The Legislative Cabinet

The Legislative Cabinet provides essential expertise and support to members of the Legislative Branch and University of Missouri community. The Legislative Cabinet is led and appointed by the Speaker of the Senate. Together, we work to develop legislative strategies, deliver on student priorities, and collaborate with the other MSA branches.

Meet the members of the 63rd Session’s Legislative Cabinet!

Speaker of the Senate

Danny Daugherty (he/him)

Fifth-year Senior studying Environmental Sciences - Outreach & Education and Political Science - Pre-Law

From Saint Louis, Missouri

Danny has been a member of the Missouri Students Association since Fall 2021. He has served as an At-Large Senator, an Academic Senator for CAFNR, and the previous Legislative Assistant. Some of his main goals as Speaker include implementing proper record-keeping procedures for the Senate, increasing transparency between the Senate and the student body, and improving equitable representation within the Senate!

Contact Danny

Legislative Chief of Staff

Kate Karpinski (she/her)

Sophomore studying Public Health with a minor in Philosophy

From Bentonville, Arkansas

Kate joined MSA in Fall 2022 as an At-Large Senator. She now serves as an Academic Senator for the College of Health Professions and as the current Legislative Chief of Staff. Her favorite spot on campus is Bookmark Cafe in Ellis Library where she can grab a coffee and study when she's not working on Cabinet!

Contact Kate

Legislative Clerk

Logan Kuykendall (he/him)

Sophomore studying Public Administration and Policy

From Festus, Missouri

Logan joined MSA in Fall 2022 as an At-Large Senator. He now serves as an Academic Senator and as the current Legislative Clerk. When not keeping records in MSA, he likes to bake and ride his bike!

Contact Logan

Academic Affairs Chair

Maddy Jensen (she/her)

Senior studying Political Science and Geography with a Cultural emphasis

From Saint Louis, Missouri

Maddy originally joined MSA as an At-Large Senator in Fall 2022. Since then, she has served as the Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, helping develop projects that support students scholastically. She now serves as an Academic Senator for the College of Arts and Science and is the current Academic Affairs Chair. When she's not working with her committee, she serves as an active member in her sorority, Sigma Kappa!

Contact Maddy

Campus Affairs Chair

Ben Baumgart (he/him)

Sophomore studying Political Science and Economics with minors in Defense & Strategic Studies and Theatre

From Shawnee, Kansas

Ben joined MSA right when he came to Mizzou in Fall 2022 and immediately stood out as a highly engaged Senator. In that time, he served as an At-Large Senator, Vice Chair for Campus Affairs, and the Board of Election Commissioners Chair. He currently serves as the new Campus Affairs Chair. In his free time, he serves as Treasurer for Missouri Debate Union and is a member of Mizzou Model United Nations. (He's also an Eagle Scout!)

Contact Ben

Social Justice Affairs Chair

Kaylyn Walker (she/her)

Junior studying Microbiology with a Pre-Law emphasis

From Hermann, Missouri

Kaylyn has been in Senate since Fall 2022 and has served as an At-Large Senator and Vice Chair of Social Justice Affairs Committee. In Spring 2023, she served as an Interim Chair for the committee and did an amazing job leading a great team of socially active students! Since then, she has been appointed as the new Social Justice Affairs Chair and can't wait to collaborate with other student groups that MSA can help fairly represent! In her free time, she is either crocheting or listen to K-pop!

Contact Kaylyn

External Affairs Chair

Trey Trapani (he/him)

Sophomore studying Political Science and Constitutional Democracy

From Wildwood, Missouri

Trey joined MSA in Fall 2022 as an At-Large Senator and quickly became the Vice Chair for the External Affairs Committee. After almost a year as Vice Chair, he is the new Chair for External Affairs! He plans on using his student stipend on an outdoor grill, and he's related to the philosopher Edmund Burke!

Contact Trey

Internal Affairs - Operations Chair

Lukas Hawkins (he/him)

Sophomore studying Chemistry with a Medicinal emphasis and Physics

From Edinburg, Texas

Lukas has been involved in MSA for the since Fall 2022 as an At-Large Senator. He's also involved in Caring for Columbia! When not working in MSA, Lukas is also a research assistant at a neuroscience lab! Lukas has also been to 45 of the 50 states!

Internal Affairs - Fiscal Chair

Dalton Lytle (he/him)

Senior studying Political Science

From Pascola, Missouri

Dalton joined MSA as the Organizational Seat for the Residence Hall Association (RHA) in Fall 2021. He is currently an Academic Senator for the College of Arts and Science and the Senate Outreach Coordinator. Dalton is also the Speaker of Congress for RHA!

Contact Dalton

First Year Council Co-Director

Maggie Funston (she/her)

Sophomore studying Political Science

From Festus, Missouri

Maggie started in MSA as a member of the 2022-23 First Year Council. She is currently an At-Large Senator and the new Co-Director for FYC! When she's not engaging with the Council, she serves as the President for Mizzou Model United Nations, is a member of MU Mock Trial, Kinder Society of Fellows, and staff for the Maneater. She is also related to John Adams!

Contact Maggie

First Year Council Co-Director

Parker Ezell (he/him)

Sophomore studying Political Science and Constitutional Democracy

From Senath, Missouri

Parker started in MSA as a member of the 2022-23 First Year Council. He is currently an At-Large Senator, and the new Co-Director for FYC! He is also a member of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy on campus. In his free time, you can find him playing basketball at the Rec with his friends!

Contact Parker

Senate Public Relations Coordinator

Greta Ripperda (she/they)

Junior studying Journalism and Spanish

From Murphysboro, Illinois

Greta was a member of the 2021-22 First Year Council, an At-Large Senator, and the previous 2022-23 FYC Co-Director! She is currently an Academic Senator for the School of Journalism, and the Senate PR Coordinator! When she's back home, she plays the guitar and gigs under the name "Greta and Her Guitar."

Contact Greta

Sustainability Coordinator

Amy Bianucci (she/her)

Senior studying Psychological Sciences

From Rockwall, Texas

Amy joined MSA in Fall of 2022 and has served as an At-Large Senator and the past Campus Affairs Chair. She has recently been appointed to the new Senate Sustainability Coordinator due to her passion for green campus projects and student engagement! Her main inspiration is Elle Woods!

Contact Amy

Senate Outreach Coordinator

Vacant

Legislative Cabinet