As Seattle University continues to tackle issues old and new, it is important to have a team of leaders in Student Government ready to handle anything that comes their way. no matter your grade or your goals, This group is here to advocate for you.

Here are your newly-elected SGSU representatives for the 2014-2015 school year.

Freshman Rep

TANISH BHOJWANI

Academic year: Freshman
Major: Finance

Bhojwani knows that becoming educated about campus issues can be difficult, especially for freshmen. However, he thinks that it is important for freshmen to learn about issues like unionization, divestment, gender inclusive restrooms and the smoking policy to have an involved and intellectual college experience.

Bhojwani has educated himself about these issues and plans to inform his class about the most important developments in recent years by organizing forums. Some of the other projects he has considered include creating a lounge area or recreation hall for various grades to interact and mingle.

Come talk to him about: The American Marketing Association, soccer, yoga and exploring the city in whichever direction his heart takes him.

COMMUTER REP

LYNN DOAN

Academic year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-Major

Doan’s commute from her home in South Seattle to the Seattle U campus takes almost two hours by bus every day. Like other commuters, she is often concerned with timing and has to be mindful about traffic, whether buses are available and the dangers of using the bus late at night. Doan has noticed that commuters often miss important informational and social events because of their commutes, which consequently makes commuters feel excluded from the community. She plans to advocate for commuters and make events more accessible so the school can be more considerate of commuter students’ schedules. Doan also wants to increase the practice of using inclusive language so that commuters are better represented in the Seattle U community. In addition to improving language to be more inclusive and making school events more accessible, she hopes to implement more free or inexpensive lockers available on campus for commuters. Speaking with commuter students on campus and in the various collegiums will help her find and target concerns.

Come talk to her about: Drawing, photography and service learning.

DISABILITIES REP

BRADEN WILD

Academic year: Freshman
Major: International Studies

The Students with Disabilities Representative position is a new SGSU position this year that is not yet as defined as the others. Wild is not afraid to test the boundaries of what he can do for students with disabilities and will define his role throughout the year. Some of his biggest goals include making sure that issues such as divestment and large on-campus events like Quadstock are not exclusionary with regards to physical access or language. While positive changes will look different case-by-case, Wild will reach out to students with disabilities and listen to their experiences so that he can learn what is needed to make them feel more included. Overall, Wild wants to increase the degree of attention given to this community so that they are aware of the resources available to them. He has already spoken with relevant entities on campus such as the Disabilities Services office. He plans to further educate himself about the resources on campus and how they work to enrich students’ experience and promote beneficial conversations.

Come talk to him about: Business clubs, Seattle University Enactus Team, current events and the Model United Nations.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REP

AHN (JADEN) PHAN

Academic Year: Junior
Major: Accounting

Phan is originally from Vietnam, and this is his first year at Seattle U as a transfer student from South Seattle College. During his time on campus he has noticed that there is a lack of interaction between international students and the local community. While he hopes to increase international students’ interaction with other students, he also wants international students to become more engaged with the city around them. He believes that encouraging international students to interact with American culture will enrich their academic and social experiences. He plans on working closely with the International Student Center to organize and endorse events such as the annual international dinner. He believes that increasing student knowledge about cultural programs on campus will help band international students and local residents together so that they can share their respective experiences and knowledge. He wants to give everyone on a campus a chance to connect and interact with those who may have different backgrounds and perspectives.

Come talk to him about: Soccer, piano and watching movies.

ATHLETIC REP

SARAH COLUCCIO

Academic year: Junior
Major: Accounting

Coluccio knows that pride is a major factor to the success of a school. She believes that if more people exhibit school pride, then more people will be encouraged to apply and attend Seattle U, and that will lead to the development of new and improved programs. In her years at Seattle U and as a women’s soccer team member, she has seen an increase of school spirit and hopes to further develop this as much as she can as Athletic Representative. She plans on increasing spirit by getting more of the student body to attend sporting events and encouraging athletes to support more non-athletic related activities on campus.

Come talk to her about: F. Scott Fitzgerald, going outdoors and acrylic painting on canvas.

FRESHMAN REP

ISHEETA TEWARI

Academic year: Freshman
Major: Psychology, Premed

Tewari believes that her most important task as Freshmen Representative is unifying her class so that they have a strong feeling of community throughout their four years at Seattle U. She intends to plan several activities this year so that freshmen can meet each other and find out who is in their grade. While she has had an enjoyable experience on campus so far, she knows that not all students are enjoying their time and may be struggling with their classes. She wants to work with advisors to hear their point of view and find out if things can be improved.

She also wants to educate herself about topics such as the school budget.

Come talk to her about: Debate club, Rotaract club, and service.

NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS REP

JARROD GALLAGHER

Academic year: Sophomore
Major: Premajor

Gallagher was in the Navy for more than four years as a nuclear electrician and transferred from Olympic College in Bremerton to Seattle U last winter. As a non-traditional student, Gallagher experienced the various struggles that his community faces. He noticed that it is difficult for non-traditional students to get involved on campus and they often do not enjoy their time at school as much as traditional students. He said that he himself had difficulties getting involved on campus and meeting people as a commuter and non-traditional student. While his experiences at Seattle U have been somewhat rough, he has appreciated his time here and wants to make sure that other non-traditional students have better opportunities to succeed on campus. Going to the different collegia, meeting other non-traditional students and creating leadership opportunities are some of the ways that Gallagher hopes to improve the non-traditional student experience. He believes that by coming up with new programs for students to be leaders in their community, they will be able to get more involved and live out the school’s mission.

Come talk to him about: Filmmaking, video games like World of Warcraft and The Legend of Zelda and the Navy.

Transfer Rep

JORDAN MURAKAMI

Academic year: Junior
Major: Business

When Murakami transferred to Seattle U from Folsom Lake College in California this year, he was disappointed by the lack of representation of transfer students on campus. Upon joining the Tekakwitha Collegium for junior and senior transfer students, he realized how useful it is for transfer students to have a place to go to and be able to connect with other individuals that have shared concerns. His main goal as the Transfer Representative is to connect transfer students to the collegium so that they can become aware of events throughout campus and become more involved. He also wants to improve transfer students’ transition experience, and hopes to make it as rich and exciting as the experiences of incoming freshman.

Come talk to him about: The American Marketing Association, soccer, yoga and exploring the city in whichever direction his heart takes him.

At-Large Rep

ROBERT GAVINO

Academic year: Senior
Major: Humanities for Leadership major with a specialization in intersectional communication

Gavino is passionate about making sure that each individual on campus thrives and not just survives. He finds it unacceptable that there are some voices on campus that are not being heard and do not feel safe discussing their concerns. His major plans include increasing a culture of dialogue on campus, specifically in populations that are marginalized and might have given up on having their voices heard. He plans on changing how groups such as commuters and queer-identifying students interact with student leaders and the administration by working in small groups with other student advocates. He will work closely with the previously elected At-Large Representative, Owen Goetze, and other SGSU representatives such as Lynn Doan to reach these groups. By taking small steps and listening to various voices on campus he hopes to create lasting, trickle down effects.

Come talk to him about: acoustic covers of music, a capella and cooking.