SUNY Empire has a new Student Government Association! The SGA’s mission is to ensure the student experience at SUNY Empire is excellent, and we accomplish this by listening, advocating, and engaging. The SGA serves as a community for students interested in politics, policy, and advocacy. The organization enables students to develop skills in leadership, project management, and issue-based communication.
Elections are being held for Executive Officers, (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), and Student Representatives (2 seats for each school) over the next weeks.
Now, it is the time to vote on who you, the students, would like to represent you.
Voting closes on Friday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m.
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President Nominees
Student: Azania "Sammie" Maitland
Program: Undergraduate
Area of Study: Business, Management, and Economics with a concentration in Public Administration
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
I am the founder of the SUNY Empire SGA and currently serve as interim President. It is my mission to ensure this organization continues to have a smooth and impactful transition as it becomes a permanent entity in the College’s overall governance structure. In the 2021-2022 Academic Year I intend to ensure there is reform in some elements of the mentor process so that every student has a working relationship with their mentor that can be nothing short of excellent. Along with launching other initiatives, I will continue the process of networking this SGA to the College community as a whole so the necessary resources and connections are available for this organization to have the ability and authority to carry out its mission long-term.
To vote for me is to ultimately vote for yourself, because my mission is to ensure student voices are heard. I am listening, advocating, engaging, and here for you.
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Vice President Nominees
Student: Ann Sconiers
Program: Undergraduate Studies
Area of Study: Business
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
I believe students should vote for me first and foremost due to my innate leadership skills; it is almost second nature. I have been in a leadership role almost all my life, with my most challenging while yet most rewarding is my role as a parent. My character is one with a foundation based upon integrity, honesty, and compassion. Leadership is a responsibility I take very seriously. I genuinely care about the students of SUNY Empire and the communities they represent. It is my hope to be part of the governing team at SGA to help build us stronger; especially during such unprecedented times and the challenges that come with that. My leadership style is of a transformational leader. Listening to the voice and needs of the students is something I welcome and would not take for granted. Also, I am team oriented and always want what is best for the whole. I have diverse managerial experience which has mentally and emotionally strengthened me as a person, which I believe would help any person serving as president. Since joining SGA this semester, I have been nominated to serve as the interim treasurer, invited in on meetings and committees for the planning of a retreat, Student Activity Fee budgeting, as well as moderating forums. Serving the students within an institution I am humbled to attend would be an absolute honor.
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Secretary Nominees
Student: Ronald Freeman
Program: Graduate Studies
Area of Study: Social and Public Policy
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
I, with this, nominate myself for the Secretary of the SUNY Empire State College Student Government Association's executive officer position.
I have served as the Interim Secretary and believe that I have brought a wealth of experience to the executive body. Moving forward, recording the minutes and documenting the SGA events will have an increased level of importance as this is our inaugural year representing the students of SUNY Empire. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee in shaping the SGA for the future office holders to come.
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Student Representative Nominees (some seats still vacant) |
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Student: Susan Alvarado
Program: Undergraduate Studies
Area of Study: Addiction Studies
School: School of Human Services
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
SUNY Empire has made it possible for me to continue my education. With me being a full-time mom of 6 wonderful sons and working full time to support them I wouldn’t be able to get my education in any other way then online. I have been able to be part of many activities hosted by Empire state virtually. I believe that being a student representative can help me give back to the school as I have got from them. The one event that comes to mind for me was the fall event in 2020. It was hosted by the SGA and I meant so many great people. We had a whole lot of fun and got to know each other. I want to be able to be part of this experiences for others as well. I would like to work on a team to bring experiences to students like I have been able to get in the past. I want to learn how to not only be a voice for myself but also my fellow classmates as well.
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Student: Lisa Brandler
Program: Undergraduate Studies
Area of Study: Cultural Studies
School: School of Arts and Humanities
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
I started going to the Connects Study sessions, where I met Liza Rochelson. She invited me to an SGA all-hands meeting. I was looking to get more involved within the school and I found that the SGA is a great way of doing so. I have found SUNY Empire itself is extremely supportive of its student body and I want to be a part of students supporting students. My name is Lisa Brandler, and I am an undergraduate student studying Cultural Studies, with a concentration in Literature. I consider myself a people person. I love talking and interacting with people. I love being up on stage performing for people. Basically, I like people. The platform of online schooling is very new to me, and it is very different when it comes to interacting with other students. While it’s harder to connect to people than in a traditional setting, I’m enjoying finding creative ways to connect to people. SUNY Connects is one of the creative platforms I’ve found helpful in connecting to other students. I really enjoy creating relationships, both between other people between myself and other people. I want to give those who are nervous about speaking up a voice and help them find each other. When we work as a community, we can get more done than a single person can.
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Student: Mariah Monroe
Program: Undergraduate Studies
Area of Study: Mathematics
School: School of Science, Math and Technology
Why should the student body elect you for this position?
As our world is changing and our Student Government Association expands, it is important to elect student representatives that are willing to put their full support toward our student body.
A Student Representative should be communicative, a driven leader, and ethical. Clear communication is necessary through all professional and academic levels careers. Communication allows for processes to begin, ideas to spread, and decisions to be made. A Student Representative must also be a leader to present ideas in a desirable way and maintain balance between pushing the limits. The most important of all three is the ethical quality. Our SGA is built with a group of ethical people and we should maintain this standard to advance our organization an keep it in good standing with administration.
I believe I would be a great representative for our SGA in this year of 2021-2022. My desire to do moral good is built into my genes. My motivation is built upon being a part of the advancement of this organization. Thank you all for your consideration.
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Student Representatives Still Needed!
Student Representatives are the voice of the student body, they represent undergraduate and graduate students from every school within the College, and there are two dedicated seats for international students.
Student Representatives host events, town halls, and ensure their constituents’ voices, opinions, and needs are heard. No leadership experience is necessary to be a Representative, but you must be able to attend monthly meetings, work in teams, and see initiatives through to completion.
Below is a complete list of schools within the college.
Undergraduate Schools
- School of Business
- School of Human Services
- School of Science, Math and Technology
- School of Social and Behavioral Studies
- School of Arts and Humanities
Graduate and other Schools
- Harry Van Arsdale School for Labor Studies
- School of Nursing and Allied Health
- School for Graduate Studies
- Center for International Education
* 2 seats per school are available
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