Portrait #5  (7-2003)                                    
Name: Pablo E. Paez
Age: 22
School: Florida Atlantic University
Major: Finance and real estate
Phone: 561-297-3740
E-mail: presidentfau@yahoo.com
Favorite book: Who Moved My Cheese?
Hobbies: Sports, especially soccer

Previous roles in Student Government:
• Boca Raton Student Body Governor
• Boca Raton Senate Speaker
• Boca Raton Spear Pro-Tempore
• Agencies and Programs Chair
• Student Budget Committee Chair
• Boca Raton Student Body Senator

Major Campaign Accomplishments:
1) Effective lobbying for students.
     “At the university level, we lobbied successfully to increase the period allotted for a student to withdraw from a class without receiving a W grade to two weeks, thus allowing our students an extra week to figure out their schedules and preferences.”

2) Information resources for students.
     “We’ve reached out to our students and informed them of the services and programs provided not only by our Student Government, but by our university as well.  One such program is Pick-a-Prof, a web site that allows our students to share information about their classes and professors with other students through reviews that are posted periodically.”

3) Programs to provide access for students.
     “One of our main goals as a Student Government Association this year has been to provide our students with programs that give them access to a well-rounded college education.  Most importantly, we’ve taken the initial steps toward the establishment of our FAU Student Government Association Scholarship fund.”

Why did you become involved in SG?
     “I‘ve always strived to make a difference.  I believe that it’s a student leader’s responsibility to become involved and advocate student issues.”

Who is your role model?
     “My parents have been, throughout the course of my life, my role models.  They’ve taught me to be giving and to expect more.  They’ve encouraged me to pursue my dreams.”

What is your administration’s biggest challenge?
     “Our Student Government Association is structured to represent students on seven campuses spread over 150 miles.  Uniting all four campus Student Governments while maintaining each campus’ identity and unique strengths has been our biggest challenge.”

What legacy will your administration leave?
     “Our administration leaves behind a legacy of service and tangible results for FAU students.  Programs like the Collegiate Readership Program, Pick-a-Prof, a new marquee screen for the Boca Raton campus, the Washington Center Grants Program, the Book Vouchers Program, the SGA Scholarship Fund, and many others will endure time and will benefit students for many years.”

How does student body view SG?
     “In the eyes of our students, Student Government is a place where problems are addressed, solutions are found, concerns are dealt with, funding for useful and beneficial programs is provided, and dreams become a reality.”

Describe your relationship with the administration.
     “Our relationship with our university administration never has been better.  We’ve collaborated in a number of areas.  We’ve had an excellent working relationship with our Board of Trustees, our University Faculty Council, the FAU Foundation, and our National Alumni Association.”

Describe your relationship with the media.
     “We’ve had a really productive relationship with our campus student media.  Working with our media outlets, we’ve been able to disseminate information to our students about our programs, services, and advocacy issues.”

What advice would you give to other SG presidents?
     “I’d encourage the emerging leaders at FAU to think outside the box and to look beyond their term of office.  Sometimes it’s easy to get frustrated when you don’t see immediate results, but you must keep in mind that great changes are brought about with time.”

What are your plans after graduation?
     “I plan on finding a job that allows me to continue to grow as a person and to continue to contribute to my community.  I would like to get enough experience to eventually pursue a master’s in business administration and a law degree.”

Copyright © 2006 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved