Ashley Willems-Phaneuf
Junior, Communications
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: Americorps (Vermont Youth Development Corps), Principals Council, Student Council Executive Board, High School Field Hockey, High School Track, High School Class Public Relations Officer
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the USM Student Government Association?
For the student body, I would like to make a difference in the university and effectively and proactively research issues and try to remedy them. I would also like to serve as a commuter voice on the senate. Personally, I would like to learn how the student senate runs and how student fees are spent.
What personal qualities will you bring to the USM Student Government Association?
Organization, a motivated personality, experience in both student governments and on boards, experience working with non-profits, a general motivation to get involved and make a difference.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
Being an active, voting student ensure that your issues are voiced to the members of the student body that can actively change them. Researching candidate’s platforms and concerns will guarantee you know who represents your voice the best. Not voting is a passive way to say that you don’t care about who is making the decisions that are directly affecting you.
Ashley Wing
Senior, Political Science
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: Cultural Immersion (UMO)–Puebla, Mexico, East End Kids Catering-providing food services to underprivileged communities, Pre-law Society (UMO)
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the USM Student Government Association?
Represent the most desired needs/wants of commuter and all students on campus and work to accomplish these goals and desires in a timely manner.
What personal qualities will you bring to the USM Student Government Association?
Approachable, friendly, and able to accomplish tasks/desires of student body.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
Students need to vote in order to put into office those representatives that not only meet their qualifications but stand for what they believe in and want.
Dariya K Polyakova
Freshman, Pre-med/Nursing
Running for: Student Senate Resident Seat
Previous Activities: Politics Club President, Spanish Club, Community Action, Philosophy Club, Psychology Club, Cheerleading, Outdoor/Indoor Track, Democratic Office
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the Senate?
I plan on working with students and faculty to meet the goals of the USM system.
What personal qualities will you bring to the Senate?
I’ll bring my hard work and enthusiasm along with my diversity to be able to relate to students on many levels.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
Their opinions together as a student body will make a difference around the USM campus.
Deandra Guidi
Undeclared
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: Student Government, volleyball (captain senior year)
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the Senate?
I plan to get better educated about the school as a whole in order to gain a lasting knowledge that could be imported to other students in years to come.
What personal qualities will you bring to the Senate?
I’m a leader. When I feel like people are osing their grip of the reins, I speak up and offer advice. I’m an excellent organizer and am analytical.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
If people don’t vote for someone that they believe would do good things for USM and its students, they’ll probably allow people who simply don’t care.
Keith Nelson
Senior, History
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: Model United Nations, Floor Hockey
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the Senate?
I would like to help commuters feel more connected with USM residents and be more involved with USM.
What personal qualities will you bring to the Senate?
My strong leadership abilities, great communication, task and goal oriented, I represent the people of who I run for.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
To help them bring change and a hind sight to start this 2009 experience for USM and to build a brighter future.
Anna Ivanova
Freshman, Risk Management and Insurance
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: In high school, I played A LOT of tennis. It’s more than a sport in my life, but I also was inolved in the NETZA project, executive council, Rotary, Interact, and Young Women’s Lives
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the Senate?
I want to be a vocal member of the students, a voice for the students. I’m still getting familiarized.
What personal qualities will you bring to the Senate?
I’m passionate about what I am involved in. I’m cautious but follow through to forming my own opinion and thoughts. The most important thing is to be genuine.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
This is our school, we are given the opportunity to have a voice, why not use it?
Katherine Hulit
Junior, Gender Studies/Philosophy
Running for: Student Senate At-Large Seat
Previous Activitiesz: I am currently co-chair of the philosophy symposium. In previous years I have been active with the gender studies student organization and the women’s resource center. Outside of school, I am an active member of the local arts community playing in several bands as well as organizing and promoting shows.
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the USM Student Government Association?
I would really like to increase the involvement between USM and the local arts community, such as organize shows/events on campus. My number one goal is to make USM a fun place to be a student.
What personal qualities will you bring to the USM Student Government Association?
I am a non-traditional student at USM as well as a non-traditional thinker in general. I will bring a unique perspective to USM student government.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
Because I am fun and awesome and I want to make USM fun and awesome!
John Turner
Sophomore, Undeclared
Running for: Student Senate Commuter Seat
Previous Activities: I am an active member in the Delta Chi fraternity.
What do you plan to accomplish during your term in the Senate?
I would like to give the students of USM a chance to voice their opinions and feel comfortable talking to the student government in order to make changes throughout the school.
What personal qualities will you bring to the USM Student Government Association?
I will bridge the gap between students and the student government and I will bring the “greek” view into the student senate.
Why is it important for your fellow students to vote in this year’s student government election?
It is important for students to get involved and vote for students officials. It is important for students to be informed and vote for candidates who they feel will make positive changes in this school.