Student Government Assoc.

SGA - Candidates:

Please scroll down to find each candidates biography

Max Grassby

Favorite City: New York City, Favorite Meal: Bacon and Pancakes, Favorite Movie: Happy Gilmore, Favorite Band: The Killers.

I'm a junior and I'm majoring in Finance. I am involved in Beta Gamma Sigma, Intramurals, and Spectrum. I enjoy playing tennis, biking, and basically just being outside.

I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, near Mt. Rushmore. I have two sisters, and two darn good parents. And just about every chance I get I go back to see the family.

Qualifications: I have a good deal of leadership experience, being captain of my high school tennis team for three years, and president of the biggest Honors Society in the state of South Dakota. I also have a great deal of experience with helping all types of individuals. One example is last summer, when I worked for U.S. Senator, Tim Johnson. During that summer, I provided assistance to constituents with individual problems and provided intervention and assistance with local, state, and federal government agencies on a wide array of issues.

As Student Director of Finance I would always vow to be fiscally responsible. However at the same time I will always do my best to help new clubs or growing clubs acquire the funds they need to get more students involved in activities and organizations here at UCCS.

Finally, whether on the tennis court, grinding out a match or in the Senator's office, helping a poverty stricken family, I always have implored a never say quit attitude. And if I am elected Student Director of Finance, I promise to bring that same attitude to SGA, by always trying my hardest to do what's best for my fellow students.

Jeffrey Gerali

My name is Jeffrey Gerali I'm a junior majoring in Marketing with a minor in Human Resources. I am a member of the UCCS men's soccer team. I hope to start the American Advertising Federation club back up in the fall. I believe students need a person who is active and involved with campus activities and clubs. I want to give students the best possible education while continuing to make sure the college of business maintains its AACSB accreditation. I believe students should decide how their tuition money and fees are being spent. Students should also be informed on how their organization or club can receive that money. Finally, I want to lead, encourage and support not only business students but the entire student body. 9

I am currently a sophomore (by hours) enrolled in the College of Engineering as an Electrical Engineer.  For the past 2 semesters, I've been assisting the current Student Dean of EAS, Dan Szarkowski, in various events. Along with my activities here at school, I am a leader in the college group at my church ENGAGE at Rocky Mountain Calvary. I graduated High School from Colorado Springs Christian High School. While there, I served 3 years on student government, 2 of which I was the Head of Activities on campus. Also in my senior year, I was team captain of the debate team, which, for the first time in CSCS history, sent 2 debate teams to state; I was on one of them. Outside of high school, I achieved my Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America and still continue in Boy Scout activities to this day. I am currently running as Student Dean of Engineering, and I believe my past history in leadership and service will prove me to be a good candidate for this position.

Platform:

I want to push for change in the way Engineering is viewed across campus. Right now we have the engineering building where people just go to for class and leave. I want to make it a place people can hang out and chat and just create more of a community than a building. Then, we also have University Hall with, thanks to construction, is virtually impossible to get to, and this is where the majority of our MAE program is. I am currently working on proposals and various ways to make the engineering major more unified and with this unity will come more productive activities and an overall more enjoyable environment for UCCS students.

Dawn Cordova

My name is Dawn Cordova and I am running for Student Dean of LAS. I am a senior majoring in biology. After graduation, I plan on attending PA school, specializing in emergency medicine. I have also been a member of the Air National Guard for the past seven years and am a strong advocate for our military students on campus. When a student has an issue on campus, I will sit down with fellow SGA members and the administration to come up with a solution. An example of my actions is last fall when I co-created a petition to support our military students in the event of sudden deployments. As Student Dean of LAS, I will be a strong voice for the students in all aspects of campus life. As a student government member, I will not just say things are going to change, but I will be a leader in making sure change is applied.

Nerissa England

My name is Nerissa England and I am running for SGA Senator. I am a freshman here at UCCS. I moved from Spokane, WA down here to beautiful Colorado the summer after I graduated from high school to experience life in Colorado. I had no idea that I was going to be going to UCCS but I love it so much and I am very lucky this is where I ended up! I am not positive what my major is yet, but hey I am only a freshman! Currently I am very interested in the music program here and I am in the Jazz choir.

I decided to run for Senator because attend this school, therefore I spend a lot of time here and I really want a say in what goes on at UCCS. Although, ultimately I want to give the students a voice as well because everyone deserves the best college experience possible.

I want UCCS to grow and flourish as a campus, and in order to achieve that I want to support any and all student life opportunities at the school. I feel our school has GREAT potential; the students here just need to feel the same way as I do! I feel strongly that if SGA really wants the students to get involved, then we have to be the ones getting out there and promoting theses activities and making students aware of all the opportunities available. One idea I had to not only reach out to our current students, but to draw in new students, is to have events like "Open Mic Night". At this event, current students, and local high school students could come and share whatever musical talents they have. I feel events like this would give students the opportunity to get to know each other, and also the chance to do something to get involved with the school at least once a week!

I know that if students become more and more involved in campus activities like "Open Mic Night", it will make them more aware to what the campus has to offer in general, and that SGA is here to help them!

Thanks so much and don't forget to VOTE!!!!!!!

Brendan Kullback

I am a second year student with junior/senior status as a mechanical engineering major with aerospace engineering, mathematics, and physics minors. Upon graduation, I will study nuclear engineering in graduate school where I hope to earn a PhD. I grew up in Denver Colorado where I attended George Washington High School, one of the most diverse schools in the state. I am an active member of many student clubs and organizations including but not limited to Band Club, Society of Automotive Engineers, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, National Scholars Honor Society, and I am a varsity athlete on the cross country and track & field teams. I am a dedicated volunteer to the international FIRST Robotics and Lego League competitions which not only introduces science and technology to elementary, junior high, and high school students, but teaches them gracious-professionalism and good character.

I am a man of logic and reason, direct and to the point. I will bring a logical and analytical perspective to the SGA that has been historically plagued by emotional irrationality and inconsistency. I am a strong believer in, responsibility, accountability, and honesty for individuals and organizations. Decisions made by the SGA have real and significant effects on the educational value and campus life of the students at this university; therefore, it is in the best interest of the student body to elect persons of maturity, not popularity so that the SGA can effectively function to serve the students and community.

I'm from Butler, Pennsylvania and this is my fourth semester at UCCS. Along with credits I received from the University of Pittsburgh I hold junior year status. I'm studying Geography and Environmental Studies and also pursuing a minor in sustainable development. Plans for post-graduation include obtaining a masters degree in environmental sociology in order to provide aid to countries most affected by natural disaster. I am an active participant in intramural sports and also an avid outdoorsman; I love to climb, ski, and run and I am an alumni of the National Outdoor Leadership School. I have great interest in humanitarian aid and have plans to obtain an Emergency Medical Technician License.
What I stand for:
**Foremost, I stand for accountability in my duties as senator. Responsibility and the desire to make informed decisions are essential in forming a productive student government.
Working with the Athletic Department and the University Center to provide a greater student impact at team athletic events.
Balancing the rapid growth of our school with what makes it so attractive; the natural beauty of the surrounding open spaces and low student-professor ratio.
I'm in favor of a more community oriented atmosphere in the Nevada development project. The big box stores that are planned will be detrimental to access, safety, environment, and college-like atmosphere of UCCS.
Finally, I'm running for student senator because I have a passion for UCCS that promotes higher standards inside the classroom and out and I believe my expectations echo those of my fellow students.