The Student Government Association (SGA) began their annual election process on April 10. Students were able to begin the process of voting online at 9 a.m. Since SGA members are either elected or re-elected annually, all of the positions such as the executive board, senator positions as well as the Council of Club (COC) positions were categories in which students could vote for candidates. In all, there were six executive positions available and 16 senate positions open for candidates to run for. According to Sharron Evans, Director of Student Activities, the SGA chose the time and date to begin the election so that the students that have Saturday classes, as well as lack computer access at home, could have the opportunity to vote while on the campus. Evans felt that it was important for students to get involved in the SGA elections and vote. “People need to get out and vote, these are the people that will be representing the student body and the only way that things change or get better is if people vote [for] the right people,” said Evans.
The election closed on Friday, April 16 at 4 p.m. and revealed the following candidates as winners: Kristina Garcia for president, Erik Robles for vice president, Vivian Shelton for treasurer, Cheryl Rose Devenny for student trustee, Stephan McCollom for secretary, and Michelle Gruebmeyer for IBHE-SAC Representative. The 15 senators chosen by the students were Syed Hussain, Denise Byers, Zac Schon, Diana Armenta, Simona Januskeviciute, Bradley Gertz, Carlos Gomez, Winston Rysdahl, Jose Miranda, Malek Zoubi, James McNeil, Michelle Cardiel, Kathy Baran, Davette J. Franklin and Eric Krietz. Also, the following students were chosen as representatives for the COC: Nancy Underwood, Omar Diallo, Armando Corral and David A. Kozin.
Re-elected senator Davette Franklin was impressed by the number of people that were interested in becoming student leaders.
I was ecstatic to see that so many students were interested in becoming student leaders, but I would love to see more people participate in the voting. I am excited to see what the new student leaders will bring to the table because I have seen many good changes come about from the previous executive board members,” said Franklin.
All winners will be sworn in at the “passing of the gavel” ceremony that will take place on April 29.