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Get to know ASMSU's Office of the President

September 13, 2018
Political theory and constitutional democracy junior Katherine "Cookie" Rifiotis speaks to the Associated Students of Michigan State University on April 18, 2018. Rifiotis has become the organization's newest student body president.
Political theory and constitutional democracy junior Katherine "Cookie" Rifiotis speaks to the Associated Students of Michigan State University on April 18, 2018. Rifiotis has become the organization's newest student body president.

President Katherine “Cookie” Rifiotis

Rifiotis is the main spokesperson for and primary delegate of the undergraduate population of MSU to the university’s administration. 

During the ASMSU General Assembly meetings, Rifiotis is the chief administrative officer and the chairperson. Rifiotis meets with different officials and committees often and provides a voice for the undergraduate population.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dylan Westrin

Westrin deals heavily with academic governance and its presence inside committees at the university. 

Westrin is the most direct route for communication between ASMSU, administrators and senior faculty members. However, this position also helps students who have issues with syllabi or certain professors.

“They [students] want something changed there, and if it’s a specific course or if it’s with a department or the college, we can figure out different avenues to channel change into that,” Westrin said. “So I usually have a working relationship with the department heads, deans, the provost, associate provost and some of the vice presidents.”

Vice President of Finance and Operations Dan Iancio

Iancio mainly oversees financial and business operations on the Legal Services, Student Defenders, the Red Cedar Log and other ASMSU service departments. The position was also influential in establishing the Blue Book program and i-Clicker and graphing calculator rentals.

“I oversee all of the services and so that’ll be i-Clickers, blue books, graphing calculators, Safe Ride, legal services, all that kind of great stuff that we provide to students. As something that I oversee and our department oversees, it’s really awesome,” Iancio said. “We get to help students either save money on college expenses or just help them facilitate their college experience better.”

Vice President of Governmental Affairs Eli Pales

Pales maintains responsibility for awareness of any governmental action or legislation which could impact the student body at MSU. Pales’ position also works to get more students registered to vote and to educate them on important things happening in government currently, whether it be local or national. Pales is required to go to City Hall meetings as well as the typical ASMSU meetings.

“I like that we have the ability to have an idea to really implement it,” Pales said. “And so in that regard, I feel like ASMSU was able to be far more efficient and effective than almost any other student organization.”

Vice President of Internal Administration Mario Kakos

Kakos’ position involves a lot of communication with students. 

Kakos works to teach committee members about the rules of weekly meetings and how ASMSU structures and procedures work. It also connects students to resources.

“There’s an engagement coordinator so that position works out with the mentorship program, so I help advise engagement coordinator on carrying projects and initiatives,” Kakos said.

Kakos also works heavily on recruiting individuals for the General Assembly every year.

Vice President of Student Allocations Makenzie Bosworth

Bosworth works with registered student organizations, the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students and the Council of Progressive Students to allocate funding for their groups. This position manages student tax dollars and allocates the funds to specific organizations. 

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“There is a certain percentage of the ASMSU tax that goes to a budget that is set aside for giving back to clubs and groups, so they can put on events around campus and go to conferences and do really cool things like that,” Bosworth said. “I oversee the board votes on those decisions and our departmental staff works to make those happen.”

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