Building a Network of SGAs

“We had a waitlist, so there is definitely a want for this event,” says Ridge Tawdrous, a life sciences/osteopathic medicine (B.S./D.O.) student and Student Government Association (SGA) director of public relations on the New York City campus. “I sent out a post-event form, and every respondent said they would come back.”

The occasion is the inaugural SGA Summit, cohosted by Tawdrous and SGA Executive Vice President on the Long Island campus Katie Chen, and organized with help from SGA Director of Public Relations on the Long Island campus Marina Moussa. The six-hour event, held February 15 on the New York City campus, welcomed 80 students from more than 20 colleges across the region and provided a space for attendees to share ideas and learn from one another in hopes of solving common issues. The day’s main goal—building a functional network of SGAs that can collaborate on problem-solving and asset management—was achieved.

“When I first joined SGA, it was always my goal to expand our network of relationships, open up the possibility of collaboration between different SGAs, and to share and learn from other student leaders on how they approach some of our shared difficulties,” says Tawdrous, who sent more than 60 emails advertising the event to nearby colleges. “This summit was my attempt at taking that vision and turning it into reality.”

Featuring welcome speeches from student leaders, Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Balentine, D.O., and Associate Provost for Student Engagement and Development Tiffani Hinds, M.Ed., as well as informative sessions with Senior Director of Career Success and Experiential Education Amy Bravo, Dean of Students Felipe Henao, Ed.D., and student leaders from other colleges, the summit created new goals for the New York Tech SGA. With fresh perspectives, the groups are working on making more meaningful changes on their respective campus beyond what they previously envisioned.

Moussa, a biology student and member of New York Tech’s Pre-Dental Society, was instrumental in helping Tawdrous successfully host the summit. After months of event planning, she worked with her fellow SGA members on a designated team to set up and handle the day-of details of the event.

She says her SGA involvement has more deeply connected her to New York Tech and its student body. Moussa is responsible for ensuring students have access to all the necessary information regarding events, initiatives, campaigns, and other happenings around campus. Tawdrous bears similar duties, as well as maintaining and expanding relationships with and between other institutions and SGAs.

At the same time, Moussa and Tawdrous are preparing for their professional careers—both have their sights set on different areas of the medical field. Moussa, who dreams of becoming a pediatric dentist, plans to work as a dental assistant after completing her degree requirements this fall and later pursue dental school for her Doctor of Dental Surgery. Tawdrous aspires to become a hospital physician and will begin his journey at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in August. With long-term goals of being a hospital administrator and university professor, he is also considering a Master of Public Health degree and eventually a Ph.D.

“I’ve always valued the opportunity to help others navigate their own paths. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance and support I’ve received, so I try to pay that forward whenever I can,” Tawdrous says, embodying Moussa’s advice to “make meaningful connections and surround yourself with like-minded individuals.”