Leadership
In March, undergraduate students at the University of Missouri vote to elect the President and Vice-President of the student government.
The elected officials appoint the executive cabinet in the following weeks. These student leaders oversee many departments within the association, as well as the 11 auxiliaries MSA provides.
The ASUM president manages relations between state and federal officials, but is not appointed by the current administration.
Julia Wopata
President
Email: msapresident@mail.missouri.edu
Julia Wopata is a senior studying computer science with a minor in math. She was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri and loves the Kansas City Royals. During her time at Mizzou, Julia has made friends and connections in various parts of campus. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and served on the executive board, serves in the music team and as a small group leader at Veritas, has participated in a winter Mizzou Alternative Break trip, worked in undergraduate research in the computer science department, served on the Greek trip to Harmons, Jamaica and was previously part of the Roots Mizzou team as a website developer. Her leadership roles have taught her the importance of listening, compassion, and patience. Now Julia wants to give back to the Mizzou community that has taught her so much.
Connor McAteer
Vice President
Email: msavp@mail.missouri.edu
Connor McAteer is a senior majoring in Marketing with a minor in Psychology, and he plans to attend law school after graduation. He enjoys thoughtfully working alongside dependable, driven, hard-working students at the University of Missouri. Connor is privileged to serve as the Student Body Vice President of Mizzou, he focuses on collaborating and facilitating a constructive atmosphere for the student body. Giving back to his university as well as the community is a high priority. Connor volunteers for the American Red Cross and Tiger Pantry, and is a member of Tour Team.
Andrew Goewert
ASUM President
Email: amgoewert@mail.missouri.edu
Andrew Goewert is a senior from St. Louis, MO, studying Political Science. Andrew is a former MSA Senator from the College of Arts and Sciences, and intern for state and federal elected officials through the Office of Service Learning’s CLIP Program. As the President of Mizzou’s chapter of the Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM), Andrew is focused on registering students to vote and making sure their voices are heard through ASUM’s legislative platforms in Missouri’s state capitol, Jefferson City. His office hours are Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 10AM to 12PM, and Tuesday/Thursday from 2:30PM to 3:30PM, or by appointment.
Elita Nelson
Chief of Staff
Email: ezn526@mail.missouri.edu
Elita Nelson is a junior majoring in Computer Science who hails from the suburbs of St. Louis. She can most often be found wandering around campus examining plants or downtown at any number of coffee shops working on homework. In the upcoming year, she looks forward to using her excessive number of pens and beautiful planner to keep the MSA executive cabinet organized and well informed on how best to benefit the students of this campus. Her office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00PM-2:30PM.
Mackenzie Totten
Deputy Chief of Staff
Email: emt6g7@mail.missouri.edu
Mackenzie Totten is a junior studying Convergence Investigative Reporting with a minor in American Constitutional Democracy through the Kinder Institute. Born in St. Louis and raised in Kansas City, she has long dreamed of attending Missouri’s flagship university. Since moving to Columbia in 2016, Mackenzie has been involved in a multitude of campus organizations including the Chi Omega sorority, where she currently serves as Philanthropy Chair. In the Spring of 2017, Mackenzie served as an intern in the Missouri House of Representatives under Joseph Adams, representing the 86th House District in University City. As the Deputy Chief of Staff, she hopes to improve student relations and expand mental health resources. When she is not in the J-School, Mackenzie enjoys visiting local dog parks with her black lab. Her office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11:30-2.
Karina Jaimes
Director of Inclusivity
Email: kj7b2@mail.missouri.edu
Karina Jaimes is an MU senior from Tulsa, OK, majoring in Political Science and History. In the past, Karina has been a student coordinator for the LGBTQ Resource Center, the Queer Trans People of Color organization’s secretary, a Diversity Peer Educator, a Safespace Trainer, and a Mizzou Alternative Breaks site leader. This year she is excited about continuing to establish strong relationships with underrepresented communities on campus and making sure their voices are heard. Her office hours are Tuesdays from 8AM-10:30AM and Wednesdays from 9AM-11:30AM.
Sophie Hall
Director of Student Communications
Email: eshrzf@mail.missouri.edu
Sophie Hall is an MU senior from Dallas, TX majoring in Strategic Communication with a minor in Political Science. She has spent the past two summers working in New York City, gaining communications experience as a press office intern for Mayor Bill de Blasio and a press intern for United States Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Sophie is excited to let the student body know the awesome work that MSA is doing. Her office hours are Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM, and Wednesday from 12:00-2:30 PM.
Gage Grispino
Treasurer
Email: gmgq48@mail.missouri.edu
Gage Grispino is a MU junior from Maryville, MO majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Political Science. He has spent the past two years as a member of the MSA Budget committee, serving as vice-chair his second. In addition to serving in MSA, Gage has participated in Mizzou Alternative Breaks, the Kinder Society of Fellows, and various pre-med organizations. Gage’s office hours are Tuesday/Thursday from 10am-12pm and Wednesday from 12pm-1pm.
Sloan Elsey
Director of Student Services
Email: hse5x8@mail.missouri.edu
Sloan Elsey is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Military Science. Sloan is a former MSA Senator from the College of Arts and Science. He is also a Wellness Ambassador monitoring and researching tobacco product use at MU and was a key player in the implementation of a tobacco-free Mizzou. He is an Army ROTC cadet specializing in leadership tactics as well as a lab assistant at the medical school where he is involved in cancer research. Additionally he’s a pre-medical student and is working hard to get accepted into medical school. Sloan is excited to plan some amazing events, improve the auxiliaries, and show how much MSA can benefit our students. His office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10-12:30 A.M.
Anthony Garcia
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Email: aeggz2@mail.missouri.edu
Anthony Garcia is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Economics through the Trulaske College of Business. He is also pursuing minors in Political Science and Journalism. Anthony was born and raised in St. Louis and choose his dream school, University of Missouri. As Director of Policy and Advocacy, his job duties include serving as the liaison between all three government branches, reading and interpreting key university policies to students, and advocating for students needs and concerns to the rest of the MSA government. Anthony also holds the executive role of treasurer for the MU College Republicans Chapter. Over the past summer he served as an intern for the Josh Hawley for U.S. Senate Campaign. His office hours are Wednesday/Friday 2-4pm and Thursday 11-12pm and by appointment.