The Ticker

UH Bauer Students Lead University through Student Government Association

Think C. T. Bauer College of Business students are only concerned with making their way in business?

Student government representatives from Bauer understand that their involvement can have a direct impact on their college experience.

Mariam Zakaria, an accounting and finance major, has a professional goal of working in international development, with a focus on energy use in the building of economic and financial infrastructures.

As the UH Student Government Association’s Director of External Affairs, Zakaria is charged with developing and strengthening relationships with other Texas student government representatives and lobbying on behalf of public university students before the state legislature.

Closer to home, on the UH campus, Zakaria and other student government reps can speak for students in a way that individuals can’t. The entire university benefits, Zakaria believes. One example is advocating for reduced-fee summer classes, which may have an impact in reducing the time it takes the average UH student to graduate – a factor in attaining Tier One status.

“One of the things that’s been stopping us is the six year graduation rate,” Zakaria says. “And our work in trying to provide a more affordable education can help us with that.

“We really do make an impact on students’ lives, not just socially but academically,” she added.

Zakaria, who grew up in Sugarland, said attending UH Bauer is allowing her to realize her aspirations.

“I had my heart set on doing business and Houston is just a natural for that. You have all these opportunities, especially energy, so it just made sense to get my schooling here.”

In addition to the student government post, Zakaria is also one of three UH students appointed to the Undergraduate Council. The opportunity has given her the ability to have an impact on academic policies and procedures.

“This is especially exciting at a time when the university is working for Tier One,” Zakaria said. “It is interesting to see how every organization, committee, or department across campus is working in its own capacity to contribute to the campus-wide push to take our university to the next level.”

Zakaria welcomes feedback in her roles as External Relations Director for SGA and Undergraduate Council member. Contact her at zmariam@uh.edu.

Other student government representatives from Bauer include:

• Carlos Reyes

  

  Director of Finance
  Finance and marketing senior
  Student Government Focus: SGA Budget, transactions and fundraising efforts
  Contact: cfreyes1117@gmail.com
  

• Luis Rodriguez

  

  Bauer Senator
  Accounting senior
  Student Government Focus: health and safety on campus.
  Contact: larodriguez3@uh.edu

• Stephani Rivera

  

  Bauer Senator
  Accounting and finance senior
  Student Government Focus: General student concerns including commencement, parking & transportation and wireless connections.
  Contact: stephanirivera87@yahoo.com

• Tushar Chawla

  

  Bauer Senator
  Sophomore (plans to major in Supply Chain Management)
  Student Government Focus: Improving efficiency for credit transfers
  Contact: tcchawla@uh.edu

By Julie Bonnin

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

About the Bauer College of Business

The C.T. Bauer College of Business has been in operation for more than 60 years at the University of Houston main campus. Through its five academic departments, the college offers a full-range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business. The Bauer College is fully accredited by the AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In August 2000, Houston business leader and philanthropist Charles T. (Ted) Bauer endowed the College of Business with a $40 million gift. In recognition of his generosity, the college was renamed the C.T. Bauer College of Business.