Zechariah Rose, Jacob Worm elected new SGA president, vice president at K-State Polytechnic
After an online swearing in ceremony, the Student Governing Association on the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus has a new pair of leaders to serve the student body for the 2020-2021 school year.
Zechariah Rose, junior in applied business and technology, Salina, and his running mate Jacob Worm, senior in mechanical engineering technology, Wichita, have been elected SGA president and vice president, and officially began their term March 27. Both students previously held senator positions within the organization last fall. Rose saw running for the primary position as a way to step up and support his fellow Wildcats while making the most of his college experience. Worm had ideas for change on campus and thought joining the top of the ticket was an opportunity to get off the sidelines and be a part of the solution.
"Transparency is one of the main initiatives Zechariah and I would like to focus on while in office," said Worm. "We want to make sure students always know what's going on in SGA – what decisions are being made and why. It's important to us that our peers trust their leaders."
Worm says keeping campus clubs and organizations active is another area of concentration.
"We want to help grow membership and cultivate leadership in clubs and organizations. Often times, groups fall inactive because the leaders graduate and no one naturally steps into that role. We want to inform students about what clubs and organizations exist on campus and inspire their involvement."
In addition to serving as SGA vice president, Worm is a member of the Baja SAE team, was a peer mentor for incoming freshmen during fall orientation, and is a student lab technician at the Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center. He is a graduate of Maize High School and attended Cowley College for two years before becoming a Wildcat.
With the university's recent move to limited operations on all campuses and virtual learning for students because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose understands he's representing the student body at K-State Polytechnic during a unique time. As SGA president, he wants the challenges of being separated to actually be something that brings the campus together.
"I know that many students are confused, scared and worried right now about how all of these changes will affect their college experience, their financial situation, or their access to meals. Just because we aren't physically together right now doesn't mean we aren't going to be there for you," said Rose. "We call ourselves the K-State family, and family sticks together. If you need something, don't hesitate to reach out. We'll always try to find a way."
Rose mentions that K-State Polytechnic's SGA has moved their meetings online to accommodate the new climate and every student is invited to join the conversation. The meetings are held at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom, and a link to the weekly event has been sent to their Canvas course.
This is Rose's first year at K-State Polytechnic. He is a graduate of Salina Area Technical College, earning an applied science associate degree and an auto collision repair certificate while in high school at Christian Rose Academy. He is a member of the K-State Gamers Board and enjoys helping his classmates with homework questions. Rose is fascinated by business and accounting and hopes to one day earn his CPA certification.
