With Tech in her heart and students’ opinions in her mind, Lindsay Mencacci, Student Government Association president and a senior biology major, has done an excellent job of representing Tech.

As SGA president this year, Mencacci has accomplished five things:

 Reorganizing SGA so that it functions in a more efficient way.  “We went through many, many hours drafting, arguing, re-drafting and so on trying to make our governing documents more user friendly and solid,” Mencacci said. “While, they still can use some work, I think all those hours were worth it; SGA as an organization, internally has really grown over the past two or three years. The re-structuring has helped and is helping more people get involved in the process.” 

Making Community Service an important of SGA. “Community service has always been a huge part of what I do, so I made it a priority this year,” Mencacci said. “We started off the summer with as many service projects as meetings and it definitely helped our group bond.”

Talking in terms of “your SGA” not “our SGA.” “Being in this position has taught me that it doesn’t matter what meeting I have gone to or what fancy suit I put on; at the end of the day, it’s the students that are in charge,” Mencacci said. “It is so easy to get caught up in the ‘I’ and ‘our’ when we are the ones putting in the hours, but it becomes very clear during election time or when a not so popular decision is made.” 

Continuing Kimberly Ludwig’s legacy in our state organizations. “It’s hard to convince student body presidents to come to more meetings and take on more responsibilities, but our state organizations have so much to offer every student in Louisiana,” Mencacci said. “We all face very similar issues and most of us only serve for one year, so it’s a great chance to share and brain storm best practices. We also give a voice to students at the state level through the Board of Regents, Board of Supervisors and State Legislature; we make sure the voice of the student is heard when and where the decisions are being made.” 

Being a part of a changing organization and expecting more of SGA. “I expect more in everything I do and each person that makes a commitment to serve in SGA. We always look to our administrators and think they should have all the answers and do things perfectly because they have been here for so long. So, we usually leave the big decisions to them. But, I have learned that they don’t have all the answers and are very welcoming to student ideas and suggestions.” 

Mencacci said students are always looking for a spot to plug into.

“Lots of people come to SGA to find that spot and it has been so rewarding to tell some one that they are capable and them actually believing you and acting on that inspiration,” Mencacci said. “I always thought I hated government and politics, but learned that the whole public service game is a lot more difficult then most jobs.  To change the process, you have to be a part of the process and put up with whatever you have to make the difference you feel needs to be made.”