With UPUA election day quickly approaching, we reached out to the candidates to help you make an informed vote on March 28. There are 8 students running for 6 positions this year.

Anand Ganjam (Freshman, Finance)

Presidential Endorsement: Lennartz/Mullen | Facebook

Please explain an idea or policy you have for improving UPUA.

Requiring UPUA representatives to outreach to student organizations each week so that more student input is incorporated into decisions and so that UPUA’s visibility is increased.

Why are you running for a position in UPUA?

I served as one of the two freshmen representatives in UPUA this year. My experiences this year have made me truly believe that UPUA has the potential to do great things for the student body. I would like to continue serving the student body to insure that the concerns of all Penn State students are addressed.

What is your favorite part about Penn State?

I love Penn State because everyone fits in here, regardless of their background or interests.

Gwangseok Lee (Freshman, Acccounting)
Presidential Endorsement: Lennartz/Mullen 

Please explain an idea or policy you have for improving UPUA.

– Laundry Automation
– Create an international representative spot
– Penn State Student Application

Why are you running for a position in UPUA?

– lack of representations of international student
– brings more enthusiasm and passion into the student government

What is your favorite part about Penn State?

– Joe Pa
– Eating chocolate chip cookies at West Commons
– Energy of student

Trey Werley

Jonathan Paul (Sophomore, Accounting)

Presidential Endorsement: Quinn/Feghali | Facebook

Please explain one policy or idea you have for improving UPUA.

Sending weekly UPUA updates to students via email in order to keep the entire student body informed.

Why are you running for a position in UPUA?

In order to become more involved with student government and to improve life for students both on and off campus.

What is your favorite part about Penn State?

The Unity that is Penn State.

Justin Laskowski

Spencer Malloy (Junior, Agroecology; Philosophy)

Presidential Endorsement: Lennartz/Mullen | Facebook

Please explain one policy or idea that you have for improving UPUA.

It’s been brought up a lot that students have ideas and input to give on the legislation we write and programs we run but don’t feel welcome at our meetings. Let’s make it easier for them to contribute using online petitioning and commenting tools that are intuitive, simple, and quick. It’s time to bring @UPUA into 2012, and breaking down barriers to contributions from the student body should be our #1 priority.

Why are you running for a position in UPUA?

I’m excited to ramp up my participation in the UPUA 7th Assembly. I’ve made a lot of strong connections in and out of UPUA with different students on campus and I’m ready to bring those relationships together to make UPUA more efficient, more in-touch with students, and ultimately more influential in University governance.

What is your favorite part about Penn State?

Penn State is patient. I came to PSU my freshman year already decided that I didn’t like the University; I didn’t like how many people were here, I didn’t like classes in forum, and I didn’t like my friends telling me I was just going to a “party school.” But in the past three years I have learned so many things from so many great people at Penn State that I have truly come around and love my school — Penn State waited for me.

Elias Warren (Sophomore, Business Management, minors in Spanish and International Business)

Presidential Endorsement: Lennartz/Mullen | Facebook

Please explain one idea or policy you have for improving UPUA.

Now, more than ever, it is extremely important that UPUA be as connected to the student body as possible. One of my major goals for improving UPUA internally would be to have representatives sign up and go out to student organizations and present what UPUA has to offer them. Doing this as the Smeal Representative proved useful and effective in getting my name out to the Smeal community and being a true voice for the Smeal population. I can only imagine the success UPUA will have in being the voice of the students as a whole if we do this!

Why are you running for a position in UPUA?

I have been involved in UPUA since the fall of my freshman year as the Smeal College of Business Representative. I truly love representing my classmates and fellow students and helping make their lives at Penn State better. As an At-Large Representative, the idea of representing the voice of all 40,000 undergraduates is a daunting task, but one that I accept wholeheartedly as an opportunity of a lifetime! I have set myself apart as one of the most open and charismatic representatives in UPUA, and it is through these traits that I am able to be the voice for the undergraduate community. I believe UPUA, under the right leadership and management, can do so much for the student body. I have always been and continue to be a servant and a voice to my fellow students, and I look forward to continuing that next Assembly!

What is your favorite part about Penn State?

My favorite part about Penn State is my favorite part of my Smeal major: People. People are what have made this University great and what will continue to make this University great in the future. For the Glory is much more than a phrase, it’s the way of life for every Penn State student before us and after us. Being at Penn State means being a part of something a lot bigger than ourselves. People are what bring Glory to our University, and it is that same Glory that we strive for every single day. The Glory we leave behind motivates us to do our very best to “make an impact” on this great institution and allows us to add something meaningful to an already great University!

Ryan Brown