The Student Government Association (SGA) at Iona College has four pillars: advocacy, concern, leadership, and spirit.   The pillars represent the core values and driving principles behind the goals and events of SGA.  For the 2017-18 year, they decided to add a fifth that will be their primary emphasis in all that they do: collaboration. 

Before the first day of the semester even took place, SGA put this pillar into motion.  SGA worked together with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and ran the campus's Welcome Back Luau.  The Luau was a huge success.  Students gathered in the LaPenta lot for food, music, and fun activities.  Student-athletes from various teams volunteered to make a splash in the dunk tank, which was an instant hit amongst all the students and staff in attendance.
The athletes getting dunked weren't the only ones working the event.  Despite an already hectic schedule, Maureen Murphy, a junior midfielder on the lacrosse team, became involved in SGA last year by representing the sophomore class as a senator.  After this experience, she decided to go the extra mile and get more heavily involved, "I never felt like I was doing enough.  When they held elections, I thought, why not?"

Maureen currently serves on the SGA Executive Board as the Vice President of Internal Affairs.  Holding this position entails two primary responsibilities: working with the junior class senators and working with student committee representation.  Committees, such as college counsel and athletics, in addition to clubs, have SGA representatives that attend weekly meetings.  Maureen works with numerous representatives from the committees and clubs to ensure that all student voices are heard and represented in the SGA legislature.

Murphy's goal is for both of her areas of involvement, athletics and SGA, to come together and support each other cohesively.   Events like the Welcome Back Luau and athletic competitions are great opportunities for students of all different backgrounds and interests to meet new people and make friends. 

She reflected, "I don't want there to be a huge divide.  At Iona, everyone should know each other.  I think if different groups on campus had the chance to work with a team, or vice versa, it would give students the incentive to support athletics and attend campus events."  This year, Maureen will be promoting Maroon Maniac games through SGA in hopes of generating a higher attendance rate. 

Among the club representatives that Murphy works with lies a familiar face; women's swimmer and Marketing Club President, Sydney Thompson.  Like Murphy, Thompson places a priority on the student-body and works to ensure their needs are met.  As president of the Marketing Club, she requires her club to go above and beyond by giving back through community service.  Her passion for community is further exemplified through her involvement in Iona's Mission and Ministry trip to Zambia this past summer.  Additionally, Thompson serves the athletic community by holding the secretary position on the SAAC E-Board. 

As student-athlete and campus leader, Thompson understands the importance of collaboration and getting involved.   She advocates to put yourself out there, make the most of your time at Iona, and fulfill the student part of being a student-athlete; "I love swimming, but I will only be a swimmer for more a few more years.  I don't want to leave feeling like I missed out.  I also think being involved in various activities allows you to improve on your organization, time management, and career goals to not only help while you're an athlete, but also during your career."

It's easy to become overwhelmed with the workload on your plate, but the stress turns out to be worth it in the end.  Both Murphy and Thompson stay busy to an extreme, but they've made new connections and are self-fulfilled in the process. 

Their involvement has already made a lasting impression.  Erin Kutch, the current SGA President, expressed that their opinions have already generated change for the rest of campus to benefit from, "Having student-athletes in the SGA helps the Executive Board and Legislature have a better understanding of a large student constituency.  Their viewpoints have already served as a huge benefit and it will continue to help improve student life on Iona's campus."

Every day, Maureen Murphy and Sydney Thompson are working hard behind the scenes to help make the Iona community better.  These two strive to make the future better for Gaels to come.   It does not matter what year you are, freshman through senior.  It is never too late to get involved, to discover the legacy you want to leave behind, and pursue it.