Ferris State University’s Student Government Association has launched its 2020-21
academic year presidential election.
The mission of the Student Government is to represent Ferris student interests through open channels of communication with university faculty and staff and the Big Rapids community. The organization’s president plays a significant role in those relationships.
The 2020-21 presidential candidates are Allyson Faulkner, a junior from Rockford majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics, and Sophie Kubesh, a sophomore from Interlochen majoring in Pre-Pharmacy.
Student Government elections, which began March 31, run through Sunday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m. Students can log on to Bulldog Connect and click the ballot.
Faulkner, the 2019-20 Student Government president, described her work in the organization as a “passion.” She further expressed belief in the value of students having a voice.
Student Government is my passion. Every day when I walk onto campus and see the work being done by the Student Government Association in real-time, I know that it is all worth it,” she said. “I am so proud of all that we have done in the past year and plan to continue my work into my final year here at Ferris. I would like to be the FSUSGA 2020-21 president because I believe in the power of the student voice and the opportunity and ability Student Government has to harness and promote that.”
Kubesh, who is Student Government’s director of internal assessment, appreciates the opportunities that the organization has to impact the lives of students positively.
“I have been involved with Student Government since I joined in the spring of 2019 as a representative. As a member, I have grown to love the community and the message of Student Government, and I want to be able to impact the students on campus,” she said. “Through the cabinet, I have been able to impact the organization through my position as director of internal assessment. However, I want to be able to impact the organization and the Ferris State community at a greater level. I believe that the position of president would give me the opportunity to help grow Student Government and impact the students of Ferris State.”
Faulkner and Kubesh are actively involved in other campus student organizations and beyond. Faulkner cites her involvement with Student Alumni Gold Club, the debate team, as a student-athlete on the track and field team, the Honors Program and the Global Competency Collaborative Certificate Program. Kubesh’s student organization involvement has included service as the tribune (secretary) for Phi Sigma Sigma and membership in the American Chemical Society.
As far as a vision for running Student Government, during the 2020-21 academic year, Kubesh expressed a student-focused approach.
“My vision for running Student Government is to educate the campus about the goals and the purpose of Student Government,” she said. “By doing this, Student Government will truly be the voice of the students and will create a collaboration between the faculty and students at Ferris State.”
Faulkner envisions a legacy of student empowerment and Student Government growth that will continue long after she has graduated to become a Ferris alumna.
“I truly believe in the power of the student voice and know that we have every opportunity to make our campus everything we want it to be. Running for president a second time, I know that the ideas I have, can and will make a difference on campus,” Faulkner said. “For this next year, I see a positive change in the culture and climate of our school on the forefront. I plan to spearhead a fall break for students’ mental health and academic growth, and a possible extension to the campus-wide open hour we have all come to love for our Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and other organizations.”
All current students can vote in the elections. Students can click vote and login to cast their votes for president and college senators.