An intentional effort to boost Ferris State University’s Student Government Association participation is one initiative Paige Abromaitis hopes to advance as its newly elected president.
A senior-to-be in 2021-22, Abromaitis, a student in Hospitality Management pursuing a minor in Event Management, said the last year was an eye-opening experience in offering leadership and managing through challenging times.
“I joined Student Government as the representative of the Hospitality Management Student Association, which included accepting the opportunity to participate in, and eventually become the chair of our philanthropy committee this year,” Abromaitis said. “Having to conduct Student Government meetings in a virtual realm has proven challenging. It impacted our membership, 40 to 50 people per session when we could gather as a group when I began. I hope to offer a fun and exciting environment for those who make up the association so that we can have a positive impact on the student body, campus and university community.”
Abromaitis is from Dryden, east of Flint, and said outgoing Student Government President Allyson Faulkner encouraged her to seek the leadership role.
“Considering the amount of time I had been with the association, I was a little shocked at the suggestion,” Abromaitis said. “Allyson was very complimentary about the efforts I had made to get people thinking about helping others and giving of themselves. She had faith in my abilities as a leader. I am grateful for the investment she has made in me, so we can do good things as a group and help Ferris to be a better place.”
Abromaitis was credited with organizing a response to the Student Government’s 2020 canned food drive by developing a virtual guidebook that allowed RSOs to make a contact-free drop-off of donations. Abromaitis learned of her success in the Student Government election during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 13.
“We are sponsors of The Big Event which is where all of my focus is at the moment,” Abromaitis said. “After we complete that project and the academic year, I will turn my attention to the assembly of our cabinet, along with preparations for the next year’s goals and activities.”