Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center
Contact Us:
Office of Student Life
Room #2300
713-794-2157
713-794-2169 fax
dunruh@twu.edu
Student Life — Student Government Association
SGA — your voice in Houston!
The Student Government Association (SGA) consists of executive officers
plus a representative body made up of students from the various academic
disciplines. The executive board includes the President, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer. These offices are filled by an annual October election open to the entire student body. SGA meets the second and fourth Monday of each month and welcomes attendance by all on campus with an interest.
MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER!
SGA Elections for 2008-2009 Executive Officers will be held Tuesday, October 7th in the 1st floor lobby. You are invited to review the following information about each candidate prior to casting your vote.
Running for President: Leslie Weichert
"I would like to be considered for the office of
President of the Student Government Association at TWU. Doing so would
allow me to continue my involvement in our school and to create unity among
our diverse student population. I want to continue to help by encouraging
expression of the opinions and ideas of our students to allow for positive
changes toward a more efficient learning environment within our
institution. By running for the office of President after serving for a
year as Vice President, I will be able to apply what I have learned over the
past twelve months from both the current officers and the student body, and
will have the opportunity to continue to support changes that are pending
from the previous year."
Qualifications: "As the Vice President for the Student Government Association this past 2007-2008 academic year, I have discovered what it takes to successfully fulfill this position. I am willing to continue sacrificing the necessary time to see that desired changes are made in and around our school and for the student body. There were many things that the Executive Officers were able to accomplish in the past year, and with that gained experience, I will be able to assist the incoming officers in overcoming future obstacles."
Running for Vice President: Abhinit Bhatt
"Being a Vice-President gives me an opportunity to
interact with the President as well as observe and implement work done by
the Secretary and Treasurer. This way I’m able to help deal with the higher
officials as well as the student body’s concerns at the Houston campus and
beyond. As an SGA member, I would like to get involved in campus life and
issues that can be resolved and/or improved upon in order to voice student
opinions and changes that need to be brought to the Houston Campus. I want
to make a change on this campus to better the community."
Qualifications: "I’m able to communicate well with people and listen to their concerns and comments they have in order to come up with solutions. I work really well as a mediator and can bring results to the student body quickly. I’ve worked as a teacher and had been a book committee organizer in which I looked over multiple groups and dealt with problems. I’ve worked to start up a company as a musician and worked to promote and find venues all over the U.S. by communicating with venue managers and booking agents. I’ve learned to be responsible, hard working, patient and organized with my work as a high school teacher."
Running for Secretary: Heather Glasson
"Becoming a Student Government Association Executive
Officer would allow me the chance to advocate for our student body and
promote positive change throughout Texas Woman’s University. I strive for
change that is a reflection of who we, as students, are here at the Houston
Campus. I plan to make students more aware of the Student Government
Association’s purpose and goals while encouraging them to become more
involved."
Qualifications: "I have been an active member in SOTA and SGA for the past year here at TWU – Houston. I also currently work as head research assistant in the Occupational Therapy Department. I feel my qualifications for this position also includes my willingness to devote time and effort into making Texas Woman’s University a better place. Thank you for considering me to serve as your SGA Secretary."
Running for Treasurer: Diana Parada
"I am eager to get involved here at the Houston TWU
campus. SGA is the governing body and represents the students. I feel I am
capable to sit on an Executive Board and make decisions concerning the
students and school. Also, I’ve enjoyed working with administrators and
staff. I want to represent the students, be able to reach out to the
students and keep them informed about decisions made in regards to their
school."
Qualifications: "I was formerly at the TWU Denton campus, and worked closely with administrators/staff when I was President of G Force, Representative at the House of Representative meetings and Director of Recruitment for Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority. Additionally, I have helped as well as managed budgets for G-Force and my sorority. I have spoken to Texas Legislators on behalf of TWU, and sat on the Fitness & Recreation Committee as well as Student Advisory Committee. I have passion and enjoy TWU!!!"
SGA Officers: 2006–2007
- President: Marchele Ayinde
- Vice President: Stella Irabor
- Secretary: Chinelo Agwuegbo
- Co-Treasurers: Katy Dow & Lauren Disler
A very special heart-felt thanks is extended to these five women for ushering us all into the new building with strong leadership, purpose, grace and maturity. The responsibility they took on to look out for the entire student body as needs were identified and issues were worked through to resolution were HUGE! Yet each of them took the reins in hand and steered us to a more productive, effective and usable campus. We are incredibly thankful for the hours of dedication and steadfast commitment they offered to better the TWU ~ Houston community. Our gratitude abounds!
Students who participate in SGA have made a commitment in a leadership role to promote cooperation among students, staff and faculty, as well as to improve the overall environment for the physical, social and academic welfare of those taking classes. SGA by its very nature is a vehicle to focus into a single voice the ideas and opinions of students to other institutions as well as to the general administration. With our move into the new building, there have and will continue to be many adjustments. Student input will continue to be sought out and vital as decisions are made about the physical structure and use of this state-of-the-art building. Our Intramural Sports Coordinator 2005-2006 arranged a flag football game last semester that was enjoyed by all! She also engineered a Winter Olympics at the beginning of this year, equipping people with roller blades, hockey sticks and scooters. People were grinning from ear-to-ear as they worked their way around the TWU Courtyard. We are still wondering who enjoyed it more: those skating or those watching! What fun!!!
Community involvement is integral to the heart of SGA, and our Volunteer Project Coordinator has spearheaded a couple of wonderful efforts. In the aftermath of Katrina, SGA organized a collection of everyday items for individuals who were temporarily residing in Houston as part of a huge relief effort. During the holiday season, SGA reaches out to the Houston area to identify where they best might be able to meet the needs of individuals. This year, just before the winter break, SGA sponsored a toy drive for the Houston Area Women's Center. Faculty and staff got behind the effort as well, and the net result was a van full of articles that children and youth would certainly find useful and delightful!
Activities are also high on their priority list. Set aside the third Monday of each month for something special sponsored by Student Government: a "welcome back" at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters, faculty and student mixers, cultural events, a Chili Cook-off, musicians and comedians, to name just a few. This past year in December, March and May, SGA organized a "De-Stress Day". There were specialty teas and coffee, chocolate and cookies, stress squeeze balls, jokes, aroma therapy, bookmarks, coloring station, and massage therapists for five minute neck and shoulder massages. It was such a success, they made a promise to the student body to fold it into the annual pre-final routine!
In February, SGA hosted the first ever International Student Festival in Houston! Students from countries other than the U.S. made food for the tasting, and set up individual tables with articles and information from their respective area of the world. Over fifteen countries were represented, and people were available at each table to share stories and answer questions. A couple highlights of this special event were the fashion show and traditional dances performed: A North Indian Wedding Song and a West African Dance. Our V.P. of SGA spearheaded this incredibly successful celebration of cultures, and with the active involvement of many interested students, faculty, and staff, there was a resounding commitment to sponsor such an event each year in the future!
Come join us!
To find out more information about student government, please contact:
Office of Student Life
Suite #2300
713-794-2157 (TEL)
713-794-2169 (FAX)
Texas Woman's University
Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center
6700 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 794-2000
houston@twu.edu