Student Activities

Student Senate

The Student Senate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is the official representative and voice of the undergraduate student body.

Our mission is to empower students, enhance the quality of life on campus, and increase communication between students and administration, faculty, and staff. The Student Senate will represent the student body by abiding by the core Lasallian principles: the Student Senate will be of service to others, it will respect all, it will advocate for quality education, and it will model sincere inclusivity.

Executive Board Members

Maggie Newhouse

President

Previous Positions: At-Large Representative, Vice President of Campus Affairs, President

About

I am a senior, double majoring in Health Humanities and Spanish, with a minor in Healthcare Management. Along with Senate, I am a New Student Orientation leader, involved in Future Health Professions Club, a member of Zeta Delta Honor society, a part of the Lasallian Honors Program and I play on the women’s basketball team. I am also a student work in the Executive Offices on campus. I joined Senate because I want to advocate for the needs of the entire student body. I enjoy getting to work with so many students, faculty, and staff, and working to make the campus an even better place.

Fun fact: I like pineapple on pizza.

Joel Tranel

Vice President of Financial Affairs

Previous Positions: Sophomore Class Officer, Vice President of Financial Affairs

About

I am an intern in the Makerspace, I work in Admissions, President of the Accounting Club, and the manager for the Women’s Soccer Team. I joined Senate to get involved more on campus and to help be a voice for my fellow classmates.

Fun Fact: I enjoy woodworking and building new things

Noah Lahner

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Caden Boyer

Vice President of Public Affairs

Previous Positions: Junior Class Officer

About

I am the captain of the Men’s Tennis team and the representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). I am a member of the Lasallian Honors program, and president of PreLaw Society, and I am the executive board member for student ambassadors in the Admissions office. I joined the Student Senate as an opportunity to be a voice for students and to serve the school that has given me so much. I wanted to learn about issues happening around Saint Mary’s and be in a room with eager students coming up with solutions. The Senate has been a wonderful experience for me and I am forever grateful to Saint Mary’s.

Fun Fact: I have been stung by a jellyfish on two separate occasions.

Mario Rodriguez Gomez

Vice President of Campus Affairs

Previous Positions: International Student Representative

About

In addition to Senate, I’m also a Resident Assistant which gives me a direct connection with students and their challenges. This role inspired me to join the Senate, particularly as the International Representative, to advocate for the needs and concerns of international students, contribute to improving the campus community, and have a positive influence over my peers.

Fun Fact: All of my dreams/nightmares are lucid

Ali French

Vice President of Student Affairs

Previous Positions: Hillside Hall Representative

About

I am on the fast pitch softball team here on campus along with being involved in a few clubs like green bandana, letters of love, and SAC. I decided to join Student Senate so I could be more of a help for the student body. Senate is a good opportunity to learn how to lead and be a great representation for the university and community. It is also teaching me skills that will benefit my leadership opportunities as a PA later in life.

Fun Fact: I love exploring and trying new things!

Taryn Dornseif

Vice President of Media and Communications

Shania Vanlewin

Vice President of Multicultural Affairs

Lizzie Pike

Vice President of Administrative Affairs

Previous Positions: At-Large Representative

About

I am involved on the softball team, yoga club, and work in the Admissions Office. I joined Student Senate because I wanted to get involved more on campus. Also, knowing more about the Winona community and behind the scenes of Student Senate was intriguing to me to get involved. It truly is an amazing experience and encourage everyone to try and get involved on campus during your four years in college!

Fun Fact: I have been in the crown of the Statue of Liberty.

Class Officers

Maggie Albers

Sophomore Class Officer

Reese Heitzman

Sophomore Class Officer

Garett Rotzien

Junior Class Officer

Conner Perry

Junior Class Officer

Allison Ciero

Senior Class Officer

Aidan Indahl

Senior Class Officer

Hall Representatives

Joey Dunn

Brother Leopold, Residencia Santiago Miller Hall Representative

Zoe Fink

Brother Leopold, Residencia Santiago Miller Hall Representative

Cynthia Sele

Brother William, Bishop’s, Saint Joseph’s Hall Representative

Jaedyn Fellenz

Brother William, Bishop’s, Saint Joseph’s Hall Representative

Simone Vega

Skemp, La Salle, Heffron Hall Representative

Amanda Siemienas

Skemp, La Salle, Heffron Hall Representative

Javier Cifuentes

Gilmore, Saint Yon’s, Hillside Hall Representative

Sidney Polzin

Gilmore, Saint Yon’s, Hillside Hall Representative

At-Large Representatives

Priyanka Satish

At-Large Representative

Luke Pilot

At-Large Representative

IHM Representative and International Student Representative

Jacob Fiala

IHM Representative

About

I am in the seminary and I joined the Senate because I wanted to further invest myself in the life of our campus as well as represent the IHM Seminary community. Being a part of Senate has given me a greater understanding of the life of the student body. It has also given me more knowledge of the community of Winona as a whole, especially with having speakers come in and task us with communicating their services to the St. Mary’s community.

Fun Fact: I caught a jellyfish when I was in Charleston, South Carolina

Diego Corvera

International Student Representative

Testimonials

I joined the Student Senate with the intention of trying to be more involved in what was going on around campus. I have really enjoyed my few years on the Senate and the ability to have a voice and help make changes around campus. I am excited to make the step up to an Executive Board position for next year and also have the ability to positively impact the events, media, and Saint Mary’s community as a whole.

Noah Kiemel

I joined the Student Senate to have a direct impact on our school community. Our greatest tool to make a difference is through our voice, and I wanted to be part of a group that takes each voice and makes it a priority. On Student Senate, I get to not only participate in decision-making processes and advocate for what’s best for our students, but I also get to learn valuable skills of leadership and teamwork that I will use for years to come. I am honored to be serving on such a proactive and hardworking team that is dedicated to shaping how we learn and grow as students

Melanie Winzenburg

Why did I choose student senate? Fantastic question, aside from getting to work with the fantastic Mrs. Ann Merchlewitz, it was to make an impact. Student senate provides us with the opportunity to sit in and participate in some of the most influential upgrades and decisions that affect our daily lives as students at this University. It has provided me with a unique experience to interact with other students, the team atmosphere really strengthens what it means to be a part of the Cardinal family. Student senate above all else is for us as students, it is for improving student life and ensuring that everybody has a voice here on campus. It has been exciting to see the improvements and I can’t wait to be a part of more in the future!

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