Hello! My name is James Orlando, a freshman from Wexford, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb of Pittsburgh. I am studying biomedical engineering, and am running to be one of your At-Large representatives!

My involvement in UPUA began this past fall when I applied to be part of the First Year Council. While class commitments kept me from joining FYC, I was accepted into the ShIP program, where I learned a great deal about UPUA. By sitting in committee meetings and general assemblies, I was able to observe first-hand the work that UPUA was doing. I saw passionate and dedicated students working to improve the lives of their fellow peers, and I was immediately intrigued and wanted to join in this mission.

Before coming to Penn State, I was involved in the Pennsylvania Youth and Government club run by the YMCA for all four years of high school. During my tenure, I wrote mock legislation targeting infrastructure and educational issues within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including strengthening regulations on bridge and road inspections, and broadening access to world language and physical education classes. During my senior year, I was elected Vice President of my delegation, where I assisted the President in outreach efforts and teaching new members of the club how to write bills. This club not only helped me improve many skills, but it also has led to me wanting to continue to work in politics and student government.

By using the skills I learned in my previous government-related activities, I will bring a fresh perspective to the assembly and strive to reflect the concerns of all students. If elected, I will be an open line of communication between the student body and the assembly as I work to improve the many aspects of Penn State and make our university the best it can be!

I would be honored to be elected as an At-Large Representative, and I promise to put my best foot forward and work as hard as possible in all that I do in UPUA. Thank you!