International Student Senator Candidate

Hassan Alsmery

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Hassan Alsmery

Junior, BS Aerospace Engineering

"My name is Hassan Alsmery. I am a junior in Aerospace Engineering. In my second year, I joined the climbing program focused on sustainability innovation for sophomore students. That was my first step to developing key skills connected to professional communication and community engagement. After that, I became the social relations representative in the Saudi Student Association, where I got to understand international students' experiences on campus deeply. I am also honored to become part of the International Student Services office as an International Ambassador, where I got the chance to connect with many international students. I think there are lots of chances around us, but few international students are aware of the ones they can take advantage of on campus, or the options don't mesh with their cultural backgrounds. I want to build a setting where international students feel welcome and at ease participating in activities that could help them advance their social and professional abilities."

  • What makes you a qualified candidate for this position?

    "I am an international student, so I am facing the same issues that most international students face, so I understand their needs perfectly. I am also strongly connected to diverse and intercultural organizations and activities that are managed by international students, which gives me a deep insight into understanding multicultural organizations and environment dynamics. I believe that I have the leadership skills to manage and understand diverse environments since I have been to many activities and training sessions that teach management and awareness skills that a leader in such an environment needs; the latest one was the Florida International Leadership Conference. And honestly, my passion and desire to make sure international students have the best experience at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University take advantage of the hugely helpful opportunities in our campus either going to the movie nights that Touch N Go organizes, or attending the career expo, or even applying for student jobs. I think I didn't get the courage to explore the privileges we have as ERAU students until a late time, so I don't want other students to miss out on what I missed."

  • What is the purpose of the SGA Student Senate?

    "From my understanding, the purpose of the SGA International senate is to get closer to international students and hear from them to help improve their experience on campus. Also, address the issues that international students face on campus and eases the communication for international students to speak up about their issues on campus. I think the general purpose of the SGA senate is to provide the best experience for Embry Riddle Aeronautical Students and make sure their constituents' voice is heard. Also, the purpose of the SGA senate is to smoothen the communication and the process of hearing students' concerns, addressing them, and getting them resolved. SGA senates play a major role in connecting students and different departments together and help eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding in addressing problems. Generally speaking, I believe the main purpose of the SGA senate is to come to form its name -Student Government Association Senate- which means taking care of students first."

  • How do you plan to elevate and communicate issues that your constituents are concerned about to the Senate?

    "I plan first to make the international students comfortable sharing their concerns and needs and then communicate their issues to the senate in our meetings for emergency cases. If it is necessary, I may Make a one-to-one time to get students to address their issues comfortably, and if needed, I will get the appropriate person from the senate involved to get the concerns resolved smoothly and efficiently. I will also have a weekly report on the concerns and issues that international students have to get addressed in the senate's weekly meetings to see the issues from different angles and increase the possibility of getting the most proper solution. I will try to communicate more effectively by putting a tremendous effort into stating the concerns clearly and the expectations of the concerned providers so I can later give feedback that satisfies the situation they are concerned about."

  • How will you improve the ERAU experience for your constituents?

    "To improve the experience of the international students at our school, I have 3 areas to focus on 1- international student organizations 2- International students' involvement in campus activities 3- The experience of international students, especially those who are away from home and new coming students. For International student organizations, I plan to set weekly meetings with the organizations' leaders to address their issues, help them improve their members, and listen to what they need to give the best they can on campus. Regarding international students' involvement in campus activities, I will reach out to different departments on campus, like ISSS, to increase the chance of international students showing up and comfortably to the activities on campus. Also, I will manage to give opportunities to international students who are skilled in different skills like infographics, designing, ..etc. to teach other people and show their skills; thus, make international students have a good influence on each other and break that barrier they may have. I will make sure that the new international students will get the help they need by coordinating the possible ways to help them with the SSSI."