The Student Assembly Election is Thursday, March 26. Each class will elect 4 senators and 1 class president per social class in addition to electing the SA president and vice president. The following profiles outline the candidates for the SA senate and class president positions.
Class of 2016 Class Presidential Candidate
Name: Mark Bland (Incumbent)
Hometown: Purcellville, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as class president this semester?
I plan on providing programming that is beneficial to the transition that seniors face. I hope to continue to increase communication within the Student Assembly and connect individuals with the outstanding resources that exist on campus.
What have you done as a member of SA to deserve this position again?
I have served on the Policy and Student Life Senate committees. I was a major contributor to the Code and Constitution revisions that merged the Undergraduate Council and Senate in order to unify the Student Assembly and increase efficiency. I led the programming of the Junior Ring Ceremony, served on the Charter Day Speaker Selection Committee, led the Class of 2016 Commencement Speaker Nomination Committee, and sat on the SA Branding Committee.
Class of 2016 Class Senatorial Candidates
Name: Adam Nowicki
Hometown: Colts Neck, N.J.
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I am passionate about a number of issues here on-campus, but if I were to choose those nearest to my heart — Student Life, mental health and disabilities would top the list.
William and Mary has been a special experience for us all and as Senator, I will proudly represent our class and carry on these traditions for classes to come.
Name: Jakob Stalnaker
Hometown: Warrenton, Va.
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
If elected, I will work to accomplish three main goals: public availability of Student Assembly expenditures, increased funding for mental health resources, and greater SA funding for sustainability projects.
Name: Ivanessa Staykova
Hometown: Roanoke, Va.
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
As Senator, I would like to improve the transparency between the Senate and student body so we can better represent the voice of the students. I want to promote a safe and healthy community environment, with an emphasis on improving the efficiency and availability of student services such as the counseling center, dining halls, transportation, and health services. I am very passionate in making William and Mary a home that is inclusive to all of its students.
Name: Quetzabel Benavides (Undergraduate Council member)
Hometown: Dallas, T.X.
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I will focus on providing a comprehensive support system for student organizations, increase career and post-graduation preparation opportunities, and creating an inclusive environment for all students to flourish at The College. My aim is to speak with members of SA and students to create a collective plan to move forward together.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
Along with Mark, I am currently engaged in collecting information from students of places we need to increase our safety measures.
Name: Seth Opoku-Yeboah (Incumbent)
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 1
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
If elected, it will be my third term and leave me as one of the more senior members in Senate. I will serve as a mentor to younger members so that they will be familiar with the institutional know-hows in future sessions after I graduate.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
During my two terms on SA, I’ve collaborated on projects such as providing shuttles to off-campus sport stadiums and collaborating on policy recommendations to reflect student interest.
Name: Daniel Ackerman (Incumbent)
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 0
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
If re-elected to the Student Assembly Senate, I will continue to represent the interests of W&M students by increasing outreach to the campus community, improving mental health policies, expanding transparency, governing with fiscal responsibility and communicating student concerns to the administration.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
In my three terms, I have authored/sponsored over 40 bills, never missed a Senate meeting (except for one religious service in 2013), and constantly work with student organizations to plan and fund programs and events.
Class of 2017 Class Presidential Candidates
Name: Augustine Haam
Hometown: Trumbull, Conn.
What do you hope to accomplish as class president?
I wish to empower others to make a lasting impact on this community. Whether that’s creating new avenues in which we communicate on important issues, or more effectively promoting existing programs such as the Student Engagement & Empowerment through Dialogue (SEED) project. I will work towards expanding the scope of pre-existing First-Year-Initiatives so that future freshmen classes are exposed to critical dialogues for more than just thirty minutes in the beginning of their college careers.
Name: Katherine Ambrose
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
What do you hope to accomplish as class president?
I believe that the first step to solving problems on our W&M campus is recognizing that they exist — that we are not perfect. You all deserve a Class President who will be truthful and candid about our faults, while fostering an environment of direct communication, of open suggestions and criticism. I am committed to leading the Class of 2017 for our most extraordinary year yet, with bold and honest dedication.
Class of 2017 Class Senatorial Candidates
Note: Barring a write-in campaign, the fourth senate seat for the Class of 2017, will be appointed by the new Class of 2017 president.
Name: John Yoest (Undergraduate Council member)
Hometown: Arlington, Va.
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
With the restructuring and merging of Undergraduate council and Senate, I expect new challenges. I will continue to be an Advocate in the Student Assembly for the Class of 2017. I anticipate coordinating with the Executive to organize Class events and increase communication between the Student Body, and the Student Assembly.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
Every absence I have recorded in Student Assembly has been documented as a result of a direct conflict from Varsity Athletics, or US Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps events.
A student who is representative and inclusive of the Student Body deserves to be a Class Senator. I believe I fit the perfect description for Senator. Thank you for electing me the past 2 years, and I look forward to serving 2017 again!
Name: J.C. LaRiviere (Incumbent)
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 0
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I will continue to work on improving college policy to protect and expand student rights while also legislating in a fiscally responsible manner.
Name: Eboni Brown (Incumbent)
Hometown: Hopewell, Va.
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 0
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
As a Senator of the Class of 2017, I will continue to devote all my efforts to increasing the amount of diversity accountability on campus, especially in response to the One Family Resolution passed earlier this semester, as well as working to ensure that all students on campus are properly represented and treated fairly.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
As a Senator I have been a part of passing bills that are focused on making the lives of students better. I was the sponsor of the STI Bill to help reduce the cost of STI Test and the Incoming Freshman Bill to greet the Class of 2019 to the William and Mary Community. I have been a part of the SA for the past two years and I hope to continue to do great work for the Class of 2017 and the William and Mary community.
Class of 2018 Class Presidential Candidates
Name: Peter Kinton (former Undergraduate Council member)
Hometown: Sterling, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as class president this term?
If elected President of the Class of 2018, I hope to bring a new focus and organization to the newly reformed Student Assembly. Due to the lack of the Undergraduate Council’s success over the past couple of years, I hope to bring more events to directly benefit our own class since we can now streamline projects to fit our Class’ needs. Through many student’s perspective’s and ideas, I seek to use their ideas so that our year can run even smoother. With transparency and enthusiastic passion, I am fully committed to put all of my efforts and time into the Student Assembly. Although I am not the incumbent President, I am currently the Secretary of the Class of 2018. It may not have been the most pivotal role in Student Assembly, but I was extremely vocal about ideas for our Class. I helped orchestrate the “Warm Wednesdays” and the “Thankful Thursday” events on campus as well as the Candy Gram fundraiser. I attended every meeting and constantly made SA a top priority as I hope to do next year if chosen to represent the Class of 2018.
Name: Jose Acuna (Incumbent)
Hometown: Sterling, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as class president this semester?
Everything possible to make ‘18 great! Under the new SA, I foresee an underclassmen formal, cookout, skill fair, Warm Wednesdays, fun, and connecting ‘18 as One Tribe, One Family.
What have you done as a member of SA to deserve this position again?
In Undergrad, I saw the system’s flaws and helped make a better, more effective and purposeful, Student Assembly. I was also a member of the Finance and Student Life Senate committees, helping pass many bills for events that made our campus great! I’ve listened. I’ve cared.
Class of 2018 Senatorial Candidates
Senatorial candidates Luke Maclay, Chloe Madvig and Chris Shen did not respond to requests for comment. Adrienne Thompson and Roxy Moran have rescinded their nominations.
Name: Jonah Abraham
Hometown: Waterboro, ME
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
As someone who is very detail-oriented, I will scrutinize the budget, to ensure that not a single dollar is wasted. I also hope to work towards improving the work environments of our employees on campus. It is crucial that “One Tribe, One Family” apply to everybody, including our workers.
Name: Madison Fox
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
As a Senator representing the Class of 2018, I will make it my goal to provide the desires and needs of my fellow students. I will be accessible and open to any and all input from my peers. I am a proud member of William & Mary’s 321st class, and as your representative, I will foster that feeling throughout our William & Mary Family. our safety measures.
Name: Annie Oelberg
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I am a people pleaser so as a Senator, I will do my best to really listen to the student body, to actually implement actions that they not only need, but also WANT. My biggest goal is to make sure that the Class of 2018 is heard as a whole, and that every action I help put into place benefits all types of students so that everyone feels like their voice is truly represented.
Name: Nathaniel Sutherland
Hometown: Manassas, VA
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I will fund crucial transportation services, especially shuttles to airports and NoVa during breaks (including Spring Break). I will enhance off-campus living by working with the Williamsburg government to accommodate your concerns, particularly with issues like the noise ordinance. I want to expand funding of enthralling events like TEDx and big-name concerts, including for the growing EDM scene. I will support efforts to restructure the SA so that your student government can more efficiently operate.
Name: Danny O’Dea (Incumbent)
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 1
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
Upon being re-elected I will continue my support of services that I have been outspoken for, from subsidized STI testing in the Student Health Center to buses to NOVA during breaks.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
Throughout this last term I have been a vocal member of the Student Senate, always making sure that through my voice the desires of the Student Body could be heard. I have every intention of continuing to be that should I be honored with a second term.
Name: Annelise Yackow (Incumbent)
Hometown: Nashville, TN
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 1
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
If re-elected again as a senator, I will continue to support the efforts of SA and the student population to improve discrimination on campus by supporting the One Tribe Resolution and the task force tackling these issues. I will serve earnestly and exhibit dedication to the class of 2018 and to SA.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
I have only missed one meeting this semester due to mandatory job training. I take my position seriously and hope to continue serving.
Name: James Shaw (Incumbent)
Hometown: Richmond, VA
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 1
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
I promise to dedicate myself and remain fiscally responsible by continuing to vote for bills that I believe benefit the Tribe. I will also try to increase the communication and cooperation between the Student Assembly and the student body.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
The few meetings I have missed have been the result of illness. I believe I deserve to get re-elected because I actively participate in the Finance Committee, Outreach Committee, and as the Undergraduate Council Representative.
Name: Alaina Shreves (Incumbent)
Hometown: Morgantown, WV
No. of missed meetings in 2015: 2
What do you hope to accomplish as a class senator this term?
As an athlete on the pre-med track, I bring a different perspective than most other candidates. In my next term in Senate, I plan to focus on planning more social class specific events and encouraging a higher level of student involvement in SA. To achieve this, I plan on updating meeting minutes more regularly and implementing a better way for students to directly contact their representatives.
What have you done to deserve this position again?
As a varsity athlete, my practice schedule sometimes conflicted with Senate meetings during my past term. However, I have no unexcused absences and have made it a point to make it to every meeting I could, sometimes showing up in my cheerleading uniform straight from a game. As a voting member of the SA, I have assisted with bill writing and helped bring exciting events to campus.
