Commonwealth University Council of Trustees Appoints 2 New Student Members

The Commonwealth University Council of Trustees has named two new student council members for the 2023-24 academic year. Jessica Dodge has been appointed as the student representative for the Bloomsburg location and Tynesha Holloway has been appointed to represent Lock Haven.

A nursing major in her second year at Bloomsburg, Dodge is a resident of Orangeville and a 2022 graduate of Millville School District, where she was class valedictorian. At Millville, she was a Mid-Penn All Star for varsity soccer and basketball, and served as student council president as well as class president.

"The student trustee position provides an opportunity to be the voice of the students of Bloomsburg, while being involved in monumental changes of an integrated Commonwealth University. It was something I knew I had to pursue," Dodge said. "I am blessed to be able to challenge myself to make a better future for Commonwealth University."

Dodge has been active in numerous community organizations and an employee and volunteer at Camp Victory of the Nicholas Wolff Foundation in Millville. She has volunteered at the John Buck Memorial Food Bank in Orangeville and at the Millville Elementary School where she helped organize and conduct activities for elementary students. Dodge also is a member of several organizations including Nursing Christian Fellowship, Student Nurses Association, Nursing Learning Community and Bloomsburg's chapter of Rotaract. She is involved with the Lives Changed By Christ organization and is employed by Geisinger in Danville as a nursing assistant.

Holloway, of Philadelphia, is a senior criminal justice major at Lock Haven. She is a 2020 graduate of Preparatory Charter High School, where she was a member of the step team and student council. At Lock Haven, she is the president of the Black Student Union and handles public relations for the Multicultural Activities and Advisory Council.

"I wanted to become a student trustee because I believe that I have a strong voice and am able to communicate what needs to be done on campus in a respectful way," Holloway said. "I want to advocate for students because we are important and our wants and needs matter. I want to see real changes before I graduate and I believe with the voice that I have on campus that can be accomplished."

Holloway also is a student representative for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a student member of the Commonwealth University Senate for first-year experience (for students in their first year at Lock Haven) and is a volunteer at the Haven Cupboard, a food pantry for Lock Haven students.

"Student trustees serve an integral and valuable role at Commonwealth University through their representation to the university's Council of Trustees. I would like to congratulate Jessica and Tynesha on their appointment and thank them for their service to their fellow students and the university. Jessica and Tynesha are strong examples of leadership in action and I look forward to their valuable insights and contributions," said Bashar W. Hanna, Commonwealth University president.