As student body president-elect Lizzi Shappell and vice president-elect Bill Andrichik prepare to assume office April 1, they have taken the first step in shaping their administration by naming sophomore and Cavanaugh senator Liz Brown as their Chief Executive Assistant (CEA).
Brown will replace Liz Kozlow, the current CEA under student body president Dave Baron and vice president Shappell.
Brown was planning to study abroad in Toledo, Spain next year, but changed her mind when she was offered the CEA position. Brown said she is thankful Kozlow will be around next year to help her make the transition and adjust to her new role.
"[Kozlow] definitely gave me an idea of how much work it will entail," Brown said.
Shappell and Andrichik chose Brown - who served as one of their campaign managers - in recognition of the hard work she put into her managerial duties and the energy she brought to the campaign, Shappell said.
Shappell said during the course of the campaign, Brown helped the candidates introduce their platforms and spread their message and ideas to all the dorms. She also had an organizational role, hanging posters and sending e-mail updates to the campaign's contact people in each dorm.
"We chose Liz because we are impressed with her leadership and organization within her role as campaign manager this year and impressed with her work as Cavanaugh senator," Shappell said. "She will bring that dedication to the office."
Brown is a dual political science and Spanish major. In addition to her current role on Student Senate, she served on student government's communications committee during her freshman year.
Brown said she was excited and surprised Shappell and Andrichik chose her for the position.
"I've been very impressed with what Lizzi and Bill have done in my work with them in the campaign," Brown said. "I know they have a lot of great initiatives that they want to get done next year, and I am excited to be a part of it."
Brown said she feels her leadership experiences thus far will help her transition to the position of third in command of the student government.
"I think I've done a good job this year in my position as Cavanaugh senator as far as bringing through initiatives that have been brought up," Brown said. "I hope I can help push through what Bill and Lizzi want to get done, especially in terms of community relations."
As CEA, Brown will serve as chair of the Executive Programming Board, coordinate Student Senate activities and run the daily logistics of the student government office.
Shappell called the CEA position an "integral part" of student government and said a new person will bring a different energy to the job.
"The position will change with the person's personality, because it is only its third year in creation," Shappell said.
Baron served as the first CEA.
