Next student government president learns the job from predecessor
By Diamond Stoklin
Staff Reporter
Samer Hassan will be the president of Student Government Association at Harold Washington College for the next academic year.
Up until the day of the SGA debate against student senator and presidential candidate Ali Kleiche and Heller Lopes, who also was running for president, Hassan prepared himself with statistics and facts on the fiscal school year. He felt confident in his abilities to successfully support his ideals to improve the school.
Hassan is taking notes from other SGA cabinet members on the preparatory steps to take when he takes office. He’s learning a degree of professionalism that is acquired through training.
“I’m working hand in hand with Kevin [current SGA president] right now,” said Hassan. “He helps me a lot with this… I’m trying to absorb all the knowledge that I can right now.”
Hassan will begin training sessions throughout the summer.
After attending the latest district board meeting with Kevin Woo and other SGA members, his first impression led him to understand the stoic nature of district board members. He can better prepare to speak at future district board meetings.
As far as his promises are concerned, one of the President-elect’s main concerns is advertising and introducing SGA members, including himself, to the student body more frequently and assertively.
“I want them to know where we are, where to find us, who we are,” he said.
He plans to go to classes with other SGA members to improve visibility between the students and them.
Senator Ali Kechiche hopes that Hassan will not be selfish with his new title and hope that there will be better communication between the students, faculty members, clubs, organizations and student activity affairs.
“At the end of the day, it’s a matter of collaborating our effort for the benefit of the students,” said Kleiche.
Kleiche also hopes that there will be transparency in the student body.
Hassan came in first, Kleiche in second and Lopes in third. Running unopposed, Vanessa Abreu is secretary and Walter Monterosso is the newly elected SGA treasurer.
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