Student Government Association (SGA) represents your voice in the administrative affairs of the college.
Each CSM campus has chapters which are advised by the Vice President of Instructional and Support Services. The SGA is funded by the student activity fee, and all registered students are members.
Criteria for Running for Any Student Association Office:
The criteria necessary to be accepted as a candidate for office is the following:
Candidate must be a credit student registered for at least 1 credit, at their respective campus, during their elected term(s) at the College of Southern Maryland
Candidate must have no academic probation status
Candidate must not have had any disciplinary probation
Candidate must have earned and maintained at least a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 throughout the previous academic year (fall-spring)
Position Descriptions
Gives direction and leadership to the Student Association. Additional duties include the following:
Serve on the SGA Executive Board
Supervise the implementation and maintenance of SGA and Student Association policy
Make committee appointments
Be an ex-officio member of all Student Association committees
Appoint any position on the Student Association in the event of resignation, recall, or other vacancy with the approval of the voting members of the association in accordance with these bylaws
Call special sessions of the Student Association anytime he/she deems it to be in the interest of the association with at least forty-eight hours notice.
Call special sessions of either the Student Association or all campus meetings whenever petitioned by three percent of the student body
Notify the Vice President to assume his/her duties in the event that the President expects being absent from their duties
Preside over recall procedures and all Student Association and all campus meetings
Hold 6 published office hours a week
Other SGA duties as assigned
Assist the President in the administration of the Student Association. Additional duties include the following:
Take responsibility for the effective planning, management and evaluation of all Student Association sponsored activities
Ensure that quality and diverse activities and programs are presented
Work with the Student Life Department in the preparation of the Student Activities Calendar and the Student Handbook
Hold 6 published office hours a week
Perform such duties as may be requested by the President.
Be the convening and presiding officer of recall proceedings against the President
Assist the President in responding to all student concerns relating to the campus
Other SGA duties as assigned
Takes accurate minutes at all meetings. Additional duties include the following:
Make copies of all minutes and make them available to voting members, the advisor, the SGA Executive Board, and the SGA advisor within one week of any meeting
Establish and maintain a roster consisting of names, addresses, telephone numbers, email address and class schedule of all voting members.
Be responsible for maintenance and confidentiality of all files
Collect and file all reports and correspondences of officers and committee chairpersons
Hold 4 published office hours a week
Perform such duties as may be requested by the President
Other SGA duties as assigned
Responsible for the appropriate budgeting and expenditures of Student Association funds. Additional duties include the following:
Ensure that expenditures of student activity funds adhere to SGA guidelines and procedures
Work with the Advisor in the establishment and maintenance of disbursement and accounting procedures
Submit a financial statement to the SA Executive Board on a weekly basis and the SGA on a monthly basis
Hold 4 office hours a week
Act as the Chairperson of the Student Association Budget Board
Perform such duties as may be requested by the President
Other SGA duties as assigned
Help to ensure that quality and diverse activities and programs are presented. Additional duties include the following:
Attend Student Association meetings
Work on assigned committee(s)
Hold 4 office hours a week
Perform such duties as may be request by the President
Other SGA duties as assigned
Please note: Each campus duties and responsibilities may vary. The information provided above is a general overview of the positions responsibilities.
Congratulations to our 2022-2023 SGA!
La Plata
President - Ashley Karwowski VP - Madison Soto Secretary - Madison Soto Treasurer - Christian Carston Representative - Madison Soto
Leonardtown
President - Regan Coombs Vice President - Genesis Ingal Secretary - Vacant Treasurer - Vacant Representative - Eliza Matthias
Prince Frederick
President - Rhey Mesowski Vice President - Vacant Secretary - Breanna Kekesi Treasurer - Sofia West Representative - Briana Garcia
Meet the SA Officers
SA President
Name - Ashley Karwowski
Campaign Slogan - I find "a fresh start" fitting. This academic year will be a beginning for the return of many in person activities and student life hobbies. And what better time to begin than in the Spring. After the past 2 years, a fresh outlook and new changes are welcome.
Candidate's Bio - I have greatly enjoyed my time as the SA Vice President at La Plata. Despite it being short I have learned much. I hope to continue to build on my relationships and skills by serving the student body for my final semesters at CSM. Prior to living in Maryland, I worked for the Department of Homeland Security in Florida. There I was able to participate in many collateral duties that were both rewarding and educational. As a non-traditional student, I hope to apply what work and life experience I have had thus far to the position I am selected for. I am very excited for what is to come and to be considered for an officer position.
Vice President, Secretary, and Representative
Name - Madison Soto
Campaign Slogan - Students need their own voice, so make that choice
Candidate's Bio - I am interested in being an Officer because I believe students have a voice and I believe in working together with the student body to make CSM a warm and welcoming place for all students. I have past experience from serving as Student Association La Plata Campus Representative.
Treasurer
Name - Christian Carston
Campaign Slogan - Change starts with us.
Candidate's Bio - Hello all! My name is Christian Carston and I have been a student at CSM for the last two years. A few things about me: I am an avid outdoorsman, foodie, love to travel, and will be petitioning for the CSM Nursing Program this upcoming fall semester. Nearly a year ago I stepped into the role of the La Plata Student Association's Treasurer. As a future nurse practitioner, I have a passion for helping those in need and doing all that I can to better my surrounding community. I am interested in continuing as an SGA officer because I have truly enjoyed my experience so far at CSM and I want to continue to play a role in ensuring current and future students have the support they need to thrive. With the recent pandemic presenting challenges for both students and staff, I want to do everything I can to assist in making this upcoming year a smooth transition.
President
Name - Regan Coombs
Campaign Slogan - Like a good neighbor, Regan Coombs is there
Candidate's Bio - My interest in becoming President has come from my love and enjoyment of the CSM environment at each and every campus. My experience in leadership roles has been vast. I was elected for the position of 2021 Class Officer for three years at Leonardtown High School along with two years of Winter Dance Chairman within the National Honor Society, where I was responsible for planning the entire dance. In addition, I completed the highest award in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award which consisted of guiding a team to create a smartphone app for the history of St. Mary’s County. For other leadership opportunities, I was an assistant basketball coach for two years and an advanced altar server for five years. It was through these unique opportunities and positions that I have learned the hard-earned skill of what it means to be a reliable and trustworthy leader. With that, a main goal of mine is to help continue to make the CSM experience better for new incoming students and improve the existing community dynamic. A main priority I hold is ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and taken into consideration.
Vice President
Name - Genesis Ingal
Campaign Slogan - Do a good turn daily
Candidate's Bio - I want to help my fellow students have great experience at CSM and to represent their voices. I'm a former member of the Boy Scout movement and earned the Venturer Rank which is the second highest rank in the BSP. While in the movement of the scouting, I became a Crew Leader for 2 years and after that I became the Outfit Treasurer of Outfit 98. While in High School, I joined clubs and became a Public Information Officer in English Club, Officer of the IT Department of SLNHS, and Officer of Home-makers Club. I received service awards from the English Club, Home-makers Club, and Boy Scout. I also became the President of my class, and became the Vice-President of the Accountancy, Business, and Management Department. I volunteer with many places and events where we plant trees, do clean-up drives, help facilitate events, and help facilitate food-drives. I also participated to be a Resource Speaker at an Elementary School. I'm a person who is willing to do things if I think it will be better for everyone.
Representative
Name - Eliza Matthias
Campaign Slogan - Persistence brings change
Candidate's Bio - CSM administration has been employing discriminatory practices for too long with regard to Covid-19. The meeting in January concerning the vaccine mandate involved any student who expressed dissent to the administration's opinion being muted. Even students who provided evidence were silenced. I hope to fight this censorship so that student voices can be heard, and change can occur at CSM. Students and professors have also struggled with seven-week classes, yet the administration presses on with the seven-week model. I want to make sure that my fellow students have access to the classes they need to complete their degrees in a timely fashion. I hope to hear the opinions and needs of many, diverse voices so that I can amplify their ideas to improve our school. I know I can perform my role in student government well because, at my previous college, I founded and was president of a chapter of Turning Point USA.
President
Name - Rhey Gelly Mesowski
Campaign Slogan - “We had each other. That’s how we won.”—Lando Calrissian, The Rise of Skywalker
Candidate's Bio - I have been serving SA/SGA for 2 consecutive academic years now and I am the current SA President at the Prince Frederick Campus, I have met so many inspiring people, amazing students, and supportive mentors. They all have the same vision as mine, that is, to ensure that students are engaged in learning as well as entertainment. If given the opportunity to work for and with these great people again, I will make sure that I reflect their good deeds back to our dear students.
Secretary
Name - Breanna Kekesi
Campaign Slogan - Carrying on and cultivating change and community
Candidate's Bio - Hello all! My name is Bree, and I am running for the Prince Frederick Student Association again as Secretary. I was lucky enough to have been elected last year and would love to have the chance to serve again. I want to be able to stay involved in the CSM community, as well as do what I can to help the student body, be it to listen, to advocate, or just to find a way to help make you smile or de-stress for a little bit. I was an NHS member in high school, and as I mentioned am the incumbent this year. I am running for the same position, but for those of you who have met me, I am also a CSM employee and a newly minted Nursing student. I am organized and dedicated to bringing everyone together, as well as helping improve not only our campus, but our college as a whole. Feel free to say hello if you run into me on campus, as I'd love to get to know you all, and hope that my dreams and aspirations for us can come to fruition this coming year if elected. Thank you all!
Treasurer
Name - Sofia West
Campaign Slogan - Help others like you’d help yourself
Candidate's Bio - Hello everyone! I am Sofia West. This upcoming academic year I am running for Treasurer. I am currently serving as the Treasurer for Student Association on the Prince Frederick Campus and would like to continue for this upcoming year. I believe my experience in this position will help me continue to be successful. I enjoy being the Treasurer for the Prince Frederick Campus and hope I can continue to do so. I feel as that I am a motivated individual who is looking to make a difference in a positive way in the CSM community. Being involved in SA will help me reach my goal of making differences on and off campus. Vote for me, I promise you guys won’t regret it! ;)
Representative
Name - Briana Garcia
Campaign Slogan - Work hard looking above
Candidate's Bio - I am interested in being an Officer because I want to become involved with my peers and the student community. I want to meet new friends, especially during this hard solitary time during the pandemic. I want to help students in any way I can, despite my busy school schedule. Past experiences I've had that will help me be successful are my experience on my high school mock trial team as an attorney and as a previous SA Officer. My role as a leading confirmation sponsor for my church will allow me to be familiar with being a role model and leader for the SA position.