Alison Aguero SEAS III Major: Systems Engineering Hometown: Oak Hill, Va.
Activities, positions, associations:
U.Va. Student Chapter of International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), President
Engineering Student Council, Public Relations Committee Director
North Atlantic Region of National Association of Engineering Student Councils (NAESC), Elected Vice President of Relations, '07-'08
Madison House, Gymnastics Coach
Alternative Spring Break, Costa Rica trip 2007
Current office/position:
Engineering Student Council, Public Relations Committee Director
What are the responsibilities of the position you are seeking, and why are you qualified to fulfill those responsibilities?
The responsibilities of the president of Engineering Student Council are to represent the student body's interests, to serve as the liaison between engineering students and administration and to ensure that Engineering School students gain the most from their time at the University of Virginia.
I currently serve as Engineering Student Council's public relations committee director and as a member of the E-Week Planning Committee, and so I have a thorough understanding of the internal operations of the governing body. I have additional experience as president of U.Va.'s chapter of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).
If elected, what is the most pressing issue that you could realistically address, and how would you do so?
If elected, my primary goal will be to create a more vibrant environment for the Engineering School. This involves fostering a greater sense of community both within SEAS and between SEAS and other schools at the University. I will sponsor events that bring together students from all across the University, such as barbecues in the Engineering School and presentations that showcase research projects done by Engineering students. I will promote wider participation in University organizations that traditionally have not attracted great numbers of engineers, but I will also assist SEAS students in developing new groups based on our own initiatives. For example, I will encourage more Engineering students to participate in existing community service programs but also will help create new service projects that will draw on engineers' specific skills. Finally, I will sponsor events that allow students of different Engineering majors to interact. In particular, I will seek to expand Engineering in Context, a program that oversees inter-major thesis projects, and will sponsor social mixers and athletic events to enliven the community even further.
What positive contributions have you made to the University community?
As the president of INCOSE, I have worked with students and faculty to organize events such as company information sessions, alumni/graduate student panels and social events, including last year's "Thesis Bar Night" and this year's "Welcome Back" picnic. After my hard work with the other executive board members, we transformed INCOSE from an organization that no one even knew existed into one that students and faculty have applauded. We have been successful in increasing resources for Systems Engineering students and helping the Department foster a more dynamic environment for its majors. In addition to this work, I was elected to serve as Vice President of Relations for our region of the National Association of Engineering Student Councils, an organization in which student councils representing the engineering schools of many colleges exchange ideas for the benefit of all. Finally, I have been continuously involved in community service since my first year. As a volunteer gymnastics coach for local girls, I believe I have contributed to the image of the University as an institution that cares about serving the greater community.
Robert Yip
SEAS III
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Activities, positions, associations:
Resident Staff, Resident Advisor
Computers 4 Kids, Mentor
Engineering Student Council, Publicity Co-chair, Secretary
Monroe Society, Technology Chair, Treasurer
Current office/position: Engineering Student Council Secretary
What are the responsibilities of the position you are seeking, and why are you qualified to fulfill those responsibilities?
The responsibilities of Engineering Student Council president include being the chief executive officer and promoting the general welfare of SEAS. The president also sees to it that legislation and the directives of E-STUD are carried out. Last but not least, the president will serve as a liaison between the deans and faculty of SEAS and the student body of SEAS. I am qualified for these responsibilities because I have already experienced these responsibilities on the executive board. I work closely with many faculty members and deans. I hope to continue to work with them in order to improve life in the Engineering School. One reason I was attracted to Engineering Student Council was the purpose of the organization, to promote the general welfare of the students. In order to accomplish such a task, tiny gestures, such as food events or fun stress relieving activities, can really help engineers take their minds off of work and appreciate themselves. I want students to appreciate being an engineer and know that they need to look out for their own well-being as well, rather than spend 20-plus hours on one problem set
If elected, what is the most pressing issue that you could realistically address, and how would you do so?
One of the most problematic issues in the Engineering School is involvement in student organizations. Engineers feel overwhelmed with problem sets and internships, so much that student involvement in organizations such as E-STUD, IEEE, AICHE, NSBE, SHPE, just to name a few, are last on their to-do lists. I believe that this year we have developed a strong solution to such a lack of involvement by promoting Engineering Student Council in ENGR 162 courses first year. All engineers must take this course and cannot place out. Thus, this allows student organizations to throw their "sales pitch" to interested first-year engineers rather than have the first year find the organization. In addition, I want to be able to work with the engineering student organizations on a more personal level in order to promote more student involvement. I believe that if you attract the young engineers, you will be able to build a stronger organization in the future. Take Engineering Student Council, for example -- we started a First-Year Council this year, currently with 32 members, because Engineering Student Council members took the initiative to recruit from ENGR 162 classes and table during the Engineering Expo. That same First-Year Council organized, brilliantly I might add, our annual Fall Carnival.
What positive contributions have you made to the University community?
The two that immediately jump to mind, with relation to the University community, are my role as a resident advisor and my contributions to Engineering Student Council. I feel that I am a role model for my residents and I always urge them to participate in various activities outside of their comfort zones. I encourage them to rise to challenges, whether in academics, social life or student organizations. The second contribution I feel most passionate about involves the evolution of Engineering Student Council. Though it is only an SEAS contribution, we have improved many aspects of the E-school through our accomplishments. I have been with the Engineering Student Council that has transformed over the course of two years. We have won two awards during the National Association of Engineering Student Councils Conference and will be attending another one in March.
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