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.

TIMELINE FOR SGA EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS - FALL 2009!!

October 5th - October 7th : Voting will take place via "sharepoint" on Pioneer Portal
October 9th : Announcement of new SGA Executive Officers
October 12th: First SGA Meeting with New Officers

MEET THE NOMINEES FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER POSITIONS 2009 - 2010!!!

The SGA Election for 2009-2010 Executive Officers will be held Monday, October 5th through Wednesday, October 7th 2009. We are excited to introduce to you this talented and dedicated group of individuals who are committing a year for servicing the student body of TWU - Houston.

President nominee: Ashley Player

"My desire is for continued commitment to our Texas Woman’s university Student Government Association in the 2009-2010 school year. I hope to do so through re-election to an executive officer position in SGA. I thoroughly enjoy participation in student-related activities and would value the opportunity to positively represent our student body here at TWU-Houston."

Qualifications: 

• Active involvement in past, present and future SGA events.
• Fulfillment as SGA treasurer in the 2008-2009 school year.
• Current SOTA social chair representation for 2009-2010.
• Various memberships and officer positions in under-graduate.

Vice President nominee: Scarlett Pope

"I care deeply about how TWU is represented in Texas and where our graduates go after completing their education. I am very interconnected with students in all campuses and in all disciplines and the success of each student is important to me. That success is equal among academic excellence, campus involvement and community involvement. TWU students are diverse, well respected and I am proud to be one. As the TWU-Houston Student Government Executive Officer I would make myself an instrument to the student body and use my interconnectedness among the students to voice and act on student concerns. I have experience in representing my peers to our administrators. Additionally I have taken the lead in organizing events and getting students more involved in campus activities as well as encouraging participation in their own affairs. That will be my aim as the Vice President of SGA: Participation from all student groups and across all disciplines."

Qualifications:

• Student Regent                       TWU- All campuses2007-2008
• President/Founder                  Face AIDS TWU- Denton 2007-2008
• Founder                                  New Democrats TWU- Denton 2008
• C.R.E.W.                                Program Co-ordinator 2007 -2008

Secretary nominee: Joanna Marie Zavalla

"To be a leader for the Student Government Association, it takes organization, planning, management, communication and most important leadership skills. I know as a student we do not usually get involved on campus activities. But volunteering is essential to one’s life because of the great benefits that come from it. As for me it is one of my life’s goal to do as much volunteering as I can. I believe that I can also obtain a great learning experience from being a part of this organization that will help benefit me in my Occupational Therapy Career. To attain this type of position I feel that there are many benefits that come from it. To name a few benefits are the feelings of accomplishment, self enrichment and striving to do the best I can to serve others and my school. I always liked to volunteer with different organizations since I was younger, but due to the priorities of attending school and usually working at least two jobs since I was 18, it has been quite difficult. I feel that since this is my last year within my program I would like to give more back to my school and help out as much as I can to achieve one of my life’s goals."

Qualifications:  "The qualifications I have to fulfill the position of secretary are organization, management and communication skills. Since I am organized, being “on top” of things is what I do best. I make sure the task gets done. I feel I am more of a communicator rather than serving the roles of a president, vice president or treasurer. I am always communicating and relaying messages to my classmates about other assignments, class work or projects that may be due in the future so that no one is lagging behind. Since I have served similar roles with past organizations, performing tasks such as maintaining records and keeping up- to-date with certain notifications, I feel, I am more than qualified to be in this position."

Treasurer nominee: Ana Maria Castro

"I like to be involved with school activities; have a good time while learning from other students, help increase cultural awareness and represent my school in extra-curricular activities."

Qualifications: "I have past experience as a student ambassador, secretary of International student organizations in my other schools. I am an active member of SGA and Phi Theta Kappa at TWU. Additionally, I am very organized and responsible."

Treasurer nominee: Eliana Caballero

"I really would like to be a part of student association. I believe I have the time commitment required to help with ideas and help in any way I can."

Qualifications: "Good math skills, have good communication skills, people skills and I am very responsible when it comes to work or school."

 We are glad to inform that there have been two new positions which have been created this year due to the prolific growth of the SGA as evident from the increased activities being organized on campus the past year. These positions are Project co-ordinator and Social activity co-ordinator.

Project Co-ordinator nominee: Melissa Howell

"I loved being active at my previous school, UTA and really miss being involved. I have a lot of ideas and am really excited about all the new opportunities here.

Qualifications:

• RHA- President  UTA 2007-2008
• RHA Vice  President  UTA 2008-2009
• Girl Scouts- Silver Award
•  Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society –President 2008 -2009.

 

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!