Members
Chase Marquis
Deputy Chief of Staff
Hello! My name is Chase Marquis and I am a sophomore double majoring in Supply Chain/Operations Management and Financial Management. A few activities I enjoy are: playing basketball, golf and reading (when I can find the time). I am involved on campus with USG and I am applying for a spot in the Investment Banking Club this fall. My USG “why” revolves around people. Originally an engineer at Akron, I transferred to business to work more with people. This love to help and form relationships with people brought me to this organization. I believe that every time you speak to someone it should be to get to know them on a personal level and USG provides a wonderful platform to do just that.
Erica Jensen
Executive Project Manager
Hi Zips! My name is Erica and I am a Senior majoring in Nursing with a minor in Psychology. Outside of USG I am a Student Ambassador, Nursing Class Officer, serveAkron Student Engagement Guide, and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. If I'm not in class I am typically at work in the Department of Student Life as the Student Assistant for Campus Programs or at Summa Health as a Patient Care Tech. I joined USG to further my involvement on campus, help spread the word of what USG is and what we do, and be a helping hand to others. I am excited to continue my involvement with USG and I hope to meet and help more students along the way.
Lily Coss
Executive Project Manager
Hey Zips! I’m Lily, a third year Mechanical Engineering Student. Outside of USG, I am the President of Society of Women Engineers University of Akron Student Chapter, Marketing Coordinator for Engineering Student Council, and on the College of Engineering Dean’s Team! I’m very passionate about being involved and making a difference on our campus community and am excited to bring my enthusiasm and dedication into USG this year.
Karima Damson
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
I am a sophomore majoring in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business as an Honors student. I will be serving as the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Undergraduate Student Government 2022-2023. I am also the Vice Chair of the Diversity committee within USG. I am a member of Sigma Lambda Honorary, the African Student Association(ASA), and UA Latinos. I have a passion for dance, and I like to sing and play tennis. I am excited to be a part of USG because I’ve always enjoyed helping others, and I want to help the students at the University enjoy their undergraduate experience in the most enriching way.
Ahmed Mahmood
Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Bethel Tsige
Project Manager
Bethel Tsige is a sophomore Chemical Engineering student and is currently Secretary of Society of Women Engineers, a member of Engineering Student Council, and a member of the African Student Association. She is also involved in an off-campus dance crew called Phoenix and participates in Theatre productions. Her determination and desire to be involved on-campus has brought her to USG. She is ecstatic for the year ahead and cannot wait to contribute for the undergraduate class!
Deja Meekins
Project Manager
My name is Deja Meekins and I'm a freshman with junior status (I graduated high school with my Associate of Arts) and I am majoring in Accelerated Political Science. I am involved in several extracurriculars here on campus including the Williams Honors College, the WHC Dean’s Team, HCORR Hall Government (as RHC Representative), Students of African American Sisterhood, Pre-Law Society, Akron Equity Pride (of which I am the vice president), the Honors Civics Club, the Political Science Student Advisory Board, and ACE (as team lead). I am also an OMD peer mentor to underclassmen. I am super excited to become the Project Manager in the Executive Branch of USG because I love planning events and seeing the positive impact that they can have.
Open Position
Project Manager
Eli Strohecker
Project Manager
My name is Eli Strohecker and I am a 3rd year Biomedical Engineering and Williams Honors College student in the Biomaterials and Tissues Track. I am passionate about getting involved on campus and am a part of many other organizations such as Choose Ohio First and serve as Treasurer of Environmental Action. In my free time I enjoy listening to new music, oil painting, and reading. I joined Undergraduate Student Government because I wanted to make a positive impact on the student body and become a good role model for all incoming and new students. Go Zips!
Cameron Feezel
Director of Finance
Ashley Whitten
Deputy Director of Finance
My name is Ashley Whitten. I am a second-year accounting major. I am a former Emerging Leader, a member of Sigma Lambda, and a community assistant for Honors/Orr Hall, Bulger Hall, and Spanton Hall. I enjoy playing the ukulele, working out, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. I joined Undergraduate Student Government because I want to network with other students and better my leadership skills.
Alexis Currie
Director of Membership Development
I’m in my last year of undergraduate at The University of Akron studying Political Science with minors in both Homeland Security and Criminal Justice. After graduation, I plan on attending The University of Akron School of Law to pursue a legal career. Along with USG, my involvements include; Communications Chair and Secretary for The Pre-Law Society, Public Relations Chair for the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), and I’m a Resident Assistant in Sisler-McFawn Residence Hall which is a part of the Emerging Leaders Community. I love volunteering in the Greater Akron community, connecting with faculty and my peers, and being involved on campus. I have had the privilege of meeting many students and my hope for my involvement in USG is to continue making strides in order to further benefit the student body as a whole. Go Zips!
Lydia Lungu
Director of Events
Hi! My name is Lydia, and I am a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Science. On campus, I am involved in the Minority Association for Premed Students, Biological Anthropology & Human Anatomy Club, Neuroscience Club, and Campus Focus. I also serve as Treasurer of our Medlife chapter here at Akron. Some of my hobbies include reading, exploring new places and travelling, and just hanging out with friends and having a good time. I currently serve in USG as the Director of Events. I got involved with USG because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students on campus and help raise awareness about mental health, so I can be a listening ear to others. Feel free to reach out to me for anything!
Lauren Groen
Event Coordinator
Hi! My name is Lauren Groen and I’m very excited to be serving on USG this year! I’m a first-year student majoring in Biomedical Science and minoring in Psychology on a pre-med track. On campus I am also involved in Phi Delta Epsilon, Minority Association for Pre-Health Students, Neuroscience Club, Environmental Action, PPGEN, and the Williams Honors College. Outside of school, I love reading, hiking, going to concerts, and spending time with friends. I joined USG because I wanted to get involved on campus and help create change that could benefit all UA students. Feel free to reach out if you need anything. Go Zips!
Gretchen Search
Event Coordinator
Hi everyone! I'm Gretchen Search, a sophomore majoring in biology (with a minor in forensic psychology and a certificate in ASL). In addition to participating in tiered mentoring, I also work part time for the UA alumni association, and as a pharmacy tech off campus. I love to attend campus events, especially home soccer games! I love to read, sing, listen to music, visit with friends (and my cat, Edison) and explore new creative outlets in my free time. I wanted to join USG to have a direct impact on campus life and the events it is affiliated with. I believe USG as a whole really cares about the student experience and I'm so happy to be a part of it! Go Zips!
Savannah Pate
Director of External Affairs
Savannah is a senior majoring in Nursing, with a minor in Bioethics. She is involved within various organizations on campus such as Omicron Delta Kappa, Delta Gamma, Panhellenic Council, Active Minds, and more. She is passionate about the university and hopes to make a change during her time in the Undergraduate Student Government and truly impact students around her!
Elena Kozma
Marketing Strategist
Hi Zips! My name is Elena Kozma and I am a second-year marketing and sales major. I am involved on campus as the Social Media Chair of Residence Hall Program Board, a graduate of the Emerging Leaders program, a member of Sigma Lambda Honorary and the Williams Honors College. I am excited to be a part of Undergraduate Student Government because of the amazing positive impacts that I have seen USG make on campus, and I am looking forward to contributing to make this a great year for students at UA!
Sarah Oschman
Marketing Strategist
Hello all! My name is Sarah and I am a junior here at UA studying Marketing. I'm involved in Pi Sigma Epsilon, as well as the Zips Recruiting Club as their VP Communications. Some of my hobbies include baking, cooking, but most importantly-eating. I decided to join USG because I want to use what I have been learning in the classroom in order for USG to better market themselves.
Evan Wilson
Student-Athlete Liaison
Hello! My name is Evan Wilson, and I am a sophomore here at the University of Akron. My major is Sports Business, and I am on the Men’s basketball team here at the university as well. I spend a lot of my time at practice or working out on my own, but when I am not doing that, I love to listen to music, hangout with friends, bowl, go for runs, and watch other professional (or Zip!) athletic events. On campus, along with USG, I am a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well. My involvement with USG involves being the student athlete liaison. With that position, I am tasked with being the voice and ears of all athletes on campus and taking up issues/concerns/ideas/etc. with USG, in order to give athletes on campus the best experience possible. I took this role because I love interacting with all athletes on campus, enjoy seeing other athletes happy and content here at UA, and am interested in creating positive change. I cannot wait to dive into this role, and help make UA a great place! Go USG, and go Zips!
Open Position
Greek Life Liaison
See our application if you are interested in this position!