Two new senators were appointed to Wichita State’s Student Senate on Wednesday — Liberal Arts and Sciences Senator Amanur Rahman and Freshman Senator Ryan Taylor.
Senate Speaker Matthew Phan appointed them to fill empty positions.
LAS Senator Amanur Rahman
Rahman came to the Senate with experience in research and with participation in international and national conferences, gaining experience with SGA.
“One thing that stuck out to me was he had really strong time management skills and management skills,” Phan said. “I am really looking forward to all of his ideas for the Senate as well.”
Rahman shared his ideas for future projects revolving around diversifying student opportunities.
“I am very interested in SGA, as I like to speak for the student voices and what they want to say,” Rahman said. “There are a lot less opportunities in (sociology) research, and a lot less opportunities to contribute to their research work. I want to focus on this side and focus on the students and enlarge these opportunities. I want to emphasize on diversity, as I see in my department, there are not that many students that are international, and to encourage international students to join.”
Freshman Senator Ryan Taylor
Taylor is a first-generation student with a passion to expand his understanding of the student government system through his communication skills.
“One thing that stuck out to me during our interview process was his passion and excitement for all things SGA and learning more about the processes,” Phan said. “In addition, he demonstrated strong communication, time management, and organizational skills.”
Taylor spoke about his plans to make the campus environment more accommodating for students by providing free contraceptives and pregnancy tests to students through the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker.
“As a first-generation student, I often feel underrepresented, and through my position, I would like to advocate for others who are experiencing college for the first time as well as other demographics that have been historically unrepresented through their college experience,” Taylor said.
Senate meetings are on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhatigan Student Center, room 233. The Student Government Association live streams all senate meetings on its Youtube channel.
