SGA is Ready to Engage

This year, the Student Government Association (SGA) is committed to fostering conversation around community, equity, and inclusion, and generating engaging activities and events for Fisher students.

Fisher News Highlights caught up with the SGA Executive Board to learn more about each member and what they hope to accomplish this year.

As president of the Student Government Association, Ian Klenk ’24 chairs meetings of the Executive Board and Senate, and sits as an ex-officio member of the University Board of Trustees. Informally, he helps coordinate the initiatives of the officers and senators and meets with administration and staff to represent the student perspective.

“As president, I plan to maintain the governing structure of the SGA while continuing to increase its transparency and communication potential,” he said. “I also plan to promote engagement on campus, with a special focus on incentivizing programming. Finally, I am looking forward to identifying and enhancing spaces on campus that can be utilized for student programming.”

A dual-major in political science and history, outside of SGA, Klenk is a member of the Service Scholars and Honors programs. He also serves as an ambassador for the Office of Admissions, and occasionally volunteers to read at Sunday Mass.

Jenna Vinoya ’24 serves as vice president for SGA, providing support for the Executive Board, maintaining a relationship with the Office of Institutional Advancement, and overseeing SGA’s signature events.

This year, Vinoya plans to further the development of Cardinal Conversations and work alongside Dr. Marlowe Washington, Fisher’s senior diversity officer, in that effort. And, she hopes to increase the visibility of senators so that students can come to them with anything they need.

“We are students, too! We go through the same day-to-day challenges as our peers,  but we are also all passionate about leadership and student advocacy, which is the driving force behind the work we do,” Vinoya said. “We are here to support YOU!”

A public health major and modern languages and cultures minor, Vinoya is a member of the Service Scholar and Honors programs, plays intramural volleyball, and is a member of Fisher Dance.

Chief of Staff Corey Plakosh ’24 is a first-year pharmacy student in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy who is earning a dual Pharm.D./MBA. In his role in SGA, he manages the organization’s calendar, takes meeting minutes, and oversees the Nest. He also serves as co-chair of the Community and Belonging Committee. He encourages students to reach out to senators for anything they need or attend their weekly meetings (6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Elaine Wilson Formal Lounge).

“I hope to help the student body understand how much of a resource their senators really are,” Plakosh explained. “In addition, I would like to continue to build up CEI (community, equity, inclusion) on the campus!”

Plakosh is involved in several organizations in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy and is a part of the Honors program. In addition, he is a student ambassador and a peer/music minister for Campus Ministry.

As the director of student life and organizations, Maddie Bowen ’25 is all about fostering engagement on campus. She chairs the Club Review Board (CRB) Committee, plans events including the All Clubs meetings and Involvement Fest, works on initiatives revolving around student life, and serves as the SGA representative on the Inclusion Council. She said this semester Fisher students should look out for a new club handbook and a new process to start a club.

“I hope to create an easier and more understandable club system that emphasizes support for student engagement and involvement,” she said. “I further hope to work on a variety of initiatives that place a greater focus on addressing inclusion and accessibility on campus.”

A member of the cross country and track and field team and a member of the Political Action Club, Bowen is also a member of the Service Scholar and Honors program and works as a writing tutor.

An accounting and corporate finance major, with a minor in data analytics, it’s no surprise that Nate Lewis ’24 is the director of financial affairs for SGA. In this role, he works with clubs and organizations to manage their budgets effectively.

“I hope to provide students with a streamlined club system that makes it easier for passionate student leaders to get funding for new and engaging campus events and initiatives,” he said. “In the past, we have heard that some students have trouble understanding the club system and I am determined to make the system—especially club finances—more user-friendly.”
 
Lewis also helps SGA manage their own budget and allocate funding specifically for engaging events on campus. He is excited to help deliver some of the best events and experiences campus has seen in years.

In addition to SGA, Lewis is involved in numerous clubs including the Investment Club and the Student Activities Board. This year, he is also an executive intern with the Division of Financial Affairs.
 
Emily Tollar ’25 is director of academic affairs, coordinating all academic recommendations and providing scholastic information to Fisher students.

“This year, I want to continue the important work of making sure that our campus and community are inclusive and accessible toward everyone,” she said.

Tollar said one way to foster inclusivity is ensuring everyone has a voice on campus. “Students should definitely look out for the sip n’ spill meeting later in the semester because it is a lot of fun,” she said. “Students should also consider coming to our weekly senate meetings because we love it when others come to share their opinions on the issues we discuss.”

A Service Scholar and member of the Honors program, Tollar is an inclusive childhood education major with a concentration in English. She also serves as an Orientation leader.

Lauren Weiner ’24 is the director of marketing and communications, promoting all SGA-affiliated events and news. She is also a resource for any clubs and organizations looking to promote their activities through SGA channels, including their Instagram and Remind accounts. Weiner’s goal is to strengthen the brand of SGA as a whole.

“SGA is pretty well known amongst students, so it is incredibly important that students recognize SGA-affiliated material right away,” she said.

She also hopes to help SGA be a more approachable organization for students.

“Although SGA may seem like a very formal and somewhat intimidating organization - we are all students just like you,” she said, echoing Vinoya’s thoughts. “We understand what it’s like to be a college student - and we are here to listen to you. Any member of the SGA is always more than happy to sit and chat with their constituents if need be! Furthermore, if you choose to attend Senate meetings or SGA events, you will realize that the Senate has some pretty hot topics to discuss, and we host events that are always a good time.”

A history major with a dual minor is Spanish and legal studies, Weiner also plays intramural volleyball and is a member of Fisher Dance.

What’s Your “So Fisher” Song?

Members of the SGA Executive Board told us the one song they felt best represented their Fisher experience. Now it’s your turn! Have a song that feels “so Fisher”? Email mgrecolopes@sjf.edu and we’ll consider it for the playlist.