The Adventist Intercollegiate Association (AIA) has elected Walla Walla University students Peter Flores, junior music and theology double major, and Matthew Cosaert, junior theology major, into leadership positions. Flores will serve as the association’s executive president and Cosaert as religious vice president.
The AIA was founded in 1950 and fosters networking within student organizations in all involved Adventist universities. The organization helps student leaders bring unity and community across their campuses and provides a platform for student voices to be heard.
The AIA meets annually and rotates to a different university each year. This AIA conference this year was held March 15-19 at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Southern University in Collegedale, Tennessee, will host the conference next year.
“I am excited to be active and dedicate much of my time to this next year,” says Flores. “This is my second time in a voted leadership position, and I want to help tie off any loose ends we may have had as an organization, as well as create new opportunities for us to branch out.”
Flores, in his role as president of AIA, will help lead fellow cabinet members to organize next year’s conference and brainstorm new ideas for the direction of the organization. Cosaert’s responsibilities as religious vice president include planning breakout sessions for the university religious vice presidents and organizing worships that take place throughout the weekend of the conference.
“I think my main goal in this role is to have strong communication with the rest of the religious vice presidents,” says Cosaert. “Communicating will allow us to encourage each other throughout the year.”
Paddy McCoy, WWU campus chaplain, has worked closely with Flores and Cosaert. “I was very excited to hear about both Peter and Matthew having lead roles in the AIA team this next year,” he says. “Walla Walla University continues to produce high-quality student leaders, and I am humbled to be a part of the team.”
Flores and Cosaert begin their new roles June 1 and will remain in office until May 31, 2018.
Posted April 19, 2017
