The Parthenon asked each presidential and vice-presidential candidate the same series of questions. Below are responses from Stephanie Rogner who is running for student body president. 

Q: What do you want the student body to know about you personally?

A: I like to say, “We all put our pants on the same way in the morning.” I’m just as much of a student as everyone around me. I know what it feels like to fail your first exam or to trip going up the steps at Corbly Hall. I love the aspect that I don’t see myself completely different from anyone, but rather open to learning. I’m not afraid of failure, because failure means you fail fast, learn fast, accomplish faster. For many, I am known for being an opportunist, relatable in many aspects, extremely approachable and someone who truly has compassion for other students and the university. As a college student I like to enjoy my time here and engage in as many events/organizations as possible. Going to college generally happens once, and to experience it, I really embrace the ability to live outside of my comfort zone. 

Q: Was there something specific that inspired you to run? 

A: My involvement throughout the university has allowed me to see the unique perspectives and needs students have while attending Marshall. As a runner on the Women’s Cross Country/Track team, I understand the importance of increasing student attendance at sporting events and the need for campus safety when traveling. As a Speech and Debate member, I understand the importance of advocating for large bodies of people on current issues. As a first-generation college student, I understand the financial burden that comes with receiving a degree. As the current SGA Chief of Staff, I understand the importance of collaboration and providing results to student needs. As a business student, I understand the logistics of operations to accomplish large projects. As a candidate for Student Body President, I understand the importance of being the voice for over 13,000 students and can envision Marshall in a more innovative light for representation. 

Q: What plans do you have if you are elected? 

A: With the number one reason linked to the decrease in retention, we plan to combat this issue with a Tuition Reform specific to three options. Capped tuition allows more transparency of the maximum state a student’s tuition could increase during the duration of an undergraduate program offered at Marshall. Secondly, focusing on a fixed tuition rate. This would be an optional plan to where students could pay a little bit higher of a fee but would be exempt from any unexpected financial increasements. Thirdly, partnerships with alumni foundations to encourage more need-based scholarship options. Additionally, we have an extreme understanding of the importance of mental health services offered on campus. These installments would be through an expansion of the Counseling Center to better regulate/decrease waiting periods (2-3 weeks) and implement a 24-hour online chat because we understand one of the hardest parts is walking through the door. Our third top priority is to provide a Homecoming Concert offered to student, alumni and surrounding community. This will be a great retention and recruiting tool, but most importantly allowing students to further network amongst a large group of people. With about 10 pages filled with numerous platforms aimed to represent a mass majority of the university, we have numerous members on our cabinet with a delegated list of projects ready to execute during the term. 

Q: What do you believe is the biggest issue that Marshall is facing and how do you plan to combat it? 

A: I believe Marshall strives to provide efficient resources to better a student’s education, enable personal interactions with faculty and continue to stay one of the top schools in the state of West Virginia. Though Marshall strives for these things, the biggest issue lies in retaining students with both financial and engagement efforts and that is why our platforms specifically target these problemed areas. 

Q: Is there anything I haven’t asked that you believe the student body should know?

A: Explaining our #HerdFirst slogan: 

There are two meanings, in which we believe representation should be met first-hand and place student needs over everything. Secondly, our team strives for BIG ideas that often have not been offered at other public universities. With the mobility of students, and your support with voting, change is feasible. We believe it’s time to stop saying “No, it hasn’t been done before, it won’t work here,” but rather “Let’s be first.” Why can’t Marshall be first at something? First in the state, or rather first in the nation.