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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Thursday, March 21, 2024 Vol. 77 No. 23
THE student voice since 1960
DECISION ‘24 STUDENT GOVERNMENT
MO ABUZANEH
BARRETT LARKIN
LUCIA KNAPP
KAIA FORD
JARED JESS
- PRESIDENT -
- PRESIDENT -
- VICE PRESIDENT -
- STUDENT TRUSTEE -
- STUDENT TRUSTEE -
My name is Moayad Abuzaneh. I also go by Mo, and I am a biology pre-med sophomore. I am an honors student, I work in the honors office and I’m involved in multiple organizations and clubs on campus. I’m running for 2024-2025 Student Body President, which I am very excited for! I am passionate about Student Government because of the opportunities it gives directly to students. Student Government allows students to advocate for positive change and for student action to be taken. Student Government truly exists to serve us! This is our campus and I want your help to make it better for us. I am committed to my initiatives, which are creating an inclusive campus environment, improving communication within on-campus student resources, expanding program opportunities for medical students, enhancing ACCESS utilization and working to get more student discounts in local businesses. Your concerns are my concerns. It’s my goal to be a friend, not just president.
I am trying to capture the most important aspects of student experience in my platform: academic support, integrated mental health and vibrant involvement. Innovating academic support means designing and promoting tools that help students go from good to great. Integrating mental health means considering the effects of loneliness and the academic side of stress so that students never start on a downward spiral that ends in crisis. Fostering vibrant student involvement means coordinating our most talented student organizations into campus-wide events that have potential to become lasting traditions. I hope to get at least three big initiatives done in each category that noticeably improve the flourishing of our students. I have two school years of experience in Student Government, mostly to do with student organizations. Since they are the lifeblood of student experience, I saw an opportunity to give back to the school.
Creating a feeling of solidarity while maintaining individuality and building connections throughout the student body are my highest priorities. Utilizing my position as vice president, it is my goal to unite the SIUE student body by advocating for student concerns I see every day and emphasizing inclusivity on campus. My three main platforms are prioritizing student involvement, optimizing academic success and maintaining the progress that SIUE has made to provide students with mental health resources and support, as well as push it further to grow to become the best that we can be. It is my aim to make sure every student finds their home on campus, whether that’s through a close-knit study group, their coworkers, or the community of a student organization. I want to create a sense of belonging in spaces that makes students feel included and welcome.
I am running for Student Trustee because I want to continue my leadership experience during my last year of college. I have been in Student Government for three years, serving as a senator for the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, election commissioner and currently as the internal affairs officer. My extensive experience in Student Government makes me an ideal candidate for the office of student trustee, as I have gained both professional and leadership experience through this organization. I hope to continue to be a part of the organization through this role to emphasize my passion and dedication, not only for Student Government, but for SIUE as a whole. Ultimately, if elected as your student trustee, I aspire to unify the administration and students to ensure that student voices reach both the Student Senate and the Board of Trustees.
I am deeply committed to representing the diverse voices and needs of our student body. With a dedication to fostering positive change, I aim to be a proactive advocate for students at the highest levels of university governance. My platform prioritizes transparency, accountability and accessibility. I believe in open communication between students, administration and the Board of Trustees to foster trust and collaboration. I will work tirelessly to ensure that student perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes, advocating for policies that enhance the academic, social and overall well-being of our campus community. Furthermore, I am committed to closing the gap between faculty, students and staff. I recognize the importance of creating a transparent, working relationship with the Faculty and Staff Senates. Together, let’s build a brighter future for our university community.
Polls open online at: 9 a.m. Monday, March 25 Polls close at: 11:59 a.m. Wednesday, March 27