Meet the student body president of ASU’s West campus

Tony Camisi is a senior at ASU who is passionate about building bridges for other students, and he has a plan to do just that in his role as Undergraduate Student Government president of ASU’s West campus.  

Camisi is a senior majoring in business management who is also working toward a certificate in applied business data analytics with two minors in both communication studies and political science and government. 

He brings a wealth of ASU leadership experience to his position, having served as senate leader, vice chair of university affairs, visiting member of government operations and executive board member of appropriations, all interlinked within Undergraduate Student Government on the West campus.

Camisi was elected president of ASU’s West campus in spring 2019, and he tries to lead by example and listen to the concerns of the students above all else. 

“I knew that to make USG prosperous I had to generate the mindset of making it ‘students-first’ not ‘me-first,’’ Camisi said.

Camisi also wants to inspire students at ASU to get more involved with politics and plans on achieving this by trying to bring politicians to ASU to talk directly to students. 

“I want to try and bring the governor of Arizona to speak on behalf of our university about the importance of politics and why young people should be involved with shaping the future of both our state and country. If possible, I want to try and bring a few prominent candidates who are running for president here on our campus to speak about the importance of voting in the elections.”

Camisi talked with ASU Student Life about why he ran for student government, his position, his inspirations and his plans for the future. 

ASU West Undergraduate Student Government President Tony Camisi

Why did you run for student government?

I ran for student government with the idea of wanting to unite both branches of USG together considering the gridlock that was taking place between the executives and senate. I felt that I had the characteristics that were compatible to bring both groups together, and I felt that striving for president was the best catalyst for me to make this happen. 

Furthermore, I ran with the platform of wanting to help lower-income students and providing them an alternative to help each student save money on expensive textbooks. Another reason why I ran for student government was to lead by example and listen to students’ concerns. 

What does your position entail?

My position as president entails numerous responsibilities such as administering the entire organization within my campus, attending weekly council of presidents meetings as well as attending weekly meetings with my deans and advisors within my campus. 

I am also in charge of making sure that I can provide priorities to my entire executive team, take charge in executive meetings, administer the USG budget, appoint vacant positions within the Supreme Court and university boards and committees, etc.

What are your goals for this school year?

My goals for the upcoming year are to provide a constructive plan to introduce the Book Co-Op, which would provide an alternative to help lower-income students by granting an option to borrow textbooks without being charged. 

Now, this is the center of the Camisi administration, and I want to partner with my fellow Council of Presidents [the USG presidents at the other ASU campuses and the Graduate and Professional Student Association president] with getting this university-wide initiative implemented. 

I want to try to incorporate collaboration with other clubs and organizations while making sure that we can be more transparent to our student population. Finally, I want to make sure that our services team can be more active in reaching out to students with concerns that they have in regards to mental health, employment opportunities, club-start up information and having more students become involved with organizations on campus.

What are your inspirations?

My main inspirations have usually been political leaders such as former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and many others. 

My mother has inspired me so much as well as other notable family members such as my non-biological dad, Ray Wieters. 

Also, I want to credit both my predecessor and brotherly friend former USG West President Alexander Sojourney with influencing me in every way possible and Eric Hipolito, who is one of my best brothers/inspirations as well. 

I have other influences in my life such as my non-biological Jewish mother Barbara Crawford, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr. and many others. I could keep going on with my choices because I am inspired by many people.

What issue/problem are you most passionate about positively impacting?

The issue that I am most passionate about positively impacting would be to help students become more involved on campus and not take their university experience for granted. I want to make sure that students can realize what we offer here at ASU with a polished understanding of how they can benefit the university through their involvement. I realize that more students being involved on campus will only progress us forward with our overall goals and aspirations.

What would you say to someone who wanted to run for a position in student government?

I would make sure to notify that student running for a position within student government to make the most out of the experience and ask questions. I think that any student who desires to become involved in student government should ensure that they are interested in what they are doing, as well as realize why they are going for this position in the first place. I would recommend students who love learning and feel hungry to help others. To me, this proves that students involved with student government are more concerned about building bridges for others rather than a pathway for themselves.

Why did you choose to come to ASU?

Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to enroll myself into this university. I felt that ASU not only had the colors and logo I admired, but also I realized later that their motto of providing an opportunity for all types of students was truly gratifying to me as well. 

When I was young, I wanted to be a part of the basketball program and then realized many years later that academics would be my most practical approach of obtaining success. ASU has given me the greatest opportunity to achieve greatness, and I am forever grateful for being ingrained in this university.

What are your long-term goals for the rest of your time at ASU and beyond?

My long-term goals for my remaining time here at ASU and beyond are making sure that I can equip myself with learning from all others around me. My end goal is to become a financial advisor or I hope to find myself in the political arena, but I want to ensure that I can make the most of my remaining time here at ASU to make the greatest difference for all the lives around me.

What’s your favorite memory at ASU so far?

My favorite memory at ASU so far besides winning the presidency is the relationships that I have been able to build with all the others around me. I think that true memories are made with all the moments spent together with the people you view as your friends and family. To me, nothing comes close to this sentiment of interacting with others and having them be the difference in your life.

What are your top five favorite places to hang out on your campus?

My top five favorite places to hang out on they West Campus would be inside the Fletcher Library, the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, the Classroom/Lab/Computer Classroom basement, the residence halls within Casa De Oro and Las Casas, and the Undergraduate Student Government Executive Office. These top five places are in no particular order since I value each place equally.