Web Content for Student Organizations
- 1. Student Organizations on the Website Ambassadors Council The Ambassadors Council is a student organization that represents the Bush School of Government and Public Service at development functions, alumni events, and Bush Foundation events. Ambassadors serve as official student hosts of special guests and provide support for recruitment efforts. Serving on the Ambassadors Council gives students an opportunity to develop their leadership skills by engaging with and supporting Bush School students, faculty, and distinguished visitors. Primarily, the ambassadors are student liaisons to special guests and students invited to come to the Bryan/College Station community. "Through its constant expectations for professionalism and academic showmanship, and it's still young status as an organization, the Ambassadors Council has pushed my leadership development to be challenged and stretched in new and innovative ways through representing the many Bush School institutions to the outside world," said Brandon Pichanick, Head of the Ambassador’s Council. “We believe that having students engaged in various functions can be a plus to the School’s external activities,” Pichanick said. “Our job is to be the student connection between the institutions and organizations connected to the Bush School who regularly invite people to the campus. Our members have to be as comfortable conversing with national and international leaders as they are with a lost undergraduate trying to find his or her way around the School.” The Public Servant - The official student publication of the Bush School of Government and Public Service As the official student publication of the Bush School, The Public Servant serves as an informational and opinion outlet for international affairs and public administration students. It encourages students to share their thoughts and knowledge with their peers, while keeping up with current events. The Public Servant is not only a print publication, but it is also published online and includes a blog. For more information contact us at gbspublicservant@gmail.com. Be sure to visit the website at www.gbspublicservant.com for some thought provoking articles. “The Public Servant is not only a source of information about Bush School students and events, but it's also an opportunity for students to engage in writing both for print and online publication while in graduate school. We cover topics from local activities, to international politics, student experiences abroad, and guest speakers to the Bush School,” said Kehkashan Dadwani, editor-in- chief of The Public Servant. “We have multiple platforms for sharing ideas, including social media, blogging, and the website.” Find us online at www.gbspublicservant.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepublicservant Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BSPublicServant Student Government Association
- 2. The Bush School Student Government Association (SGA) offers students an opportunity to serve their colleagues as leaders of activities, programs, and initiatives for the Bush School. With a two-branch system, students can be involved in SGA as an elected class representative or as a member of the SGA president’s executive team. SGA holds meetings twice a month, and every student who attends the Bush School is a member of SGA. “Serving as President of the Bush School Student Government Association (SGA) has afforded me the opportunity to learn so much from my classmates and about myself. Having a chance to help enhance the scholastic experience of my colleagues has been gratifying beyond words. It has taught me that, while we come from different places or may believe in different things, we all have a vested interest in each other's success. Leadership is a core tenant of the Bush School, and serving as the leader of over 300 motivated and intelligent future public servants is an honor that I will never forget,” said Naaman Akinola, president of the Bush School student government association. The Bush School's Student Government Association committees share the mission by focusing on specific aspects of its goals and vision. Committees are created by the Executive Board as needed. The President can also commission ad hoc committees to meet the student body's changing needs. The Diversity Committee works to create a school that respects, nurtures and celebrates diversity through education and promoting exposure to different cultures, belief systems, and values. Chair(s): Stephanie Leichtle, Gabriella Medina The Social Committee provides a venue for socialization and strengthens the collaborative environment at the Bush School by planning events and activities that encourage social interaction and peer-networking. Chair(s): Mary Christina Riley, Andrew Vannerson, Tailgate Chair: Gabriel Vanderhey The Graduation Committee functions as a liaison between the administration and the students in planning the Bush School Graduation Celebration and in preparing students for the Texas A&M Graduation Ceremony. Chair(s): Vina Rodriguez The Speakers and Leadership Development Committee expands the Bush School experience by creating opportunities for students to improve their leadership skills, expand their network via small "round-table" discussions with outside speakers, and broaden their horizons. Chair(s): Lindsey Mathis The Community Dialogues Committee works to showcase the Bush School, its professors, and its students by connecting them to the broader community through a series of local, regional, and national outreach programs with a special focus on the Great Decisions discussion series. Chair(s): Cheryl Landry
- 3. The Professional Development Initiative facilitates programs that develop the professional image and networking skills of Bush School students to increase their competitiveness when beginning a career. Chair(s): John Mellusi Public Service Organization Throughout the academic year, The Public Service Organization (PSO) offers opportunities for Bush School students to interact with and serve in the greater Bryan/ College Station community. Each service opportunity is lead by a pair of student leaders (one first year, one second year) who organza the initiative. These include projects with the greater Texas A&M University community, with local nonprofit organizations, and projects that are student-led initiatives. Some examples include The Big Event, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk, collecting money to send to typhoon victims in the Philippines, and the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The organization is lead by a chair, and vice chair who are second-year students, and by a treasurer, secretary, and second-vice chair, who are first year students. "As the Executive Chairwoman of PSO I believe my leadership skills and communication skills have been advanced. This experience has transformed me into a better decision maker. PSO partners with so many outside organizations, that it's important to reflect on how your decisions will affect others internally and externally. In my experience being an effective and transparent communicator creates less confusion, approachability, comfort, and trust therefore students have a relaxed and easy going experience volunteering through PSO. These advanced communication skills also help in fostering relationships with other internal and external stakeholders. Holding a leadership position at the Bush School is a very rewarding experience. I continue to learn about the school's organizational culture and structure; not just from the perspective of the student, but now as an employee of the school," said Gabriella Medina, chair of the Bush School public service organization. Alexander Hamilton Society The Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) is a student organization dedicated to fostering debate among students and faculty about national security issues. Our organization invites renowned scholars from universities and think tanks across the country to participate in debates and panels with Texas A&M faculty. We encourage student participation and hope that the issues presented lead to vigorous discussion in and out of the classroom. Importantly, this organization is student- driven. Events are planned by students, allowing members to interact with scholars and learn fundamental event planning skills. "Being involved in the Alexander Hamilton Society has allowed me to help bring attention to national security issues I feel passionate about,” said Amber Stotts, president of Alexander Hamilton Society. "Working together with students to invite scholars to interact with Texas A&M faculty showed me how strong the feeling of community is in the academic and policy worlds."
- 4. Foreign Language and Culture Society The Foreign Language and Culture Society (FLCS) is a student-run organization whose objective is to provide the student body with cultural experiences. FLCS' most important function is its language discussion groups. This fall we were able to organize 24 language groups, including Mandarin, German, and Farsi, for students with different skill levels. Each group is lead by a Language Discussion Leader, usually another graduate student who is fluent in that language. This year we were also able to offer more than 200 licenses to Rosetta Stone, providing students with 24 hour online access to the language of their choice. Response was overwhelming and licenses will continue into next semester. Finally, every month FLCS hosts a culture night open to all Bush School students. Past events have celebrated Indian, German, South American, and Iranian cultures. Students who have been a part of FLCS activities have many positive comments. "I really enjoy learning about other cultures from the point of view of people who know them best." "The Farsi language group has been super fun and a great way to practice speaking Farsi." "FLCS is a great organization that opens the eyes of students to diverse cultures." "The Farsi language group has been the perfect place to practice the skills I've been learning through my use of Rosetta Stone at home." "The tutors are very motivated, and very helpful. They are willing to meet with you at times outside of the official schedule. They seem really helpful and effective." "Language groups provide an opportunity to practice speaking with individuals who are good at their language." "Language grouse are a great way to put what I have learned into practice as well as practice in the areas I need to work on." "Even with a hard language like Mandarin, language groups make it seem possible."