Portrait #4  (6-2003)                                     
Name: Jessica Morffi
Age: 21
School: Florida International University
Major: Political Science
Phone: 305-348-2121
Email: jessica.morffi@fiu.edu
Favorite book: Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl
Hobbies: FIU, my sorority and sleep—when I get a chance

Previous roles in SGA:
• representative at large
• member of constitutional revision committee

Major campaign accomplishments:
1) Visibility.
     “We developed a strong open-door policy, where students can literally walk down the hall and look into my office. We also put boards in most of the high-traffic buildings in order to reach out to a more diverse student body.”

2) Communication.
     “Hand in hand with visibility, we worked to develop our reach-out program. This program consists of a number of different activities. Through our active participation, we were able to speak with many students and serve them better.”

3) Lobbying efforts.
     “Our administration is working along with the rest of the state universities in order to voice the needs of our students. We have identified lobbying as an important factor of student government because government actions affect students on a daily basis. We need to stay on top of the issues.”

Why did you become involved in SGA?
     “I became involved with student government through other involvement within the university. I had acquired a love for the university and its students and felt that student government would be a good place to put in my passion.”

Who is your role model?
     “I have an advisor who was able to inspire me to realize that I have the potential to be where I am today. When you have a support group, it’s much easier to continue to work hard because you know that somebody believes in you.”

What is your administration’s biggest challenge?
     “The biggest challenge not only for my administration but for most individuals in this type of position is making enough time to get everything accomplished that you want to happen—being able to finish off what you started.”

What legacy will your administration leave?
     “A good visible legacy that my administration will leave behind is a painted panther in the student union and painted panther paws within the university. These both will continue to foster school spirit and pride.”

How does the student body view SGA?
     “I believe that our student body views SGA pretty positively. We work very hard to make sure that we continue to speak with the student body in order to make sure that we are meeting their needs everyday.”

Describe your relationship with the administration.
     “The administration and I have a great relationship. We work together to make sure that we are both doing their part to make this university the best that it could be.”

Describe your relationship with the media.
     “Campus media and SGA have a good relationship. The media is very helpful in covering issues that we feel are important for students to be aware of.”

What advice would you give to other SGA’s?
     “I would tell them to always work hard and never give up. It's difficult to go to school and stay involved, but it’s beneficial at the end.”

What are your plans after graduation?
     “I plan to go to Washington D.C. to intern on Capitol Hill for a year and then go to law school.”

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