The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at Michigan Tech works to provide services to over 7,000 students on campus. Tech Traditions, Registered Student Organization (RSO) funding, and overall representation of the student body are just a few of the services USG strives to provide. Conner Skalitzky, the Vice President of USG, has goals for Michigan Tech centered around culture and community. When asked what his message to the student body is, he stated “This is so cliche, but to always treat others with respect and with the attitude that you would like to see.”
“The position of Vice President is entirely internal. If it has to do with how USG runs, it’s pretty much my job,” Skalitzky stated. According to the USG Constitution, the duties of the Vice President include calling and presiding over meetings of the Student Assembly and of the USG, overseeing all committee chairs and coordinating committee assignments for representatives, and chairing the Personnel Committee. It also includes serving as the office manager, which entails overseeing office etiquette and training and coordinating supply and technology needs, and serving as a voting member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Skalitzky is a second-year engineering management student from Coleman, Michigan. Leadership and management are two of his passions; in addition to being USG Vice President, he is also a member of Phi Delta Theta, a delegate for the Interfraternity Council, and part of the WMTU Business Committee. Skalitizky cherishes these opportunities, noting, “It’s given me a lot of professional development in terms of communication.”
Skalitzky has also found himself improving his public speaking skills, commenting “I’ve gotten a lot better in terms of speaking by chairing the meetings. Public speaking. And being honest and open and relaxed, but in a more formal setting.”
Aside from leadership and management, Skalitzky finds himself appreciating the friendships and relationships he has formed by being involved with USG. He has found a diverse group of people who can help him both in his role, and his personal life. “Someone that I otherwise would not know, I got to know through USG. Because I was able to develop that kind of community, I was willing to come to them for advice.”
Skalitzky wants the students of Michigan Tech to remember that at the end of the day, we’re all just students. “We shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. We should still enjoy what we’re doing.”
