College of General Studies Student Government

About Us

The College of General Studies Student Government (CGSSG) is an elected group of students representing all CGS students, regardless of where and when they take their classes. It provides an array of services and programs to enhance student life on campus.

The College of General Studies Student Government (CGSSG)

  • Plans, conducts and supports programs, activities and services which meet the students’ academic, social, personal, career and other expressed needs and interests
  • Serves in an advisory capacity to the faculty, staff and administrative officers of the University in matters of student interest
  • Promotes a spirit of community and identity among students
  • Provides opportunities for personal growth through the exercise of leadership and group interaction
  • Provides for the equitable expenditure of student activity fees, within the parameters allowed by the University policies and procedures 

CGSSG Board Members AY22-23

Monte Labash, President

Monte LabashHometown: Pittsburgh, PA     

Major: Natural Sciences (Pre-Physician Assistant), Senior

Additional Involvement: Outside of CGSSG: Member of Student Health Advisory Board and the Wellness Consortium. 

Favorite Thing About Pitt: My favorite experience at Pitt has been serving Pitt students through leadership and improving the experience of CGS students.    

Contact Monte » 
Saharsh Talwar, Vice President

Hometown: Reading, PA

Major: Double Degree in Natural Sciences (Pre-Medicine) & Economics, Junior

Additional Involvement: Research at School of Medicine; Copy Editor for Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review, Medical Assistant at UPMC Presbyterian.

Favorite Thing About Pitt: The variety of experiences and diversity of course load that we are able to engage in as students.

Contact Saharsh »       

 Righteous Caldwell, Business Manager

Righteous CaldwellHometown: Atlanta, GA     

Major: Law, Criminal Justice, & Society, Minors in Economics, Political Science, and Sociology, Senior

Additional Involvement: I’m a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Greek Week president, and have been a student ambassador for the school since freshman year.

Future Plans: I plan on becoming a corporate lawyer    

Contact Righteous »
Emma Desso, Advertising Chair

Emma DessoHometown: Harrisburg, PA  

Major: Media and Professional Communications (Corporate and Community Relations), Junior

Additional Involvement: I am a Best Buddies Peer Buddy, love to go to spin class, and ski.

Future Plans: I plan to work at an advertising agency post-graduation.  

Contact Emma »

Lindsey Beck, Engagement Chair

Lindsey BeckHometown: California    

Major: Media and Professional Communications (Digital Media), Senior

Additional Involvement: I work for The Pitt Shop social media, am a Starbucks barista, study ASL, sing, and box. 

Future Plans: I am hoping to pursue careers from marketing, social media management, to news or sports broadcasting.

Contact Lindsey »       

Johanna Arevalo, Wellness Chair

Johanna ArevaloHometown: West Chester, PA 

Major:  Natural Sciences (Pre-Physician Assistant), Senior

Additional Involvement: Member of Delta Epsilon Mu, Teaching Assistant, volunteer at UPMC, work as Phlebotomist. 

Favorite Thing About Pitt: Hailing! I love the school spirit here and all the hardworking people I have met here motivate me to work harder!

Contact Johanna »       

Shreya Babu, Judicial Affairs Chair

Shreya BabuHometown: Doylestown, PA 

Major:  Double degree in Administration of Justice & Sociology, Senior    

Additional Involvement: I’m the founder and current senior advisor of Women in Law at Pitt, a dancer on First Class Bhangra, and a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. I’m currently interning at the PA Innocence Project Pittsburgh office. 

Future Plans: After graduation I plan on going to law school to eventually become a public interest attorney.

Contact Shreya »       

Caroline Arena, General Board Member

Hometown: Jenkintown, PA

Major: Natural Sciences (Pre-Physician Assistant); Certificate in Community Health Assessment, Senior  

Additional Involvement: I am a member of Alpha Delta Pi and work as a patient care technician at Magee Women’s Hospital in their Womancare Birth Center.

Contact Caroline »       

Aidan Dunn, General Board Member

Aidan DunnHometown: Bryn Mawr, PA 

Major: Media and Professional Communications; Minor in Economics, Senior

Additional Involvement: I am a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and I participate in the shows put on by Redeye Theater Group.

Future Plans: I plan to work in marketing and brand strategy in the Entertainment Industry.

Contact Aidan »       

Anna Yatsko, General Board Member

Anna YatskoHometown: Blue Bell, PA

Major: Legal Studies, Junior

Additional Involvement: I work at a Pittsburgh-based law firm, and I’m passionate about helping the clients we represent. I love skiing, spending time with friends, playing card games, and making art.

Favorite Thing About Pitt:  As well as helping clients, same goes for repping students in SGB, so if you see me on campus, let’s chat! Hail to Pitt!

Contact Anna »      

CGSSG Advisor

Dr. Boryana Dobreva, Director, CGS Online Learning and Academic Programs

Join CGSSG

Do you want to become an active member of CGSSG and/or serve on a committee? Do you want to make a difference in CGS?

CGS Student Government invites CGS students to apply for CGS Student Government Council for the 2023-2024 academic year. View available positions here.

Application will close Wednesday, March 15th. CGSSG will begin reviewing applications immediately and you will be notified of the outcome of your application by the end of March.

Apply to Join CGSSG

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram or send us an email at cgssg@pitt.edu.

Office: 5603 Sennott Square (5th fl)