Christopher Blowers | |
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Campus | DuBois |
Major | Science Pre-major |
Class Status | Third-Year |
Relevant Experience | During my senior year of high school, I was elected as the president for my school's division of the National Honors Society where I had to be a leader for discussion and someone who, alongside my fellow NHS board members, had to make the best decisions possible for the common interest of my class. At this time, I was also extremely involved in the music department at my school. I was elected the president of the extracurricular show choir group, having very similar responsibilities in this position as in my NHS presidency. Lastly, I acted as one of two section leaders for the percussion section of the band. Outside of leadership positions, I was also very active in volunteering for Key Club and playing lead roles for the musicals in Drama Club. |
Statement of Qualifications | I believe that I am a strong candidate for student senator, and that I would be an excellent fit for the position if elected. While I may not have as much experience as other candidates, I am incredibly eager to gain what I lack. In addition, while my experiences may not be vast in quantity, the few leadership positions that I have had the opportunity to hold have been extremally formative and preparational for such a role as senator. Academically, I am a determined student who currently holds a 3.96 overall GPA, and have kept all A's in my classes during this semester. In addition, I have involvement with two separate research projects at the DuBois campus, and in my spare time outside of college I work as an EMT. I am committed to my education and wish to improve upon the system for both myself and my peers. I believe that senator would be the perfect position to do my part in furthering the education and quality of life for all Penn State students, but especially for those at our Commonwealth Campuses. |
Maria Catalina | |
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Campus | Fayette |
Major | Accounting |
Class Status | Fourth-Year |
Relevant Experience | I am currently a third year student at Penn State Fayette, and I have been a part of our campus Student Government Association for three years! In my first year, I served as our Secretary/Treasurer. During my second and third year, I have served as the President of our SGA! I have absolutely loved serving in this role, along with completing other responsibilities that have come with the position. Within the role of President, I have had many opportunities to speak with Fayette and University-wide administrators to discuss problems, projects, and initiatives that interest our student body. I have presided over multiple committees, planned meetings and events, progressed projects and initiatives by meeting with faculty, staff, and administration, and publicly addressed the campus and surrounding community in multiple speaking roles. Because I have been a part of our SGA Executive Board all three years of my college career, I have also been a voting member of our Fayette Faculty Senate since I was a first-year student. I have given reports at each senate meeting since I was first elected as our SGA President. I have also served on faculty senate committees as a student representative, including our Academic and Curricular Affairs Committee. I have always enjoyed being involved with these meetings and getting to have a say in our campus governance and decisions! I have also had three years of experience representing our campus within the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, and two years of that has been as a voting council member. In this role, I have been a part of creating, editing, and voting upon legislation that advocates for the needs of the entire Penn State Commonwealth. This past year, I also served as a member of the CCSG Constitutional Review Committee, where we analyze and make revisions to the constitution to make it more transparent and reader-friendly. CCSG has taught me a lot about advocacy and how to progress initiatives at a University Park level. I have served in many other roles on our campus within clubs, organizations, and other programs. I am currently a part of our THON team (and have been a dancer for 2 years straight), New Student Orientation Team, Peer Mentoring Program, Business Club (Vice President), Roaring Lion Newspaper (Business Manager), Student Activities Advisory Council, Christian Club, Garden Club, and our Academic Honor Society (Vice President). |
Statement of Qualifications | My name is Maria Catalina, and I am currently a third-year student at Penn State Fayette. I am a double-major, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. I am very excited at the opportunity to run for the position of University Faculty Senate Student Senator! As an experienced and devoted student leader, I am well prepared to serve in an influential role that represents the voice of students across the commonwealth. I have served as the official voice of the Fayette student body for the last two years as our Student Government Association President, and now I am ready to take my passion for advocacy and leadership to the next level. Throughout my leadership experience, I have had the honor to meet and converse with Fayette and University Park administration. When meeting with President Neeli Bendapudi this past fall, she said something that changed my leadership philosophy forever. She exclaimed, " I do not deserve to lead if I am not prepared to serve." Dr. Bendapudi taught me that a great student leader must serve and support those around them by connecting with peers and colleagues, gauging their needs, and working tirelessly to advocate for positive change. I took this lesson to heart, and have applied it within my leadership roles. I believe that leadership can be represented by an inverted pyramid, whereas the leader is the base who supports the rest of the team or group, rather than viewing the leader as the boss or the one on top of the pyramid. I have taken every opportunity to get involved at the Fayette campus, and I have gained valuable experience and knowledge that will support me in the role of UFS Student Senator. My involvement and leadership roles include: Student Government Association (President), Student Activities Advisory Council (Member), Student Initiated Fee Board Committee (Co-Chair), Christian Club (Member), THON (2-time dancer and 2-time Robert E. Eberly Award Winner), Fayette Faculty Senate (Voting Member), Garden Club (Member), Peer Mentor Program, New Student Orientation Team, Roaring Lion Newspaper (Business Manager and Writer), Pride Alliance Working for Students (Member), Lion Ambassadors (Member), Business Club (Vice President), and Pi Sigma Phi Academic Honor Society (Member and Vice President). My high level of involvement has helped me to grow as a leader, as a student, and as a person. I am proud to be involved with so many organizations while upholding a high GPA as a double-major. I have developed excellent time management skills, networking and public speaking techniques, and I have learned how to support others and connect with those around me. I have also learned the importance of our voice as students, as we can make positive change on our campuses and across the university with proper advocacy. As a nominee for the UFS Student Senator position, you can trust that I will put my full effort into the role by best advocating for the changes that students desire. I will always uphold the Penn State values while supporting the student voice and perspective. I will support students by promoting the voice of the commonwealth and advocating for all students of all backgrounds. Thank you for your consideration and thank you for the opportunity to serve commonwealth students! |
Matt Janson | |
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Campus | Hazleton |
Major | Health Policy & Administration |
Class Status | Third-Year |
Relevant Experience | I am the president of the Lion Ambassadors at the Hazleton campus. I have worked very closely with several different departments across my campus including Strategic Communications, Admissions, Campus Development, and the Office of the Chancellor. In my role as president, I have been able to organize several events on campus for both students and the community. By working with our community partners like Amazon, we have been able to organize events on campus that invite the community to spend an evening with us through a trunk or treat and an egg hunt. Now that the pandemic and COVID restrictions have subsided, I have been a big supporter of hosting community events on campus. Additionally on campus I am a tutor for statistics and algebra. I was also named student of the month for January for my involvement on campus and was nominated for the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award for my commitment to my campus. When I’m not on campus I work as an EMT for Geisinger Life Flight, and I moonlight as an assistant cook at a small local Italian restaurant. |
Statement of Qualifications | During my two years I have been motivated by the idea to implement changes that benefit the students, faculty, staff, and community. I would love the opportunity to be elected for the University faculty student senator for the commonwealth campuses to bring ideas from commonwealth campuses to University Park. It is important to me that every student receives the same experience that Penn State has to offer regardless of their campus. While attending the student leadership conference this past summer at Altoona’s campus, I was not only able to share our ideas with other campuses, but I was also able to bring ideas back to my campus from others. Being on the faculty senate I plan to not only represent the students from the Hazleton campus, but to represent students from all the Northeastern PA campuses. If elected I would project the voice of the students, so their needs are heard and met. |
Eva Wilstermann-Luna | |
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Campus | Greater Allegheny |
Major | Social Sciences & Humanities Pre-major |
Class Status | First-Year |
Relevant Experience | I have worked at conferences and I have taken leadership in current organizations on my campus, I am also participating in the current Diversity in Health Conference where we have to work in groups and share ideas; I am, as well, a current lion ambassador. I am planning to open my own club for Chess or AI ( I am still unsure). I keep myself up in my classes which gives me good skills in organization and I am very comfortable with public speaking and brainstorms. |
Statement of Qualifications | leadership skills -cultural experience -Involved in the campus -3 languages speaker (currently studying a 4th one) -Critical Thinking -Problem-Solving - Organization -Ability to manage time -Communication and coordination |
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Patti Wenrick via email or at 814-863-0327