The students elected President and Vice President head the Executive Branch of MSA. These officers oversee the Department of Student Activities, the Department of Student Communications and the Department of Student Services. Look below to meet the members of this year’s Executive Cabinet!
President Nick Droege
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
Hometown: Ellisville, MO
When I first came to Mizzou, I had a completely false perception of what college was going to be like. In fact, the only culture I had experienced prior to college was my own. It didn’t take long for that to change, which is why diversity is something that really hits home with me. Mizzou has students, staff, and faculty represented from different ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, religions, sexual orientations, over 100 countries of origin, and vastly different cultures. The exposure to these differences in lifestyles continues to grant me the opportunity for personal growth in my own beliefs and values.
I made the decision to run for Missouri Students Association President because I want each member of the Mizzou community to be afforded the opportunity to experience college free from the stresses that can pertain to differences. That could mean alleviating financial stress for one student through the services of Tiger Pantry, or it could be making alternative meal options more accessible to students of different religious backgrounds. College should be a time to broaden viewpoints and discover new interests, and I want to make sure that everyone has that opportunity. Differences aren’t a barrier; they are opportunities to grow as individuals and together as One Mizzou. At the end of the day, college isn’t just a classroom – it’s an experience. And I promise to dedicate every ounce of my energy into making this experience, the best one possible for everyone.
If you would like to schedule a speaking request from our President, please follow this link.
Director of Student Activities Joey Greenstein
Year: Senior
Major: Business
Hometown: Kirkwood, MO
Having the opportunity to be able to serve the University of Missouri and its students as the Director of Student Activities is an amazing honor. As the Director of Student Activities I look forward to engaging students in the amazing events and opportunities that DSA can provide. I have the chance to work with some of the best and brightest on my Executive Cabinet. I walk into the Center for Student Involvement every day with a smile on my face and a determination to provide the students with opportunities for entertainment, education, and so much more. There are so many experiences to be had here at Mizzou and I want to open the door to these things. I hope that I can get students excited about the many special events, international programs, speakers, movies, and concerts that DSA has to offer.
Plan on seeing a lot of me around campus! I love going out and talking to students and finding out what YOU want! One of my many goals as the Director of Student Activities is to have fun and we are going to do just that.
When I don’t have my “Director Hat” on I love being a part of MU Improv and sharing laughter with my friends. I am passionate about my friendships and experiencing new things. I watch both the Puppy Bowl and the Super Bowl, encompassing both my love for animals and athletics. I have spent time as a Co-Chair for the Mizzou Outreach Team, a Summer Welcome Leader, and as Truman the Tiger.
I look forward to the year to come and seeing what amazing things unfold for Mizzou.
Director of Student Services Gunnar Johanson
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Ash Grove, MO
Coming from rural, Southwest Missouri to the University of Missouri was, at first, overwhelming. But eventually found my niche in MSA. I have always been committed to service and MSA became my outlet for service at Mizzou. I love being able to listen to concerns and working to make the campus better for each and every student. Within my first month on campus, I was chosen to serve as the Assistant Director of Student Communications where I helped spread the word of the “Smoke-Free Mizzou” effort. I was also elected to Senate where I served on the Student Affairs committee.
Mizzou is my home and MSA is the means through which I am able to make that home better. My time in MSA is already one of the rewarding and challenging opportunities in my life. I have already grown so much at Mizzou and I am excited to see what the next three years hold.
When I am not wearing the MSA name tag, you can find me at Baja chowing down on Macho Nachos or wandering around campus with my buddies. In addition to my service in MSA, I am also an Alternative Spring Break Site Leader and a staff-member at Missouri Boys State.
Secretary of Auxiliaries Sandy Patel
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Marshall, MO
Coming from a small town of Marshall, MO, my biggest adjustment to Mizzou was joining MSA Senate. MSA has continued to develop my leadership skills and enhance my personal growth. My MSA Family is my second family away from home and they continue to help me reach my full potential. MSA sparked my activity in extracurricular life. I have served as a MSA Senator working in the Students Affairs and Academic Affairs committees. I wanted to make sure every student is able to experience Mizzou in the best way possible in their four years here. With that, I began working as a Full-Time Volunteer at Tiger Pantry and developed a passion for tackling hunger insecurity on campus. I serve as a member of the Chancellor’s Standing Committee for Minority Affairs in order to work on diversity and minority issues around the campus and community. Aside from me representing the betterment of student life on campus, I am a sister of Kappa Delta Sorority, in which my sisters have served as a catalyst towards my individual growth and success. Outside of campus, I serve an internship for the Office of Lieutenant Governor by outlining policy management and handling governmental affairs.
As Secretary of Auxiliaries, my goal is completely enhance the relationship and communication between the auxiliaries and MSA as well as throughout the campus and community. I want to make sure the auxiliaries are able to run efficiently on campus by holding regular meetings with the coordinators, helping them face their challenges, and reach their goals. As Secretary of Auxiliaries, I want each auxiliary to reach their maximum potential, raise awareness of each auxiliary, and increase the communication between all of these auxiliaries through student government and our campus.
Outside of my presence in the Center for Student Involvement, I love spending time in my bed watching Netflix, sitting around talking up a storm with my closest friends, and eating Chipotle.
Legislative Coordinator Matt Tharp
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
My time at Mizzou hasn’t been a typical college experience, but i’m tremendously grateful for what I have learned here, both inside and outside the classroom. I worked as a legislation tracker for the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office during the second semester of my freshman year and have been involved in state government ever since. I am currently wrapping up my third legislative session in our State Capital, Jefferson City. During that time I have worked for a mishmash of consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and political campaigns.
Outside of politics, I strive to promote civics and youth involvement in government. I am an employee of the University’s Office of Service-Learning, where I help recruit for and administer the Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP). CLIP facilitates government and non-profit internships for Mizzou students at the local, state, and federal level. Additionally, during the summer of 2012 I co-founded a statewide high school civic education program that reached 2,000 students in over 100 classrooms.
I’m excited about my first position within MSA and the possibility of using skills I have learned to help improve the lives of Mizzou students. I’m also eager to spend more time on campus. My love of all things political is exceeded only by my love of sweet potatoes and coffee, though not necessarily in that order.
Vice President Zach Beattie
Year: Senior
Major: Business
Hometown: Savannah, MO
My love for Mizzou was catalyzed when I became a Summer Welcome Leader the summer after my freshman year. The entire experience taught me about our campus, about myself, and about collaborating with others, and it led me to other great organizations like Alternative Spring Break, Mizzou Unity Coalition, MU Improv and MSA. They’ve all been life-changing in their own way, and I’m always learning from the incredible, passionate people who call these organizations home. Everything I have done on campus can be credited to the mentors, leaders, and friends I’ve met along the way.
In the upcoming year, one of my responsibilities is managing MSA’s $1.7 million budget. More specifically, my goal is to reduce carry-over and ensure funding is secured for the most beneficial and popular MSA programs and initiatives. It sounds tedious, but nobody could possibly be as happy as I am looking at spreadsheets all day.
I love Mizzou football, I love sweaters, and I love Gumby’s Pokey Stix. I also love improvisation. Every Wednesday you’ll find me in Bengal Lair having a great time with Comedy Wars, Mizzou’s short form improv troupe.
The opportunities Mizzou has given me are endless, and I could not be more excited to start working with Cabinet and the rest of MSA. If you ever have questions or concerns about MSA or the budget, feel free to reach out to me at zacharybeattie@missouri.edu. We’re all here to ensure your experience at Mizzou is a great one!
Director of Student Communications Jimmy Hibsch
Year: Senior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
It’s still funny to me that I’ve become so involved here at Mizzou, because in high school, Mizzou was the last place I wanted to go to. As a journalism student from the Chicago area, I figured that every student like me would flock to this school and consequently I’d be a small fish in a big pond.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. At this point, Mizzou has become my second home. I spent my first year here at The Maneater, making friends and connections that I am beyond thankful for today. From there, I started giving tours for prospective students and got involved with the Alumni Association Student Board. This past summer, I had the life changing opportunity to become a Summer Welcome Leader.
In short, Mizzou has been good to me. And for that reason, I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this amazing group of individuals that make up MSA. As the Director of Student Communications, my biggest goal is to make us all more accessible for students. Whether that’s answering a bunch of phone calls or designing a proposal for a new student program, I want to help make every student’s experience here as amazing as mine has been.
Executive Chief of Staff Mason Schara
Year: Junior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Wylie, TX
I came to Mizzou from my town knowing no one and some of the first people I met were MSA senators. MSA has been the group that has impacted me the most here and helped me grow as a person and a leader. Like many, I started my extracurricular life here as a MSA senator and from there became the Campus and Community Relations Committee Chair. Mizzou is my home now and I want to help make it a home for everyone. That being said, I am a member of the Mizzou Outreach Recruitment Team, a group of students that have basically become my family. I am also currently a member of the Mizzou for Malawi Steerco, working with the event planning committee. Being the chief of staff for MSA has already proven to be quite the task, but a task that I truly cherish.
When I am not working in the CSI or working a recruitment event, I usually spend my time with my close friends. I love watching tv, seeing any kind of movie or simply just getting Starbucks with friends.
Legislative Advocacy Officer Camille Hosman
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Ashland, MO
As someone from Mid-Missouri, Mizzou has always been an important part of my life. While I never expected to attend, coming here was the best decision I’ve ever made. Mizzou is my home. Its students are my family.
As the Legislative Advocacy Officer for MSA, I want to do everything that I can to ensure that future generations of students can come, and thrive at Mizzou. This fall, I look forward to building relationships with state officials that work for Mizzou’s interests at our state capitol. I also want to help educate students about the importance of being civically engaged.
This is my first position within MSA, but my political passion and activism know no bounds. I am excited to use this passion to directly help Mizzou students.
In addition to working with MSA, I am the co-founder and President of Tigers Against Partisan Politics (TAPP), a former executive board member of AIESEC Mizzou, a cast member of the Vagina Monologues, a hostess at the Broadway Brewery, and an intern in the Missouri State Senate. In my free time, I enjoy eating snacks in my bed, reading travel blogs, watching Game of Thrones, and hanging out on my roof with my best friend, Zack. Many people compare me to the great white shark. Like the Great White, if I were to stop moving forward, I would die.
It is such an honor to be given the opportunity to serve the Mizzou community as part of MSA cabinet. If I can ever be of service to you, or if you have ideas about legislative advocacy, ignore the shark comment and don’t be afraid to share!
ASUM President Ben Levin
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Growing up in Columbia, I have never been far from the University of Missouri. When it came time to pick a college, being able to actually attend a school I already felt so close to was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
Sophomore year marked the beginning of my political career at Mizzou. In the face of a state budget that would have cut over $50 million in state funding from the University. Working with many other member of MSA, I helped organize and direct the More For Less campaign for Higher Education Funding. When level funding was restored at the end of the legislative session the campaign was judged a resounding success.
Since then, I have worked closely with MSA, ASUM, and the Mizzou Alumni Association to ensure a continued student presence in our political process. I was a main organizer of the Let Your Vote Roar voter drive in the autumn of 2012, and the founder of Engineering Week Advocacy Day in the spring of 2013. Politics and Mizzou are both near and dear to my heart, and I am thrilled at the chance to combine my passions as your ASUM Campus President. I am delighted to be a part of the MSA Executive Cabinet and can’t wait to help students engage with their political process at the local, state, and national level.
When not in the Center for Student Involvement, you can probably find me playing chess, reading a book, or refining my ping-pong game. If you ever want to talk, please send me an email at BenjaminLevin@mizzou.edu. MIZ!