SGA Executive Council

The Executive Council leads the Student Government Association in advocating for student needs, fostering campus engagement, and guiding SGA initiatives. Explore the bios below to get to know the students working to make a difference at Westfield State.

Justin Wald is a senior Political Science major in the Class of 2026 and a student in the early entry program for the Master of Public Administration. As an involved and dedicated student with a passion for leadership, he is committed to ensuring that the university serves the best interest of all its students. As SGA President, he presides over weekly meetings, represents the student body on the All-University Committee, and works very closely with the University President and other cabinet members to voice student concerns and promote meaningful change on campus. Justin takes pride in fostering a welcome and inclusive community where every student feels heard and valued. One of his current initiatives includes advocating for the BRIGHT Act, which will provide funding to repair and renovate campus buildings—a vital step toward enhancing the overall student experience. Above all, Justin is committed to strengthening the sense of belonging and community that makes Westfield State truly feel like home. 

Travis McLoughlin is the Vice President of Student Life for the Student Government Association for the 2025-26 year. He is a senior double majoring in Political Science and Economics with a concentration in Law. He grew up on a dairy farm in Sheffield, Massachusetts in the Southern Berkshires. In his free time, he enjoys reading about history and geography as well as spending time with his friends. In the role of Vice President of Student Life, Travis focuses on enhancing various aspects of student life at Westfield, including dining, residential life, counseling, health services, public safety, parking, and athletics. You can contact him at vpstudentlife.sga@westfield.ma.edu or visit him during his office hours Tuesday 3:30-5:00 and Wednesday 1:30-4:30. 

Melissa Kuzmeski is the 2025-2026 VP of Academic Life. She majors in Criminal Justice and her minor is Sociology. She appreciates helping others reach their goals and remain accomplished. This past year she became a member of The Green Bandana Project, and she is a new FYJ Peer Mentor. Some hobbies she has is reading mystery, psychological thriller, and some drama/comical books, arts and crafts as well as coloring. She really enjoys fishing in her free time. 

Bio coming soon!

Tyler is a senior communication; public relations major and has a minor in art. On campus, he works as a student Social Media and Engagement Coordinator for the Dean of Student's Office, and a student Social Media Specialist for the university Marketing department. In his position as the Vice President of Community Engagement and Outreach, Tyler brings his working experience and learnings to the Student Government Association and will continue to coordiante signature events such as the Turkey Drive as well as run the SGA Instagram page. With a passion for event planning and social media, Tyler looks forward to working alongside the rest of the SGA for another fantastic year!  

Lorraine N. Fernández is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Spanish at Westfield State University. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to the United States at 18 years old to pursue her college education. This year marks her second term serving as Vice President of Student Belonging in the Student Government Association. Throughout her four years at Westfield State, Lorraine has been deeply involved in the campus community through various leadership and service roles. She has served as President of the Latinx Association for Empowerment (2024–2025) and currently works as a Student Ambassador for the Course Achievement and Tutoring Center as well as an Outreach Intern for the Counseling Center. These experiences have strengthened her passion for fostering connection, accessibility, and belonging among students. As Vice President of Student Belonging, Lorraine is dedicated to creating a collaborative and enriching college experience for all members of the community. She is committed to ensuring that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to share their voice. Her culture, heritage, and dedication to community are central to her identity, and she strives to reflect these values in all aspects of her work. Lorraine looks forward to continuing her efforts to build inclusive spaces where every voice matters—because together, she believes, students have the power to create meaningful change.

Jacob Constant serves as the Executive Secretary for the Student Government Association. He is a senior from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, majoring in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Management. This marks Jacob's third year serving on the Student Government Association; it is his second year in this position, having previously served as a Representative at Large. In his role as Executive Secretary, Jacob is responsible for maintaining meeting minutes, overseeing the fall and spring elections, tracking attendance, and managing various additional responsibilities. He is committed to ensuring the association's operations are transparent, efficient, and accessible for all students.

Barney Garcia serves as the Student Trustee for the Westfield State University Board of Trustees and Student Government Association. Majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration, Barney is in his second and final year at Westfield State after transferring in from Holyoke Community College. With an accounting, business, and facilities background, Barney's specialty around infrastructure guides his efforts in pushing for equity in spaces around campus. Outside of school, Barney works at his 'alma mater' and lives in Northampton with his partner and three cats; he loves nature, and enjoys road tripping with family to new places. 

Jakob Traynor is a History major with a licensure in education. He is in his second year at Westfield State University and on the Student Government Association (SGA), serving on the executive board for the first time after previously holding the roles of representative and first-year president. In addition to his involvement in SGA, Jakob is also a peer mentor and a member of the Student Theatre Association (STA). As the Parliamentarian, he is dedicated to supporting all campus clubs and aims to modernize and streamline the system to make it more accessible and efficient.