Vp of communications 

My name is Shanell Rollon, and I am a Biochemistry and Media/Art/Culture double major with a minor in Digital Arts at Stony Brook University. I am honored to declare my candidacy for the position of Vice President of Communications for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). My leadership experience in marketing, strategic communication, student advocacy, and brand partnerships has equipped me with the skills necessary to effectively enhance student engagement, promote transparency, and strengthen USG’s communication strategies. I am committed to ensuring that students have access to clear, accurate, and timely information about university resources, student government initiatives, and opportunities that can enrich their academic and extracurricular experiences.

Throughout my time as Marketing Director for USG, I oversaw the creation of designs for promotional materials and to be printed out for 2,000 event t-shirts, which resulted in consistent sell-outs and heightened interest in student government initiatives for major student government events to improve clarity and accessibility for students, such as Wolfieland, Spooky Brook, and Diversity Festival. My work in social media content for USG has resulted in over 1000 impressions, which has significantly improved outreach and visibility for students. These efforts have allowed me to gain firsthand experience in crafting effective promotional materials and developing targeted engagement campaigns—all of which are crucial to the role of Vice President of Communications.

As an Undergraduate Marketing Assistant for Stony Brook University Student Life, I have worked closely with multiple university departments, including Student Engagement & Activities, Campus Life Centers, Student Life Health Sciences, Fraternities & Sororities, Diversity, Intercultural & Community Engagement, New Students & Transition Programs, and Student Campus Development which I have designed over 500 graphics for their events, ensuring that promotional materials are visually compelling, professional, and informative. In this role, I have been responsible for developing promotional materials with reference on making sure that it reflects SBU and that would increase student participation in university programs. My work in social media content for SBEngaged has resulted in over 500 impressions, which has significantly improved outreach and visibility for students. This experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the communication challenges that various student groups face and has allowed me to develop solutions that enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement.

In addition to my work on campus, I have served as Region 2 Director for the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) for the pre-medical division at the national level, where I have managed university branches across New York and New Jersey. This role has required me to develop and execute large-scale outreach initiatives, coordinate multi-institutional communication strategies, and advocate for students pursuing careers in healthcare and STEM fields. I have worked closely with pre-medical students at Kean University, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Bard College, SUNY Brockport, Union College, University at Albany, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, Hofstra University, New York University, and Stony Brook University to provide guidance on performance of branches, aid on starting out a branch for the national organization, vocalize the opportunities, mentorship programs, and networking resources. Throughout my term, I was also able to bring attention to shortcomings of partnered organizations for American Medical Women's Association to serve the registered over 24,000 students better. My experience in managing external communications across multiple institutions has allowed me to refine my ability to convey information in a clear and impactful manner, a skill that will directly contribute to the success of USG’s communication initiatives.

Recognizing the need for creative professional development opportunities on campus, I founded Adobe Creatives at Stony Brook University, an independent student-run organization that provides students with access to Adobe’s design tools, creative mentorship, and industry connections. Unlike most student organizations, Adobe Creatives is fully headquarters-funded, meaning that it does not rely on USG funding, ensuring that financial resources remain available for other student organizations in need of support. Through this initiative, I have successfully developed leadership positions, secured sponsorship from Adobe, and created a sustainable organization model that offers students professional development opportunities in digital arts, marketing, and multimedia design. My ability to manage an independent organization, secure corporate sponsorship, and develop student leadership pipelines demonstrates my capability to elevate USG’s communication strategies through innovation, efficiency, and strategic planning.

All above stated are only a portion on my credibility as a dedicated leader. If elected as Vice President of Communications, my first priority will be to enhance USG’s transparency and accessibility by ensuring that students have access to real-time updates on funding opportunities, student government policies, and campus resources. I will implement structured updates across social media platforms, SBEngaged, and the USG website to ensure that all students are informed about university initiatives and events. Additionally, I will work to improve the organization of USG’s website, making it easier for students to find important documents, know who is working in office under each department, and enhance the USG Events Management portion to also show current events funded by USG. By streamlining these platforms and improving the clarity of information available to students, I aim to bridge the gap between USG and the student body, ensuring that all students are aware of the services and opportunities available to them.

Expanding student access to academic, professional, and financial resources will also be a key priority in my time. I plan to increase visibility for scholarships, fellowships, externships, and academic support services to ensure that students are fully aware of the financial aid and career development opportunities available to them. One example initiative that I am currently committed to promoting is the Pathways to Healthcare externship, a prestigious program under the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Before being accepted in this program, I have noticed that very few information has been provided which was why I vocally shared about the valuable training and mentorship it provides throughout my time. I will work to increase awareness of valuable programs like this, ensuring that students—especially those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds—have access to these transformative career-building opportunities. As a student, I do realize that such resources should amplify its reach to students especially during their time in Stony Brook University to get the most of it.

Beyond increasing accessibility to resources, I plan to improve USG’s digital engagement strategies to improve student interaction and participation. Similar to the current VP of Communication's initiative, I will revamp USG’s Instagram highlights to ensure that information regarding funding applications, club recognition, student advocacy initiatives, and USG information is easily accessible. Additionally, I will introduce a weekly “Talks with Students and Faculty” series, where I will engage directly through Q&A segments, informational videos to provide updates and promote events as well that are hosted by clubs especially on those that receive USG funding. I will also reintroduce the "What's happening this week" at SBU but more focused towards events that are hosted by clubs and organizations on campus to help with promotion, especially for clubs that require assistance with marketing. My goal is to develop a more interactive and engaging approach to student government communications, making it easier for students to stay informed and be involved in campus life. In addition, I would also be enthusiastic about creating a series for "navigating your way" on SBU to inform new students transition to the campus.

To complement social media outreach, I will implement long-form communication strategies to provide in-depth updates on USG initiatives. I will publish a monthly article series on SBEngaged, covering student government actions, funding allocations, club spotlights, and student success stories. These articles will also include faculty insights, event recaps, and key university policy updates, ensuring that students have a comprehensive understanding of the developments impacting their academic and extracurricular experiences.

My vision as Vice President of Communications is to ensure that every student has access to clear, accurate, and timely information about student government initiatives, campus resources, and professional development opportunities. My extensive experience in strategic communication, digital engagement, student advocacy, and corporate partnerships has prepared me to enhance USG’s communication strategies and improve student access to essential resources. It is my mission that USG's voice is amplified and my goal to have student voices be heard. By fostering an inclusive, transparent, and highly engaging student government, I will work to bridge the gap between USG and the student body, ensuring that Stony Brook students are informed, supported, and empowered to succeed.

It would be a privilege to serve as your Vice President of Communications, and I look forward to the opportunity to elevate USG’s outreach efforts, expand student engagement, and strengthen our university community. Thank you for your support and acknowledgement.