Ticket Biography
We are Zion Nicholas Sykes and Rasha Elwakil, and we are running to be YOUR Student Body President and Vice President! Seeing how much this university has positively impacted our lives, we hope to take this leadership position to help provide a better Penn State experience for the entire student body. Through focusing on these pillars of: Advocacy, Sustainability, DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging), and Affordability, we hope to curate a better Penn State. Some of our goals include more sustainable infrastructure and an increase of election knowledge. Follow our campaign at ‘votesykeselwakil’ to find out more about what we want to do to help all students! We want to work to make this university a better place, together. As we want all students to know: Your Voice, Our Action!
I am Zion Sykes, a third-year Global & International Studies, Political Science major hailing from Philadelphia, PA. Throughout my time at Penn State, I have not let opportunities pass me by. Whether that be through getting involved with the Multicultural Resource Center, diving headfirst into anti-student poverty initiatives, or singing with the University Choir, you can be sure I will use any opportunity to the fullest extent! When it comes to stepping up to the role of president, my experience chairing the Committee on Governmental Affairs, serving as Borough Liaison, sitting on the University Park Student Fee Board, and other moments making the most of my time here all have allowed me to gather a better understanding of the role of the president. The undergraduate student body deserves someone who not only understands the roles and duties of the UPUA President, but someone who will be able to jump head first into the role of president.
I am Rasha Elwakil, a second-year student studying Earth Science and Policy. Throughout my time here at Penn State, I have been involved with UPUA within the first-year council 17th assembly, Chair of Justice and Equity currently in the 18th assembly, and the current department of Environmental Sustainability liaison. I am in the Millennium Scholars Program, the Presidential Leadership Academy, a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, and am heavily involved with sustainability around campus! I was a speaker at UPUA’s first annual student sustainability summit last year, and a part of both the Student Sustainability Advisory Council and Earth and Mineral Sciences Sustainability Committee. Regarding DEIB, besides my position of Chair of Justice and Equity, I am a part of the Racial Justice Policy and Advocacy Group. I am running to be YOUR student body vice president because I want to ensure positive change. There needs to be more outreach about resources offered here, and more open discussions about issues that need resolving. Throughout my time at Penn State and within the UPUA, I have learned the importance of collaboration and opening your mind, and that is what I want to do when collaborating with the student body. I want everyone reading this to know that I am a helping hand available to all!
Ticket Engagements-
Zion- Lion Caucus The University Park Undergraduate Association The Academic Integrity Board for the College of the Liberal Arts.
Rasha-UPUA- Chair of Justice and Equity and Department of Environmental Sustainability Liaison, Racial Justice and Policy Advocacy Group, Lion Ambassadors, Delta Phi Epsilon, Student Sustainability Advisory Council, Earth and Mineral Sciences Sustainability Committee, Presidential Leadership Academy, Millennium Scholars Program.