Melisa Gurkan '23.5

SGA Feb Senator; Speaker of the General Assembly

I got to know everyone in my Feb class pretty quickly. From the positivity I received during my campaigning, I was sure I wanted to speak for Febs and knew I was making genuine connections with the 85 other first year Febs. With the amazing conversations I’ve already had with my class, there’s no doubt that I will be able to have more discussions about how the SGA can make the campus better. Do we need tissues in the classrooms when everyone’s beginning to get sick? What about providing presentations about SGA meetings every so often to show the student body what the SGA discusses each week? We pass several resolutions and are in constant communication with faculty but I’m aware that perceptions about the SGA need to be strengthened. I want to take initiative to bridge the gap between SGA and the student body.

Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Major: Undeclared
​Interests: Mischords; Windsurfing; Dance; Baking; Cooking; Scrolling through Pinterest

Andrew Juarez '24.5

SGA Feb Senator

As an SGA Feb Senator, my goal is to help foster a community of inclusivity and provide equitable experiences for all.  From the moment I heard about the position of SGA Feb Senator, I knew I needed to get involved because I want to make a difference at a place so meaningful as this.  As a person of color, Feb, and student-athlete, I encompass several different perspectives at Middlebury. I want to continue the talk on mental health and increase resources, ensure my peers’ voices are heard through open discussion, and honestly and fully represent the student body. I am also very passionate about financial equity. I want to provide students who come from low-income families more opportunity to be involved in events or fun activities on or off campus at low cost or free of charge. Lastly, I want to listen, learn, and grow from my peers to ensure different policies and initiatives being enacted on campus are clear and come from a general agreement.

Hometown: Lake Zurich, Illinois. 
Major: Possibly Econ or International and Global Studies (Undecided) 
Favorite place on campus: Battell Beach
Interests: Soccer, Basketball, Hiking, Swimming, Reading, Chess, Music Stocks, Current Events, and Star Wars.