CHST Senator

Hi! My name is Valery Gong, and I am a rising second year studying Biomedical Sciences. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and attended high school in Dallas, TX. Outside of academics, I am actively involved on campus as the Academic Chair and Sisterhood Co-Chair in my Sorority.

As CHST Senator at RIT, my primary goal is to expand opportunities, strengthen community, and ensure that CHST students feel represented and supported.

DEVELOPMENT OF CHST STUDENT ACTIVITY BOARD One of my top priorities is advocating for the creation of a Student Activity Board (SAB) for CHST. Many colleges across RIT have dedicated SABs that host professional, social, and wellness-focused events, and I believe CHST students deserve the same. Whether it be through inviting guest speakers in health-related fields, hosting tabling and networking events, or catering food for application workshops, establishing a CHST SAB would allow our college to plan consistent, student-led programming that reflects our student body's unique academic and demographic makeup.

COMMUNITY & GENDER-DIVERSE CATERING I also aim to increase the number of events specifically catered to the CHST community. With CHST being approximately 80% female, there is an opportunity to expand programming that highlights women in health sciences and STEM. At the same time, I strongly believe in advocating for greater gender-diverse inclusion within CHST programming. In a female-majority college, it is essential that events are intentionally inclusive and welcoming to all genders. I aim to ensure that CHST events promote diverse perspectives and create spaces where underrepresented genders feel equally represented and encouraged to engage.

COMMUNICATION & ACCESSIBILITY Additionally, I want to address gaps in communication and accessibility. Many CHST students, especially underclassmen, are unaware of available resources, opportunities, and how to make their voices heard. As Senator, I will work to bridge this gap by prioritizing transparent communication between students and administration and actively advocating for student feedback.