Andrew Zubyk / The Avion
Junior, BS Aerospace Engineering
"I am an international student from Nigeria, I enjoy playing the piano. I came to the US when I was 16 years old to begin my bachelor’s degree. Towards the end of last semester, I was appointed the Housing Senator of Residence Life Senator, and I began my duties this Spring. Currently, I am working on a project to build more water fountains in the student village. I would love to serve the student body in this position because I believe the voices of the students matter, and I can help create a change, especially in the Housing department. My top attributes are persistence and hard work. In addition, I have lived in residence halls: Doolittle, Apollo, New Residence Hall 2, and Stimpson. I will be able to tailor projects according to the various residence halls. I hope to be able to launch ice machines, include skateboard racks for all residence halls and reinstate key card access for the rooms. In addition, I would hope to improve the relationship with the student body through communication."
What makes you a qualified candidate for this position?
"I am persistent and hardworking. I keep working even when I don’t see the results, which is my best skill. This means that I will persevere to ensure that every project is completed and every need of the student body is satisfied so long it is within reasonable bounds. In addition to character traits, I have lived in the school’s housing for three years and counting. This shows that I have experience in student housing, and I can draw projects from my experience to improve my constituents' ERAU experience. I have also held various leadership positions ranging from RSOs (student clubs) to being a Housing Office assistant, a Campus tour guide, and a Teaching Assistant for Fundamental Engineering courses. During my time in these various positions, I have harnessed and developed skills that will be relevant to this position, such as effective communication skills, teamwork skills, critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and much more."
What is the purpose of the SGA Student Senate?
"The purpose of the Student Government Association Senate is to be the communication link between the student body and the Student Government Association. This communication link aims to ensure that the Student Body’s concerns are being heard and addressed accordingly. The Student Government Association Senate is also charged with voting on behalf of the student body concerning matters that are urgent and ensuring that the bylaws, rules, and regulations being passed are favorable to the student body. The Student Government Association Senate is also charged with carrying out projects that benefit their constituents and improve their experience on campus. The Student Government Association Senate is also responsible for communicating with the school administration (faculty) on behalf of the student body. Most importantly, the Student Government Association Senate is in charge of keeping the Student body informed and updated on what is going on in the affairs of the Student Government Association."
How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about to the Senate?
"I first plan on making sure there is smooth communication between me and my student body. This is by ensuring I have consistent office hours, attending tabling events, and making sure I have an open means of communication that my constituents can reach me with. Once there is now smooth communication between the student body and me, I will be able to communicate the issues and concerns of my constituents with the Student Government Association Senate. I would make sure to represent the voice of my constituents during the weekly senate meetings. In the event of an urgent case that needs to be brought up before the weekly meeting, I will use the current communication for the Senate via our Microsoft Teams or Discord group chat to respectfully inform the Senate and arrange for an emergency meeting if the need arises. I would also work with divisions such as The Avion to produce short memos for the public, which would also be available to the Senate."
How will you improve the ERAU experience for your constituents?
"I intend to launch a project to create ice machines in the residence halls to improve the ERAU experience of my students. I also intend to continue my project of increasing the number of water fountains in the student village. I plan to build a relationship with my student constituents by creating awareness of my office hours so they can come in for one and also by ensuring I attend residence hall activities to foster a social relationship with my constituents. Building a relationship with my student body is proportional to improving their ERAU experience because once both parties can communicate the issues present. They would be able to work towards a solution. Another project I intend to launch is the skateboard racks in front of the residence halls to remove inconvenience from my constituents. I intend to launch projects that listen to the student body and always remind them that I am here to serve my constituents."
