It is easy for someone to say they are a leader. But to actually prove that they are an outstanding leader, they have to express the ability to succeed for themselves and for others. Candidates of the freshman class will be eager when the day arrives to call themselves a student leader. As a student leader, they will be responsible for voicing concerns of the freshman class and lead them through example and change.

Each candidate has their own history, goals and agenda of how they want to address their community. Whether a freshman class president, vice president, treasurer, secretary or representative, all freshman student leaders will have the chance to prove who they really are and enhance their college experience to their utmost ability.

So the important question boils down to who will the students vote for.

Freshman Class President

Antonio Brito

Antonio Brito
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Antonio Brito is a biology major with a teaching certification and is currently a member of the Rotaract Club on campus. He is passionate about his future as he wants to become a teacher when he graduates. “I am running because I want to make a difference, and I know I can. That’s really the basis of why I am running,” declared Brito. He continues saying, “I don’t like to let people down so that’s why I always aim not to give up on my dreams.”

Taylor Davis

Taylor Davis
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Taylor Davis is a history and secondary education major and is currently a member of Kean University’s softball team. “With my leadership skills, I want to influence more and more students to bring out their inner leader to make a change.” She believes one of the most important issues facing full-time undergraduate students today is trying to fit in. She wants to address this issue by having workshops on how it is okay to be who you are. Davis has attended multiple leadership conferences, along with being on her high school student council executive board for three years, in which she held the positions of state charity officer, recording secretary and eventually president.

Myiah Gatling

Myiah Gatling
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Throughout her high school career, Myiah Gatling has held several leadership roles. She hopes to use her experience to foster new ideas to her college campus. During her senior year, she had the chance of holding several positions for her community, school and church, all of which made her a stronger and more effective representative and ambassador for her peers and school institution. Gatling served as captain of her volleyball team, class secretary for her senior class, organizer for the Kure for Kimly Foundation and leader of a youth program for her church.

Jennifer Herrera

Jennifer Herrera
Photo courtesy of Student Government

As a criminal justice major, she plans to pursue her passion to serve and improve her community standards. Herrera believes that if she wants to change the world, she is going to have to start small, first with her school community. She has served as a youth group leader for Immaculate Conception’s youth group for three years and a catechist teaching fourth through sixth graders. Herrera makes it clear that “leadership to me means being able to guide not only yourself, but others as well.” When Herrera graduates from Kean University, she wants to become a law enforcement officer.

Reinaldo Torres

Reinaldo Torres
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Reinaldo Torres is undecided in what he wants to major in, but he is considering business and management. Torres believes people nowadays get too caught up with their daily responsibilities and the technology around them that they forget about the beauty that surrounds them. “As we walk, it can be so easy to miss a leaf falling into a stream and drifting away. I want to pay attention to people around, I care for all of them, and they’re all special in their own way, just like me.” Three major focuses he hopes to fulfill if elected are to unite students closer together, encourage more student involvement through Cougar Link, and help people become aware of the resources that are available to them on campus. “I hope to show everyone that we’re a family and they shouldn’t be afraid to speak to one another. Although some students stay on campus while others commute, we’re all a part of a family, on and off the campus,” said Torres.

Freshman Class Vice-President

Genesis Algaba

Genesis Algaba
Photo courtesy of Student Government

At the age of twelve, she moved to the United States and was determined to learn the English language and adjust to her new home and lifestyle. Now she is excitingly running for freshman class vice-president. In her high school career, she completed 650 hours of community service. She is known from her family and friends as someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand. Algaba is double majoring in public relations and psychology and is a member of the Bronze Leadership Program. When she graduates, she plans on attending law school to study constitutional law. Over the summer, Algaba interned with the Union County Department of Human Services (DHS) in the mental and behavioral health units and intoxicated driver’s resource center.

Canela Corrales

Canela Corrales
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Canela Corrales is an English major who plans on pursuing her career as a high school teacher. She has a life motto that she tries to live up to. “I view people as works of art. Some may be mere rough sketches while others are full blown oil canvasses, nonetheless they are all art that are beautiful in their own unique way.” What she means by this is that everyone has something to offer and she takes great pride in getting involved with her peers and enjoys meeting new people. If elected as vice president, she hopes to enhance student interaction and a sense of a close knit community. She also wants to aid the freshman class members who feel overwhelmed with the demands that the college life bring.

Madeline Romero

Madeline Romero
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Madeline Romero is an English major who plans on becoming a teacher after she graduates. She is currently a member of the Bronze Leadership Program, International Student Association and Rotaract Club on campus. One of the issues she plans on addressing if elected is the separation of commuters and those who live on campus. “When one comes across two people who dorm, they have more to talk about compared to a commuter. People who dorm see each other more often and have more opportunities to socialize with each other while commuters do not,” said Romero. She hopes to create social activities on campus that would bring the campus community together. As vice president, she hopes to interact with everyone. From leaders to musicians to community service seekers, she believes her ability to interact with different types of people make her stand out as a candidate.

Freshman Class Treasurer

Megane Clerge

Megane Clerge
Photo courtesy of Student Government

As an accounting major, she believes serving as the class treasurer is a great way for her to learn about budgeting and handling money. Clerge is a freshman who is without question well–rounded. She is a member of the Bronze Leadership Program, Haitian Association Club, African Association Club, and the Accounting Club. “I am responsible and I view myself as a leader to others. With my past experiences, I am great with handling money and coming up with new ideas,” stated the class treasurer candidate.

Freshman Class Secretary

Melissa Motato

Melissa Motato
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Melissa Motato believes her role as secretary could not only strengthen the student government body, but also the freshman class as a whole. “I would love to be a part of something that would uplift and benefit freshman’s concerns, organizations and university committees along the year,” said Motato. Throughout her leadership experiences, she served as a babysitter for some time where she learned a lot about the basics of caring for a community. She took care of five children for two years and even hosted birthday parties for them. “If I could gain such a great feeling when I plan for my festivities, imagine how I would feel if I were to be a part of an organization that hosted events for a cause that is for the better for our campus community and our student body.”

Laura Santos

Laura Santos
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Laura Santos graduated from Atlantic County of Technology. She joined the Air Force JROTC Program and was promoted from cadet to flight sergeant, which added improvement in her confidence, ambition and leadership. “Being in the JROTC Program has shown me self-discipline and improved me to show appropriate responsibility and courtesy as well as respect,” said Santos. During her senior year of high school, she interned at Ventnor Pediatrics Center part-time on school days, where she gained experience in health, science and medicine and became exposed to different personalities.

Freshman Class Representative

Gabriela Bonilla

Gabriela Bonilla
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Gabriela Bonilla is a dancer who graduated from Lodi High School. She has been dancing since the age of five and is generally a shy person, but just like any performer on stage, she is completely different when she gets to work. “I would like to be a representative for the freshman class as a way to finally show who I am somewhere besides the stage.”

Qianah Muwakkil-Heaven

Qianah Muwakkil- Heaven
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Qianah Muwakil-Heaven is a member of the Bronze Leadership Program and enjoys cheerleading as one of her favorite hobbies. She is thankful for being in the leadership program because she was able to interact with her freshman class and assist those who needed help with moving in.

Roshorn Shivers

Roshorn Shivers
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Roshorn Shivers is an elementary education major, currently a member of Kean Dance Theatre (KDT) and overall a very determined individual. “I am a student that takes any issues brought to my attention seriously, and I will go to all limits to get the problem resolved,” declared Shivers. He believes peer pressure is a problem that college students face today. When asked how he plans on addressing the issue, he makes it clear that when people are peer pressured into doing things, their lives become completely affected. He plans to create programs with elected officers that encourage and foster students’ growth on making wise decisions.

Kayla Walker

Kayla Walker
Photo courtesy of Student Government

Kayla Walker is a health informant management major who plans on working in a hospital setting after she graduates. She is a responsible, trustworthy and approachable student. “I stand out as a potential candidate because I am a dedicated individual. When I take on a task, I take it whole-heartedly,” said Walker. She continued to say, “you can count on me to attend scheduled meetings and bring forth to the committee all concerns that come my way.” 

Elections will take place on Cougar Link on October 13 at 9 a.m. and end on October 14 at 6 p.m.