Matthew Smith

Biography
Matthew Smith is a Penn State junior from Hanover, PA majoring in International Politics. He plans to work in national intelligence. Before attending Penn State, he was a distinguished United States Marine intelligence analyst who deployed 3 times to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been very active at Penn State and is proud of guiding the Liberal Arts College’s student council to their first ever THON dancers, participation in Toys for Tots, and tighter relations with the Liberal Arts administration as President of the 2008 Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council.

Platform
Off-campus students should be represented by a candidate who has a history of railing against backwards policies and also one who only seeks out leadership positions that they can meet day in and day out. Just as I did in my college, in this community, and overseas, I want to improve people’s quality of life. Whether it is frustration with poor treatment by a renter or feeling excluded by distance from accessing key university services, the experience of an off-campus undergraduate has significant differences from dorm life at University Park.

I believe a vote is a contract to be honored. Running in elections is easy. I have observed that facing responsibility seems to be a novelty in student government. Right now, too many elected students are tied down with resume building. If I were to represent off-campus students in the UPUA, I guarantee I will make your diverse issues both heard and addressed in a timely manner. I also am onboard with the goal of creating Student – Landlord Dispute Resolution Center.

Other Involvement/Time Commitments
Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council President, Mortar Board Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre County Big, State College YMCA Community Programs Volunteer