There is one seat on the Vermont State Colleges System’s Board of Trustees with direct internal representation: the Student Trustee. Second-year Perry Ragouzis from Castleton University was elected by student government boards from across the system at the end of the spring to serve in this role this year.
Ragouzis came to the VSCS from Fort Collins, Colorado to study political science. He became interested in politics in 2010 after listening to NPR. “I heard Mitch McConnell, who was then minority leader in the Senate, promising not to pass anything just to make then President Obama look bad.” As a child, this idea went against everything Ragouzis was learning. Years later, he started learning about climate change, and “that’s when I got involved.”
So his career path in political science was set, but why Vermont? Ragouzis said it’s simply because of Vermont’s political culture. “You have Phil Scott and Bernie Sanders on the same ballot, consistently getting reelected.” And he thought to himself, “If I can make it work there, I’ll make it work anywhere.” He describes Vermont as “politically rich” and full of opportunity. His dream after school—which may or may not include graduate studies—is to become an elected official and work on climate policy.
As Ragouzis started his career in VSCS, he says the transparency with the transformation was not there. He didn’t know about any merger when he enrolled, when he moved in, or when his classes started. “Suddenly, there was this town hall about this merger. And I went to it, and I found out that I would not graduate from the place that I applied to.” He says communication from the transformation teams and chancellor’s office has been better since then, but that “clarity and some candidness from the Student Trustee was needed.”
The role of Student Trustee comes with a lot of responsibilities. Ragouzis says he knows he will have to be the bearer of bad news in some situations but would rather do that than “know that there’s bad news and not tell your constituents.” He sees a lot of damage from this in the past.
Per the work of the administration in this transformation process, Ragouzis says there’s something to be said about how Vermont State University President Dr. Parwinder Grewal has already made his mark. He says President Grewal is truly putting students first in this experience. “In his interview with last year’s students at Castleton, he committed—and he was the only presidential candidate willing to commit—to a meeting once a month with SGA presidents from each campus.” Ragouzis hadn’t set up a meeting yet, so President Grewal’s team took the first step. “It’s nice to see someone in a position of authority who takes clarity and communication so seriously, and specifically for the students,” the Student Trustee said.
In addition to his role as Student Trustee, Ragouzis is also Castleton’s serving Student Government President, a Community Assistant (Castleton’s version of Resident Assistants), and the Assistant Manager at the campus box office.
The Student Trustee is traditionally a one-year role with elections in the spring. Ryan Cooney, the last Student Trustee, was one of few to serve two consecutive terms. When asked if Ragouzis would follow in those footsteps, he said he wanted the Board of Trustees to decide. “I’m going to request the Board to ask me to return or not. If they feel they want to go in a different direction with student representation, I’m totally okay with that,” he said. Ultimately, the vote lies with the Vermont State Colleges Student Association (VSCSA) which is made up of student government leaders from every campus. But the Board’s voice will determine if Ragouzis runs or not. “I want what’s best for the system, not what’s best for me.”
Feature Photo by Alexandra Huff || Student Trustee Perry Ragouzis addresses the NVU-Lyndon Student Government Association.