Student Government

The World Campus Student Government Association (WCSGA) is the official student government body for Penn State World Campus. The WCSGA serves and represents World Campus students within Penn State and provides shared governance with faculty and administrators.

Mission, Vision, and Purpose

The mission of the World Campus Student Government Association (WCSGA) at Penn State is to advocate for the student body to enhance our student experience. The Pennsylvania State University recognizes that online learners are a unique, independent, and cooperative body of learners within Penn State.

The WCSGA was established to advocate for the needs of this unique student body and to provide opportunities for World Campus students to become more recognized as equal participants in the Penn State learning community. This governing body operates within the framework of the University and strives to provide representation that is accountable, effective, equitable, and in the best interest of all students.

The WCSGA at Penn State is a recognizable and engaged governing body that enhances each student’s daily experience by improving conditions that lead to personal success, preserving student rights, and providing exceptional representation for the World Campus student body. WCSGA serves as the official voice of students in the shared governance process at Penn State World Campus and maintains collaborative relationships with faculty and administrators while providing student perspectives that are considered at all levels of University decision-making. Furthermore, WCSGA accepts a strict standard of accountability for organizational effectiveness and will continue to provide services that contribute to the personal and professional development of our entire University community.

The purpose of the WCSGA at The Pennsylvania State University is to:

represent the interests and concerns of World Campus students at The Pennsylvania State University
provide representation for World Campus students regarding shared governance
maintain collaborative relationships with faculty and administrators on behalf of the students

Graduate Study Materials Reimbursement

As a result of WCSGA advocacy to support undergraduate students in continuing their education, funding is available to reimburse graduate study material purchases, up to $35 per student.

Requirements to Hold Office

Membership in WCSGA shall be open to all full-time and part-time students (including certificate and nondegree students) who meet several requirements.

To hold office as a member of WCSGA, students must:

be currently enrolled, with continuous enrollment, and in good standing at Penn State World Campus
have completed at least 1 full semester at Penn State World Campus prior to election
maintain a minimum of 3 credit hours per semester throughout the academic year for executive officer roles

All students elected to office in the WCSGA are expected to remain in office for a period of no less than 1 full academic year.

Positions

These descriptions are examples of the type of work each office will be responsible for.

Lead the Executive Board and attend all meetings; prepare, approve, and distribute meeting agendas; pursue discussion and involvement of Executive Board in issues of concern; advise committee directors and assist in the performance of their duties and responsibilities; approve or veto all legislation passed; and submit an end-of-year report upon completion of his/her term of office

Attend all Executive Board meetings; coordinate with President on agendas; discuss Executive Board business with President; assist President in enforcing duties and responsibilities of Executive Board; assume responsibilities of vacant positions until a replacement is appointed; write governing bylaws; submit mid-year report; and assist the President in dividing committee member responsibilities and duties

Serve as chair of Executive Board meetings; establish and present meeting rules; coordinate agendas with President and Vice President; call informal meetings; collect questions, concerns, and ideas from students; ensure members have constitution and by-laws; assist the President in dividing committee member responsibilities and duties; and oversee impeachment proceedings

Keep official time and meeting minutes, and distribute minutes as appropriate; consolidate, print, and distribute meeting agenda; format and produce WCSGA newsletter; maintain WCSGA calendar; preside at meetings in absence of President and Vice President; be a standing member of WCSGA communications committee; attend all Executive Board meetings; document and maintain attendance records; post amendments and updates for constitution and bylaws to WCSGA website; keep record of WCSGA accomplishments and activities; and document WCSGA events for communications and archival purposes

Ensure that the WCSGA follows established University financial policies and procedures; develop and present budget and budget report to Executive Board and Director of Student Affairs; manage and approve expenditures and reimbursements; establish and support budgeted accounts and transactions; submit a monthly report to Executive Board and academic adviser, detailing previous month’s financial details; make monthly report available for review and download by University students, faculty, and staff; provide transition resources for the next administration; and attend all Executive Board meetings

Responsible for advocating for and providing a collective voice to student representation in academic policies and procedures

Represents the student voice related to services and programs such as career and mental health, student clubs and organizations, student engagement activities and events, student conduct and advocacy, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development

Responsible for advocating for improvements to technology and liasing with key technology administrators to ensure technology enhancements are made while centering the student voice; and ensuring the student perspective is heard as it relates to online administrative and learning platforms such as LionPATH, Canvas, Penn State libraries, and emerging technologies

Manages all external communications, social media, and website updates for WCSGA

Represents the interests of the student body and the University to all governmental and regulatory bodies external to Penn State World Campus

WCSGA Executive Board

Meet the 2024–2025 elected members of the World Campus Student Government Association Executive Board and the Committee Chairs.

Mark Kennedy

President, Student Government

Doctor of Engineering in Engineering
Michael Shires

Vice President, Student Government

Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
Braden Fleagle

Speaker of the Assembly, Student Government

Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration
Sonya Gelster

Secretary, Student Government

Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Lydia Cowher

Treasurer, Student Government

Master of Taxation
Ma Socorro (Maria) Rovers

Academic Affairs Committee Chair, Student Government

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
Dane Sorensen

Governmental Affairs Chair, Student Government

Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Human Resources
Lauri Accardi

Marketing and Communications Chair, Student Government
MBA, Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Master's in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership
Gina Bakey

Student Affairs Committee Chair, Student Government

Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Saleh Maghrabi

Technology Committee Chair, Student Government

Master of Enterprise Architecture in Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation