentively listening to their concerns, so I can better understand the issues that matter most to them. I plan to establish regular communication channels to discuss the student body's issues. These channels would serve as a platform for students to voice their opinions and concerns, as well as stay informed about the Senate and upcoming changes. Similar to communication channels, I would like to implement surveys where the student body can input their opinions, which would allow the Senate to have a wide range of data to look through to help improve student life. Also, by collaborating with engineering student organizations and clubs, I can gather their insights. By working together with engineering students, voices are heard more easily. By employing such strategies, I feel confident that the communication of the concerns of engineering students to the Senate will be elevated, ensuring that their voices are heard and addressed."
How will you improve the ERAU experience for your constituents?
"As a Senator of the College of Engineering, I will be committed to enhancing the ERAU experience for the constituents. I will advocate for increased mental health resources on campus and support services. This may include expanding existing counseling services and implementing stress-relief programs to support students' overall well-being. Also, I will collaborate with career services for professional development workshops for engineers. These will help focus professional development skills such as interview preparation, resume building, and strategies for networking tailored to engineering students. These workshops will help students prepare for the future and enhance their competitiveness in the job market. In addition, I will work to facilitate alumni networking events to connect current engineering students with successful alumni in their respective fields. This will provide students with valuable insights, advice, and networking opportunities. By focusing on these areas, I aim to create a well-rounded experience for engineering students by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to be successful."