Representatives of the freshman and graduate classes, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and commuters shared with The Johnsonian about themselves, their leadership skills and their intentions for the Student Government Association.
By Evi Houston
News Editor
News
Winthrop University’s Student Government Association (SGA) inaugurated seven new student representatives on Sept. 8 after their special election the previous week. This inauguration ceremony was part of the university’s larger initiative to reconfigure the former Council of Student Leaders (CSL) into SGA.
Newly elected representatives include the following: Ope Ogun and Paris Young, representing the freshman class; Charlie Thomas and Diego Rodriguez, representing graduate students; Destiny Henry, representing the College of Business and Technology; Arin Dobyna, representing the College of Visual and Performing Arts; and Holly Grace Penza, representing commuter students.
The following profiles of representatives encompass a wide
array of diversity, interests, and approaches to interacting with the student body and the SGA. Multiple representatives are first-generation Americans or originally out-of-state, bringing with them their own perspectives and culture, each with hopes of improving and serving Winthrop University in unique ways.
Ope Ogun
Freshman representative Ope Ogun is a political science and sociology double major with a concentration in pre-law. Originally from Pennsylvania, Ogun graduated from high school in Columbia, South Carolina. She is also a first-generation Nigerian American.
Ogun’s experiences in high school have equipped her to take on the SGA, as she represented her junior and senior class. She was also the founder and president of the “Thirst Club” at her high school, which focused on fundraising for the development of clean water wells in areas of need.
Ope’s hopes for the SGA were centered on addressing and assisting the freshman class, especially those on the outskirts.
“I want to make sure everybody feels comfortable, especially on the transition from high school into
college. You know, if there’s any discrepancies, feel comfortable to come to me […] I want to make sure everybody’s
feeling good, so everybody can finish their four years. They’re not just here for a degree, but to make connections for our future, to have fun,” Ogun said.
Paris Young
Freshman representative Paris Young has a similar perspective to Ogun. Young is an elementary education major from Columbia, South Carolina.
Young participated in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and served as their treasurer in high school. In her senior year, she was also the leader of her marching band flute section.
“My main goal is to
be an advocate, be a voice. I’ve already seen some of my fellow freshmen kind of feel like outsiders or feel alone, but I want to be that safe space for them,” Young said.
The representative also noted that her class, as the largest student group on campus, needs a particular voice within the SGA.
“Y’all can text me, email me, call me, like, I’m always on my phone. You can DM me. I always make sure to say hey […] I’m very approachable, you can always come up to me. Like, never gonna be mean, never gonna steer you away. So whatever you have, whatever problem you have, you can always come to me or Ope, and we’re very open people,” Young said.
Charlie Thomas
Graduate representative Charlie Thomas considers his past experiences formative to his time here at Winthrop. Thomas is from James Island, South Carolina, but was born in Grace, Maryland and raised by a single mother.
Thomas completed a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from the College of Charleston. After graduating, he continued working in food service jobs and eventually left Charleston to travel and work seasonally around the country
and abroad for five years.
Thomas eventually discovered that he wanted to make a change in his life and become a school counselor. Today, Thomas is pursuing a Master’s in Counseling and Development at Winthrop University. He would also like to stay another year at the university to complete a Master’s in Clinical Health.
“I feel like my work ethic and desire for inclusion, representation and fairness combined with my experience communicating with people from vastly different backgrounds will ground me as someone who listens and acts with honesty, integrity, and compassion,” Thomas said.
Thomas aspires to improve the university and create something that all students are proud of. In doing this, Thomas provided an action plan. “I will be available to hear the needs and desires of
the people who also care about this school, this campus, and
higher education, then act on behalf of the graduate school population of Winthrop,” Thomas said.
Diego Rodriguez
Graduate representative Diego Rodriguez is in his first year of pursuing a Master’s in elementary education at Winthrop University. He is from Hollywood, South Carolina.
Rodriguez already has an influential role on campus due to his involvement in other groups. “I have the privilege of holding positions as the Junior Cohort President of Teaching Fellows and Vice President of the Call Me MISTER program,” Rodriguez said. He believes these arenas have equipped him to participate in SGA.
“By being a part of SGA I want to ensure that perspectives and needs of students are heard. Specifically, as Graduate Representative, I hope to foster stronger connections between graduate students and the broader campus community. My goal is to work towards an inclusive environment where students can feel heard, seen, and supported.”
Rodriguez intends to accomplish these goals by being accountable, approachable, and consistent when
serving as a spokesperson for his fellow graduate students.
Arin Dobyna
Arin Dobyna won the College of Visual and Performing Arts representative position with 53% of the vote, an impressive accomplishment for a freshman. Dobyna is majoring in design and illustration and has a passion for the arts.
Dobya’s background spans beyond South Carolina, as she was born in New Jersey and has lived in many places since then. She is also the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants and has a bilingual certification in Russian. “My culture is a warm part of me,” Dobyna said.
Dobyna saw joining SGA as a huge honor and part of her personal aspirations.
“I wanted to push myself into new roles and opportunities, to not just create a new path for myself but to bring memorable change to the campus. I want to be the reason others don’t feel alone and can find light even in the smallest moments,” Dobyna said.
Relying on her optimism, determination and artistic skills, Dobyna wants to improve the experience of those in the College of Visual and Performing Arts by “[Using] creative and thoughtful ideas to bring more
accessibility to the campus, more fun to events, and hopefully much more if given the chance.”
Holly Grace Penza
Commuter representative Holly Grace Penza is a junior studying criminal justice. Penza is a recent transfer to Winthrop University as well, and has an Associate’s in Criminal Justice from USC Lancaster. Penza has spent most of her life in Rock Hill.
Penza feels that her involvement in many positions within her high school student government has equipped her with the communication and organizational skills she needs to contribute to Winthrop’s SGA. Her passion for helping others is what influenced her decision to join SGA, where she hopes to improve and assist the community, university and her fellow students.
Penza outlined some objective aims she has for her position.
“While serving as the commuter representative, I hope to achieve better parking, resources and representation while making Winthrop a home to everyone, not just those who live on campus,” Penza said.
