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Dates, Times, & Locations: 

• January 14th 11:30am-12pm in person - SGA Gormley Conference Room*
• January 14th 5-5:30pm
• January 15th 2:30-3pm in person - SGA Gormley Conference Room*
• January 15th 5:30-6pm
• January 17th 12-12:30pm in person - SGA Gormley Conference Room*
• January 20th 5:30-6pm
• January 21st 5-5:30pm

*The SGA Gormley Conference room is located in the SGA Office on the third floor of the Davis Center.

What is an Election Agreement and Platform?

This form, linked below, allows the SGA Elections Committee to confirm that you have read the rules and regulations pertaining to the election you are participating in. It is also where you may submit your candidate platform that will be shared on this website with the student body so that they may better understand your reason for running.

Review SGA Elections Rules & Regulations here (PDF).

Hello! I’m Jordan Grabo. I am a freshman Economics and Sociology double major. I am running for SGA Senate because I believe there is an amazing opportunity to bridge the gap between the student body and the administration of our university. I have been a leader my whole life. I have been the captain of every sports team I have been involved in, I was elected as an SGA officer in high school, as well as an executive member of the ����̽̽ Outing Club. However, experience is not my only qualification. I am a great listener, a strong voice, a question asker, deeply empathetic, and I am a talented communicator . I bring an open mind and heart to any conversation I am involved in, and will do right by the wishes of those I represent. I am specifically interested in creating more volunteer opportunities through the school. I also believe it would be important to continue the school run social events that help bring the student body together and create more school pride (Go Cats!). All in all, I am running because I believe I will do right by the students I represent, and will be a successful leader in this position. I am thrilled to be a liaison between the students and administration of this beautiful university. Thank you for taking the time to read!

PDF of Jordan's platform

Katrina Tracy has passion and zest that can be applied to advocating for student's interests. She wants to represent ����̽̽ students honestly and completely. She will get the job done! She is endorsed by the Folk Music Club.

PDF of Katrina's platform

My name is Tristen Rivera, I am a Sophomore Political Science and History double major and a Law & Society minor running for election in the January 2025 midterm Student Government Association. Working as an Orientation Leader for ����̽̽ for two semesters has given me experience in helping students transition to starting their college experiences here. I want to use those skills to do what I can to make the ����̽̽ Vermont better for the current student body. Through my experience as an Orientation Leader, I have enhanced my strong leadership and time management skills. I am also goal oriented and hardworking, and it is my aim to enter situations with an empathetic ear and an eagerness to create solutions that benefit both sides as much as possible. I am committed to listening to what current students are passionable about changing or enhancing at ����̽̽, and prioritizing that in any discussions with fellow Senators. I am dedicated to advocating for student voices and interests on whichever Student Government committee I would be working on. I have some ideas of some things that might benefit the ����̽̽ student body. One idea is to work with the Committee of Academic Affairs and colleges to expand their work on detailed course descriptions with the goal of adding an example syllabus to the Schedule of Courses. Not only would this allow students to make more informed decisions about what classes they sign up for during the registration period, but it would also set general expectations and allow students to prioritize their course loads. Also, through my experience as an Orientation Leader, I am sure it would be possible to work with the Orientation Office to add any resources the student body may have felt were lacking from their experience. Understanding what resources are important would allow SGA to help the school prioritize advertising different assets the school has to make sure students are fully aware of all that is offered to them as undergraduate students. I would consider it an honor to be a Senator on ����̽̽’s Student Government Association and have the opportunity to not only work with my peers, other senators, campus partners, and different colleges, but also be able to represent the student body to the best of my ability.

PDF of Tristen's platform

Hello! My name is James Dolphin Wheaton (yes, like the marine mammal) and I grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts. I am a junior here at ����̽̽, studying psychology with a minor in environmental studies. You have probably seen me on campus, either at the Davis Center or in Skinny Pancake, spending all of my money there. Maybe you know me from volleyball, climbing, pickleball, or class. Or perhaps this is the first you are hearing of me. Regardless, I hope you will consider voting for me in this election. I am throwing my hat in the ring for one simple reason: I wish to make an impact. I want to cram my last three semesters at ����̽̽ with as much meaningful experience as I can, and there is no better way for me to do that than to serve the student body in SGA. The community I have been welcomed into here means a great deal to me, so I wish to repay that kindness however I can. Ideally, I would work directly with other students through the Committee on the Environment or the Committee on Student Action and Wellbeing. I feel that those would be the best fit for me because of the deep connections I have made with students and faculty in the Rubenstein school and due to my people-focused career path. More specifically, the matters I would be excited to tackle would be the future of the LivingWell space and the growth of student involvement in the Planetary Health Initiative. I firmly believe that I am up to the task of representing ����̽̽ and its students favorably and I am confident in my abilities as a leader. I am currently employed at the Davis Center as a Building Manager Team Lead, where I am responsible for helping to lead meetings, scheduling the team’s shifts, being a resource for advice and campus policy knowledge, and ensuring the safety and comfort of all of the patrons and clients in the building. I frequently mediate discussions of clients’ needs with the other student staff teams, so I am able to stay calm and facilitate productive conversation in tense situations. In addition to being a strong communicator, I am a quick learner and I throw myself whole-heartedly into all that I do. I am committed to being a part of positive change at this school, so I hope that you will give me the chance to do so with your vote. Thank you.

PDF of James's platform

Through my involvement in various student organizations, both academic and extracurricular, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges student organizations face when working with the Student Government Association (SGA). Even as a sophomore without a formal position on these boards, the inefficiencies of our student government financial management are startlingly apparent. There seems a significant disconnect between student satisfaction and the effectiveness of government, which should be dealt with. I am hoping to close the gap by addressing the concerns of students in a more transparent and responsive system of governance. One of the largest issues I have encountered relates to the allocation of funds within the SGA, particularly when it comes to essential services such as campus safety, medical funding, and resources for student organizations. I believe that involving undergraduates who are willing to openly express their concerns and collaborate with the government is an essential first step to solving these issues. Students who have a genuine understanding of the issues they face, can contribute to creating more practical and efficient solutions. My personal passion for public health makes me especially invested in ensuring that the administration of medical resources and the operation of the Center for Wellbeing are looked over.As a Public Health Science major, I am particularly interested in the health and wellbeing concerns of students on a day-to-day basis. After speaking with classmates and friends, I have come to realize that there is often a significant miscommunication between where funding is placed and where it's needed. A clear example of this is the limited hours of operation at the medical center and the strained capacity of the nursing staff. Given the rigorous academic schedules of students, the limited hours and availability of healthcare services become a major source of stress for many. Though the SGA has supported the Center for Wellbeing for years, there is a clear need for more informed advocacy and a reevaluation of resource distribution. The issue of funding is not simply about securing more money, but about directing them toward the areas of greatest need. This means particularly in health professional wages and hours of operation. Without a strong understanding of where the greatest need is, it is difficult to make informed decisions about how to best place resources. As someone with a passion in healthcare, I feel ready to advocate for a more systematic and evidence-based approach. My approach is to create a more coordinated effort between the SGA and the Medical Center, one that ensures transparency and input directly from students. This approach would involve conducting regular surveys to identify areas where services are lacking or where demand is growing.  My goal is to help shape a student government that fosters continuous improvement, prioritizes transparency, and is genuinely committed to listening and addressing student concerns. By empowering students to raise their concerns regarding university resources, wellbeing, and governance, we can create a more engaged community. Senators must acknowledge that no system is perfect, but through collaboration and honest work with the population, we will build a more responsive, effective, and trusted government. By embracing a culture of transparency, and collaboration we will ensure that the student body is actively involved in shaping the future of our facilities and organizations. In doing so, we will create a stronger sense of community, increase student satisfaction, and improve the overall quality of campus life whether that be sick or in good health.

PDF of Annie's platform

I am running for SGA Senate to improve the facets of ����̽̽ that many in the student body wish to change, but do not have the power to. By being an advocate for them, my leadership position on senate would create meaningful change across campus and improve the lives of others beyond the material changes we on Senate could make. A record number of college students are facing mental health crises like depression and anxiety. With my addition, I could help the lives of students by creating a school environment that facilitates good mental health and helps those struggling by providing them the resources they need to grow. As someone who has always been the oldest with my friends and family, leadership has been instilled in me for as long as I can remember. Responsibility and sensitivity to others has been a big asset in my life. This became especially true once I started my first job working as a volunteer sailing instructor at Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston, MA. Volunteering at a sailing center taught me how to lead others while dealing with different types of adversity. While we had to deal with typical problems like rough weather and kiddish arguments, many kids dealt with problems that couldn’t be solved so easily. The sailing center was a safe haven for the kids, many of whom couldn’t afford to sail if the camp wasn’t a resource for them. By helping these kids, I learned how to instruct with empathy, and understood the problems many face that I am lucky enough to not know firsthand. This opportunity would influence my position on SGA Senate greatly, as this leadership experience has influenced my person and would help me lead with empathy and gratitude. I served on my high school’s student government as senior secretary, and that experience allowed me to understand how student leadership works, as well as learn how to communicate with people throughout the school and make connections that worked to create change in the school environment. We planned fun events like dress-down days, school trips, and code of conduct revisions that improved morale around the school, and these experiences would aid me greatly in a committee like Student Action and Wellbeing. My plans to improve the university align closely with that of CSAW, and I look forward to an opportunity to work with them to make aspects of ����̽̽ better and more enjoyable for all students. At ����̽̽, I am excited to work with a group of my peers to specifically advance the mental health of the school as a whole. If I were to be voted into Senate, I would work to make students feel safe and supported through improving housing, safety on campus, and making ����̽̽ a space anyone can live and thrive in.

PDF of Kristen's platform

Throughout my time at ����̽̽ there have been numerous occasions in which I wished things were done differently. There were moments I even found myself calling my mom, or best friend from home just to tell them just how frustrated I was. However, I soon realized that I was doing a lot of complaining but not a lot of “doing”. From then on I didn’t just think about the things that bothered me, but instead started thinking about solutions for solving them. Extending library hours (especially on weekends), opening up more “in between class” spots; as currently the library is holding down the fort. Adding more late night dining options, putting more emphasis on the ability for students to create their own clubs/intramural sports, and overall fostering a student body that has school spirit. Unfortunately though, the problem still remained of not having the platform to work towards these goals. This is why I am running for SGA Senate, I want to advocate for the changes ����̽̽ students want to see. My senior year of high school, as Environmental club President, I worked with my mentor teacher in applying for a grant that would allow for composting to take place at our school. Even to apply for this grant we had to fight to get permission from the school. As although the initial cost for the composting system would be covered, the upkeep would be up to the school. This taught me the importance of advocating for what you believe in, and not backing down even when met with setbacks. Thankfully, we got the grant and began working with the company to put this plan into place. Through this process, we were able to set in motion an impactful, and sustainable practice that hopefully will better the community for years to come; and this would not have been possible if not for the advocacy that took place. A core value I have is holding strong to what you believe is right. Of course minds can change when new information is presented, but being able to not back down when faced with disagreement is invaluable. I would love to be this type of advocate for the ����̽̽ student population through the platform of a member of the SGA Senate. I would love to not just think about changes I wish I could make, but actually work towards making them. The SGA Senate is a platform where people who are all advocates for what they believe in, get to work together to make the best changes possible. This is why I would love to be elected to an SGA Senator position.

PDF of Kaitlin's platform

Hi! I’m Liv Hann, I’m a Freshman Linguistics and Political Science double major. I am a musician and artist by day, and a dreamer by night. As a Senator, I would like to prioritize student voices, transparency of administration, and forge concrete plans to make ����̽̽ truly reflect our wants and needs. I hope to use your feedback to create actionable solutions to problems that plague nearly all of us, such as mental health resources, housing complaints, and lack of accessibility. Thank you!

PDF of Liv's platform

Hello my name is Elliot Powell, I am a second year CSIS major. I am passionate about sustainable fashion and playing outdoors. I believe in promoting health, sustainable habits and creativity. My main purpose for running for SGA senate is to create and manage a university clothing resource center (Thrift Store). My desire is to provide a community and space for students to recycle, mend, and acquire clothes and accessories.  I myself have been thrifting all my clothing for the past 8 years. I want to further encourage people to be creative explore the world of fashion while maintaining more responsible values. There is a large community at ����̽̽ that loves fashion, but as an industry and a community we contribute to a unrestrained excessive amount of waste. I believe in the near future perspectives on the environment will shift, but that starts in our communities and their creation of boundaries limiting consumption and waste. I want to represent this feeling and action. I hope to provide sewing machines and teach people how to fix and upcycle they're clothes instead of throwing them away.

PDF of Elliot's platform

Hi! I’m Abi and I think SGA plays a huge role in driving the changes that we want to see on campus, which is why I am running  to be part of the Senate. I’m a Data Science major and an Economics minor, but have always been super involved with volunteer work, which I believe gives me a well-rounded perspective as well as a more “human” outlook on traditionally strategic problems. Whether it’s pushing for better mental health resources, advocating for sustainability initiatives, or making sure underrepresented groups have a platform, I want to make sure these conversations are had.I’ve been involved in leadership roles on campus, having been an orientation leader twice now. I have also organized multiple large-scale volunteer activities at soup kitchens, animal shelters, elderly homes, and beach cleanups and actively volunteer at the nearby correctional center as part of the ����̽̽ Prison Partnership. These experiences have taught me how to navigate complex tasks, work with large groups, and manage budgets effectively. I’m especially interested in serving on the finance committee, though I’m open to helping wherever needed. Specific issues that I would like to help out with are providing more support for non-native English speakers, like myself, and bridging the communication gap between ����̽̽ staff and faculty and students. I believe it’s important to recognize and nurture the relationship between students and those who keep our campus running, like custodians, bus drivers, and dining hall staff. I’d love to work on initiatives that highlight and support these workers.As someone from Puerto Rico, I understand how challenging the transition to ����̽̽ can be, and I feel I can bring a unique perspective to the Senate. My goal is to ensure every student feels represented and heard as we work together to make ����̽̽ the best it can be. I’m committed to advocating for my peers, and I’d be honored to serve as your representative. Thank you for your support!

PDF of Abigail's platform

Hello! I am a current freshman studying social work who would love your vote for a senator in this lovely election. I'm a local guy born and raised in the Champlain Valley who, like many others, wound up at ����̽̽. Though I am relatively new to this institution, I have witnessed a surprising lack of knowledge surrounding important ����̽̽ resources such as Student Health Services and especially CAPS, which I aim to increase awareness and visibility of significantly- perhaps advocating to increase the number of counselors on CAPS as well. I also would enjoy working on activities that improve school spirit at sports games and the feeling of belonging as a whole within our school.At my high school, I was student body vice president and used my prominent role in my community to champion inclusivity, honesty, and mental health awareness. I was part of the first student-held mental health board! It was difficult and surprisingly funny, but ultimately it was highly successful, especially among the younger class (and I had fun). I aim to represent those around me well, especially my fellow CESS students! My program at ����̽̽ is social work, not only focusing on individual care but systematic reform for the better. I intend to bring this focus with me into the student government to bring change and love where the university needs it. During my time as a senator I will bring a positive and loving care to the committee I am placed on and for the benefit of the student body as a whole. Vote Neri! Please! Much love, thank you.

PDF of Anthony's platform

Hi Catamounts, I'm Paul Lemper, I'm from Chester County Pa(right outside of Philly🦅),  and I'm currently a freshman majoring in political science at ����̽̽. This is my first semester at university after studying a semester abroad in the Czech Republic. I chose Vermont because of its closeness to nature and outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and biking, and because of the university's chill environment that encourages me to pursue my interests, also Ben & Jerry's. Some of my experiences in governance and community outreach include being a delegate for my high school's Model U.N club and attending conferences, volunteer work through BSA, community service at a local animal shelter, and taking AP and college courses like Comparative Government, Comparative World Politics, U.S Government and Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. As a new student I can give valuable input into how to better the experience for new students and give my first impressions of the university. I'm running for the senate because I've always had an interest in the functions of government and political structures. I also believe that I would be able to represent the uvm student body and make meaningful change on campus. Some of my main goals for the senate would be advocating for improved affordability, parking, student outreach, and equal access to academic resources. It is also important to promote new clubs and provide a wide range of options for clubs to join. My core value is that every student should be able to express their thoughts on how to improve the university and make a positive impact on students. Every opinion and idea is important in creating a discussion on how to make an enjoyable life on campus.

PDF of Paul's platform