VP of Student Life Candidate

“In relentless pursuit of tomorrow’s big ideas,” Stony Brook University prides itself on the essential foundation of creativity, excellence, and innovation. This condensing optimist imprint the university encompasses is often neglected by the general student body residents as the idea is advertised but not actively exhibited in the day-to-day lives of representatives of the community. The fundamental vow to thrust students toward this path of groundbreaking excellence fails to reach as opacity persists in administrative decision-making directly affecting students' lives on campus.

My name is Andrew Candio and I am a Sophomore, Journalism major- Political Science Minor, running for the position of Vice President of Student Life. As an active member of the Stony Brook community, I have built upon the skills of leadership, through my participation in the Haitian Student Organization, African Student Union, and as a Senator for the Undergraduate Student Government. I have also established the Unity Kickback, and a Freshman Advice Program, while also working with the production of Brookfest and the Comedy show. I am running for Vice President of Student Life because I want to be the voice and liaison for student life; “A boy looks to be Served, while a Man looks to be of Service.” I aspire to serve as a mentor and support system which can curate growth within our communities, leading to a more genuine and thriving undergraduate experience. I aim to foster an environment that encourages positive self-image and boosts self-confidence to allow students to feel at home. Hopefully, through all this, I can be the Light for those caught in the Dark, leading to an exciting and memorable undergraduate experience.

Initiatives:

Undergraduate Mentorship program will be used to help new freshmen and transfer students adjust to life at Stony Brook University. Monitoring their mental well-being and pointing them in the direction of various organizations, workshops, seminars, and career fairs.

Establishment of a “No Student Goes Hungry” program Students without lunch swipes should be provided with reasonable means of obtaining food, as well as free alternatives that allow them to eat. Having a student lunch swipe exchange allows someone to have extra dining money, which they can utilize to provide meals for other students.

The de-stigmatization of mental health and mental health illness in the minority community working with CAPS and other groups to inform minority students about the value of mental health by holding seminars, workshops, and barbershop discussions. More significantly, via student-led counseling and conversations, this program will concentrate on aiding students in discovering effective strategies for preserving their mental health while they navigate the challenges of college.

The improvement of communication between the administration and the community (students) through board meetings and community dialogues where students and representatives of clubs and organizations have a forum, allowing people within their communities to share personal stories and experiences, express their perspectives, and develop solutions to community concerns.

Student life at Stony Brook revitalized by implementing a variety of new, inclusive activities and initiatives that will support the student body and reenergize student life on campus.

Implementation of a financial Stipend for resources helping individuals who are struggling to make ends meet but still need to be able to access and purchase books for their classes. This lessens the financial load that many students bear.

VP of Student Life Candidate

My name is Isaiah Daniel (but you can call me Zaya, Zay, or more commonly, Z). I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I am a third-year Psychology B.A student with a Business Marketing concentration and a Senior Event Coordinator for Student Engagement & Activities and a Spirit & Traditions Coordinator for USG. I’m pretty tall and ride a proportionally tall longboard. I’m usually on a microphone at events and one day I would love to plan the opening ceremony for the Olympics.

If elected, I will devote my final year here at SBU to filling your weekdays, nights, and weekends with the best events yet to come. I will also dedicate myself to all of the other aspects of what “Student Life” means here. From when you’re falling asleep in class, to when you can’t fall asleep at night because of that class.The fight for parking literally anywhere. The quality of our food on campus. Helping with those professors who seem to never care. Pushing for clubs and orgs who need just a little more support (or a lot).

The pandemic brought me to one of my lowest points in life and since I got to SBU I have dedicated 200% of my energy to making sure nobody would ever feel the way I felt.

When I got hired for both SEA & USG I got to work on the first in-person Welcome Week since the beginning of the pandemic. I helped bring back pivotal events like Party on the Plaza with SEA, and helped to bring back USG’s annual Wolfieland! I moved on to plan weekly events under SEA and our annual Seawolves Showcase and coordinate large-scale traditions like Spooky Brook and our beloved Roth Regatta.

I was able to leverage both of my positions to make new collaborations possible that enhanced the quality of our biggest events of the year.

Some Initiatives :)

❖ Enhanced Events

➢ Sometimes our events can feel lackluster. No more side quests. I will utilize my 2+ years of experience and connections to plan main events you’ll never forget. (Pumping up Wolfieland, Spooky Brook, Regatta, the Comedy Show & of course Brookfest)

❖ Transparency

➢ I will do my best to ensure every step of the planning and execution of all our initiatives will accessible to all students at all times

➢ This would show itself in monthly town halls, focus groups, meeting transcripts, and more.

❖ Student Employee Rights

➢ I’ve been working on campus since my first year and see the necessity for reform.

➢ I will work to improve the treatment of student employees across all departments to help students maintain a manageable work/student balance.

❖ Clubs & Orgs

➢ Clubs & Orgs are the backbone of Student Life on campus.

➢ I will work with the elected VP of Clubs and Orgs to enhance Eboard support from both USG and SEA.

➢ I will streamline the USG Student Activities Board Sponsorship to help with event planning and financial support for all organizations.

I want to make your lives better. These years will pass you faster than campus buses, but I want you to look back and think not of what drove you to insanity, but of the little things that made it all worth it.

My name is Zaya Daniel, and it would be my greatest honor to serve as your Vice President of Student Life.

Please let me know how I can help isaiah.daniel@stonybrook.edu or @zzaya.daniell on Instagram