Learn more about the candidates running for executive positions and committee chairs in the Penn State World Campus Student Government Association (WCSGA).
Voting for WCSGA positions is now closed.
President - Vice President - Secretary - Treasurer - Speaker of the Assembly - Academic Affairs Committee Chair - Governmental Affairs Committee Chair - Marketing and Communications Committee Chair - Student Affairs Committee Chair - Technology Committee Chair
President
Daniel Serfass
B.S., Security and Risk Analysis, Spring 2024
Pennsylvania, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
Serving as the President of the World Campus Student Government Association, I've had the pleasure to lead some of the best students at Penn State. Starting my Penn State journey at the University Park campus, I've seen firsthand the tremendous resources, networks, and systems available to residential students and the impact they have. I can help bridge that gap by building lasting partnerships to enhance the World Campus student experience from orientation through graduation! For the Glory.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
Bringing the engagement and professional opportunities of residential students to the World Campus will be critical to our growth. From a robust Alumni Association experience, a network of highly developed and specialized student organizations, to the creation of the first council of online students within the Big Ten conference. These things can, and need, to be done. Penn State knows the power of World Campus, but now it's time to bring all of Penn State's power to World Campus.
Vice President
Olu Ajisafe
MBA, Spring 2024
Washington D.C., United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
As someone who has lived and studied in Africa and the United States, I am a true representation of our global community, and I bring with me a perspective that will enrich student leadership and give voice to the seemingly voiceless World Campus students, some of whom do not live in Pennsylvania or the United States. As a successful World Campus graduate student for about five years, I understand our unique challenges and daily obstacles. Hence, I will advocate until your needs are met.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
1) World Campus students must be able to equally and unconditionally participate in research programs.2) Students with learning disabilities who could not access scholarships because they couldn't meet the requirement for full-time credit registration must be accommodated and compensated.
3) The World Campus Scholarship must be extended for graduate school students.
4) The flexible policies implemented due to the pandemic to facilitate virtual learning must remain for World Campus students regardless.
Jessica Lowe
B.S., Criminal Justice, Spring 2024
Virginia, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I possess great leadership qualities, am very personable, am a great listener, and have good time managment. I think all of these qualities make me a great candidate for this position and this is why: Being the vice president comes with a lot of responsibilities, including communicating with other members of the SGA and relaying that information back to the president. I also have to track a lot of meetings and communicate well with other members of the team for us to be successful.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
I think inclusivity is a big issue for Penn State World Campus. Being an online community, it is hard for people to not only get involved but to also get connected and speak up about their ideas and aspirations. I think we need to help students realize that they don’t have to let a computer screen stop them from being involved with their peers. Being a World Campus student, I can say that this has been a huge struggle for me and I want to help bridge the gap and be a voice for my peers.
Secretary
There are no candidates running for this executive position.
Treasurer
There are no candidates running for this executive position.
Speaker of the Assembly
Jakeline Salan-Del Cid
Master of Project Management, Spring 2024
Florida, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I believe I am a strong candidate for this position because of my experience as the current Speaker of the WCSGA. I have gained the skills and ability to work with other students that come from diverse backgrounds, but share the same objective: to be the voice for WC students. Furthermore, given my professional and academic background, I am an individual who is accustomed to collaboration, communication, and problem-solving within large groups. These are assets that would be beneficial as Speaker of SGA.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
The most pressing issue the WCSGA should address is awareness and engagement among the online community. As WCSGA, we need to improve on ways to make our online students know who we are, what we offer, and how they can get involved.
Academic Affairs Committee Chair
Ma Socorro Rovers
B.S., Cybersecurity Analytics and Operation, Spring 2026
Pennsylvania, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I believe my real-life experiences are enough reasons for me to become the best candidate for this position. I'm a mom to 4 kids, an adult learner, and a founder of a nonprofit organization called Smiles from Sean. I also had the experience to chair a few committees while being a member of a PTA in my children's school. Currently, I served as one of the peer mentors for the WC Smart Track program and one of the executive board of the WC Student with Children club.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
I think a few of the issues I would like the WCSGA to address in 2023–2024 will be to advocate for Penn State to make higher education more accessible, more affordable, and ensure the student's success once they entered the academia at Penn State, such as making peer mentoring widely available where students are paired to inspire one another, making them feel that they're not alone in their journey, advocate to make all exams to end on the weekend and advocate for more video lectures.
Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
There are no candidates running for this comittee chair.
Marketing and Communications Committee Chair
Marisa Anuszewski
B.S., Information Technology, Spring 2026
Maryland, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I am the best candidate for this position because I am outgoing and hard-working. I also have knowledge in marketing. I am a supervisor in my current position, so I know how to communicate with others. I also know how valuable being a leader is. I always try to lead my example and inspire others.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
WCSGA should focus on getting more information out about all the activities that the World Campus has to offer. The WCSGA should also make sure students are involved and feel included in important decisions that directly impact the students.
Student Affairs Committee Chair
Cassandra Barr
B.S., Psychology, Spring 2024
Pennsylvania, United States
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I've been a part of a few other leadership positions at Penn State World Campus, including Vice President of Active Minds and Treasurer for the PSWC Psychology Club. Aside from these other responsibilities of mine, I am a full-time student and mother. I believe my experience working in psychiatric hospitals and working in an ER has given me a well-rounded foundation to learn how to care for individuals needs. It's also helped me to work under pressure, find solutions, and solve problems.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
From personal experience, I wanted to address something particular with Penn State University Park (because I live in State College and could use their resources as a WC student). Penn State does not have daycare assistance for World Campus students who have young children that need the extra support to focus on their studies. Specifically, they do offer a subsidy program for qualifying families, but this excludes World Campus students.
Technology Committee Chair
Saleh Maghrabi
MPS, Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation, Summer 2026
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
Originally from Saudi Arabia and I was raised and educated in the US. I am always striving to become a better leader version of myself whether it is academically, professionally, or interpersonally. Currently pursuing my second graduate degree at PSU to continuously develop my skills and competitive advantages in the workplace to rise in the corporate ladder and reaching the C-Level position. My skills and experiences in the field of business and technology will enable me to undertake the role.
What are the most pressing issues the WCSGA should address in the next academic year?
As an international student currently enrolled at PSU, I believe an expansion of geographic marketing should be undertaken to attract a higher percentage of international students outside the U.S. PSU has many attractive programs, and World Campus has the right infrastructure and capabilities to do so. In addition, I believe need to enable innovative technologies in academics and course room functions in which I believe it is currently very traditional.