Editor’s Note: This part of a weekly series about the people and responsibilities behind Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body.

Two Government of the Student Body cabinet members are working to represent diversity on Iowa State’s campus.

Kedrin Moser, deputy director of disabilities, and Swapnil Eaga, deputy director of international students, serve as assistants to the GSB director of diversity, said GSB President T.J. Schneider.

The two positions, as well as the position of director of diversity, were created by Schneider through an executive order.

The deputy directors ensure the student diversity director has a good grasp of the needs of the ISU community, Schneider said. International students and students with disabilities are groups that have been less attended to in the past, he said. Currently, those jobs are especially important because the director of diversity position is vacant, Schneider said.

Eaga was appointed to the position during fall semester, Schneider said.

The International Student Council — a group composed of all international student organizations — came to Schneider with the desire to have a committee member fill the cabinet position.

“Eaga is respected in the international community,” he said, “which shows he has a good grasp of the community and the needs of its students.”

Eaga said his job is to help represent the international council within GSB. The position allows Eaga to put initiatives on the GSB table, he said.

International students previously had a voice in the GSB senate, through a senator, but it was more difficult to address the needs of students.

Current needs of international students Eaga is addressing include improving financial aid opportunities.

Eaga is also working to revive the cross-cultural learning community formerly located in Linden Hall.

“It was a good experience for those who participated,” he said.

Eaga said international student activities are for all ISU students. The aim of events is “to present and share the culture and traditions of students’ homelands to those who aren’t fortunate enough to visit the countries.”

Eaga said he loves to see traditional American students become aware of other cultures.

Moser said she is working with the University Committee on Disabilities to coordinate Disabilities Awareness Week, which will take place after spring break.

“[Moser] is the key player in the coordination and energy [behind Disabilities Awareness Week],” said Todd Herriott, program coordinator for the Dean of Students Office.

“Step Into My World” is a program planned for the week. The program will assign a disability to faculty, staff, GSB members and students. Through the event, Moser said she hopes to create awareness and show that people with disabilities aren’t being given unnecessary advantages.

“Very subtle things become more difficult because they require more time and effort,” Schneider said. “It’s kind of silly, but it’s also a way to learn and provide a different perspective.”

Moser is working to improve services available to disabled students through student clubs and organizations. GSB can help to alleviate the problems by providing funds to pay for items such as sign translators and handicapped-accessible vans, said GSB Chief of Staff Rick Cordaro.

As a student who has a disability, Moser said she can personally relate to the people she represents, since she has an anxiety disorder. Moser shows a willingness to speak and take action, Herriott said. “She is an excellent advocate for students.”