First-Year Representative - Fall 2024
My name is Emily (Em) Marshall, and I am a current Freshman here at Colorado College. Although I arrived at CC just under a month ago, I have already fallen in love with the community and atmosphere in which Colorado College has to offer. Because of this, I would love to represent the freshman class of 2028 in office as your First Year Representative through the CCSGA. What I hope to accomplish as a First Year Representative would include my “Three C’s”: Compassion, Collaboration, and Community Outreach. On the block plan, there are many stressors! That’s why focusing on compassion through student mental health and expanding resources is one of my primary goals. Moreover, As the duration of blocks is only 3.5 weeks, us students do not get much time to establish relationships between our professors and peers. Thus, I’d like to increase collaboration between students and staff in order to strengthen connections at CC! Consequently, as citizens of the Colorado Springs area, whether you’re from here or not, I believe it is important to give back to the city of Colorado Springs. Because of this, it is my goal to assist in building a relationship between the communities of Colorado College and Colorado Springs through community outreach. My vision for the 2024-2025 student government is to lead initiatives alongside my fellow representatives to create positive change on campus.
Throughout the years, I have been involved in many extracurricular activities. Some of my notable experiences that would benefit the student body would include my experiences in nonprofit organizing and volunteer work to arrange service projects and events. Additionally, my several years of leadership roles in various CTSOs such as DECA, FCCLA, and Educators Rising would benefit the student body through my ability to take initiative and respond to student concerns. Further, my communication skills I’ve obtained through peer tutoring would allow for me to understand my peers and respond with care. My greatest concerns on campus as of recent include limited resources for students in need. For example, the obstacle of paying for COVID tests for some students is something that they simply cannot afford. My proposal to assist these students would be to advocate for further funding to supply free COVID tests for students who need them. Another concern on campus would be the divide between the student body. Whether this divide is cultural, social, or economic, it is crucial to foster a community where differences within our student body are embraced, not merely tolerated. I would like to enhance events held by various clubs on campus to promote student connections. Additionally, I’d love to highlight student representation at CC. This could be accomplished by spreading awareness of ways to get involved, potentially by promoting a “club of the week” to display students of all interests and abilities. I hope to be the bridge between the average student and the administration here at Colorado College. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Aloha mai kākou! My name is Hunter Lau and I am running for CCSGA’s first-year representative.
I am originally from the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i, and I’m excited for the change of scenery here in Colorado Springs. In my spare time, I enjoy all different kinds of art, from making ceramics to performing and singing!
I am running for this position because I can be a voice for those who feel they are underrepresented. As a member of an indigenous community who doesn’t have a say on their own land, I know the importance of being heard. Before coming to CC, I was a 4-time board member of the Hawaii National Guard’s Child and Youth Program, while also getting to speak on behalf of the state of Hawaii in front of the military higher ups for Region 9 and 10, which includes Hawaii, Guam, the West Coast, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. Along with being a two-time National Speech and Debate qualifier, I have experience in public speaking, leadership, and looking out for the betterment of the kaiaulu (community).
Although I am a first-year student here with minimal experience with the current CCstudent government, I am grateful for opportunities such as the Bridge Scholars Program and the Priddy Experience which have connected me with upperclassmen. I hope that as a First-Year Representative, I can voice the needs of the class of 2028, while also learning from the upperclassmen both in and outside of CCSGA to better my understanding of this campus.
In terms of my platform, I don’t want to take a strong, polarizing stance. Personally, I am very appreciative of this opportunity to be here at CC, and I am grateful for all of the resources offered on campus. However, this position is less about me and more about representing the freshman class. I have noticed that communication between students and staff is difficult on campus, and I figured it was best to ask what are my peers' concerns about Colorado College. So far, the main concerns people have been to add more vegan and vegetarian options in dining, better information on finding resources, and having extended PikeRide membership times again.
I wish to help improve this campus not just for the class of 2028, but for the generations of students to come. Two examples of this are to give students the freedom to choose their FYPs again and to have a better-structured NSO week with more engaging and less repetitive activities for Bridge and International students. Although the effects of these changes can't necessarily be reaped by the class of 2028, this is a chance to better CC in the long run.
Recently, a friend of mine said I match other people’s energies well. For that, I would like to give a huge mahalo to my upbringing in a close-knit community in Hawaiʻi for that. This is a promise that no matter who my fellow representatives will be, we will work together to create a better atmosphere for the class of 2028 and the entire campus.
I hope to represent you all well so we can spread the Aloha spirit all throughout Colorado Springs! Mahalo nui loa, lā maika’i– Thank you all and have an amazing day!
Hispanic. Bisexual. Transgender. First-Generation. Low Income. Margin. Margin. Margin. Margin. Margin. When you're raised on the margins you learn a thing or two about how to GET YOUR VOICE HEARD.
Trust me when I say I know how bad it feels to have your feelings and thoughts dismissed because the school you pay $90,000 a year to attend doesn’t pay attention,
doesn’t care, and doesn’t listen. I am right there with you and I am not going to let things
stay stagnant. I know the struggles we all face and I am going to be the driving force of
change that gets our complaints across to those in charge. Not only that, but I am going
to be the person who listens to the opinions, concerns, and ideas of the kids who sit
alone at lunch as well as the kids who have too many people at a table.
I envision a student government where we all get our voices heard when it comes to schoolwide events, and where our cries are heard when it comes to urgent complaints. Where our opinions on how CC can improve are acted on. I want the student government to be right there with every student's voice. I am running to help every student feel like they matter. We all need our voices to be heard so that our school can feel like a home made for you and shaped by you.
I come from a Catholic and Jesuit background, which has shaped my perceptions and beliefs on what it means to be a leader. In Jesuit fashion, I live my life by committing to the magis (the more). In simple terms living the magis means going farther than you are comfortable with and then a little bit more, and that is exactly how I approach leadership. I have held leadership positions as a yearbook editor, arts
magazine designer, and school retreat organizer and leader. In the two former roles, I learned how to understand projects and ideas from perspectives different than my own and incorporate new and overlooked ideas into a better end result. As a retreat organizer and leader, I learned how to ensure each and every single person felt like they had the resources they needed to have the best experience. I am going to use these aforementioned skills to incorporate changes that are viewed as important by each and every demographic of CC students. I want to hear from the reserved and quiet students as well as the loud and outspoken athletes to create a school community that allows everyone to feel at home and safe.
Everyone can agree that CC has major issues in how it communicates with students, manages the living conditions around campus, and makes students feel welcome. While these are all issues that need to be solved I see an underlying problem leading to all the rest. I see a large disconnect between students and leadership at the school. As it stands I don't know who I can reach out to with concerns regarding CC and I am sure the same can be said by a vast majority of the freshmen here on campus. It is hard to solve problems when there is no way to hear from the people who are affected by the problems. I am going to be the one to bridge this disconnect. I envision a system where it is easy to air complaints about the school in a way that is directly received by leaders who can act on said complaints. I want to make those in charge of change well-known and easy to contact so that there is a direct line of connection between students and leadership.
Let me begin by introducing Nelson Mandela’s words which truly inspire me. He said, “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return”. For me, college is not only about academics, it is about giving to the community, it is about forming meaningful, lifelong connections, it is about networking and positively impacting others. Being a first-year representative means sacrificing your time and energy for the sake of the future of the college and its students. I am looking forward to investing my time and energy for this community to flourish. I have been doing Model United Nations for the past two years in the Netherlands, and have been selected as Best Delegate, in addition to receiving an honorable mention from the chairs. It was an opportunity for me to start my journey of educating myself about issues that face the world we live in today, while representing various countries in our thoughtful debates. I understand that students might want to bring attention to the conflicts, natural disasters, etc.. taking place in their hometowns or even around the globe. As college students, I believe that we must be able to exchange knowledge about such global issues, while also having the full right to accentuate those matters, which is why I’d like to work on improving this. I have also taken a gap year where I volunteered as an Assistant in a school in Sudan, and after showing effective communication and leadership skills, I was then elevated to becoming the Head of the Activities Department where I organized and coordinated many activities and events. I even started a few new clubs, and met the needs of my students.
We want to facilitate support to everyone, while ensuring that your voices are heard. I want anyone to come up to me and express their thoughts on what they want to be changed, what they are looking forward to seeing more of, or what challenges they are currently facing. I’ll directly add it to my notes right in front of you, and later on discuss it with the committee members! (It will all be confidential, I assure you :)). Not only that, but I believe reaching out to you and updating you on what will be done to address your concerns is the most essential part. You’re never alone, I got your back. I am very glad I have taken personal and professional skills classes for two years, which I believe are vital in succeeding in this role.
I have also been leading the Basketball team in my high school for the past two years while leading a project that raised awareness in local schools in the Netherlands about sustainability, and have included various activities for students in the community. I was able to enrich myself with lots of leadership and teamwork skills. See, I know what I’m doing guys :)
Diversity and inclusion is lacking in our campus. Do you all not agree? We need to help make this community more diverse. Just have a look at the Race & Ethnicity statistics and you’ll thank me later! I’ll work on improving that so no worries! Also, didn’t you all dream of having this strong community with other college students around Colorado? Come on, most of us want that crazy college life, meeting new people, and attending off campus events. I’ll try my best to extend our little, lovely community, to a huge one where we could be able to attend events in other universities and invite others to ours.
Additionally, I am eager to make student employment opportunities more accessible to students. Some students I have had conversations with seemed to have been rejected from many on-campus jobs, while they were in great need of those jobs to support them financially. I would like to make it easier for all students to get into jobs, and ofcourse that might require adding more jobs to the list! Don’t forget.. I am open to any ideas that you suggest that make this place feel like home and beyond!
Hello, my name is Saw Sow, and I'm running to be your freshman class representative. I'm running for this position because I know that as an Asian American and a first-generation student, I will be able to see what our community needs from both lenses. During my term, I plan to accomplish two things for our
class. Spark connection, and build community. These two things go hand in hand. As a student representative, I will help to create a safe space where everyone can find someone they can connect with, and overall, I will help build a community where everyone from all backgrounds feels welcome and accepted.
My experience in March For Our Lives Iowa as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Organizing has given me the skills and ability to accomplish what our class wants at Colorado College. During this role, I learned how to advocate for policy with higher-ups, plan statewide protests/events, analyze different perspectives, and collaborate with other organizations. At Colorado College, my ability to talk to higher-ups will help me communicate with the Colorado College Board of Trustees and Interim President Manya Whitaker, allowing me to be a compelling voice for the Colorado College student body. My capability to plan statewide protests has given me the experience I need to be able to successfully organize community events and carry out effective reforms. My exposure to various life perspectives has put me in a perfect position to understand where different parts of our community come from. Finally, my understanding of collaborating with other organizations has made me passionate about bringing all parts of the Colorado College community together, whether through clubs or Organizations.
As a freshman representative, I want to advocate for new shower heads, healthier food options, better communication, and a better way for Colorado College to handle the concerns of its students. I will help acquire funding for new shower heads to replace the current shower heads in Colorado College
bathrooms. For healthier food options, I will collaborate with the Colorado College chefs and dining hall staff to acquire and create more nutritional meals for students. For communications, I want to restructure the way Colorado College sends out information so that all information is in one centralized location. To address concerns, I want to help create an open forum where students can address their concerns to staff and interim president Manya Whitaker.
With the efforts of the rest of CCSGA, we will accomplish what the student body needs and wants. My vision for CCSGA is to have an effective group of people who will listen to the student body's needs. We will have Google forms where students can send recommendations and hold forums to get input from the
student body. I also envision an effective student body government where we can quickly address the needs of students. The student body government will efficiently plan meetings and events to help contribute to our community. Colorado College is a great place, but there are issues that only someone with a personal connection to the CC community, like me, can solve. I am on your side and I am here to listen to your needs. SEE the future with SAW
Hello everyone! My name is Shanti Harrison, and I am running to be your First-year Representative on the Colorado College Student Government Association.
I have known that I wanted to be on CCSGA since the very day I got my acceptance letter to this college. Why? Because there is no place I would rather spend these four years of my life, and I want that to be true for you all as well. I want to be able to ask each and every one of you, “how do you like CC?”, and I want you all to grin and respond saying, “I love CC”.
I recognize that if I asked you that question today, I might not get that response. I am running for CCSGAsothat I can hear what would make your experience here better and work with you to ensure that it becomes a reality.
All of us are at CC for a reason. For some of us, it’s because of the block plan and rigorous academics. For others, it’s because of the widely accessible outdoors or athletics. The clubs, organizations, or community were the determining factor for others. No matter the reason, we are here now. Here, we can choose our path, spread our passion, and collaborate to complete initiatives. We can make a real difference. Together.
But first, you have to place your trust in me.
I served as the Student Body President for my high school and worked tirelessly to ensure that all of my peers’ voices were not only heard but truly appreciated. Every day, I looked for ways to enhance the student experience at my school whether that was through establishing affinity groups, launching middle and elementary school mentorship programs, or even just hosting fun events such as movie nights or sports celebrations.
In addition to that, I was chosen as the Student Representative for my school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce where I was able to work directly with the principal to execute projects that benefitted the student body and ensured no one’s needs were overlooked. With my experience from that role, I was able to co-lead a faculty professional development day on how to increase student success and decrease microaggressions in and out of the classroom.
I, myself, am a queer woman of color, and I am adamant that everyone should have a platform for their voice to be heard. Here at CC, I will continue that work and make a deliberate effort to ensure that each and every one of you feel represented and truly seen, no matter your background, opinions, or hopes for the future.
Each one of us is a Tiger:
Thoughtful & tolerant
Inclusive & imaginative
Genuine & generous
Eager & engaged
Responsive & responsible
Together, we are the CC Tigers.
I aim to enhance these already-present qualities throughout my time on campus. If elected, I will ensure there are more culturally diverse food dishes in the dining facilities AND I will make sure there is information provided about the origin of those dishes. This will enhance the Tiger values of thoughtfulness and tolerance because you all will be able to form a deeper understanding of and connection to your peers and learn more about the diverse cultures present at CC.
In addition to that, I wish to increase student-led DEI celebratory and educational events on campus in order to foster a culture of inclusion. You all will have the opportunity to share the issues you are passionate about and you can use your imagination to come up with events that celebrate everyone’s identity.
I will also foster a welcoming space for YOU to come forward with hopes or concerns at CC so that we can get to know your genuine cares because you generously take the time to share parts of who you are with us.
One of my main initiatives will be to advocate for a centralized communication system that will take the form of a calendar. Right now, information is sent over email, GroupMe, Instagram, and it can be overwhelming. If we were to have a singular calendar with all the events that are happening on a given date, we would be able to more clearly plan out our days, see which events overlap, and increase our event attendance. This will make students more eager to attend events and more engaged on campus.
Lastly, I aim to facilitate further dialogue between the administration and the students. All of you are responsive to occurrences on campus, and this would give you the opportunity to be responsible and bring up any concerns with the administration.
Together, we can make these changes and more. Let’s work side by side to make your dreams for CCtangible.
Please vote Shanti Harrison for CCSGA First-year Representative.
Thank you.
As a Bengali Muslim Woman, I am running for the position of Freshman Year Representative to be a voice for diversity and inclusion within our student government. Regardless of one's background, I want to make sure that every student's voice is heard. I want to push for a more supportive and equal campus community. My aim is to establish a forum where students from various backgrounds may voice their worries and suggestions, and where their needs are addressed with practical answers. With the goal of helping students go through their first year with confidence and excitement, I wish to help them feel unity and belonging. Inclusion, openness, and cooperation are the three main things I want to see prioritized in the student government of 2024–2025. My ideal student government would include supporting mental health services, raising cultural sensitivity, and ensuring every student has the knowledge and confidence to best use the tools necessary for success. My ideal student government would be one that actively interacts with the student body, pays attention to its worries, and puts forth great effort to improve campus life for all.
Growing up in a multicultural community has taught me the value of empathy, understanding, and resilience. My experiences have given me a unique viewpoint that I believe will be useful in representing the different voices of our student population. My involvement in many community activities throughout high school, such as being Vice President of my Senior class and President of the Muslim Student Association, has helped mebuild excellent leadership skills, as I have successfully organized events, led teams, and advocated for topics that I am passionate about. These experiences taught me how to communicate effectively, collaborate, and stay focused on my goals even when faced with obstacles. I am confident that these abilities will allow me to effectively serve the student body and to be a leader who listens, understands, and acts. My current concerns on campus revolve around mental health, cultural awareness, and accessibility. I believe many students are dealing with academic stress and would benefit from more mental health resources. Cultural awareness is another area where I believe there is an opportunity for improvement. As a student from a minority group, I recognize the significance of feeling seen and valued.
I intend to improve cultural programming on campus by supporting events and activities that highlight our diverse student body and create a better knowledge and appreciation for different cultures. Last, I want to ensure that all students, regardless of background or ability, have fair access to the resources and opportunities they require for success. In conclusion, I am dedicated to making our campus a place where all students feel supported, appreciated, and encouraged to reach their greatest potential. By addressing these problems and strengthening our campus community, I believe we can make the student experience more inclusive and lively for everyone.
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