Katherine Repasky | assistant editor

At the start of the academic year, Student Government Association President Mwango Kasuba told The Duke he believes that “every voice needs to be heard and everyone deserves a seat at the table, including those who work behind the scenes.”

To do this, Kasuba and SGA encouraged committees to represent different aspects of campus.

By using these committees, along with their elected chairs, SGA is currently giving students a way to be involved and have a say in what happens across Duquesne.

“Being involved is so much more than just sitting through a meeting,” said Jenna Mauck, SGA communications chair.

The current committees — Mission & Community, Organizational Oversight, Academic Affairs, Communications, Student Life, Government Operations and Finance —focus on different areas of Duquesne life.

While the responsibilities of each committee vary, chair leaders emphasize that the quality of their work depends on students being informed not only on how SGA works but also on the ways their voices and talents can be applied.

Some chairs believe this begins first and foremost with clear communication.

“Last year, SGA’s Instagram and email messaging was used more to just inform the public about events,” Mauck said. “This year, we want to make sure it is more focused on informing students about what’s going on within SGA itself.”

The communications committee, along with SGA Vice President of Communications Sadie Kim, have started posting weekly videos recapping senate meetings, so students can follow discussions and form opinions about what SGA is working on.

The communication committee also gives students practical experience for their future careers, while allowing them to contribute to their current community at Duquesne, Mauck said.

“If someone has a passion for anything any of these committees does, joining is a wonderful way to get involved,” she said. “It’s open to everyone and we encourage everyone to attend. You don’t need to be a PR or advertising major.”

While the communications committee works to keep the student body informed, other committees work to reshape the rules SGA operates under.

Chair of the Government Operations Committee and junior political science and international relations major Keegan Wyshoshy, oversees SGA constitution and bylaws.

“The committee and myself mainly focus on the ways that we can update these elements,” Wyshoshy said.

He hopes the committee’s work will help SGA operate more efficiently and allow future student government members to work within a format that reflects the current state of the university.

“I want to see more bills being done and passed at large, because it just shows that we are working well as a government,” Wyshoshy said. “It shows that we are getting work done and improving our campus.”

The committee also reviews proposed legislation before it goes to the full senate for consideration.

Other committees specialize in improving the greater campus experience for all students.

Mason Cianflone, chair of the Student Life Committee and an SGA senator from the School of Pharmacy, said one of his biggest priorities this year is increasing student engagement and bringing more life to campus.

“The Student Life Committee hopes to organize more activities and events that encourage students to get out of their dorms and become more involved in the Duquesne community,” Cianflone said.

The committee has worked together in the past to plan both small and large-scale traditions, such as the recent Community Day celebration that invited Duquesne students to try new foods and participate in various cultural activities.

“Even something as simple as free ice cream can bring students together, brighten their day and create a more welcoming campus environment,” Cianflone said.

The committee is currently looking forward to Night of Lights, which will give students another opportunity to come together.

“College is more than just academics, and I believe that having fun and engaging events throughout the semester is an important part of the college experience and cultivating an inviting environment,” Cianflone said.

Katherine Repasky can be reached at repaskyk@duq.edu