2021-22 Elections

Ben Ferney

benjaminferney@weber.edu | Major: Communication: Public Relations and Advertising Emphasis

I will hear your voice, be your friend, and work to create a campus environment where you feel acceptance and belonging as you come as you are.

• Current Student Body President: I am the current student body president and have learned major lessons that would allow me to continue this next year with no learning curve. I wouldn’t need time to transition into the role and would have a head start to a strong and effective year.
• Accepting: I’ve worked closely with people from all walks of life and have a natural ability to love and accept. I see differences as a way for us to complete each other, not to draw us apart.
•    Adaptable & Innovative: I can handle what’s thrown at me and I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo. Being president during the pandemic, I have pushed beyond tradition to create new ways to serve the student body.
•    Calm, Cool & Collected: Through overseeing the well-being of others in foreign countries and waiting tables for more than four years, I have learned to work well under pressure and remain extremely reliable.

Goals:

• Come As You Are: I want to deepen the sense that this student body is a safe place that turns no one away. You don’t have to hide any aspect of yourself, because you can simply come as you are.
• Clear Communication: I will continue to create clearer communication across campus so that you know what's going on and that your voice matters.
• Collaboration: Whether you’re an athlete or a performer, a traditional or non-traditional student, a freshman or a senior, you’re a Wildcat and I want to ensure that we support all our fellow Wildcats.
• Create Good Times - We’re going to remember these days, so let’s make them count. I will ensure the social life at Weber is something worth sticking around for.

Maren Dawson

 marendawson@mail.weber.edu | Major: Biochemistry, Minor: Zoology, Microbiology

All students, whether online or in-person deserve to have a voice in their academic experience. I want to help increase these opportunities to improve their college career.

Qualifications:

• I am currently serving as the College of Science Student Senator, writing legislation and conducting town halls. Most recently, I helped organize the College of Science Virtual House Party. Therefore, I am familiar with how Senate runs.
• I have experience leading a team from multiple organizations. I am the President of the HOSA: Future Health Professionals Chapter at Weber State. I am also the AMSA (Pre-Med Club) Vice President, and a member of the Health Professions Club Council (HPCC). During my senior year of high school, I was the Utah HOSA State Secretary, so I have experience in helping lead both small and large organizations. I am also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the Chemistry Club.
• I am the founder of the HOSA: Future Health Professionals Chapter at Weber State University and a co-founder of the Health Professions Club Council (HPCC). I take initiative to start programs that will benefit students.
• I have attended HOSA's International Leadership Conference (ILC) four times. My team and I competed in Parliamentary Procedure twice, so I am familiar with Parliamentary Procedure and can help Senate use it to help make more efficient meetings.

Goals:

• I want to make sure Weber State continues providing opportunities to be involved (ie. guest speaker, networking events, etc.) for both in-person and online students.
• I want to make sure every voice is heard, and want to create online campaigns where students have easier and more direct access to their representatives so they can voice their concerns and give feedback.
• I want to spread awareness and increase marketing on Weber State University sponsored events and giveaways by not only marketing on social media, but utilizing the Weber website, and online calendars.
• I want to focus on activities that will help students make connections and positive college experiences while still being safe during this pandemic.

Colette Mortensen

colettemortensen@mail.weber.edu | Major: Microbiology, Minor: Chemistry

Celebrate the ability to meet together again through exciting activities that promote unity and inclusion.

Qualifications:

• Weber State Student Alumni Association Co-Chair, 2020-2021
• Destruction Zone (athletics student section) Leadership, 2019-2020
• Passionate supporter and participant in all things WSU! (Annual Mount Ogden Hike, Campus-led service projects, Bingo, casino night, virtual trivia, paint night, and baking competition, Foam bash, Campus Cup, Volunteer campus covid tester, Home and away athletic events, Experience Weber, Aletheia scholar)
• Human Physiology Lab TA, 2020

Goals:

•  Raise awareness for planned events and activities that bring students together.
• Work with university and community leaders to host a concert and other marquee events.
• Use collaborative processes with clubs, organizations, and individuals to create events that are desired by all.
• Provide an array of events that appeal to all members of our diverse student population.

William Angel

williamangel97@gmail.com | Major: Mechanical Engineering

Being part of Access & Diversity for over 5 years made the realized the importance of Diversity. I make sure that every student from any background has a voice in student government. Diversity is what makes our campus beautiful and the marketplace of ideas. My two mottos in life is Siempre pa’lante(Always keep moving forward) or always strive and prosper.

Qualifications:

• Hispanic student senator. Proposed and passed funding request.
• President of Men of Color
• Been involved with groups like Hispanic area council and Black Scholars United
• College advocate for Student 2 Student. Work with underrepresented students

Goals:

• Make sure our bipoc and lgbt students have a voice in student government
• Have more open dialogues events to discuss ideas and current event in respectful manner
• Work more closely with area councils that are on campus by parting with them on different events
• Have more self aware campus by having workshops/cultural events of students preferred pronouns, cultures, and language

Megan Ferney

meganferney@mail.weber.edu | Major: Health Promotion

Through teamwork, kindness, and empowerment, we can create experiences that will last a lifetime. Let’s make a difference.

Qualifications:

• Current Community Engagement Team Member: I am the Done in a Day Chair on the Community Engagement Team and have worked with community partners and other WSUSA teams to plan and conduct service projects. This has taught me the important role that we as students hold when supporting our community.
• Experienced Leader: Whether serving as a LDSSA Vice President or serving as a volunteer missionary in Taiwan, I have increased in my ability to lead those around me with love.
• Inclusive Friend: I strive to befriend everyone I meet and accept them for who they are. I recognize the unique potential of each individual and support them to see those things in themselves.
• Teamwork and Delegation: Through my experiences both being a strong team member and leading peers, I have developed the ability to effectively delegate and collaborate with those I work with.   

Goals:

• In support of the name change to Community Engagement, I plan to educate and inspire students to take part in the community and make a difference.
• I will ensure the voices of students and community partners are heard and supported throughout the service experience.
• I will increase awareness of service opportunities amongst the student body.
• I will help members of the team feel empowered as they make a difference by supporting them one on one and as a whole.

Masha Mwanganyi

mashamwanganyi@mail.weber.edu | Major: Communications

It's never only about receiving a good education. It's about making connections and having experiences that will enrich that which is so greatly sought after, and making it worthwhile.

Qualifications:

• Leadership: Currently serving as a Vice President for a largely recognized club at WSU, Served as a training leader in a non-profit organization for 6 months in Maryland/DC area (2019) where my job was to conduct trainings to advise 70+ fellow volunteers on how to go about the work.
• Interpersonal skills: Value team work, Love meeting new people and making connections, Value communication, Loves a good laugh to brighten the day.
• Work Ethic: Dependable, Willing to learn new things and easily adaptable, Trustworthy
• A bilingual foreigner who has an appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness.

Goals:

• I hope to help the students be more aware of the clubs, organizations, and resources that are at their disposal in order to enrich their experience at WSU.
• Desire to help the students feel and experience that there is something for everyone at WSU.
• In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, I will do my best to facilitate opportunities for students' voices to be heard, as well as for connections to be made, that will lead to possible lasting friendships.
• For students to know that if they ever worry about finding a friendly face at campus, which is highly unlikely, they can always count on finding it with me.

Ashley Potokar

ashleypotokar@mail.weber.edu | Major: Family Studies, Minor: Design for Digital Media

I believe that everyone can become a leader. I want to help students at Weber State see the talents and abilities that they possess to be great leaders

Qualifications:

• I am someone who loves to be around people. When I am around people I am able to be inclusive of everyone no matter the differences.
• I am a hard worker. Whenever I am doing a project or assignment I always perform at my best.
• I am someone who is able to work with groups effectively and efficiently. From past leadership roles, I know how to run meetings, delicate responsibilities, and be a friend to all.
• Through my position as marketing director on WSUSA, I have been able to be someone who people can always rely on. I am organised and get things done in a timely manner.

Goals:

• Help all students at Weber State University see the talents and abilities that they have to be great leaders.
• Have small workshops throughout the year involving the strengths assessment so students can know areas that they thrive in.
• Have Q&A panels from faculty at Weber State who are leaders.
• Incorporate leadership trainings for all of WSUSA as well as for individual teams.

Seth Perkins

sethperkins@weber.edu | Major: Electrical Engineering

The collective is important, but it is the individual that the difference is made. I run to represent the collective and promote the growth of the individual.

Qualifications: 

• Emerging Leaders Program 2017-2018
• Boys State 2016
• Project Lead 2017
• African Diaspora Senator of Spring 2021

Goals:

• Bring together the African Diaspora Constituency on campus.
• Enable students to feel like they have a voice in Senate.
• Help cultivate the clubs and leadership within the Constituency.
• Create an equal & fair opportunity for students to express their feelings, regardless of their Constituency.

Suzanna Luo

suzannaluo@weber.edu | Major: Chemistry

Be kind to yourself.

Qualifications:

• Experience with Senate.
• Organized (schedule wise).
• Good listening skills.
• Can stay objective under pressure.

Goals:

• Get more students involved.
• Create a support network for students.
• Connecting students to resources.
• Spread mental health maintenance and awareness among students.

Sammy Caldwell

samanthaCaldwell@weber.edu | Major: Elementary Education/Math

To create an inclusive and uplifting environment for all students within and outside of the College of Education.

Qualifications:

• Currently serving as the Education Senator
• I serve on the executive board for the College Democrats club
• I have been a student at Weber for two years and am currently taking classes in the college of education
• I have lots of professional & casual connections with faculty and staff within the college of education

Goals:

• I want to build an inclusive and diverse culture within the college of education. I would like to stress including and involving all students, regardless of any of their personal identifiers.
• I want to build a stronger and more connected community amongst the students within the college and create more college-wide events for COE students.
• I would like to boost clubs within the college, ultimately growing their size through adding more members, more participation, and more awareness for their events.
• I strive to build an uplifting and supportive environment for students and professors.

Savannah Coburn

savannahcobun@mail.weber.edu | Major: Health Administration Services

I will strive to improve the overall student experience and individual success. I want to be a resource and a liaison for students, that their voices can be heard.

Qualifications:

• I was selected and participated in Weber State’s Emerging Leaders program and was able to work with WSUSA while learning many leadership skills.
• I am currently working in the healthcare field as a clinical research study recruiter and as a COVID tester. Because of this, I am very knowledgeable of certain aspects of the medical field and issues that arise within healthcare.
• I have been a student in the Dumke College of Health Professions for over a year and have taken a variety of classes and have established working relationships with several professors within the college.
• I have significant experience in time management, conflict resolution and effective communication with any age group.

Goals:

•    Make it easier for students to be vocal or be able to provide feedback about certain issues they want to be fixed.
• Evaluate and identify areas within the college that could help provide better student safety, education and college experience.
• Support and expand on the many good things already happening at the school while avoiding any loss of progress already made.
• Improve Professor-Student communication in order to better set these future health professionals up for success.

Xitlalli Villanueva

Kaylei Morris

kayleimorris@mail.weber.edu | Major: Political Science, Minor: Legal Studies

As a fellow student, my goal is to ensure that every student feels that they belong and is receiving the highest level of education and experiences directly relevant to their major.

Qualifications:

• I am a creative problem solver who loves to come up with unique and innovative ideas.
• I am a strong communicator that values listening and fully understanding the perspectives of others.
• I am someone who is not afraid to shoot for the stars and make sure big ideas come to fruition.
• I have had many years of leadership experience including Director of WSU American Democracy Project, Secretary of WSU Presidential Leadership Fellows, Utah's Poll Defender for MTV's +1 the Polls, and an outreach specialist for Solve Climate by 2030 an International Climate initiative.

Goals:

• Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that allows for collaboration.
• Promoting student success by facilitating unique and relevant career-focused events.
• Regularly inviting alumni to share expert tips and tricks to be successful in not only certain career paths but as a student as well.
• Lindquist hall "social hour" where like-minded students in similar career paths will have an opportunity to meet and socialize with each other, along with faculty and staff.

Kelli Denos

kellidenos@mail.weber.edu | Major: Health Science

As your senator for Davis Campus, I want students to feel comfortable on campus amidst Covid-19 and excited to see what the year will bring in supporting WSUSA activities in our changing world.

Qualifications:

• Previous Davis Campus Senator
• Knowledge of WSUSA
• Impactful on Davis I know who to ask
• Friendly Ear to listen to students issues and handle them appropriately through senate

• Finalize Davis Campus Student Council role, while being their spokesperson
• Build communication bridges between Ogden and Davis Campus
• Get more involvement of Davis Campus students in Senate for years to come
• Davis Campus matters to me, I want to make more of an impact with students to see through the bills and resolutions that were passed in the 2020-2021 academic school year.

Kris Sanford

kris.sanford7@gmail.com | Major: MBA, Minor: Cyber Security/Business Analytics

My platform is to create a more inclusive environment for graduate students where it is easy to make inquiries, request changes, get involved and stay informed.

Qualifications:

• I have held several student government/advocate positions throughout college. I have served as the Executive Accountant for Student Government, Public Service Chair and as the Center for Students with Disabilities Chair. My diverse experience in representing students has given me a great understanding of how to affect change and help students where it is most needed.
• I have served and currently serve on Government Legislative Boards. This will help me bring real-world experience to the Graduate Student Senate seat. My real-world participation gives me a great understanding of what is required of a Student Senator and how to best serve the students I will represent.
• As a graduate student, I have been through the process of deciding on a course of study all the way through attending classes. Having been through this process, I understand what changes could be helpful and what needs no change at all. I also understand the process and effort it takes to make the changes needed. Having done so in both real-life and within Student Government, I am confident that I can and will make positive changes as they pertain to Graduate Students as a Graduate Senator.
• I have been an advocate for disability rights and funding for the last 10 years. During my advocacy, I have spoken with and lobbied to several state senators and representatives In efforts to bring change. I have first-hand experience as both a representative as well as someone who is being represented. I am highly sympathetic and receptive, as I have been on both sides and would bring this same attitude as the Graduate Senator.

Goals:

• Create a Graduate Student community that includes students from all graduate majors, rather than several different communities spread across many different departments.
• Create a centralized place for graduate students to go to make inquiries, request changes, get involved and stay informed. Currently students have to rely on their individual department for this and that creates major inefficiencies concerning graduate student-wide issues.
• Create an outreach program for graduate students with the purpose of gathering feedback on their Weber State graduate school experience. This will create a system where continual improvement on the graduate student experience is possible.
• Create awareness of the Graduate Sen. as a resource. Currently a large portion of graduate students are not aware that they have a Senator whose job it is to represent them and fight for change on their behalf. My goal is to change this.

Suresh Shrestha

sureshshrestha@mail.weber.edu | Major: Computer Science, Minor: Web Technology

Qualifications:

• Commitment and Passion
• Self-Discipline and Good Organization
• Good Communication Skills
• Trustworthiness

Goals:

• Help international student adjust to new culture and language.
• Make international students aware about on campus resources they can utilize that are free for students.
• Help students to be involved in campus activities.
• Lessen financial challenges by making students informed about scholarships opportunities, and on campus jobs.

Mykala Spangler

mykalaSpangler@weber.edu | Major: Political Science & Geography (Urban Planning Emphasis)

I will do everything within my power to promote inclusivity and awareness for my constituents on campus and to empower the members of my constituency to reach their goals.

Qualifications:

• I served in this office during the 2020-2021 school year.
• I have strong relationships those in the Disabilities Services department.
• I have strong communication skills.
• I am continually striving to understand the needs of my constituents and to be familiar with the resources available to them.

Goals:

• To promote a more inclusive environment on campus for students with disabilities.
• To celebrate and recognize the diversity and strengths of the members of this constituency.
• Organize a chapter of Delta Alpha Pi, an international honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of students with disabilities.
• To educate members of the campus community about disability communities and what it means to be temporarily able bodied.