Student Government Association 95th Elections

President and

Vice President

PresidentBiography: My name is Colby Kirkman and I am a Junior from Sanford, North Carolina with a major in Kinesiology. If I were to be elected Student Body President, my goals would be to improve the public perception on the quality of our university as well as to enhance the value of a UNCG degree. We are in a prime position to take Giant Steps in university advancement and really put UNCG on the map as one of the top schools the UNC system. If you want to see the value of your degree skyrocket and major improvements to the student experience here at UNCG, then you should vote for me! I am willing to stand up for students, no matter the pressures from the administration or the current political climate. The well-being of my fellow Spartans and advancement of UNCG will be my focus, and I can guarantee that students will see results!

Candidate: Colby Kirkman

President Biography: My name is Holly Shields, and I am majoring in Communication studies along with minoring in Spanish and Business Administration. I am passionate about equally representing all UNCG Students! I enjoy spending time outdoors, serving others, working hard, and, of course, communicating with students. I have lived in Kernersville, NC for 20 years, which is only 20 minutes from Greensboro, so I am very familiar with the Greensboro area and community. I continuously set new goals for myself however, an imperative goal I set for myself two years ago is to serve the entire UNCG Student Body as the Student Body President. There are multiple goals I have set in order to be a successful President; some of these goals include: equally representing the student body, increasing the community within the entire UNC System, and implementing solutions for issues UNCG has continuously struggled with or could improve on. I genuinely care about UNCG 2019s past, present, and especially the future. I will strive to accomplish these goals and many others as they arise; students should vote for me due to my motivation and strong passion for Social Justice, a strong community, safety, and my compassion for all races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, and identities. As I stated above, I value hard-work and always push myself to put 110% of my effort in all that I do; and I will continue pushing myself as your Student Body President!

Candidate: Holly Shields

Vice President Biography: Hello! I am Michaela Stovall an Elementary Education major with a minor in African and African American Diaspora Studies. As a current junior I am very active within student government, as Peer Academic Leader, University Marshal, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, and etc. I also serve in various community service programs within the Greensboro community on a weekly basis. When not on campus, I enjoy watching movies, catching up with friends, and exploring new things. As a committed student leader I want to serve this campus through the Vice Presidency position. Some of my major goals are to increase student success, advocacy, university advancement, and better the mental health of all students at UNCG. I plan to embodied the purpose of the student government "by the students, for the students" in everything that I should pursue. I feel that you all should vote for me because I will always strive to give my best to this student body and make sure that we all have the chance to a actively participate in the future of UNCG.

Candidate: Michaela Stovall

Vice President Biography: Hello, my name is Mikaela Portugal. I am a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Studies, and a minor in Sales. I am passionate about representing every single student in our University. I love any type of physical activities, such as: hiking, working out, and playing volleyball. I also like reading self-help books, and blogs. Stagnation is something that I try to avoid as much as I can. I love challenging myself, and I believe that the only way we can grow is if we become uncomfortable. The first 10 years of my life were spent in the Philippines, and the last 10 years were spent in South Korea, Germany, and the US. I love traveling, and I have been privileged enough to have seen the world as much as I have. Students should vote for me because as the Vice President of the Student Body, I will do my best to equally represent every single student. I care about the future of UNCG, but it is very critical to make sure that we know the history, in order to improve the community and the education of the students. However, it is in the actions that we take today that will determine how we will be 5 years from now or 10 years from now, and I want to assure that we will be a part of that legacy.

Candidate: Mikaela Portugal

Senior Senators

Senior Senator Biography: Hello UNCG students, I am Brittany Abanukam. A current junior majoring in Human Development and Family studies with a pre-medicine concentration. To describe myself in a few words, I would say that I am a very active, social, and a bubbly role model, who is always looking to be involved in the community.rnI took interest in Student Government back in the fifth grade when I was running for class president, and since then my love for being involved in this type of organization has grown tremendously. I am currently serving my third year in SGA as a At-Large Senator. I remain very thankful to have this position. I am in the running for becoming an At-Large senator for the 2017-2018 school year. If elected, I have plans to reach out to my constituents in the best possible way I can. First thing first, in order for me to be the best At-Large senator possible, I will publicize through social media and word of mouth that I am one of the three senators in this position. It is essential that people are aware of this, in order to know who to look for whenever they have something to share. I plan to make it my duty to go out and hear all of your thoughts and concerns about anything on campus and report back in our SGA meetings. I pledge to always spread the important messages I receive in our SGA meetings to the students. All I ask is from you is to allow me to be that voice, by voting Brittany Abanukam for At-Large senator! Thank you.

Candidate: Brittany Abanukam

Senior Senator Biography: My name is Jenequa Duren, most know me as Jenn. I am a finance major but my hobbies include dance, cheer in particular as well as soccer. I am a member of ACE and Street Team which deals directly with the students. The reason I am applying for senior senator is because I believe I can truly make a difference here on campus. I am hardworking, dedicated, goal oriented and wish to hear your opinions.

Candidate: Jenequa Duren

Senior Senator Candidate: Homayoon Ershadi Biography: My name is Homayoon Ershadi and I am a transfer

student here at UNC Greensboro. I moved here from Cary, NC where I attended Wake Technical Community College and earned both an Associate in Arts as well as an Associate in Science. Here in UNCG I am a part of the Bryan School of Business and Economics, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics. My long-term plan after graduating with an economics degree is to apply for law school and enroll in a joint MBA/JD program, and ultimately work in an international field which relates to my background. I originally moved from Iran to North Carolina when I was 13 years old and started high school here. This was an extremely difficult experience, but also the most valuable, and it has given me an incredibly diverse background which allows me to personally connect with a wide range of students. By connecting better, I can know more about the concerns my constituents when it comes to the Bryan School and just our campus as a whole. Furthermore, my strong communication skills will allow me to bring the voice of the students to the administration and various leaders in the university.

Junior Senators

Junior Senator Biography: Ashley Scott. My major is Media Studies with a minor in Communications. My future goals is to be the next Robin Roberts. I want to be the new face of Good Morning America. My life goal is to simply spread happiness and joy. I want to create a positive atmosphere in every room I step foot in. An interesting fact about is my mother and I share the same birthday. I believe students should vote for me because I have a very diverse mindset. From the first day I stepped foot on this campus I knew I wanted to make a change. I knew I wanted to support and develop new ways of making the transition to college a marvelous journey.

Candidate: Ashley Scott

Junior Senator Biography: My name is Mariah Orange. I am a psychology major that is soon to take on the career as a psychiatrist. I write poetry and love to sing. I am a very enthusiastic, outgoing person. I am very down to earth and never judgmental. Students that choose me will not only get a person that can listen to their issues, but a friend of the student body to further every experience at our school.

Candidate: Mariah Orange

Junior SenatorBiography: My name is Samaya Xanae Roary. I am an

eighteen-year-old African American female. I am the youngest child of two. My brother is seven years older than me. I was born in raised by my biological mother and father in southwestern Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina. My favorite color is purple, my mother's favorite color, Alzheimer 2019s Awareness color, and symbolic of royalty. My favorite number is three symbolic of The Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit and my three family members. The commonality between two seemingly trivial fun facts, is that I am a woman of purpose and not much of anything in my life remains meaningless. Thus growing up I have aspired to be a variety of things ranging from a teacher, motivated by the impact my teachers had on me growing up and my mom being the owner of an in-home childcare, to a fashion designer, hoping to make clothes to fit me better and reflect my desired aesthetics. I believe UNCG deserves a diverse representative body of students interests, needs, and desires, and I believe I am the qualified applicant to fulfill that role! I am seeking this position not as a resume builder but something I am passionate about and plan to dedicate my life to, representing the people and making others voices heard

Candidate: Samaya Roary

Sophomore Senators

Sophomore SenatorBiography: My name is Timia Mone't Ferguson and I am an International & Global Studies Major with a concentration in Human Rights & Global Development and minor in African American & African Diaspora Studies. With my current studies, I am pursuing a career in non-governmental or non-profit Human Rights and Advocacy works on an international scale. I dream of working in developing countries in order to afford people the rights that they may have been deprived of. As an out-of-state student from Washington D.C., I know how difficult it may be to adjust to a new place, school, or stage in life. I want students to choose me to be a part of the team to represent them because I want to grow with my class and I am always working to generate an ever-changing environment at UNCG for current students, and future Spartans. I know I was made to serve and that is what I am to always do, and this is the next step.

Candidate: Timia Ferguson

Sophomore SenatorBiography: �Hello Everyone! My name is Jasmine Rose Spears but I go by Rose. My major is Consumer Apparel & Retail Studies with a minor in entrepreneurship. I am an enthusiastic extrovert with a passion for diplomacy that is eager to represent my fellow UNC-Greensboro students to the best of my abilities.If honored with the chance to represent and work for the the best interest of my peers I would make this school proud!

Candidate: Jasmine Spears

School Senators

HHS Senator Biography: My name is Kierra Cherry. I was born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Human Development and Family Studies and minoring in Nutrition. I have a passion for helping others, specifically children. My goals are to better the lives of children, by advocating their rights and educating them to prepare for the future. I believe with my passion to help others and my optimistic mindset I am a great fit for the position. I have a love for UNCG and I believe in the continuous growth of this great university!

Candidate: Keirra Cherry

School of Nursing SenatorBiography:My name is Jamie Maness and I am a junior in the nursing program at UNCG with a minor in Psychology. I have a passion for critical care and would like to eventually continue my education to become a DNP specializing in Emergency Medicine. I enjoy spending time with loved ones, painting, working out, and going to sports events at school during my free time. I also love coffee and probably drink more than I should. You should vote for me because I have previous leadership experience in both high school and college. I currently serve as Adult Student Senator for SGA; therefore, I already am familiar with policies and procedures currently in place in SGA. I am reliable and try to attend events sponsored by SGA and the school to show my support. I want to make a difference in the school of nursing before I graduate and serving as the School of Nursing Senator would be a great way to do this.

Candidate: Jamie Maness

CASA SenatorBiography: My name is Luke Vilaseca. I am a freshmen here at UNCG, originally from Connecticut, and I am pursuing a degree in Physics. I partake in the Air Force ROTC program over at A&T and within the next few years hope to be selected for a position as a C17A Globemaster III pilot. As far as after my service in the Air Force, I want to become a commercial airline pilot for international flights either for Fly Emirates or American Airlines. Some of my other passions include languages. I am fluent in French and have also taken Spanish and Latin. I was in fact one of the few people in my high school's history to be a part of the honor societies for all the languages taught: French, Spanish, and Latin. As for right now, I decided to learn a new language in college and am currently taking German. I am a dedicated and self-driven individual who puts maximum effort into anything I apply myself to. I am thorough with my work and believe that the only way to accomplish a goal is through continuous effort. A main factor on why I am able to accomplish tasks presented to me is through discipline, constantly attacking problems over and over again till I am finally satisfied with the result.

Candidate: Luke Vilaseca

Bryan School SenatorBiography: Juah Kortor International Business. To own a company that deals connects with companies abroad to companies domestically.rnI taught myself French growing up to the point that now I am high-intermediate low fluency and I am able to carry a conversation with a native. I have also taught myself two other foreign languages, (German & Russian) but I am not at the same caliber as French with them. Students should vote for me because I know the results of hard work and never giving up on something you believe in. If put into position, I can give the UNCG community that I will give my all fighting for every opportunity possible.

Candidate: Juah Kortor

School of the Arts SenatorBiography: Hi guys my name is Tian Li,I am the first years student of master for music. I remember that when I study in my hometown for my bachelor degree, I have already work with other people of the University student commitment, therefore I'm strongly believe in myself that I can do well in the future.rnrnAs the international student that I hope I can work for all international student of UNCG, to help them any to listen any advices or suggestion from them, and see what I can do for them, this is my goal.rnrnI think the reason that they may vote for me because not just I am international student,also I have experience to know how to help a student. I like to have a good communication with international student at UNCG, even though we have a lot of homework or assignments need to do but we still have good connection between each other. But the most important reason is I am happy that I can help people or do what I can do for people.

Candidate: Tian Li

At-Large Senators

At-Large SenatorCandidate: Tionna Ryan Biography: Hello, my name is Tionna Ryan. Iu2019m

currently a junior at UNC-Greensboro, majoring in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration. I'm from Windsor, NC. I graduated from high school as Salutatorian and serving as President of SGA two years in a row. I also graduated from high school with an Associate's Degree in Arts and Sciences. My goal in life is to become the first black female Supreme Court justice. Joining SGA would be a step in the right direction. I believe my past experiences have allowed me to be well equipped to hold the prestigious title of u201cAt Large-Senator.u201d Serving as an At-Large senator will allow me to advocate for the voices that go unheard and be able to make changes for the greater good. I believe in creating a community that is more than just remembering names and faces but instead forming lifelong friendships. My ultimate mission for serving as an At-Large is being able to create a cohesive environment where everyone feels safe and everyone is heard and valued. Students should vote for me because I'm reliable, full ideas, and ready to serve you. I'm smart, caring, and with the competition, there's no comparing

At-Large SenatorCandidate: Shaniya Calhoun Biography: I am Shaniya Calhoun, a rising Junior,

Elementary Education major, from Lexington, NC. A few of my goals are; get teaching job the fall after I graduate, become a regular gym-goer, and to learn how to code. Some interesting facts about me are; I love Ritz Pretzel Crackers and the Dean of the School of Education put a weird hat on my head before I decided on my major. Students should vote for me because I genuinely care about bettering the university and I want to be the voice of thoughts and concerns that students may have.

At-Large Senator Candidate: Eugene Mance Biography: I am Eugene Mance Jr. and I am from

Gastonia, North Carolina (right outside of Charlotte). I am a junior Business Administration major and economics minor. I currently serve as a student body/ commuter senator in The Student Government Association (SGA), where I serve on the current concerns committee and on the statement committee. I am a head officer for The Conversation where I am the community service coordinator and I work with event planning. I also am involved and have ties with the BBSA and the Bryan Business School Sales club. This summer I will have the pleasure of being a Trade Marketing intern for Reynolds American. After graduation I plan to attend graduate school where I will be working towards my MBA. My goal is to work in Corporate America in a business leadership role as a top executive for a fortune 500 company. I really have a passion for people and I have loved every second of working in SGA this year. I am a people person and I love communicating with my constituents about all of their needs. I believe that I am a natural leader, who would love to reelected so that I can continue working alongside my peers to improve and to innovate new ways to make this campus better. My purpose as a person is to motivate, inspire, and to raise the consciousness of people and by me being re elected I will be able to use my position as vehicle to drive my passion, vision and purpose.

At-Large Senator Candidate: Daria Reinhardt Biography: My name is Dasha and I am a Political

Science Major with a minor in Psychology. After college, I hope to fulfill my life goal by being a Federal Judge in Washington D.C. I am passionate about helping others and I am an advocate for social justice. An interesting fact about myself is that I was adopted from Russia and that I am a huge animal lover (especially cats)! Students should vote for me because I am a hard worker and I will do what it takes to make sure that any issues or concerns are addressed.

At-Large Senator Candidate: Dreshawn McFadden Biography: Hello, my name is Dreshawn McFadden

and I am a junior here at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I major in political science with a minor in business. My goal is to graduate UNCG on time and then attend a top tier law school on the east coast of the U.S. Throughout my college career, I have consistently advocated for new ways to improve student engagement on and off campus. I believe that our main goal as a university is to put our students first. If you vote for me I will strive to ensure that all student body concerns are a top priority here at UNCG. Your voice is your vote, you have a right to be heard.

Commuter Senators

Commuter SenatorCandidate: Petera Wedderburn Biography: My name is Petera Wedderburn, and I am

currently a sophomore majoring in biology/pre-med. I am a well rounded, persistent, and determined student who strives for excellence and and equality among all students.

Residential Senators

Residential Senator Candidate: Kathryn Swaim Biography: My name is Kathryn Swaim and I am a

sophomore here at UNCG. I'm from Salisbury, North Carolina. I am a communication sciences and disorders major and I will be attending graduate school after I finish my undergraduate studies to focus in speech pathology. My current goals are to do well in my classes and get on the dean’s list at the end of the semester. A fun fact about me is I have two cats, a bird, and a Betta fish. I have a passion for animals and I've volunteered at a place called Faithful Friends which is an animal sanctuary for stray animals in my hometown. You should vote for me because I'm friendly and outgoing and I want to be voice for the students here at UNCG.

Student Organizational Senators

Student Organizational Senator Candidate: Yathrip Abdelgadir Biography: My name is Yathrip Abdelgadir, I am

currently a Sophomore at UNC-Greensboro. I am a Religious Studies/Political Science double major with a Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. After obtaining my Bachelor's Degree, I want to move on to getting a Master's in Conflict Resolution and later, pursuing a PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies. I believe that everyone in life has career goals, but also has a passion they wish to pursue in their life. For me, my career goals include: becoming a United States Senator and eventually working my way up to becoming a United Nations Ambassador.I want to commit my years here at UNCG to bettering every student's experience. I want to make sure that every student feels included and involved on our beautifully diverse campus. Since education is one of my life's passions, I want to work effortlessly and endlessly to make sure that every student has a good education and enjoys their education.

Student Organizational SenatorCandidate: Timothy Wright Biography: My name is Timothy I. Wright and I am

an African-American male. My major is pre-nursing with a minor in psychology. My career goal is to become a traveling nurse practitioner so that I can provide quality healthcare across the country. An interesting fact about me is that I play the trombone for church and for marching band. Another interesting fact is that I have written a play and acted in a few. I believe that students should vote for me because I am extremely involved in campus activities and I seek to become even more engaged through SGA in the following years to come.