Meet College of Music Student Government President Lau Marial
For Lau Mariala senior studying choral music education (BME 26) and president of the泭CU Boulder College of Music Student Government (CMSG)leadership comes naturally.
Marial is exuberantly passionate about her work: Under her leadership, our student government has organized and executed events emphasizing community well-being and personal wellnessfrom泭yoga classes and meditations to practice room cleanups and an event with a nutritionist to learn how to fuel musicians bodies.
There hasnt been a structured goal for our student government, reflects Marial. So were creating that. And for me, I thought, What can we do to serve our community as musicians?泭
Were such busy people. And its expensive and time consuming to be a musicianand oftentimes were overworked and underpaidbut being a musician is so fulfilling. So how can we help and lean into one another?
The CMSG comprises nine memberspresident, vice president, secretary, treasurer, two senators who report to the campuswide student government, two at-large members representing the instrumental and voice areas, and a general member. Marial was involved as a senator for three years before assuming her current role.
Along with throwing events for the student body, the CMSG also funds projects of other recognized student organizations. Coming up, the CMSG is helping six students in the泭National Association for Music Education (NAfME) attend next weeks泭; as well, the CMSG is reviewing project funding for students in the泭American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) slated for next semester.泭
My favorite aspect of the CMSG is when were able to provide funding for students who otherwise wouldnt be able to support themselves to go to these conferences, she says. I understand those economic barriers.泭
Then they come back with all these stories and they were so impacted and Im just like, I love that you were able to do this!
This spring, Marial envisions more wellness eventsmaybe even with some furry friends. Im trying to bring in therapy dogs, thats in the works, she says. Thats huge because thats fun and its really cute. Even people who are passing by with 15 minutes in-between can pet a puppy!
Such activities aim to strengthen community bonds within our College of Music. As were a smaller college, Marial notes that many connections happen naturally in our hallsand she wants to do her part to strengthen the bonds among students in different departments. She also wants to pass on her passion for leadership to fellow CMSG members.
I want to train other leaders to be leaders as well, so our community grows in that way, says Marial, describing her leadership approach as compassionate. Already looking ahead, shes applying to graduate school programs in psychology or education policy.泭
Marials parents are Sudanese war refugees making Marial a first-generation American and college student which she credits for her drive for education. For my aunts, my momliterally their biggest dream is to get an education, Marial shares. That alone is enough for me to run with the opportunities that are in front of me and keep trying to find ways to educate myself.
Another thing thats super important to me in terms of leadership is that I have siblings who look up to meI want them to know that if I can do it, they can do it, too.
All told, Marials message to fellow students is one of motivation, confidence and embracing what makes them unique. Be you! Thats really big to me. I think that musicians have a naturally competitive naturethat competition can be healthy, but no matter what youre doing, always be 100% yourself and walk in knowing what you bring to the room. Dont ever let other people tear you down.