Selvin Bacon-Velasquez of SGA Senate | Photo by Monica Brutto } The Wright State Guardian
The senators of the Student Government Association consist of a largely new cohort, each with personal plans and goals for the upcoming fall semester.
New faces and returning members
On Aug. 12, SGA members old and new converged in the Student Union for the SGA retreat. The organization bonded and discussed the plans for SGA this semester; the senate especially stood out with its array of new faces.
College of Science and Math
Senior Physiology and Neuroscience major Hannah Davidson, College of Science and Math Senator, is starting a personal first year in SGA and joined to advocate for students.
“There’s a lot of talk about the first-year classes that students go into. I think improving those and improving the student experience and making them feel like they belong in science and mathematics. More events and more communication and connection with faculty and other students [is a goal],” Davidson said, describing intentions for the year.
College of Liberal Arts
Junior Political Science major Vivianne Mellon is the College of Liberal Arts Senator. This is Mellon’s first time being a senator.
Mellon wants to be a voice for students who may face discrimination and bring the values of diversity, inclusivity, creativity and professionalism. The COLA senator also wants to strengthen relationships among students and faculty.
“I think the things that can be most improved is the relationship from student to faculty, whether that be the dean, the dean’s board or an academic advisor,” Mellon said.
College of Health, Education and Human Services
Second-year graduate Clinical Psychology major Hailey Rainier joins as the College of Health,
Education and Human Services Senator, which has been vacant for three years. This is Rainier’s first year in SGA, as Rainier joined to be more involved on campus and make changes that are productive for the student body.
Rainier spoke on various goals, noting particular aspirations for connection and awareness.
“[A goal is] to learn more about what students in CHEH need and [to] try and gain a sense of community between the colleges. One thing in particular I want to do is have a self-defense seminar type of thing,” Rainier said.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
In his second year in SGA, electrical engineering major Cade Mason hopes to improve communication and efficiency among the members of SGA. Mason wants to give back to the community and has some specific goals for CECS.
"This year, I hope to help more engineering clubs get started and gain members, as we have such passionate and talented people running these clubs, so I hope that I can help them reach their goals," Mason said. "[I want to] help all engineering students in general get more involved at campus."
Residential
Fourth-year Sports Science major Salliea Holland, Residential Senator, joined at the behest of Holland’s community director after participating in an apartment council. This is Holland’s first semester in the senate and SGA.
Holland spoke about a personal goal for this year.
“Making sure the international students feel more validated or feel like their concerns are being heard would be one of the main goals,” Holland said.
Commuter
Senior Fine Arts major Selvin Bacon-Velasquez is the Commuter Senator. Bacon-Velasquez served in SGA the last quarter of last year, but this is now his first full-year term. As the Commuter Student Association President and Commuter Senator, Bacon-Velasquez represents all commuter students—students who make up the majority of WSU’s campus.
“My goal of being a member of SGA is to make sure that commuter students are comfortable enough to the point they come up and talk to us and make sure they feel heard, considering Wright State’s population is mainly commuters,” Bacon-Velasquez said.
SGA has not filled the Raj Soin College of Business Senator or Lake Campus Senator positions yet.
To stay updated about SGA, including about meetings, bylaws and the constitution, visit the organization’s Engage page. The first SGA meeting will be on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. in the Student Union Atlantis A/B room.
