ASMSU’s Student Assembly selected its new leader for the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students and the Council of Progressive Students on Friday.
Melanie Olmsted was approved Tuesday by Academic Assembly and will most likely be approved by Student Assembly tonight as the director of racial ethnic and progressive student affairs, replacing former director Pia Love.
The position’s title was changed from director of minority and progressive student affairs by MSU’s undergraduate government earlier this year.
Olmsted, who has served on Student Assembly for two years, will step down as a representative for the College of Social Science to concentrate on her new priorities.
“I felt it was the right time to do it, so I did,” Olmsted said.
She said she looks forward to working with members from CORES and COPS groups because they are very active on campus.
“I would like to motivate them, but they’re already extremely motivated themselves,” the interdisciplinary studies in social science senior said. “These are the movers and shakers on this campus, and I’m really excited to be working with them.”
Olmsted’s other job responsibilities will include going to meetings and acting as a liaison between CORES and COPS and ASMSU.
Olmsted said she wants to work with them on issues that are important to them, such as racial profiling and working with the Alliance of Lesbian-Bisexual-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students on an anti-discrimination policy.
“I will advocate for them as much as the organizations would like me to,” she said.
Although she said she will miss being a member of Student Assembly, she couldn’t pass up the new opportunity.
Matt Weingarden, vice chairperson for internal affairs for Student Assembly, said Olmsted will fit in nicely because she knows the issues that affect minorities on campus.
“If she doesn’t know something, she’s not afraid to ask questions,” he said.
He said she has the ability to jump right in and steer the group into the right direction.
Joe Mignano, vice chairperson for external affairs for ASMSU, was on the committee to hire Olmsted and said she exceeded the qualifications for the job.
“I was very pleased with her interview; she met all the characteristics we were looking for,” he said. “She has a good knowledge of the groups and a lot of good ideas for the next year, and I’m sure she’ll do an excellent job.”
