Photo Credit: Ronald LaForest
Anne Isabelle LaForest celebrates her win as one of SUNY Old Westbury’s Campus Life Senators on Tuesday, resulting in a large number of votes from the student body.
LaForest, a junior studying Politics, Economics, and Law(PEL) saw an opportunity this coming school year to use her leadership experience with the intent to make a change in the Old Westbury college’s campus life. “I’m always opened to ways to improve myself. A leader always starts out as a student first so I’m always willing and eager to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas that can contribute and enhance my knowledge towards anything. My determination and not taking no for an answer plays a big part in why some may respect me or look up to me. I always go to the extreme extent to get the best out of people,” says LaForest.
Immigrated from Haiti to the United States five years ago, LaForest made sure her presence on campus was known due to her yearning to be involved in activities and meeting new people. This drive led her to be the president of the Haitian Student Organization and her thirst for more impactful ways to connect with her colleagues.
Many students are sharing their concerns on how the Old Westbury campus will be conducting events and activities in the middle of a pandemic, but LaForest and her team are looking for new and fresh approaches to ensure involvement on campus.
“Being a campus life senator allows me to hear the concerns of the student body and assist them”, says LaForest. “People are afraid of contracting or spreading the virus. But there’s always a way of being interactive and creative with virtual programs that can help us interact with one another,” she adds.
As for clubs and activities, the SGA is still hosting events virtually despite the current climate our world is facing to express the fact the Old Westbury community is always providing support and involvement in every way they can. “I’m still trying to figure out new approaches to the job as we go because times are so uncertain, but I will definitely work on trying my best to understand the students’ needs during this time so that we can better help them”, says LaForest.
LaForest and her fellow campus life senators strive to fulfill their promises as members of the SGA to listen to the concerns of their peers, provide activities, and foster an environment for success.
