How well do students know their own campus president?

Meet Michael Longhitano, Lake Nona campus’ SGA president. In the following Q&A, Longhitano shares a little about himself and his experience in representing the student body.

Valencia Voice: What events and meetings do you attend?

Michael Longhitano: “Every month I have a few meetings. Generally speaking I will have a Presidents meeting with the director of student development and all of the other presidents at the college. Additionally I have monthly meetings with Dr. Bosley at the Lake Nona Campus to discuss suggestions that come directly from our students. I try to hold meetings with the rest of my team biweekly to discuss events and programming”.

Q: What issues do you face and try to resolve as the SGA President? What are your responsibilities?

A: “It is my responsibility to be the voice of the student body at Lake Nona Campus. SGA as an organization [that] aims to improve student life. I have a few members who have really done some good work in that past. Our senator of campus relations, Isabel, managed to get umbrellas for the courtyard area, and lockers for students who needed additional storage space. I have been working lately with the library, the bookstore, and administration to try and lower the cost of textbooks. We have been taking small steps such as selecting cheaper alternative books used by other campuses. Additionally I had some input on the newly extended hours of the cafe.”

Q: What is an average day like in the shoes of someone in your position?

A: “I’m constantly going. I do not have any days off. Between SGA, work, and school there is always something that needs to get done. At times I feel as if I’m being pulled three different ways simultaneously. Between coordinating events and marketing for SGA, I also help with student development’s activities. I try to do my best to do one thing at a time. Time management is a big issue for me right now. Usually I don’t get to sleep until later in the night.”

Q: What is one thing you would change about the Lake Nona Campus?

A: “Lake Nona’s class programming could use improvement. I would also like to see pre-made degree programs so that students (if they want) don’t have to go in and manually select their classes. I have spoke with a few people who have expressed frustration with this because they took classes they did not need. In an ideal world I would also make it so that students didn’t need to travel in between two to three campuses to get their degree. As an engineering student, the beginning of every semester is very stressful. Between spending $300-400 dollars on books, and working out a full class load, things start to get going quick. I don’t think that students should have to worry about taking classes at multiple campuses on top of life. Also I don’t think students should pay nearly as much as they do for books.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in a few years career wise? What are your goals and plans after Valencia?

A: “In a few years I plan on having my engineering degree. Other then that I have no idea what I’m going to be doing. My goal is to become as cultured as possible before settling down to pursue what I think my calling is. After Valencia I am going to finish my degree and travel.”

Okay so Down to Business…

Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your free time?

A: “I’m really into cars. I’m currently rebuilding a 1988 Toyota supra with my dad. Generally speaking, when I have a day off I try to do things that relate to cars. I also like to travel when I can. Recently I have spent weekends in Canada, New York and Colorado on my own.”

Q: If you could, would you either travel back in time 1,000 years or travel in the future 1,000 years and why?

A: “I would go into the future for sure. I would like to know how the world operates after I should technically be gone.”

Q: If your life was a movie, what famous actor would you get to play you? Why would they make a good fit?

A: “Kevin Spacey. Did you see house of cards? I’m convinced that he can get any role he wants after that performance.”

Q: Would you rather take up an opportunity to travel to outer space or explore the depths of the ocean? Explain your choice.

A: “The ocean is terrifying. I would much prefer to go into space. In fact as a kid I would always look up at the sky and imagine how the view would be. I don’t think I’ll be content if I don’t get to be in space at some point in my life.”

Q: What do you prefer?

– Cats or dogs?

A: “I don’t have an opinion on cats or dogs. If it’s fluffy and nice then it doesn’t matter to me.”

– Apple or Android?

A: “I prefer android.”

– Chocolate or vanilla?

A: “Chocolate all the way.”