My name is Matt Sykes and I hope to be your next Student Government Board President. I’m a senior, currently in the co-op program, studying Industrial Engineering and Sociology. If elected, I will work to continue strengthening the student voice while empowering students to create lasting change within Pitt. I plan on accomplishing this by working with the Resident Student Association to improve mental health training for RA’s and coordinating with the Registrar’s office to add a reading day during finals week while also extending the time between finals slots. Additionally, I plan to increase the transparency and openness of SGB by instituting a semesterly town hall forum and improving SGB’s outreach to the average student.

      My passion for Student Government Board began when I joined the allocations committee. Helping such a diverse group of student organizations turn their passions into reality opened my eyes to the many talents of our impressive student body. The idea of helping Pitt better utilize the talents of its student body inspired me to run for a Board Member position in the fall of 2014. As a board member I was able to help unite students and faculty from across campus to organize a vigil for the recent terrorist attacks and to promote mental health awareness through the implementation of Mental Health Awareness Week and by forming a partnership between the University and The Jed and Clinton Health Matters Campus Program. My record exemplifies passionate, self-driven advocacy on behalf of all of us. I care about your interests and your voice. I care about ensuring campus opportunities are equally distributed for each and every one of you. Share your ideas, and I will make them happen.

Thank you for your consideration. Don’t forget to vote through your my.pitt portal on March 1st. Hail to Pitt!