With her passion for public service and student government, sophomore Amanda Galonek knew GW was the right school for her.

As chairman of the Student Association Senate Rules Committee, Galonek is tasked with overseeing the way the SA Senate conducts its daily business. Despite the fact that her job deals with the minutiae of SA legislative practices, she said she tries not to let it stop her from getting further involved in the GW community. Galonek is a member of the women’s club soccer team, the College Republicans and the Colonial Army.

With the goal of throwing herself into everything the University has to offer, Galonek chose to apply for an SA freshman senate seat last year. She was selected, and then successfully ran for a Columbian College of Arts and Sciences seat last spring. With her background in constitutional and bylaw reform, she also decided to run for the SA Rules Committee chair position.

As an incumbent senator, Galonek saw it necessary for the position to be held by a student already associated with the SA, as the rules committee chair deals with specifics with SA policy that only veterans may know or understand.

“Considering all executive vice president and director appointments go through the rules committee, it’s beneficial to have someone who has been involved [already] to facilitate discussion about what has and has not worked in the past,” she said.

Galonek said she plans to continue contributing her time and effort not only to the SA but the rest of campus as well in her upcoming years here.

“My passion lies in giving back to my school and community,” she said. “I believe student advocacy is an important part of a thriving school. With the help of passionate SA student leaders, I feel the University will benefit as a whole.”