You may know him as the Student Government Associations Chief Financial Officer, an active member of WSUC-FM, and in the last few weeks a running candidate for SGA President. Newly elected SGA President Joseph Mascetta gives us an insight into what his time at SGA has been like.
Fighting obstacles to find his passion, himself, and his confidence.
A 2019 graduate from Carmel high school who came to Cortland with the intention to play College football until reality kicked in.
“I originally came here to play football and it didn’t work out. I didn’t end up playing and I kind of lost my identity with not being an athlete I didn’t really know where I belong and then during covid, I actually dropped out.”
In the Spring of 2021, Mascetta took time off from school to find himself and his confidence. He moved to Rhode Island where he interned at a real estate agency, with that he also worked as an Oyster Shucker/ Bartender at a nearby restaurant by the beach.
“ I had to acclimate myself in a new state where I didn’t know a single person. I attribute lots of my recent success to this growing process.”
With experience like that and the challenges he’s been through, this learned confidence opened up new doors for him, and with the simple task of picking up a camera, Mascetta found his passion for film and photography. Notably known for his 2022 Halloween Photoshoot with the varsity sports team that reached over 4000 likes on Instagram.
Being involved with both Varsity and Club teams not only did he find new motivation in life but made friends and connections along the way. As he returns in the fall of 2021 Mascetta found where he belonged doing the work he loves, in the last year fulfilling the position as the CFO that needs commitment, attention, and comes with great responsibility Mascetta does just about everything that involves money for clubs on campus, and events on campus he then give his okay to any decision that comes his way.
“I see the good and the bad I’ve seen clubs use student activity fee money for the good of the campus and I’ve seen clubs waste it.”
He doesn’t just look at forms and paperwork, he involves himself with what goes on campus, with the challenges and the process for it. As a CFO he also teaches the student representative and treasurer for clubs who may not understand the process for their position, in the beginning of the academic year SGA held a treasurer training so students can learn and clear any confusion there may be for their work. Mascetta says he “would have made it more actively involved so I knew that students were paying attention” adding that this is some advice he would give to next year’s CFO.
Aside from SGA Mascetta is also part of WSUC-FM, the radio club that is also known as the WSUC Podcasts, and is a recent addition to the Track and Field team. With a busy schedule as he has, he says “It’s definitely a challenge that will probably be one of the best lessons that I’ve learned also gaining confidence in my ability to learn new things.
As the 2022-2023 academic year comes to a close, Mascetta shares how his biggest goals are “to guide the clubs that already exist and guide students who are outside of SGA into SGA so they can have fun, build their resumes get involved meet new people all that good stuff.”
Do you have any advice for students who want to be part of SGA and potentially run for a higher position?
“First of all, take your shot like now- start now with everything. I learned that with videos, I used to watch all these other people who were fantastic behind the camera like I’m not that good… There’s only one way to get to where you want to be and that’s by starting. So, I say especially to freshmen; just find anywhere to get involved, be willing to fail… Don’t be embarrassed by that stuff, just be happy by putting an effort into it.”