Executive Branch

Richard J. Steiner-Otoo
President
president@sgamsu.org

Richard Steiner-Otoo is a senior at Montclair State University, majoring in Geography Urban and Environmental Studies, with a minor in Political Science. Richard is a former White House Intern for the Executive Office of the President with a focus in public engagement. During his time at MSU Richard has also been involved in different organizations and departments on campus holding positions such as the 2022-2023 Student Government Association President, Treasurer & Recruitment chair of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Vice President of the honors program advisory board, greek unity task force member, LSAMP program researcher and a member of the Order of Omega honors society. He also carried jobs in the Center for Student Involvement as an office and event manager and Undergraduate Admissions as an admissions ambassador. He has also taken part in different research projects including, researching the mobilization of trace elements in the Central Valley of California, micro plastic content in local New Jersey streams, and sea floor mapping off the coast of Hawaii. Richard has also received various awards including the Montclair Dean of Students Award, the 2022 Montclair Outstanding Student employee Award, and Greek Life Campus and Community Award. After being a part of the SGA first as a legislator then Attorney General and now as a two term president he has devoted this year to enhancing student life by better supporting registered student organizations, increasing programming on campus. Richard is very excited to be starting his second term as the SGA president following last year’s election, and looks forward to the positive change that he aims to make on campus to better student life.

Mikayla Houston is a Junior at Montclair State University. Mikayla is a psychology major with a social work and criminal justice minor, looking to work in a juvenile detention center when she graduates. She plans to be an advocate for the children in the juvenile detention center and also guide these children to the right path of life. Mikayla is heavily involved on campus and holds many other positions besides being the Executive Vice President. Before becoming the SGA Executive Vice President, Mikayla was the founder and President of the SoundCheck club on campus, and then became President Pro Tempore for the Student Government Association. Aside from the Student Government, Mikayla is an admissions ambassador for Undergraduate Admissions, an event assistant for CSI, an official and scorekeeper for intramural sports at the Student Recreation Center, and much more! Mikayla’s goal as Executive Vice President is to be available to the students at all times. Whether students need help starting an organization, want to voice various concerns, or just want to talk to someone about anything, Mikayla wants to always be available to other students. Mikayla’s main focus is to make the SGA a safe space for all Montclair State University students that provides all kinds of resources. Along with representing the student body, and being the student’s connection to those above us to make sure that positive changes are continuing to happen within the Montclair State University campus.

Andres L. Balvin is a senior at Montclair State University. Andres is in the B.A/M.A program majoring in political science with a master’s degree in law and governance, and a minor in global security and diplomacy. Furthermore, he was a United Nations Intern through the Western European Institute and La Associazione Diplomatici, and plans to work in the foreign service field. Also, he speaks five languages (French, Spanish, English, Italian, and German). Andres has been very involved on campus since his first year as he joined the Student Government Association Inc. and was the vice president of the International Student Organization. The same year, he was appointed Chief Justice of the SGA and served in this position for about three years and a half, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice in the modern history of the SGA. He is also very devoted to the service of others and has been extensively involved in community service and outreach. During his sophomore and junior years, he was a Bonner leader on campus. Moreover, Andres is one of the founders of the Montclair State Model United Nations and was a key member in the development of such a program on campus. The overall aim for Andres as the Executive Treasurer and former Chief Justice is to maintain a system of checks and balances, bring diligence and competence to the operations of the SGA Treasury, and make sure that all students get to enjoy themselves on campus by having remarkable experiences that allow them to make the best out of their college career.

Sophia Parra is a Senior at Montclair State University majoring in Communication and Media Studies. Sophia’s involvement on campus first started when she got a job as an Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador her second semester freshman year. She joined Hawk Squad her first semester of Sophomore year. Hawk Squad is a student leadership organization under the Department of Student Communications, and she currently holds the Social Coordinator position as part of the Student Managers Team of the organization. As a Communications major, Sophia has been very hands on with social media, both in and out of the classroom. She joined the Social Media Ambassador Team in the Spring of 2021, and has been creating content for the official Montclair State University TikTok account ever since. Through the Social Media Ambassador team, she was able to obtain an internship, working for the Montclair State University Social Media Manager as the Montclair State University Social Media Intern in the Fall of 2023. She was able to get even more hands on with content creation and really dive into the world of managing official social media accounts. Her involvement in SGA first started when she became the 22-23 Yearbook Editor-In-Chief. Sophia was in charge of creating, editing, and publishing the entire book that will be going out to the 2023 graduates. She was then appointed to be the SGA Chief of Staff in the Fall of 2023, when she oversaw the Presidential Cabinet and worked alongside the Executive Board. Now, as Executive Secretary for the Spring 2024, she wants to continue to work and advocate for students as an SGA leader during her last semester at Montclair. Sophia enjoys going to events, interviewing people on campus, and being involved as a student leader. She also loves talking to prospective students and meeting new students on campus. Her goal is to enhance the SGA social presence and continue to help students get involved on campus. She wants to help students and their needs, be there for them as a resource, and help inspire students to come out to events and spread Red Hawk Pride. Sophia is ready to get to work and is so excited to be a part of the Executive Board!

As the chief legal officer of the SGA, the Attorney General provides legal counsel and guidance on matters pertaining to the organization’s operations and decisions. They ensure compliance with the SGA constitution, statutes, and bylaws, and offer opinions to the SGA leadership. The Attorney General, appointed by the SGA President with a 2/3 majority vote of the Legislature, serves to study and clarify SGA statutes, issue rulings on their constitutionality, and is an ex-officio member of specific committees.

The Chief of Staff serves as a key administrative and strategic advisor to the SGA President, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the executive office. They manage communication between the President and other SGA branches, coordinate initiatives, and supervise staff members. The Chief of Staff plays a pivotal role in facilitating the President’s agenda, managing schedules, and ensuring efficient workflow within the organization. The Chief of Staff in the Presidential Cabinet is responsible for compiling monthly or semester reports from Cabinet members, presenting the SGA President’s Officers Report at legislative meetings, and working a minimum of 5 office hours per week. They coordinate community service programs, meet regularly with Cabinet members and the SGA President, chair Chief of Staff meetings, and assume responsibilities of vacant Cabinet positions, among other assigned duties.