Assemblies Elections

College of Art, Architecture & Planning Student Assembly Representative

Grace Park (ghp42)

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I am proud to call myself an undergraduate student of AAP, one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. As your AAP representative of Student Assembly, I will work to increase the representation of the AAP student body in SA and encourage more interdisciplinary interactions between the three majors within AAP. I will also fight for the empowerment of students by striving for transparency between students and the administration. Student health on campus is important to me and in order to promote relaxation and well being I want to create relaxation areas suited for napping and mediation that will reduce the need to traverse between campus and home for YOUR time. Finally, in deciding every major decision or addressing important issues, I will ensure the utmost transparency and make my agenda public, increasing awareness on issues as well as promoting approachability between the student body and representatives. AAP is an excellent source of network, knowledge, and fellowship— let’s make use of it! Please vote GRACE HANNAH PARK for AAP REPRESENTATIVE

Alec Martinez (ajm526)

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I’m an urban and regional studies major from Laredo, Texas. Two years ago, in an attempt to improve my community, I dropped out of school to accept a full-time position working for Congress- but found that bureaucracy and politics got in the way of doing actual good for actual people. So, I quit. Instead, I picked up a job working on the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Laredo and completely fell in love with the art of planning. I came to Cornell to realize my dream of making the world a better place through our most diverse and progressive laboratories of democracy: cities. Cornell is my home (cold winters and all, which are particularly disagreeable to Texans), and I think there’s a lot we can do to make it better too, for all of us. We can start by breaking down the walls between artists, architects, and planners, because there is so much we can learn from each other. We should work with faculty to create courses and degree paths that WE want and feel are relevant (we pay for this thing to run, after all). We need to gather, converse, and push for a college that grows grassroots, not operates top-down. Let’s speak out about the things we want in our community and let’s be louder together.

First Generation Student Liaison At-Large

Debbie Nyakaru (dkn22)

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Who Am I? My name is Debbie Nyakaru. I’m a freshman majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences. I am a Kenyan-American, daughter of immigrants, born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. I’m a goofy nerd that enjoys a range of things that include everything from sewing to watching strange documentaries on Netflix! What do I do? Within the first-gen community, I currently serve as the VP of Public Relations and chair the Alumni Affairs and Development Committee for the First Generation Student Union. I am also the Program Coordinator for Cornell Education Services for the Incarcerated and participate in many other organizations on campus. Why do I want to be First Generation Student Liaison? I love being a first-generation college student, but I also understand the struggles of being first-gen. I want to be a voice for the community and help make change. What will I do as First-Generation Student Liaison At-Large? My plan is the 3Cs: 1) Continue the work of the First-Generation Student Union to implement a First-Generation Resource Center on campus 2) Connect first-gen students to first-gen faculty and alumni 3) Create initiatives with the Financial Aid office that secure first generation students feasible work-study jobs

Jesus Ruiz (jr837)

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Hello, my name is Jesus Ruiz. I am a first-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences and it would be an honor to become your First-Generation Liaison. I am the child of immigrant parents. They could never fathom having the opportunity to go to college, so it is an immense honor for me to be attending such a prestigious institution. I want to ensure that all first generation members, like myself, feel included at Cornell. Often first-generation students don’t have the advice of our parents or community when we come to college, so coming to a school like Cornell seems incredibly daunting. We tend to feel lost and frightened, afraid that we are not making the most of our experience here. I will work as hard as possible to make sure that all first-generation students feel included and welcomed on campus. We should not be ashamed of our background, for we are proof that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their goals and improve their standing. Such hard work and dedication has allowed me to attend Cornell. Allow me to become your representative, and together we can work hard to make sure that all students, no matter what their background, feel included at Cornell.

Jaelle Sanon (js2784)

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My name is Jaelle Sanon and I am a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor relations. I am currently the Vice President of Public Relations for the First Generation Student Union and I am also the Executive Director of the Cornell Lending Library, an initiative that provide free semester loan textbooks to low income students. As First Generation Student Liaison At-Large on the student assembly, I have three key pillars that I will accomplish. Firstly. I will push the Cornell administration to establish the First Generation Resource Center, streamline the first generation resources on campus and also highlight the first generation identity so the First Generation Student Union can encompass first generation students of all backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. I have two years worth of experiences in the first generation community. I have attended conferences and meetings to ensure that the Cornell community is welcoming to first generation students. As your SA member, I will continue to work on pushing first generation student issues and ideas to make Cornell a better place for first generation students