Hi everyone! For those who may not know me, my name is Elise Mashni and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for SBA Secretary. I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as the 2023-24 1L Class President and want to continue to serve not only the class but our school as a whole.

Throughout my time as Class President, I aimed to foster a sense of community, bring our class together, and enhance our law school experience. From organizing events and fundraisers to representing the interests of our class collectively and communicating with the faculty and administration to achieve our objectives, I am deeply committed to advocating for our student body.

While I could easily make countless promises, I've chosen instead to demonstrate my dedication to this class through my actions, striving to make a meaningful impact in every way I can, even if it meant putting the concerns and interests of our class before anything else. A time I would like to highlight is when the 1L class as a whole faced an unexpected obstacle with a course and felt defeated within our law school experience, I dedicated myself to work towards solutions. I invested time in meetings and correspondence with faculty, deans, and our executive board, and personal deliberation at home to address our concerns. I prioritized every classmate who has reached out to me with questions or concerns and immediately attended to each one, regardless of the academic demands of studying for finals, completing homework, as well as still continuing to plan our 1L events. Despite not achieving our desired outcome due to factors beyond our control, I would do it all again if it means advocating for the needs of our class and speaking up for what we deserve.

In addition to being a voice for our class, I took charge in overseeing the coordination of our e-board’s activities, ensuring seamless planning for events like post-finals ice skating or pumpkin painting and participating in the Barrister’s Ball committee, the creation of class crewnecks, and taking the initiative to establish a class Instagram to nurture a sense of community among us. In the midst of the challenges and excitement we’ve faced, I aimed to maintain a professional, respectful yet a personal and welcoming atmosphere for each and every member of our class.

As SBA Secretary, I intend to expand upon these efforts and take on additional responsibilities to serve our community even better. I believe in transparent communication, active engagement, and relentless advocacy for student needs. My experience has shown me the importance of proactive leadership and dedication to serving others, and I am eager to bring these qualities to the role of SBA Secretary.

I am deeply touched by the overwhelming support each of you has extended to me throughout my time as Class President. Your belief in me has been a source of strength and inspiration and I humbly ask for your ongoing support as I pursue the role of SBA Secretary and strive to make a meaningful difference in our community. Together, we can work towards creating a vibrant and inclusive environment where every student feels heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.