May 12, 2026<\/p>\n
2:15 pm, Forum (Room 3-139A), Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom<\/p>\n
Student Senators<\/strong><\/p>\n President<\/strong><\/p>\n Vice President of Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n Vice President of Downtown Campus Student Trustee<\/strong><\/p>\n Chief of Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n Office of Student Life<\/strong><\/p>\n Visitors<\/strong><\/p>\n Call to Order (2:16 pm)<\/p>\n Good afternoon everyone, I hope you are all doing well and had a restful weekend. Being that this is the last Senate meeting of the semester, we were all asked to reflect on our experience this past year in Student Government. And honestly, it feels surreal even saying that out loud. This moment feels especially meaningful because a good majority of us will be walking across the stage in just a few short weeks. And I don\u2019t think it has fully hit me yet that this chapter is almost over.<\/p>\n When reflecting on my journey in SGA, I felt it was only right to start from the beginning where it all started. At the beginning of my freshman year, I came in like most first-year students trying to figure out who I was, where I was going, and where I belonged. I was involved, I stayed active on campus through sports and other activities, and I tried to stay busy. But deep down, I still felt like something was missing. I didn\u2019t know exactly what it was, but I knew I hadn\u2019t found my place yet.<\/p>\n That feeling is what brought me to Student Government during my second semester. I remember preparing for my interview ahead of time, nervous, overthinking what I was going to say, and honestly worrying about how I would be perceived. I walked in feeling like I had something to prove. But the moment I stepped through the door and was greeted with smiles and genuine passion from our past VP and President, those nerves disappeared. And I remember thinking to myself in that exact moment, this is where I\u2019m meant to be.<\/p>\n Fast forward to being encouraged to run for President. At first, I was scared. I was hesitant. I was unsure if I was capable of holding that kind of responsibility. I doubted myself constantly. I kept thinking, Why me? Am I really ready? But eventually, I made a decision that changed everything. I took a leap of faith, and I bet on myself. And that is something I will always be grateful for, because it taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: sometimes the things that scare us the most are the things that will shape us the most.<\/p>\n Stepping into the role of President was not easy. It wasn\u2019t glamorous. It wasn\u2019t always exciting. It was stressful. It was overwhelming. It was exhausting. It was a constant learning process filled with mistakes, adjustments, late nights, and moments where I genuinely questioned if I was doing enough. There were times this year where I felt like I was carrying the weight of everything on my shoulders. There were times I felt like I had to be strong even when I was tired. times I felt like I had to keep showing up even when I didn\u2019t know what the next step was. And balancing leadership, being a full-time student, and still trying to keep up with everything else life throws at you it was a lot.<\/p>\n But through it all, I learned something powerful: leadership isn\u2019t about being perfect. It\u2019s about showing up. It\u2019s about being consistent. It\u2019s about staying committed even when things don\u2019t go the way you planned.<\/p>\n One of the biggest lessons I\u2019ve learned this year is how to embrace change. Change can be scary. Change can be uncomfortable. Change can be overwhelming. It can make you feel unsure of yourself. But Student Government taught me that change is necessary. Change shapes us. It pushes us. It forces us to grow. And even though it isn\u2019t always easy, it is always worth it.<\/p>\n Throughout this year, I\u2019ve learned lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life conflict resolution, how to take a moment to think before reacting, how to see all sides of a situation before making a decision, and how to truly advocate for others even when it\u2019s difficult. I learned how to speak up even when my voice shook. I learned how to stand in rooms that I never thought I belonged in, and still believe that I deserved to be there. Student Government didn\u2019t just teach me how to lead. It taught me how to believe in myself.<\/p>\n Not only will I carry these lessons with me, but I will also cherish the memories I\u2019ve made with this team waking up at 8 AM on a Saturday to volunteer, team bonding activities, karaoke on road trips, and all the small moments in between that made this experience so special.<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t an easy year for Student Government. We experienced successes, we faced failures, and we went through a lot together. But through it all, I\u2019ve taken pride in watching each and every one of you grow, step up, and adapt to whatever challenges came your way. Being surrounded by such a hardworking and dedicated group has pushed me to become a better leader. Throughout this year, we also had the opportunity to be a part of meaningful experiences that reminded me why our work matters.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve really enjoyed our events like Constitution Day, where we were able to engage with the student body and have real conversations about why the Constitution matters. And the 9\/11 ceremony, where we came together to honor such an emotional day, these were the moments that remind me that what we do isn\u2019t just about meetings or agendas. It\u2019s about impact. It\u2019s about community.<\/p>\n And of course, our ELT meetings, where we were able to take part in shared governance. Sitting at that table, receiving updates from the President and her team, and being able to share our own updates as student leaders those experiences showed me something I will never forget: our voices matter. Our presence matters. And student leadership has real power on this campus. To my senators Rusty, Elle, Bodhi, Maddie, and John I have seen so much growth in all of you this year, and I am so proud of each of you.<\/p>\n John and Maddie, as you prepare for your next chapter, I truly wish you the best. Maddie, your kindness and positive spirit will take you far, and I hope you never lose that part of yourself. John, it has been a pleasure working alongside you I will miss your jokes, your energy, and your ability to always see the best in people even when things were stressful.<\/p>\n Rusty the growth I\u2019ve seen in you this year has been incredible. From the quiet, shy person you were on your first day to the leader you are now, it genuinely makes me proud. I\u2019ve loved watching you step up, take initiative, and continuously show up for this team. I know you are going to do amazing things, and I know you are going to make an incredible trustee. And outside of our SGA responsibilities, I\u2019m grateful I was able to build a friendship with you. I\u2019ve appreciated your support, your kindness, and all of our Chick-fil-A runs. I cannot wait to see you continue to grow.<\/p>\n Bodhi, I\u2019ve truly appreciated getting to know you and seeing your passion for giving back to our campus community. You have such a good heart, and I hope you continue to use that to make a difference wherever you go.<\/p>\n Elle Reeves – words cannot even fully express how proud I am of you. Not only have I had the privilege of working with you, but also being your best friend. You are strong, resilient, and an incredible student leader. Watching you find your voice and grow into who you are today has genuinely been one of my favorite parts of this entire year.<\/p>\n Next, Parker, Abby, Anthony and Marg – you all played such a crucial role in SGA this year. From helping run interviews to organizing clothing drives, I am truly grateful for each of you.<\/p>\n Anthony, it has been a privilege getting to know you even though it\u2019s been a short amount of time I\u2019ve enjoyed our time working together. I know you will make a wonderful vice president of downtown wishing you all the best .<\/p>\n Parker, I\u2019ve really enjoyed working with you. You are a dedicated leader who always goes above and beyond. And honestly, you kept Marg and me on our toes with your many questions but that\u2019s what made you you. Stepping into this role as President, there were moments where I doubted myself or wondered if I was doing the right thing. You were one of the people who helped reassure me that Margarita and I were on the right path, and I appreciate that more than you know.<\/p>\n Chief of Staff Pottinger, it has been an honor watching your growth from Res Hall Senator to Club & Org Senator, and now Chief of Staff. You stepped into your role with patience, dedication, and commitment. Your impact on this team has been huge. And beyond SGA, I\u2019ve appreciated building a real friendship with you. I\u2019ll miss you next year, but I know you will do amazing wherever you go.<\/p>\n Lastly, Vice President Rizzuti – Marg, you have played such a pivotal role in this team. You are truly one of the hardest-working people I know. Balancing multiple jobs, being a full-time student, and still showing up every single day with a positive attitude is inspiring. You always know how to say the right thing when I\u2019m stressed, how to encourage me and calm my nerves. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a week where I\u2019m not stressed or running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and then I look at you and somehow I feel grounded again. Either you calm me down and remind me everything will be okay or you panic with me but somehow, both still make me feel like we\u2019re in this together. We both have strong personalities, and sometimes we butt heads, but my love for you will never change. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being such a bright, shining light. Thank you for comforting me during hard times. Thank you for all the hours you\u2019ve given to Student Government, and for your kindness and patience with me. I genuinely don\u2019t think I would have made it through this year without you. We\u2019ve spent countless hours in the SGA office preparing for meetings, regrouping after long days, and figuring everything out together. Thank you for going on this wild ride with me. Outside of SGA, building a friendship with you has meant so much to me. I will miss you more than I can put into words. RIT is so lucky to have you, and I know your determination and work ethic will take you far. I love you, and thank you for everything.<\/p>\n I also want to thank our amazing advisors, Jodi and Mark. Jodi, you haven\u2019t just been an advisor to me but a mentor You reminded me who I was on the days I forgot. You challenged me to grow, even when growth was uncomfortable. And you supported me even when things were messy, stressful, or overwhelming. You have never made me feel like I was failing. You always made me feel like I was learning and that meant everything. I will miss you so much next year as I move on to my next institution. I\u2019ll miss seeing you in the office, around the halls, and in Student Government. I\u2019ll miss your motivational morning messages. I\u2019ll miss your energy, your patience, and your constant belief in us. But more than anything, I\u2019ll miss you as a person. You have truly left a mark on my life, and I will never forget you.<\/p>\n Mark, thank you for always showing up for this team. You have a way of bringing humor into stressful situations, and sometimes that laugh was exactly what we needed to keep going. I know this year wasn\u2019t always easy, but you still supported us, encouraged us, and reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously. You made the hard days feel lighter, and that mattered more than you probably realize.<\/p>\n And to both of you thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for caring about students the way you do. It is so clear that you both truly love what you do, and because of that, you have helped shape so many student leaders including me.<\/p>\n When I started this reflection, I talked about coming into MCC unsure of who I was and where I belonged. And today, I can confidently say that I found that through Student Government. Student Government has opened doors for me. It has put me in rooms I never thought I belonged in. It has pushed me, challenged me, humbled me, and strengthened me. It has shown me that I am capable of more than I ever believed. And although this chapter is coming to an end, I know the impact of this experience will stay with me forever. And as we all move forward into our next chapters, I hope we carry a piece of this experience with us, not just the titles or the positions, but the lessons, the growth, and the people who helped shape us into who we are becoming. I know I will carry these memories, these friendships, and these lessons with me for the rest of my life.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t As this semester comes to an end, this final report is filled with gratitude, reflection, and pride for everything that has been accomplished throughout the year. Looking back on these past months, it is impossible for me not to recognize how meaningful this journey has been, both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n This week began with the Model United Nations Reception, which was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievements of everyone involved. The experience reminded me of the importance of leadership, diplomacy, collaboration, and representing MCC with excellence both on and off campus.<\/p>\n A special thank you also goes to Anthony for inviting us to the Spring Fling at the Downtown Campus. The event was an amazing experience and brought so much energy, positivity, and community spirit to campus.<\/p>\n The clothing drive initiative also continued to be a meaningful and successful project. Seeing the collaboration between students, faculty, and staff, and witnessing the amount of support received from both the Brighton and Downtown campuses, was incredibly rewarding. Projects like this serve as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a real impact within the community.<\/p>\n As this final report comes to a close, I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the people who made this year so meaningful. I want to do it one by one, because this team became more than just Student Government to me ; they became a family, and they deserve the time, appreciation, and recognition for everything they have done throughout this journey.<\/p>\n Former President Angelo is truly one of the main reasons why I am sitting at this table today. You helped shape the leader I have become, and without your guidance, encouragement, and belief in me, I would not be as involved or as passionate about Student Government as I am today. You saw potential in me before I was even able to fully see it in myself, and you pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, take opportunities, and grow both as a leader and as a person.<\/p>\n Your dedication to MCC and to the people around you always stood out to me, and the example you set inspired me to want to contribute in the same way. You taught me that leadership is not only about positions or titles, but about showing up for people, creating connections, and leaving a positive impact wherever you go. I truly miss working with you in Student Life and all the moments we shared there \u2014 from the busy days to the small conversations that always somehow turned into important life lessons.<\/p>\n I am incredibly grateful for all the advice, support, and confidence you gave me throughout this journey. A huge part of the reason I love Student Government so much today is because of the environment and passion you helped create. I wish you nothing but the absolute best in everything you do moving forward, because I know that wherever life takes you, you will continue to inspire and positively impact the people around you just like you did here at MCC.<\/p>\n Lisa, what a year this has been. I could have never imagined at the beginning of the year how much this friendship would grow and how important you would become in both my life and this journey. Watching you improve in your role day by day has honestly been incredible, and it\u2019s insane to see how naturally you became such an amazing President. The amount of growth, maturity, and confidence you showed throughout this year has been inspiring to witness, and I genuinely believe you are one of the best leaders this organization could have asked for.<\/p>\n What makes you special is not only the work you do, but the way you carry yourself through every situation. No matter how stressed, overwhelmed, or exhausted you may be, you are always there for everyone else first. You always make time for people, always listen, and always try to help in whatever way you can. That kind of leadership is rare. Sometimes people only see the final result of everything we accomplish, but they don\u2019t see the long nights, the constant problem-solving, the pressure, or the amount of responsibility you carry every single day. I see it, and I appreciate every single thing you do by my side.<\/p>\n You answer every call, every text, every FaceTime, no matter the time of day, and you do it out of pure care and dedication. You have this incredible ability to stay strong for the people around you even when you are going through your own challenges, and I admire that more than you know. Your determination, patience, and ability to keep moving forward no matter what happens are qualities that will take you so far in life.<\/p>\n Beyond Student Government, you became one of the most important people in my life here at MCC. Thank you for every conversation, every laugh, every stressful moment we got through together, and every memory we created this year. Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and helping me become a better leader and person. I honestly could not imagine this experience without you.<\/p>\n I am incredibly proud of you, proud of the leader you became, and proud of everything you accomplished this year. I know that whatever comes next for you, you are going to continue doing amazing things and positively impacting everyone around you.<\/p>\n Abigail, I met you during my second semester here at MCC, and from the very beginning, I had a feeling we would become close friends. Over time, that feeling turned into one of the friendships I value most from my experience here. You are one of the few people I know I can truly tell everything to without hesitation, and that kind of trust is something very special to me.<\/p>\n One of the things I admire most about you is the way you approach everything you do. You never leave things unfinished, and you always give your best effort no matter the situation. Your work ethic, dedication, and determination are honestly inspiring, and you naturally excel in everything you put your mind to. Whether it\u2019s academics, leadership, Student Government, or helping the people around you, you always manage to do it with grace, intelligence, and kindness.<\/p>\n What means the most to me, though, is the kind of person you are beyond all of your accomplishments. You are always there whenever I need a hand, support, or advice, but most importantly, you are always there to listen. In moments of stress, confusion, or even excitement, you always make people feel heard and understood, and that is such a rare quality to have.<\/p>\n I genuinely know that the future holds incredible things for you because you deserve every success that comes your way. Your kindness, ambition, and strength will take you so far in life, and I feel incredibly lucky to have met someone like you during my time at MCC.<\/p>\n Parker, I definitely feel like we got to know each other much better throughout this year, and I\u2019m really grateful for that. One thing I have always appreciated about you is the way you naturally bring order and balance into every room. You have a calm and steady presence that helps during stressful moments, and that is something that truly stands out about you.<\/p>\n I also admire how seriously and responsibly you take everything you do. Whether it\u2019s Student Government responsibilities, meetings, or helping others, you always approach things with maturity, professionalism, and dedication. People can truly count on you, and that reliability makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n Over this year, I\u2019ve come to appreciate not only your work ethic and leadership, but also your friendship and the positive energy you bring around the people close to you. I know that whatever comes next for you, you are going to do amazing things because of the determination and integrity you carry every day.<\/p>\n John, these years I have known you, we have definitely been through a lot together, and because of that, I feel especially proud of the leader you have become. I had the chance to watch you grow into your role more and more over time, and it has been great seeing your confidence, dedication, and leadership continue to develop. You really stepped into your position and showed how capable and determined you are.<\/p>\n One thing I truly admire about you is your mindset and the discipline you bring into everything you do. Whether it\u2019s Student Government, athletics, or your personal goals, you always push yourself to improve and keep moving forward no matter what challenges come your way. You take things seriously, work hard, and stay focused on becoming better, and that is something that will take you very far in life.<\/p>\n Beyond everything else, I also appreciate your energy, your support, and all the moments we shared throughout these years. I know you are going to continue accomplishing great things, and I truly wish you nothing but success moving forward. Good luck with your upcoming fight \u2014 I know you are going to do amazing things. Most importantly, I wish you the absolute best in life, because you genuinely deserve it.<\/p>\n Elle, we definitely had our ups and downs throughout this year, but despite everything, I want you to know that I am truly proud of the way you carry yourself every single day. No matter what you go through, you continue to show strength, resilience, and determination, and that is something I genuinely admire and really want to point out. A lot of people may not fully see everything behind the scenes, but I do see how hard you keep pushing yourself, even during difficult moments.<\/p>\n I also want to recognize how much you have improved since the beginning of the semester. I\u2019ve seen growth in your confidence, your involvement, and the way you approach challenges, and it has been really nice to witness that progress over time. Growth is not always easy, and the fact that you kept moving forward says a lot about the kind of person you are.<\/p>\n Beyond Student Government, I consider you a friend, and I truly appreciate the moments, conversations, and experiences we shared this year. I wish you absolutely nothing but the best next year and in life overall. I know you are capable of achieving great things, and I hope you continue believing in yourself and recognizing your own strength the same way others around you do.<\/p>\n Rusty, I am truly amazed by the progress and growth you have shown throughout this year. I had the chance to watch you grow into your role more and more over time, and I honestly could not be more proud of the leader and person you have become. Your confidence, dedication, and willingness to keep improving have really stood out, and it has been inspiring to witness your journey.<\/p>\n I am especially proud of your accomplishment in becoming our next Student Trustee. That is such an incredible achievement, and it reflects all the hard work, commitment, and passion you put into everything you do. I truly could not wish anything but the absolute best for you moving forward, because you genuinely deserve every opportunity that comes your way.<\/p>\n Beyond Student Government, I also consider you a good friend, and I truly hope we continue our friendship into next year and beyond. I\u2019m excited to see everything you will accomplish, because I know this is only the beginning of many great things for you.<\/p>\n Maddi, I really appreciate how calm, thoughtful, and positive you are in every situation. You have a way of bringing a sense of peace and balance to the people around you, and that is something I truly admire. Throughout this year, you have always carried yourself with kindness, maturity, and quiet strength, and it never went unnoticed. I\u2019m really glad I had the chance to get to know you better, and I truly wish you nothing but happiness, success, and amazing opportunities moving forward.<\/p>\n Anthony, even though we only recently met, I\u2019ve already been able to see the dedication and passion you have for representing the Downtown Campus. It\u2019s clear how much you care about the students you represent and the effort you put into making sure their voices are heard. I also really appreciate the energy and positivity you bring into every room \u2014 you have a presence that makes people feel welcomed and engaged. Your enthusiasm, involvement, and willingness to contribute never go unnoticed, and I know you are going to continue doing great things both within Student Government and beyond.<\/p>\n I also want to say congratulations on the elections. It\u2019s exciting to see your hard work and commitment recognized, and I know you will continue to make a positive impact moving forward. I truly wish you the best in everything ahead.<\/p>\n Bodhi, even though I haven\u2019t had the chance to know you very well yet, I can already tell that you are someone who is going to accomplish great things in life. You have a lot of potential, and I truly believe that with your mindset and dedication, you will continue to grow and succeed in whatever path you choose.<\/p>\n I want to wish you nothing but the best as you take on my role moving forward. I know you are going to do an amazing job, and I hope you enjoy the experience and opportunities that come with it. And most importantly, know that you can always reach out or text me whenever you need help, advice, or support . I will always be happy to help in any way I can.<\/p>\n Jodi, you are truly the best advisor, mentor, and friend I could have ever asked for. You helped me through every single step of my journey here at MCC, and I honestly do not think my experience would have been the same without you. I still remember August 22nd, the first time I walked into your office for a job interview. You gave me the very first job I have ever had in my life, and looking back now, that opportunity shaped me into the person I am today in so many ways.<\/p>\n For someone who came to this country without family nearby, you became one of my biggest supports on campus. You never made me feel alone. You were always there to encourage me, guide me, believe in me, and cheer not only for me, but for all of us. Your support went far beyond being just an advisor : you genuinely cared about us as people, and that is something I will never forget.<\/p>\n The family and community you created both in the Office of Student Life and within Student Government are truly incredible. You created spaces where people feel welcomed, supported, valued, and safe to be themselves, and that impact reaches farther than you probably even realize. The dedication, patience, and love you put into everything you do are unmatched, and it inspires me every day.<\/p>\n I truly hope that one day I can become even a small part of what you are for others, because the impact you have on students\u2019 lives is something so special and rare. Thank you for believing in me from the very beginning and for helping me become the person and leader I am today.<\/p>\n Mark, thank you for everything you have done for all of us throughout this journey. You supported this team with so much dedication, patience, and care, and your guidance never went unnoticed. No matter how many responsibilities you had, how busy life became, or what challenges were happening around you, you still continued to show up for us and give your time, energy, and support whenever we needed it.<\/p>\n You have been an incredible advisor, always willing to listen, help, and guide us through both the easy moments and the difficult ones. Your calm presence, professionalism, and commitment to students created an environment where we felt supported and encouraged to grow. You consistently reminded us that leadership is not only about responsibility, but also about kindness, understanding, and being there for others.<\/p>\n I truly appreciate all the effort you put into helping us succeed, even when you had so much going on in your own life. That level of dedication says so much about the kind of person you are. Thank you for believing in us, for supporting us, and for being such an important part of our experience here at MCC. I genuinely wish you nothing but happiness, success, and the absolute best moving forward.<\/p>\n I also want to thank the entire Student Life family, who truly became my second family here in America. I honestly could not imagine going even one day without all of you. Being far away from home and from my actual family was not always easy, but the love, support, and sense of belonging you all gave me made MCC feel like home in ways I never expected.<\/p>\n Tracy, you are one of the most genuine and caring people I know. You are someone I know I can always come to no matter what happens, and that kind of support means more to me than words can explain. Thank you for always listening, always caring, and always making people feel loved and welcomed. I love you so much, and I know we will always stay in touch no matter where life takes us.<\/p>\n Chloe, I truly love the relationship we built throughout this year. Having you around felt like having an older sister , someone who always gives advice, helps when needed, and somehow knows exactly what to say in every situation. Your support, kindness, and presence made such a difference in my life here, and I am so grateful for all the moments and conversations we shared.<\/p>\n And Morganne, I absolutely love every conversation we have. You have this amazing ability to bring positivity and laughter into every room you walk into, and you always manage to make people smile even on difficult days. Your energy is so comforting and uplifting, and I genuinely could not have asked for a better group of people to call family here at MCC.<\/p>\n I also want everyone to know that even if I may not have talked about every single person individually, I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Every person I met throughout this journey played a role in making this experience special and unforgettable for me. Whether through small conversations, shared moments, support, laughter, or simply being present, all of you contributed to making MCC feel like home. I am genuinely grateful for every friendship, every memory, and every person who became part of this chapter of my life. See you Soon.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t Good Afternoon everyone. As this semester comes to an end. I am very thankful to be a part of this journey. This semester has been very fulfilling for me as I watched my hard work be rewarded. To be hear as your vice president for the Downtown Campus is a pleasure. I am pleased to be re- elected. I look forward to the opportunity to serve right along side of each and every one of you. To be the voice for my peers is a responsibility that I will not take lightly. I also had the honor of being inducted into the Kappas. I also wanted to thank our VP. along with Parker and Bohdie for showing up at the Downtown Campus for Spring Fling. It was a very live and festive event. I plan on meeting with the Director of the Downtown Campus to discuss Community Engagement. I will also be working with the workforce to come up with a solution to this ongoing problem with free food. I also plan on working with Nicole Myers to address food insecurities at the Downtown Campus. Over all I have been blessed to be a part of this movement and I am proud to be here.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t I hope everyone is finishing this semester strong, as we have one last week before finals! On May 4th, our Model United Nations course had a beautiful reception to recap the entire course with our family and friends present. This has been a strong honors program since 2006, and this program is essential to student curiosity in public policy, change and gives fundamental skills applicable to any workforce development. As stated before, we were honored as Distinguished Delegates with certificates for our award and one giant plaque to hang in the office. Additionally, each delegate gave a few minutes’ worth of speeches sharing our experience, giving thanks and exemplifying immense growth throughout the class. I was incredibly honored to spend time recognizing my amazing friends\/delegates as well as head delegate Shawn Sanchez, who won an award for exceptional leadership, which was well deserved. On the 5th, I took part in the clothing drive on campus where we were finally able to hand our the heaps of donated clothes from students, staff and faculty. It was great to finally see the impact of events like this, especially when some of us in SGA spend many hours outside of our academics and duties, sorting out clothes to prepare for both the Brighton and Downtown campus events. On the 6th, I spent time with Vice President of the Downtown campus, Anthony Flanders, VP of Brighton campus, Margherita Rizzuti and Athletics Senator, Bodhi Blaska at the Spring Fling event to talk to the student body with their concerns, and to be honest, have fun with all the tabling events, music and food. There was a huge turnout, and I was beyond happy to spend my afternoon with students I may not see every day. The Downtown campus is often neglected so anytime I can get myself on that campus, I will definitely do so. Thank you to those who attended and supported the event and the students. Huge congratulations to the election victors, who next year will be serving as… VP of the Downtown campus, Anthony Flanders, VP of Brighton campus, Bodhi Blaska and Student Trustee Rusty Smetanyak. Now, I am extremely proud of those who won, but I am beyond happy to pass the torch to Rusty this upcoming June. He has, without a doubt, exemplified his passion and support to student advocacy, campus involvement, and meeting new people each and every day. I will always proudly extend my hand out to him for any future questions or support when stepping into the role of Student Trustee. This is not just a position you add to your resume or LinkedIn, it’s an honor and privilege to be the voice of students on the Board of Trustees and countless future travels across the State Capital and Washington D.C. to advocate for student necessities. To cap off, students like us are the future, and I can\u2019t wait.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t Good afternoon everyone, Coming into SGA, the only person I truly knew on the team beforehand was the now current Vice President Rizzuti and former Secretary, Enaami, who encouraged me to join at the end of Spring Semester 2025. Looking back now, I am grateful that I took that opportunity because throughout my time here I experienced a tremendous amount of personal and professional growth. I am also incredibly grateful for the new friendships and connections I was able to build along the way. Through conferences, volunteering opportunities, campus events, and meetings, I had the chance to meet many new people and engage with individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives.<\/p>\n Some of my favorite experiences included participating in volunteer initiatives, collaborating with clubs and organizations, and helping organize events that directly impacted students. I also appreciated being able to contribute to discussionsregarding the student body and advocate for student concerns. Through this role, I strengthened my interpersonal communication, leadership, and presentation skills in ways I honestly did not expect.<\/p>\n However, I also want to be transparent and honest about my experience. While there were many rewarding moments, Student Government also came with challenges and stressful situations. At times, navigating different perspectives, communication styles, and responsibilities within a leadership environment could be difficult. However, those experiences taught me valuable lessons in professionalism, collaboration, patience, and conflict resolution.<\/p>\n To the future student leaders, my biggest piece of advice is to remember why you joined in the first place. Always keep the focus on serving the student body and supporting one another as a team. Learn how to communicate respectfully, listen openly to different viewpoints, and approach challenges with maturity and professionalism. Leadership is not always easy, but the ability to work through difficulties together is what ultimately strengthens an organization. And lastly, for the future student leaders: stay professional, support one another, and don\u2019t spend too much time on the high horse.<\/p>\n That being said, I still believe there is value in difficult experiences. Even through those challenges, I learned how to navigate professional environments, work with different personalities, advocate for myself, and remain composed during moments of disagreement. Those lessons are just as important as the positive moments, and they are experiences I will carry with me moving forward.<\/p>\n I also want to thank our advisors, Jodi and Mark, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this experience. Their mentorship, encouragement, and willingness to support us through both the highs and lows did not go unnoticed. I also want to thank Ryan and Ginny for always showing up, supporting the organization, and being present for the students.<\/p>\n I would also like to thank President Bruno and Vice President Rizzuti for their leadership and support throughout the year. Both of you carried a tremendous amount of responsibility while continuing to advocate for students and support the team. Beyond leadership, I appreciate the friendship, encouragement, and trust you both brought into this organization. Your dedication and willingness to continue pushing forward even during difficult moments did not go unnoticed, and I truly respect the effort and care you both put into serving the student body.<\/p>\n Overall, despite the ups and downs, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the student body here at MCC. Student Government gave me experiences, connections, and lessons that I will remember long after leaving this institution.<\/p>\n Lastly, I want to wish everyone the best of luck on finals and extend my support to next year\u2019s student leaders. I hope everything goes well for all of you moving forward. Good luck to my team and everyone in their future endeavors, whether that means returning to MCC in the fall, entering the workforce, taking time for yourselves, or transferring to continue your education elsewhere.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t Over the past year in student government, I have developed valuable skills such as public speaking and effective collaboration while working with an exceptional team to bring various projects to life. Everyone at this table has made a lasting impression on me\u2014they have inspired me, supported me, and made me feel welcomed and valued. I am truly grateful for each and every one of them. Joining student government has been a meaningful experience, as I found a sense of family within this association. I will genuinely miss each of you. I hope you all achieve all your dreams in the future.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t This past week, I was very grateful and excited to officially win the election for the Student Trustee position. I truly appreciate everyone who supported me throughout the process, and I look forward to representing the student body in this new role. As this semester and academic year come to an end, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on everything this team has accomplished together. Joining Student Government has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career so far. Through SGA, I was able to grow as both a leader and a person. I gained confidence in speaking publicly, working with others, advocating for students, and representing MCC both on campus and beyond. This year gave me many unforgettable opportunities and experiences. Attending SUNY SA conferences allowed me to meet student leaders from across New York State, collaborate on important issues impacting students, and better understand higher education advocacy. I also had the opportunity to attend the National Model United Nations conference in New York City, which was an incredible experience connected to both my academic and leadership growth. Representing Hungary in committee sessions, working on resolutions, and collaborating with students from around the world helped strengthen my communication, teamwork, and diplomacy skills. Most importantly, I want to thank this entire team. I genuinely enjoyed my semester working with everyone in Student Government. We spent so much time together through meetings, events, conferences, and projects, and I am truly going to miss everyone who is graduating. I hope we are all able to stay friends and keep in touch even after graduation because this team created many memories that I will always appreciate.<\/p>\n I also want to sincerely thank our advisors, Jodi and Mark Sample, for all of their help, guidance, advice, and support throughout the year. Their contributions to Student Government and their willingness to help students succeed never went unnoticed. I truly appreciate everything they have done for us and for MCC students as a whole. Overall, this year helped me grow tremendously, and I am very grateful to have been part of such an amazing team.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t Good afternoon everyone, First I would like to thank all of you for coming to attend our last meeting of the year, seeing many familiar faces throughout the year, it\u2019s fair to say we\u2019ve all seen the challenges faced in these senate meetings throughout the year, the progress this team has made from start to finish, and overall how we\u2019ve not only grown as a team but as individuals. Before start of the Fall 2025 semester, I was much more reserved, and significantly less involved, if not at all, with on campus activities, I\u2019ve always been friendly, just not very social. I never knew what was going on, and in the small chance I did, I didn\u2019t understand the why behind it or the work put into it. Now, I understand so much of the behind the scenes of MCC and now only witnessed, but have actively participated in the work done behind closed doors. Because of this, I have learned not only the importance of attention to detail and formality from being in a leadership position, but I\u2019ve also learned the importance and impact of those things. Seeing the community between students and faculty, whether that be through involvement of the clubs and orgs, or in big gatherings for events in the atrium, reached my heart, and helped me understand the importance of being a good leader\/role model. This is especially important to me as I desire to be a strong leader, someone who is looked up too, and leads with wisdom and care. Ideally, I\u2019d like to be a professional kickboxer and own my own contracting company one day, or both, you know, staying busy isn\u2019t too bad and I\u2019m not one to shy away from a challenge. Either way, I am confident that I will do just fine with these endeavors from lessons and morals instilled in me through not only Student Government Association, but from MCC as a whole. My experience here is truly a blessing from God as a display of the beauty of community, guidance, and passion. I\u2019d like to thank my advisors Jodi Oriel and Mark Sample as they\u2019ve always been in my corner and kept my best interest at heart. Jodi has helped me financially, taught me how to combine logic and emotion when making crucial decisions, and has been there for me during emotional turmoil. Mark has always had a good sense of humor, that everyone knows, but beyond that he\u2019s made so many sacrifices to be here with us this year, and even through his hard times, found a way to show up to meetings in a lighthearted mood, and was still so selflessly concerned about how we were doing. Ultimately, both of you have made me laugh and smile, and although that may seem insignificant to some, it means a lot to me. We\u2019ve had many good times together as a team, and it was a pleasure getting to know you all, and learn more about what makes your world go round. My term as public relations senator may be over, but the lessons and connections I\u2019ve made through it will never be forgotten. I cherish the time I\u2019ve spent with each and every one of you, and love you all. Thank you. Sincerely~ John Breedy III<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t This week, I helped with the clothes drive by volunteering to give out free clothing to students who may need it. It was really rewarding being able to help students directly and contribute something positive to the campus community. As this semester comes to an end, I have been reflecting a lot on my time in Student Government Association. I truly feel like I grew so much through this experience and was given opportunities I never thought I would have. From being a student speaker for the Salute to Excellence to attending SUNY conferences and eventually running for a SUNY position, I was constantly pushed into new opportunities that helped me grow personally, professionally, and as a leader. This role strengthened my confidence and leadership skills in ways I never expected. Even with all of the leadership opportunities, one of the most meaningful parts of SGA for me was the friendships I gained along the way. I want to thank my entire team for all of the support throughout this journey. I especially want to thank my best friend, President Bruno, because I truly would not be here without her support, encouragement, and belief in me throughout everything. I also want to give a special thank you to Senator Abigail, Senator Rusty, and Lisa. Even though I only truly became close with them this year, I can confidently say they became some of my closest friends. Abigail constantly pushes me to do better, believe in myself more, and step outside of my comfort zone, and I am so grateful for that friendship and support. Lisa has also been such an important person in my life this year, and I truly admire how caring, supportive, and genuine she is as a person. Rusty has also been someone I could always count on throughout the year. I am incredibly proud of all of them and so thankful our paths crossed through SGA. Lisa and Abigail transferring is definitely bittersweet, and I know campus will not feel the same without them, but I am grateful for all of the memories and friendships we built together. I am also really happy I still get another year with Rusty. I also want to thank our advisors, Mark Sample and Jody Oriole, for all of their support throughout the year. Mark is honestly one of the funniest advisors, and he always made SGA meetings and experiences more enjoyable for me personally. I also want to thank the MCC Foundation, Jenny, and Ryan Messenger for all they do for students and student leadership opportunities on campus. Lastly, I want to thank Karen, who is unfortunately retiring this year. She is such a wonderful person, and her kindness and support will truly be missed around MCC. Overall, this experience gave me so much more than just leadership opportunities. It gave me confidence, friendships, memories, and experiences that I will carry with me long after my time in SGA is over.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\t Hello everyone, with this being our last report of the semester, forgive me if I drone on for a bit here. Going back to last week, I had the chance to visit the Downtown Campus for the first time, as they we’re hosting the Spring Fling event. While at the Downtown Campus, I had the opportunity to represent Student Government, meet new people, and take part of the festivity, alongside other SGA members. I believe we have one more Spring Fling event planned here at the Brighton Campus, tomorrow actually, which I will be attending. Around the same time as the Spring Fling event there was a basketball tournament going on at the Brighton Campus, which I was able to take part of. Alot of the guys who play open court, which we have every wednesday, attended and overall it was a fun experience. I’m not entirely sure who won. I would’ve like’d to have been able to say that my team did but there was some decent competition out there and things just didn’t pan out for our team. Going onto elections, we’ve have had most of the election results come out, and I personally would like to congratulate our SGA officers on there new positions. I know I myself was happy to here that I had won my election. It was close race, and I needed all support I could get, so thank you for everyone who voted for me. Other than that, this being our last meeting, i’d like to reflect upon my time here in SGA so far. While I haven’t been apart of SGA for as long as everyone else here has, I do feel that even in the short amount of time that I have been apart of SGA, I’ve grown as a person. The new experiences i’ve had while being apart of SGA have definitely helped me to develop as a person. From our weekly meetings, to our trips and group activities, being apart of SGA has certainly been a worthwile experience, and I can’t wait to continue being apart of things here next semester. I do know however that not everyone here will be attending MCC the next fall semester, and it is a little sad that we won’t all be here as a group. We all have our own paths in life, and regardless of where we all end up, I just want everyone here to know that we’ll always be friends, despite the fact that we don’t always get along, I feel that all of you here are good people, and it has been a pleasure to have been able to meet all of you.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n WHEREAS,<\/strong> The Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life have received disputes regarding the 2025\/26 Election of the President\u2019s position; and Respectfully submitted<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" May 12, 2026 2:15 pm, Forum (Room 3-139A), Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom In Attendance Student Senators Senator Maddilyn Keech Senator Elle Reeves Senator John Breedy Senator Rusty Smetanyak Senator Bodhi Blaska President Lisa Burno Vice President of Governance Margherita Rizzuti Vice President of Downtown Campus Anthony Flanders Student Trustee Parker Werven Chief of Staff […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":665,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-meeting-minutes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/665"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":803,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802\/revisions\/803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/sga\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n\t
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\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t
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Minutes<\/h2>\n
\n\t
\nVice President Rizutti called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.<\/li>\n\t\n\t
Reports<\/h3>\n
\n\t
\n
\nI found my voice here.
\nI found my confidence here.
\nI found my people here.
\nAnd I found the version of myself that I always hoped I could become.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nAs this is my final report, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my experience in Student Government overall.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
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\nOld Business<\/h3>\n
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New Business<\/h3>\n
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\n
\nWHEREAS,<\/strong> complaints must be filled within 30 minutes after voting has ended on the last day of election: and
\nWHEREAS,<\/strong> in the event of the absence of the Election Coordinator, a temporary committee must be selected and a hearing must be conducted, and
\nWHEREAS,<\/strong> the Student Government Association approved the formation of the hearing commitee, therefore, be it
\nRESOLVED,<\/strong> that by the Senate present and voting, the Student Government Association approves and supports the committee and the decision made by it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nSpeak to the Senate<\/h3>\n
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Adjournment<\/h3>\n
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