The Student Government Association is made up of both executive and senatorial positions - all of which are filled by student representatives who are elected for seats available at various times throughout the academic year. SGA is committed to a fair and transparent election process that is open to those interested in leadership and advocacy on our campus. Any fully matriculated ̽̽ undergraduate student may run for a senate seat, regardless of their previous involvement in SGA.
All elections are overseen by the Elections Committee, which is chaired by the Chair of Elections. This committee oversees the promotion, execution, and rules of the elections, and is made up of Senators who are not planning to return to the Senate. If you have any questions regarding SGA Senate Elections,please contact the Elections Committee.
SEPTEMBER
First Year Senatorial Elections - 8 Seats
In order to allow new students a voice in their student experience, 8 senate seats are held specifically for First Year students each year. Elections for these seats occur each September. These senators will be sworn in in September, and serve until the following April. Each candidate must complete an SGA Elections Agreement acknowledging their understanding of SGA election rules, and submit their platform via ̽̽ Clubs. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election. All students are able to vote in this election.
Process for Running
- Review the Elections Packet (PDF).
- Attend an SGA Information session.Dates, times, and locations (or meeting links, if applicable) are available on the (opens in a new tab).
- Complete an by 11:59 PM on September 8, 2024.
- Submit receipts for any campaign expenses to the SGA Elections Committee (sgaelect@uvm.edu) by September 8, 2024.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the SGA Elections Committee Chair Carter Purple (Carter.Purple@uvm.edu).
Fall 2024 First Year Candidate Platforms
Platforms will be added as candidates submit them. The deadline to submit a platform is September 8, 2024.
Grace Thompson
Hello my name is Grace Thompson! I want to join SGA to give a voice to the class of 2028. I have always been interested in student government and will bring energy and enthusiasm to the club. I am a confidently fair minded person and can bring these traits to our government by making declarative and just decisions. I feel I have put an effort to meet as many new people as possible at ̽̽. I strive to connect with a variety of individuals who share different passions, talents, and opinions. I want to share the feelings and input of each person I meet to SGA. At my high-school I was a leader of class council for four years, and I was on student council for three years (yes they are different). I also started my own club called Culture Club and was an active member of Woman in Business. These experiences in student government and leadership have taught me how to be in an environment like SGA. I want to increase the diversity of transportation and outings provided by ̽̽, we should all be exploring VT! I also want to diversify the options in the dining halls for those with allergies, or are simply picky. I love this school and I want to help make it even better! Thank you, Grace.
Itai Kolin
Hello fellow Catamounts! My name is Itai Kolin, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Student Government Association Senate. As a recent transfer student, I have had the privilege of experiencing the welcoming and vibrant community here at ̽̽. I am running for the SGA Senate because I believe that every student—whether they've been here for years or just joined our community—deserves a voice that advocates for their needs and aspirations. I want to be that voice.My primary reason for running for the SGA Senate is to ensure that all students feel heard, valued, and supported. As a transfer student, I have a unique perspective on the challenges that come with adjusting to a new environment. I understand how crucial it is to have access to resources, support systems, and a sense of belonging. I want to use this platform to bridge gaps between different student communities and promote initiatives that cater to the diverse needs of our student body.I’m confident that I possess the leadership qualities needed to be an effective senator. At my previous institution, I served as First-Year Representative, where I was elected by my peers to represent their concerns. In this role, I worked diligently to collaborate with fellow student leaders to implement meaningful changes. This experience taught me the importance of active listening, empathy, and effective communication—skills that I will bring to the ̽̽ Senate.There are several issues I am particularly passionate about, and I am eager to address them if elected. For example, transitioning to a new university can be overwhelming. I want to work on improving orientation programs and ongoing support for transfer and first-year students, ensuring they have access to the resources and networks needed for a smooth transition. I also want to underscore the importance of Sustainability Initiatives. As students of ̽̽, we are committed to sustainability. I would like to work on expanding sustainability initiatives on campus, such as increasing recycling and composting stations, promoting eco-friendly practices in dining halls, and supporting student-led sustainability projects. And perhaps most importantly, advocating for inclusivity and diversity is extremely important to any successful institution. ̽̽ is a wonderfully diverse community, and I want to ensure that every student feels represented and included. I will work to support initiatives that foster an inclusive environment, such as cultural events, diversity training, and forums for underrepresented voices.I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to serve as your SGA Senator. I believe that my experiences as a transfer student, my past leadership role, and my passion for student advocacy and social justice uniquely qualify me to represent you. Together, we can work to create a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving campus for all. Thank you for considering me as your candidate—I am ready to listen, learn, and lead for the betterment of our university community.Let's make ̽̽ an even better place for everyone! Vote Itai Kolin for SGA Senate!
Elizabeth Cepeda
My main purpose for running for ̽̽ SGA Senate is to be a strong advocate for student interests and to foster a more inclusive, engaging, and supportive campus community. Having experienced the impact of effective student government in high school, I'm eager to bring my passion for student advocacy and leadership to the university level. Four years of consecutive involvement in my high school’s student government, particularly as an executive board member, have given me a solid foundation in the workings of student representation and advocacy. Managing school clubs and events has equipped me with practical skills in event planning, budgeting, and team coordination – all valuable assets for an SGA Senator. Moreover, my membership in my high school’s student government led me to interactions with state officials like Councilwoman Julie Won and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez; these conversations have further developed my ability to articulate student concerns to those in positions of authority.As a NYC native now studying at ̽̽, I bring a unique perspective that combines urban dynamism with an appreciation for Vermont's community-oriented culture. This background allows me to think creatively about campus issues and propose innovative solutions. As for the issues I'm particularly interested in, several come to mind:1. Mental Health Support: As a Psychological Science major, I'm keenly aware of the importance of mental health, especially in the high-stress college environment. I want to work on expanding mental health resources and reducing the stigma around seeking help.2. Academic Support: Being on the pre-med track, I understand the unique challenges faced by students in rigorous academic programs. I'm interested in developing more robust academic support systems and career preparation resources for both STEM-based and non-STEM-based students.3. Emergency Preparedness: My minor in Emergency Medical Services has made me passionate about campus safety and emergency readiness. I want to work on improving emergency response protocols and increasing student awareness about safety measures.4. Diversity and Inclusion: As a student who is half Greek and half Dominican, I'm committed to fostering a more inclusive campus environment that celebrates all identities and backgrounds.5. Sustainability Initiatives: During high school, I organized and participated in park and beach clean-up events. At ̽̽, I'm interested in promoting eco-friendly practices on campus and encouraging student involvement in sustainability efforts. My extensive experience in student government, combined with my diverse academic interests and life experiences, positions me as a well-rounded candidate for the ̽̽ SGA Senate. I'm excited about the opportunity to serve my fellow students and contribute to making our university an even better place to learn, grow, and thrive. Thank you for considering me for the SGA Senate!
Aria Wetzel
Hey ̽̽! My name is Aria Wetzel (she/her), and I am running for SGA Senate. I am originally from Upstate New York (about 20 minutes from Albany), and I’m a first-year Environmental Studies major. In high school, I was very involved in student government. I served as Student Congress Historian, where I helped engage students in school events and managed various social media accounts. I also worked closely with my high school’s Board of Education to facilitate interactions between the student body and the administration. My main purpose for running for Senate is to become more involved with the community at ̽̽. I want to learn more about my peers, our campus, ̽̽ staff and administration, and also gain insight into the "behind the scenes" work at ̽̽. I aim to ensure that ̽̽ is a welcoming environment for all students and that everyone feels included and heard while they are here. I am also particularly interested in promoting a more sustainable and environmentally mindful campus. My experiences throughout life have shaped me into a communicative, passionate, and empathetic person, and I believe these characteristics will help me be a successful senate member. Some extra fun facts about me: I love to listen to music (especially Mac DeMarco), I play guitar, I love to watch movies, I love taking photos on my digital camera, and I love going to concerts! Overall, I feel like I would be the perfect fit for ̽̽ SGA. I promise to help make an impact on ̽̽’s campus and help ensure all students' voices are heard. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions (Instagram: @ariawetzel, Email: avwetzel@uvm.edu)! I hope you consider voting for me! Thank you for your time! Sincerely, Aria Wetzel
Jack Catchpole
My name is Jack Catchpole and I am running to represent YOU for student government. My main goal as a representative of the student government association is just that, to represent the students. I plan to use my platform to promote the interests of my peers and those around me. Is your chem lab making you buy your own safety equipment? You don’t think there are enough modes of transportation to the greater Burlington area? I will work to find the solutions to your problems. As a member of my high school student government and a peer mentor to underclassmen, I understand the struggle of making your voice heard in a sea of faces. I am a strong and assertive leader that understands the importance of compassion and inclusion when creating our university's policies. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Jake Sparhuber
Hello! My name is Jake Sparhuber, and I am a first-year Nursing major. My main purpose for running for SGA Senate is to defend “Our Common Ground” values and foster a more inclusive and engaged student body. I want to help students feel more connected to campus life and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes. By focusing on building a stronger sense of student identity, I believe we can address some of the systemic challenges we face as a community.Throughout my life, I’ve developed important leadership skills through various roles and experiences. In high school, I served as class treasurer and graduated ranked #6 out of a class of over 300 students with an advanced diploma in math and science. Balancing these academic achievements with my responsibilities has taught me the value of discipline and organization. As a member of a swim club, I’ve also learned the importance of teamwork and perseverance.In addition to my academic and extracurricular involvement, I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, ALS Ride for Life, and the NY Blood Center. These experiences have deepened my understanding of community service and the importance of giving back. I feel confident that my ability to listen, collaborate, and motivate others will allow me to represent the diverse interests of our student body effectively. One issue I am particularly passionate about is ensuring that every student has the opportunity to engage fully in campus life. Whether through improving student outreach or identifying barriers to involvement, I want to help make ̽̽ a place where everyone feels welcomed and empowered.Thank you for considering me for SGA Senate. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or ideas!
Maddy Forrest
Hi! My name is Maddy and I am a first year studying Anthropology and Forestry. I work on projects that benefit those around me. I have experience as a museum coordinator and tour guide at the Museum for Art in Wood in Philadelphia where I talked about environmental sustainability. My goals if elected are to promote environmental activism and education on campus, create more green spaces, and continue to work towards making ̽̽ a more inclusive and accepting environment.
Nick Jandrue
I wish to be involved and active within my time at ̽̽, and being part of the governing body is one of the best ways I can accomplish this. I do not hope to do this for just myself, but for the campus and state as a whole. It is easy to be disillusioned with politics anywhere, and to believe that the age of progress has come to a halt. The only way to push this notion back is to become the notion, not just within a nation but throughout a nation. The best way to get involved, is to be involved. I don't believe in the notion of essential characteristics simply through words, I consider myself to be an honest, logical person who is swayed by fact rather than confirming my own biases, but that is something which most people believe about themselves. I want my actions to be stronger than my words, and I have faith that this sentiment is quite common among my potential contemporaries.I have enjoyed volunteering within and getting to know my community back home in Massachusetts, spending time helping out through the local library, at music and fine arts events my school held, some of which I had to actively participate in. Whether through the fantastic MICCA concerts, which are crucial to the local music education, or at the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot that has fed countless families on the famous holiday; I have enjoyed simply being a small part of a huge effort for good.The right that students have to express their discontent, whether through posters, protests or otherwise, must not be infringed. Student advocates deserve a seat at the table, and denial of that seat is the denial of the democratic process itself. ̽̽ is just one of many schools to experience student protests, it is of the utmost importance that these people are protected, not any more or less than anyone else, but with the same dignity afforded to the everyman as to not have to fear retribution for representation.
Tess Oreck
Who is She! My name is Tess Oreck, and I was born x Raised in Los Angeles, CA (West coast where we at ayy). I Extensive student government, advocacy group, and club leadership experience, along with experience in cultural exchange programs such as my year abroad to Puglia, Italy. I am currently a Studio Art x Biology double major, but am passionate about philosophy, sociology, and am a huge film enthusiast (letterboxd @tesso). I am a proud Young Democratic Socialist of America member and hope to build my senatorship on the basis of democratic principles. Goals I hope to decide on SGA projects via collective discussions and student surveys, such as supporting local labor movements through SGA’s voice, policy, and event organization; supporting students’ rights to speak, organize, and protest; and upping student unity & energy through student organizations and events. Additionally, I am focused on bringing MORE of the following to ̽̽: student art around campus, cultural exchange events on campus and gingers in SGA senate. Say YES to TESS!!!!
Ella Nurkanovic
I want to run for a first-year Student Government Association (SGA) Senate position because I believe I would bring a new mindset and skillset that isn’t yet available to the SGA. I want to bring my knowledge of Vermont and campus life that I have from living in VT my whole life and my experience from being on my high school’s student government for the last four years to SGA and improve the relationship between the SGA and students. I want it to feel like each student can improve campus how they see fit, so I want to be in a role where I can improve the communication lines between students and administration through the relationship with SGA. I have a lot of experience in a leadership position and hold many characteristics where people have felt confident enough to give me these roles. Some qualities that make me a wonderful candidate are that I am caring and kind. I have grown up thirty minutes from campus my whole life. This campus and the outer community have been my home forever. I want the best for our school community and the outer Burlington community. I want to see it thrive, and I think that care for our community will pave the way for me to operate in SGA. I would also be kind and understanding to our student body, clubs, environment, and every other topic SGA holds near and dear to their hearts. I want to see every student at ̽̽ thrive and make a positive impact on their experience and years here. As I’ve mentioned above, I am qualified for this position because of my years of experience in a similar body. I was the president of my high school’s student council this past year. Before that, I held officer positions for the three previous years. Being involved in my school community was a passion project that I wish to continue during my time here at ̽̽. I want to challenge myself to be an even better person for my community to add to my growth and experience. I believe this experience will do me well in this senate position. Not only do I have experience in student government, but I also have lots of experience with people in the community on the local and state level. I have many connections that could help me bridge the gaps between campus life and Burlington/Vermont life. I know how vital our university is to Vermont, especially Burlington, so I want to help connect the two more and have students interact with life outside campus. I am not limited to any single cause in my intention to run for student government, but I am open to supporting any cause and bringing anything to the attention of the Student Government Association. My most important piece is that I would be the point person for you to help contact the administration and become the change you want to see. I would be in this position for every student who doesn’t have the opportunity to run for this position because I would like to be the voice of everyone and anyone. Thank you, and please vote for me, Ella Nurkanovic, this week!
Willa Quinn
Hi y’all! My name is Willa Quinn and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a freshman here at ̽̽ and I’m majoring in nursing! I’m very passionate about mental health and volunteer work gearing towards kids. At my high school I volunteered in a program that focused specifically on teaching middle school aged children wellness skills such as stress management, mindfulness, and developing healthy lifestyle choices. Throughout this experience I learned that my main passion is helping kids, especially through wellness and mental health exercises. That’s the kind of attitude I want to bring to ̽̽. I want to implement more mental health resources for students’ and bring awareness to the subject so people can feel comfortable reaching out for help. My main goals are making sure that people can feel like they are supported on campus and aren’t afraid to speak out for help. I want to help normalize that everyone struggles with mental health at some point and that it’s ok to ask for help! Some extra facts about me is that I love my chocolate lab, Bear and my 2 cats, Momo and Pixie. I love spending time outdoors, I've found that it’s super beneficial to my own mental health struggles. Hiking and backpacking relieves my anxiety as well as it being some of my favorite activities. I love volunteering and I want to bring my experience learned through past volunteer work to the SGA at ̽̽. Thanks ya'll so much for reading and vote Willa for senate!
Armstrong Curren
Hey y’all, my name is Armstrong Curren, and I am a freshman running for SGA senate. I am from Reston, Virginia, and am studying business. I know, I’m a heartless business major who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life, right? Well, I do know that I want to help people. In the few short weeks I’ve been here, I’ve been introduced to all the great resources ̽̽ has to offer. One area I noticed lacking, however, is student physical fitness. In high school, I stayed away from the gym neglecting physical fitness. Near the end of high school, I got some friends who would work out with me. I want to create a program in that students can use to become more knowledgeable about the gym which in turn will help them to become more comfortable using the athletic amenities on campus. I have experience leading social change and creating new programs to help the community. In high school, I was the senior patrol leader for my scouting troop eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. I spent time working with my troop to conduct service projects, food drives, and fundraising events for local charities. I continued strengthening my leadership skills in other positions in theatre, sports, and at my job as a pool manager. From my experiences, I am no stranger to deadlines, pressure, and being assertive. Overall, as a person I value the people in my community above all else. I would love to hear from other students about ways we can continue to help ̽̽ thrive. If you have any questions or just want to reach out, my email is acurren@uvm.edu and I hope you consider me for senate.
Patrick Toomey
I am running for SGA senate because I am a firm believer that self-involvement is crucial to the well-being of a community, especially positive, leadership-based positions such as SGA. I am a hard worker and when I decide to do something I put my all into it. I am a first-generation college student. I am a nursing major, so looking out for others, and acting as a voice for others is something I am naturally drawn to. I would love to have the opportunity to represent my classmates. Some of my qualifications are as follows: Class President (12th grade) Class Vice President (11th grade) Student Council Vice President (11th grade) Massachusetts Association of Student Councils - Central District Delegate - (Regional officer position) (11th grade) I am a first-generation college student so I feel very strongly about representing other first-gen students and making sure that all of their needs are met, I had the opportunity to attend the first-gen pre-orientation program which exposed me to many individuals who are/were in the same position as myself. If there is anything that I can do to help support other first-gen students I am all for it! and I believe this to be the perfect platform to do so!
Angela Matos
1) My primary reason for running for the Student Government Association Senate is to be able to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for students of color. As a student of color I value inclusion and openness something we all value within this ̽̽ community, yet there are still students who still feel like they are being isolated from the rest of the community. I want to be able to make things more welcoming and accessible for students who feel underrepresented at ̽̽. If elected, I will adhere to all students diligently by reinforcing the bridge between students of color and centers like the division of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the mosaic, and much more. 2)One of the many leadership-like skills I have is my ability to stay organized. I preside that student leaders need the capability to stay organized and informed. Staying organized has helped me in the past by allowing me to comply with stressful matters quickly and effectively. For instance, in high school, I was in a leadership class that was in charge of all student events like the fashion show, talent show, Christmas show, and athlete appreciation day, and in this class we found ourselves dealing with delays. One of these many delays had accrued due to lack of communication and conflict of interest, yet through all of this, I was able to stay organized and finish my work to help others who were struggling to be able to finish on time and get ahead of other events. I plan to bring this level of organization and more to the Senate to be able to guarantee events are planned effectively.3)Yes, I do have a supply of experiences that qualify me as a great candidate for the student senate. In my leadership class, I was able to make flyers and plan events that required time, money, and collaboration to capture people's attention. These experiences have helped me develop decision-making, time management, and forward-thinking skills that will allow me to manage big projects.4)To me one of the most pressing issues is mental health. As a first year, I can't deny that I've had my fair share of internal issues with no way of dealing with them. Many students have addressed feeling stressed and anxious due to this new chapter in their lives. I want to advocate for students who need an ear to listen. I plan to make awareness of mental health by finding ways to organize wellness workshops and work on creating a peer support network more accessible for students who are afraid of stepping out there comfort zone. This matter holds dear to my heart and I am hoping to spread awareness and make accessibility for these issues.
Luke Dodson
Hi I'm Luke Dodson (He/Him pronouns), a first-year student studying in the LASP Humanities Program at ̽̽ and I’m running for SGA senate. I’m a former Americorps Conservation Corps Member, Eagle Scout, nationally-registered EMT, former appointed SGA member for my high school, and a local foosball cryptid. I believe in improving the overall student experience at ̽̽ - specifically streamlining the ̽̽ student portal interface, Brightspace. Two years ago both D2L (Brightspace) and Canvas were evaluated to replace the old learning management system. Despite significant student and facility support for Canvas, Brightspace was chosen. Many of the students and faculty that I've talked to have lamented the complicated and convoluted UI of Brightspace and have deferred to Canvas as a superior platform. If I were to be elected I would advocate for online tools and resources that would befit the professional standards of an accredited learning institution such as ̽̽. As a former Americorps Conservation Corps member, as well as a recipient of the meritorious service award from MCPS for well over 260+ hours of community service, I have a long standing interest in serving the community. Election to the SGA senate would allow me to further continue to broaden my impact by organizing and collaborating with local volunteer groups to better the surrounding Burlington community. Being on the front lines and seeing the impact of climate change in our nation's great parks and forests has given me great appreciation for ̽̽’s attention to a campus that focuses on sustainability and environmental education. And finally the most important reason why I'm running is YOU! Your opinion and perspective as a ̽̽ student is why I’m running. A positive student experience at ̽̽ where all students' concerns are heard is key to making ̽̽ an institution where students, staff, faculty, and administration can be proud of; a place where no one gets left behind. My gap year experience and speaking to and connecting with people who hold diverse views and opinions has given me respect and empathy for all opinions and experiences. Being on SGA would allow me to understand the views of all ̽̽ students and advocate for student needs.
Lily Onorato
Hi everyone! My name is Lily Onorato, and I hope that you vote for me to represent you on the ̽̽ SGA Senate. I want to start this off by allowing you to get to know the person you would be voting for. I am a first year studying psychology, from Westchester NY (a little outside the city). I love anything music related, taking pictures, going to the gym, being in nature, thrifting, and of course, my 3-year-old cat Sadie! I am extremely passionate and put my heart into everything that I am involved in, which is why I know that I am the perfect candidate to represent the ̽̽ student body. Something that I am particularly passionate about is mental health awareness. I am an avid advocate that everyone should have a place where they feel safe, comfortable, and supported, and I want to help make University of Vermont that place for all students. As for prior experience, I was the student government president my senior year of high school. I was also lucky enough to hold many other leadership positions throughout the school in clubs and sports. During my time in student government, I created and ran the student concerns committee, where I was an active liaison between the student body and administration. Through communication and connection within the school, I was able to pass multiple policies and run events that promoted student well-being and community. I intend on bringing this experience to the ̽̽ SGA and building upon it for bigger and better things in the future. I will always be an ear to listen and am not afraid to speak up, so by electing me to be part of your senate, I can guarantee you someone who truly cares about you, the individual, and wants to make a positive change here on campus. I know the value of having a voice, and I am more than willing to do what it takes to allow yours to be heard. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me, and vote Lily Onorato for SGA Senator. Feel free to reach out with any questions or just to say hi! lonorato@uvm.edu IG: _lilyonorato
Kaitlyn O'Connor
Hi! My name is Kaitlyn O’Connor and I’m from Steep Falls, Maine. I’m a Sustainability, Policy, and Ecology major here at Rubenstein. I did some government programs and stuff in high school, it was really fun and I realized I love making/reading/debating bills and public policy with people. No matter what committee I’m put on I know I will be a part of the conversation to a better ̽̽. I know that my voice will be heard because I will advocate for things that will benefit everyone at ̽̽. For instance, trashcans, where are they? There are no trash cans out along paths and I have already seen so much littering and these trash cans would prevent that. Going along with that, where are all the benches? I know that a lot of people, including myself, wanna just sit somewhere and eat, study, or just take a break, but the only real seating is only outside of Davis. Those are just a couple things, but trust me when I say I will speak out on issues that are present to ̽̽ students and staff. Thank you for reading if you made it through!
Celia Chapman
Hello! My name is Celia Chapman and I’m from Hopkinton, Massachusetts; I am a first-year Economics and English double major in CAS & the Patrick Leahy Honors College. As a Simon Family Scholar at ̽̽, I am deeply committed to community service and leadership. I have had so many amazing educational opportunities and it’s so important to me to give back. I’ve been a very active member of both my local and high school communities and hope to continue to do so through SGA!I have strong communication skills and consider myself to be very friendly and approachable. I’m extroverted, but also thoughtful and reflective. I embrace challenges and am more than willing to have difficult conversations. I’m not afraid to speak my mind, but I am also good at listening to and collaborating with others. For the past 4 years, I have been working and volunteering for the College Axis Project, a non-profit organization working to create equity within college counseling and academic advising for high school students. I have been coordinating the nonprofit’s Student Advisory Board, raising scholarship money for those in need, and this summer, I had the opportunity to work with low-income scholarship students, helping to guide them through the application process.I also have served on several non-profit boards myself: The Hopkinton Center for the Arts, and the Mental Health Collaborative– both local organizations in my hometown.At the first high school I attended, I served as President of my Class (freshman and sophomore years) before transferring. At my new school, I became a peer tutor (Economics, Math & English), an active and leading member of the Student DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee, President of the Student Investment Committee, and Captain of the Varsity Softball Team!As mentioned above, I have spent most of my high school experience focusing on issues such as accessibility in education, environmental concerns, diversity, equity and inclusion, and promoting the arts. Some other matters that I care deeply about and hope to focus on this year are income inequality, reproductive rights, and housing and food insecurity.I love to try new things and I am looking forward to exploring my interest in government and policy while continuing my passion for service through ̽̽ SGA. Thank you for your consideration!
Michelle Osei
I am running for the SGA to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. My primary goal is to ensure that every student’s voice is heard, particularly those who may feel marginalized or underrepresented. As a young black woman I know how it feels to be underestimated and unheard. One way of making this change is joining the student government. I believe that joining student government could make an impact on mine and my peers' college experience. I am passionate about building a more diverse community where students from different backgrounds feel valued and have access to many opportunities. I wholeheartedly believe that I provide many characteristics that would make me a strong student leader. For example, I am empathetic, supportive, and a good listener. I’m open to feedback and always looking for new ways to improve. Additionally, I‘m excited to collaborate with diverse groups of people and bring various perspectives together to find solutions. During my high school experience, I participated in leadership classes and became a mentor through clubs, where I have successfully advocated for student needs and assisted in improving student life. These experiences have helped me develop my abilities to become a strong candidate for student government. One issue that I am particularly passionate about is bringing diversity. People of color face immense pressure in order to fit in and feel comfortable. It’s no secret about how rare it is to see a colored person around the school. This encourages me to fight for more welcoming spaces for Black people. In conclusion, I am running for the SGA to be a dedicated advocate for student concerns. I firmly trust in my strong sense of leadership, to provide an impactful experience. I assure you that I will work hard to make sure that student’s voices are heard. Together, we can make a difference.
Indalesy Geraldo
Hello everyone! My name is Indalesy Geraldo, and I am a first-year business administration major from New Jersey. I am running for first-year SGA senate because it's an opportunity to get more involved in campus life here at ̽̽ and pursue my passion for advocating and standing up for what's right. Serving on the senate committee will enable me to be a point of contact for students regarding any issues they may have and allow me to be a voice for them when they feel underrepresented on campus.
Kevin Denny
-About me- Hey everyone! My name is Kevin Denny, I use he/him pronouns, and I’m a current freshman from Kentucky. I live in U Heights and study Political-Science. A few random things about me (that are probably un-important, but I’m telling you anyways) is that I love the Fall, certainly the best season, chai and Dr Pepper are my favorite drinks, Fleetwood Mac and Lana Del Ray are top tier, I love to run, and my friends mean everything to me. Most importantly, I am ecstatic to be here at ̽̽, and cannot wait to call this place my home for the next four years!-Why SGA Senate-On a more relevant note, there are a multitude of reasons why I would love to be selected as a member of the SGA Senate: Of course, I have a passion for public policy and law, and being a member of the senate allows me to expand my passions towards a more practical approach– a position in the Senate gives me the opportunity to utilize my skills in leadership and public policy to improve ̽̽ where she needs improving. Moreover, in this position, I will strive to represent the student body of ̽̽ selflessly and always put the needs of my fellow undergraduates above my own. I will of course strive to uphold our Common Ground values: openness, justice, respect, responsibility, integrity, and innovation to ensure ̽̽ feels safe and welcoming to all of its students and residents. -My Goals For The Future of ̽̽- 1.) Campus Inclusion It is without doubt that ̽̽ has an above average LGBTQ student-body, which I’m sure makes a multitude of people, myself included, feel safer and better represented than the majority of other universities in the US. Representation, however, could always be improved for other demographics at ̽̽. Over 80% of our undergraduate student-body is white, leaving less than 20% of our undergraduates being people of color. I intend to use my position of authority to advocate for people of color on campus and ensure the SGA committee on diversity, inclusion, and equity collaborate with the SGA committee of finance to give more funding toward minority supporting organizations at ̽̽. 2.) Campus Safety I’m just going to blatantly say it because there’s no better way to put it, but men can be pigs! And quite frankly, ̽̽ has a history and is aware of its history with sexual assault violence. More recently, there has been an increase of violence in the city of Burlington as well, leaving the student body of ̽̽ more vulnerable to danger. As a member of the SGA Senate, I would strive to increase partnership with Burlington Law Enforcement to ensure better safety for all ̽̽ students. 3.) Use Me as a Resource to get Your Voice Heard! There are so many other brilliant ideas and things that could be done at ̽̽, the problem is, I believe it is not as easy and efficient enough for everyone on campus to suggest their ideas. This is where I can help– Simply reach out to me via instagram or my email, and I will suggest your ideas in future student government meetings. I simply want to help, and you reaching out is not a burden, so once again, use me as a resource to get your voice heard! After all, that’s kinda the whole purpose of a “senate.” Thank you everyone for taking time out of your day to hear me ramble, I truly appreciate it! A vote for me is a vote for you!
Voting
Campus-wide voting for SGA First Year Senators will occur on from September 11- 13, 2024.
JANUARY
Midterm Elections
Occasionally senator seats become available between the fall and spring semesters. If this happens, midterm elections are held in January or February to fill these vacancies. Students running for one of these seats must complete an SGA Elections Agreement and submit their platform via ̽̽ Clubs. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
Process for Running
2024 Mid-term Elections information below:
- Attend an SGA Information Session:
- January 20 | 1 PM |
- January 21 | 6PM |
- January 22 | 5PM | SGA Office - Gormley Conference Room
- January 23 | 12PM | SGA Office - Gormley Conference Room
- by January 25 (extended from 1/24) at 11:59 PM.
2024 Candidate Platforms
Candidate platforms will be added by 4PM on Friday, January 26, in the order in which they were received.
Lauren Knopp
Hello ̽̽! My name is Lauren Knopp, I use she/her pronouns, I am a part of the class of 2027 and I am from Nashua, New Hampshire. I grew up in Ocean View, New Jersey and many of my experiences as a leader have been in an educational setting in New Jersey. I served on the Ocean City Board of Education, the New Jersey Board of Education, and was a research assistant for the National Association of State boards of Education. Through this work, I was able to review curriculum on the district level, review state learning standards on the state level, and explore the issues of mental health in public education on the national level, developing and outlining an action plan to certify more school psychologists. I have presented research to the CDC and ChildTrends and published an article on technology in education in The State Education Standard. As a potential senator, there one category of issues in particular I would like to focus on: academic issues. This would include anything under the umbrella of course registration, course over-enrollment, and class availability. At my high school, I was a part of a task force assigned the job of amending course registration issues, as the enrollment numbers for core courses exceeded 40 students while others would lull at around 5. In addition to this, some teachers were forced to work more hours than their contract stated. By the time I graduated, all core courses hovered between 15-25 students and teachers had course-loads comparable to other teachers within their same discipline in Cape May County and Atlantic County. I hope that I can help amend issues with the academic setting. I am running for SGA senate because I believe that continuously working towards the betterment of an organization is always worth the time and effort. I am diligent in everything that I do, and I can promise you that I will do everything within my power and experience to better the academic experience of ̽̽ students if elected. A little bit extra about me: I love to ski and snowshoe (smuggs for life), I love to read fantasy books, and I love nothing more than going cafe hopping with a good book and some money for window shopping. I'm a math and computer science major currently (although I've been thinking about switching to economics). See you around campus, and vote Lauren Knopp for SGA Senator!
James Surak
I am running for SGA Senator because I would like to be a part of a group that is making real change in our community and I thrive in environments like that. I have noticed many things on our campus concerning accessibility, campus food, and school clubs and activities and I hope to take steps to improve the quality of life for every student on campus. The main characteristics that would enable me to thrive as a student leader are my communication and group working skills. I am hardworking and able to collaborate with many people while having an open mind. I was in a project-based learning program in high school that gave me a lot of experience working in group settings about school-wide issues. I was able to take the role of leader during many of these projects and found that I thrived in that role. I led the creation of an inclusion and diversity mural in our high school and I facilitated many group research projects including one on glass and single-stream recycling. In each of these projects, I was able to foster a collaborative environment that enabled diverse perspectives to be heard, respected, and productive together. I have found that my personality allows me to bond with people from all different demographics. I enjoy meeting new people and I feel like this role will allow me to do so. I was also part of a leadership council focused on learning in new and innovative ways. There was only one student from each high school grade to join this leadership council and the application process was similar to this one. I worked directly with teachers and administration from the entire school district to foster growth and innovation. While ̽̽ does a lot to improve the student and campus experience, I do think there are several areas where there is room for improvement. The school’s accessibility for students with disabilities and the distribution of quality food throughout the campus. In terms of accessibility, our school lacks many resources that would make it easier for people with physical disabilities. Many of the living community buildings don’t have any sort of elevator and ones that do often have them shut off or down in fear of students using them wrongly. On campus, there are ramps and elevators around, but most ramps are very hard to traverse during the cold and icy winter months and the elevators or inside ramps are often very far out of the way or completely inaccessible. Since I arrived at ̽̽, I and many others have found the food at the dining halls lacking. For places like Trinity and Redstone, the remoteness of the living communities doesn’t allow for access to all of the dining halls. The options at a place like Northside Dining are often very slim with only one hot option, the salad bar, and a pancake station to fill up the students on Trinity. Whether or not you think this is enough food, the quality of most of the options is lacking. These are the main issues I would like to look into if selected as a senator. I hope you will agree that I would be a great fit for an SGA Senator position and I hope you consider me for this position.
Iz Lucero
Hello, y'all! My name is Iz Lucero, and I use they/them pronouns. I am originally from Rockland County, NY, and my family is from the Philippines. I am a new transfer student this Spring 2024 semester majoring in Global Studies with Junior standing. I was on the student senate at my previous school (Lehigh University), serving on the Club Affairs committee. I am particularly passionate about the environment and sustainability, LGBTQIA+ issues, supporting and representing students of color and other minorities, and advocating for holistic care for all students. Why these topics? Environment and Sustainability: At Lehigh, I was a head eco-rep, leading a team to plan multiple events to educate and encourage students to move towards more sustainable practices to better our planet. I also worked as a youth representative for an NGO at the United Nations, whose mission centered on education regarding ecological issues. Some of my duties in this role included articulating the goals of the NGO at the United Nations in New York City and improving the programs presented by the NGO. LGBTQIA+: I identify as queer and non-binary. I understand from first-hand experience what it's like growing up queer, especially in a not so accepting environment, and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. I transferred from my previous school due to a lack of acceptance of my identity. I want to be a support and advocate for LGBTIA+ students, and I want them to feel truly represented. Being a Student of Color and Lifting up Other Minorities: I am proudly the child of two immigrants. I love this identity and the culture that comes with it. ̽̽, being a PWI, can be difficult for students of color and other minorities to navigate. I am also a global studies major and understand the importance of elevating the voices of those often not heard, not necessarily speaking for them. As a member of the SGA, I promise to always use a culturally sensitive approach to best serve the student body. Holistic Approach for Students: I have personally struggled with my mental and physical health. I know what it's like, and being a college student adds much stress to simply existing in the world. As a member of SGA I am not just serving you as a student, I am serving you as a whole person. I think a holistic approach is necessary because there are so many facets to each person and I want to do my best to accurately represent and help YOU! I know I've only been at ̽̽ for a short amount of time, but I already love it here, and I want to make it a place everyone can also love. I also recognize that the university could do with some improvements. I want to make those possible by listening to you and elevating your voice to enhance your college experience.
Cameron Laychak
I’m a lifelong Vermonter and avid Skier. during my high school career I was an active member of my school newspaper, becoming editor-in-Chief my junior and senior year. I also contributed to the institution of the equity policy at my high school. I believe this shows that I have the experience to make lasting change. I believe regardless of what your situation is; you should be supported, succeed and thrive at ̽̽. Promoting student safety is a big priority to me. Over the course of the next few years, ̽̽ is going to remove the blue light system. I stand in opposition to this decision. I believe students deserve to feel safe on their campus. Every student deserves to have their health and wellbeing supported both mentally and physically. Advocating for better mental health resources will be a priority of my time in the SGA senate.
Rawley Gottfurcht
1) I want to be an example to students to show the importance of teamwork, communication, and what they can achieve when they believe they can do something. 2.) I am excellent at taking to people. Ask any freshman on campus and they probably know me. 3.) I have been on student council every year since 5th grade. And I was apart of my high school’s ecological social justice leadership and we were rated the most sustainable high school in the west due to our efforts to make school carbon neutral (brophy college prep) 4.) I want to deal with club funding
Rubi Espejo
Hello! My name is Rubi Espejo and I am a first-year political science major here at ̽̽. My main purpose for running for SGA Senate is to help better the student environment at ̽̽ through improving diversity efforts, as well as improving connections in our community of Burlington. As our institution is dedicated to improving connections with Burlington, the state of Vermont, as well as across the country, ̽̽ can play a huge role as a state institution and that starts with the students. As I am in a new place, one of my goals has been to make connections with individuals to better my experience, as well as to learn and improve as an individual. I have always been a leader not just with school organizations but even in my own community. I am a very personable person as well, and I feel that this trait makes it easy to connect to people, especially in a professional setting. In the past, I have been involved with organizations such as the Cultural Competence Committee, Leadership Congress, a coach for Unified Sports, as well as a Student Representative for my district's Board of Education. With all of those experiences, it has helped me gain a better perspective of a wide range of issues and experiences that contributes to how I move forward as an individual today. As I have previously mentioned, diversity is a very important topic to me. My father is Cuban and Mexican, and my mother is Irish and French-Canadian, but they raised both me and my brother bilingual. Our culture is extremely important to my family, and as I discover myself in this new home, I want to make sure other people feel as comfortable here with their culture as they would at home. To touch more on connecting with the community, I think that having community outreach is very important to the students here at ̽̽. To make it more accessible or easier for students to be involved would be great, and even to connect with Vermont legislators. By serving on SGA, I will take in any and every prospective student perspective to improve the way SGA can help the University. Thank you so much and feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns!
Voting
Campus-wide voting will occur from January 29-31, 2024. Ballots are be available online on .
MARCH-APRIL
SGA President & Vice-President Elections
The President and Vice President candidates run in General Elections in the Spring semester (March-April). Each candidate must complete an SGA Elections Agreement acknowledging their understanding of SGA election rules, and submit their platform via ̽̽ Clubs. Additionally, candidates must collect 150 signatures on an electronic SGA Election Petition which will be provided to the candidate upon submission of their Elections Agreement & Platform. Candidates for these positions can campaign together as a ticket, but are not voted on jointly.A limit of $150.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election. A public Presidential and Vice Presidential debate is mandatory for all candidates during the campaign period.
Process for Running
2024 President & Vice-President Elections information below:
- Complete an on ̽̽ Clubs by March 25, 2024. Once your Elections Agreement has been processed, the Elections Chair will provide you with a link to your unique electronic Elections Petition.
- Collect a minimum of 150 signatures via your provided SGA Election Petition by 12 PM on March 27, 2024. Note that candidates cannot begin collecting signatures until they have declared their candidacy and submitted their platform via the Elections Agreement.To ensure maximum time to collect signatures, we recommend that you complete your Elections Agreement & Platform as soon as possible.
- Attend a mandatory Information Session via Microsoft Teams. Dates, times, and meeting links are available on the (opens in a new tab).
- Participate in the Presidential and Vice Presidential debate on March 28, 2024 at 6PM in Jost Foundation Room (4th floor, Davis Center).
- Submit receipts for any campaign expenses to the SGA Elections Committee by March 30, 2024.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the SGA Elections Committee Chair.
2024 Candidate Platforms
Candidate platforms will be added in the order in which they were received.
Mahder Teferra
My name is Mahder Teferra and I want to be YOUR next SGA president. I'm a Junior studying Agroecology and Landscape Design and I have been the Chair of the Committee on the Environment on SGA for the past two years. Involvement on campus has been my priority since even before my time on the Senate. I work for Campus Recreation, Athletics and University Program Board, New Student Orientation as well as being a part of the development team for the Preventing Interpersonal Violence via Outreach and Training (PIVOT) program because keeping our community safe is something that is very important to me. My goals for this presidency include strengthening the relationship between SGA and the student body, continuing existing efforts on increasing the student activity fee that will allow clubs to grow and prosper, and working on getting a thrift store on campus aimed at reducing waste that goes to landfill. Living off campus has also given me a new perspective on the issues that plague the Burlington community. I find it important to balance the needs of the ̽̽ community while also leaving a positive impact on this city and its permanent residents.Last semester, I proposed legislation to two representatives to address opioid overdoses in the Burlington community, bill(H.705) was introduced and is now sits in the House Committee on Human Services. Talks on issues such as housing and mental health are ones I have been a part of since I first joined SGA and I want to continue talking to students to work on bettering the resources we are provided. Although this position works closely with administration, my commitment and dedication to students is something that will always be a top priority. I have always preached accountability and been outspoken in my criticism of our administration's practices. I have appreciated and learned from my time on SGA and at this school so far. The connections I have made to so many communities on campus has fueled my desire to run for this position. I see this as an opportunity to be a better advocate and leave SGA stronger for future students. I love ̽̽ because of you all, but know there is much work to be done. There is no other way I want to spend my senior year than leading this group and being a voice for the people. My email (Mahder.Teferra@uvm.edu) are always open so please reach out with anything or if you want to meet to talk! Questions, comments, concerns, I'm all ears.
Matt Sorensen
I am running to be the President of the ̽̽ Student Government Association because I believe I have the experience and skills to create a campus where every person of every identity feels valued and heard and students are included in University decision making. My name is Matt Sorensen. I am a junior at ̽̽ from Vernon Vermont. I major in Political Science and double minor in Business Administration and Community and International Development. Since coming to campus I have looked for opportunities to make a positive impact on the ̽̽ community. I have worked as a member of the Athletic Event Staff for 3 years, I TA CDAE 2020, I have been an orientation leader, and I have been a member of SGA for the past 3 years. I joined SGA my freshman year, and have since chaired the SGA Finance Committee and spent a year and a half as the SGA Treasurer. My work in SGA has always been focussed on making students' experience on campus better. As Treasurer I have worked closely with our 250 recognized student organizations to fund club activities and try to simplify financial processes for clubsigners. I also created a SGA club debt forgiveness program that forgave the debts of over 50 clubs which has allowed those organizations to operate more freely. Additionally, I have been working with members of the ̽̽ Administration and club leaders to expand the resources of SGA to better support student organizations. Outside of my work within the SGA Finance Office I have spent time advocating for our underrepresented community members. I have worked with Student Financial Services to expand resources available to students who need to stay on campus over breaks and pay break housing fees. I have also written and passed two resolutions garnering student support for ̽̽ Staff United's organizing and bargaining efforts. As President, I will be a voice for every person on campus. I have seen in my experience working with student groups on campus how important it is to include student voices in decision making. Before I announced my campaign I reached out to every SGA recognized club on campus and several other student groups to get feedback on what students wanted to see me work on and prioritize as President. I have since met with dozens of groups to listen and learn what was important to different groups. If I am elected I will use the access to administration and power that the SGA President has to uplift the voices of underrepresented communities on campus.
Liv Bednarik
Hello Catamounts! My name is Liv Bednarik. I am a current sophomore studying Political Science and Sociology. Since my fall semester of Freshman year, I have had the privilege of serving as your student representative on SGA. From Senator on the Committee of Academic Affairs, to Chair of the Committee of Student Action and Wellbeing, my time on SGA has not only transformed my college experience but has introduced me to the many communities found throughout campus. During these past two years, some of my proudest moments come from the projects I have accomplished. Within this past year alone, some of my projects have included successfully leading and organizing the ad hoc for Fall '23 Week of Kindness, passing a resolution signed by students supporting ̽̽ Staff United, and implementing an anti-bias preamble in course evaluations to mitigate bias that affects BIPOC and women faculty. With all of this, I feel as though I have the passion and the skills to be your Vice President of SGA. I'm running for Vice President because I'm confident in my ability to hold real and honest conversations with administration in the places where there are lapses in intermediary communication. I see how hard students work around this campus to call out injustices and to create a welcoming community for everyone. It's inspiring to me and I want to ensure that we don't lose that voice, that empowerment that makes people feel like they can go out and inspire real change in their community. I want more chairs at the table for everyone when this University makes decisions that affect our student body the most.
Voting
Campus-wide voting will occur on ̽̽ Clubs from April 3-5, 2024.
Senatorial Elections - 34 Seats
A majority of SGA seats are elected during General Elections, which take place in the Spring semester (March-April). 34 seats are available for all class years. These senators will be sworn in in April, and serve until the following April. Each candidate must complete an SGA Elections Agreement acknowledging their understanding of SGA election rules, and submit their platform via ̽̽ Clubs. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
Process for Running
2024 Senate Elections information below:
- Complete an on ̽̽ Clubs by March 25, 2024.
- Attend a mandatory Information Session via Microsoft Teams. Dates, times, and meeting links are available on the(opens in a new tab).
- Submit receipts for any campaign expenses to the SGA Elections Committee by March 30, 2024.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the SGA Elections Committee Chair.
2024 Candidate Platforms
Platforms will be added as they are received.
Megan Steele
Hi ̽̽! My name is Megan Steele (she/her/hers), and I am running for the SGA Senate. I am originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland and am a rising junior here at ̽̽ majoring in Secondary Education (Social Studies) and minoring in Religion. In high school, I served on the Executive Board of the Student Council as Secretary and held a few other leadership positions around the school. With the Exec Board, I helped plan student events, heard student body concerns, and helped raise money for future events. During this time, COVID was still on the newer side, so we had to be extremely flexible with plans as we maintained safety standards during the pandemic. This meant staying up to date with new regulations and having to alter events in order to make them both more accessible to students as well as safer in order for them to attend. Alongside student council, I served as co-chair of our school's No Place For Hate committee. As co-chair, I helped organize events, including a Kindness in Action Week, presented to the student body on ways we can disarm hate in our school community, and attended several meetings with members from around the US where we discussed different ways to tackle the problem of hate in schools. While this was almost 3 years ago, I still am committed to creating a safe and fun environment for all students. I am compassionate, empathetic, patient, and I would say I'm also a pretty good listener. My goal with SGA is to help facilitate student interaction around campus and to provide more opportunities for students to get to know not only each other, but their campus and city as well. If elected, I will do my best to make sure student organizations are taken care of and that new organizations are welcomed and supported. Each person on campus deserves to feel a sense of community, and I believe that I can help facilitate that with the ̽̽ community! Some extra facts about me: I have two cats at home, Loki and Taz, I am an avid reader, I am currently learning to ski (as you can tell from my skiing picture, pizza!), and I love watching women's sports! Hope to see y'all around campus soon!
Suraj Joshi
This will be second year on senate if I get elected for the 2024 - 2025 year. In my current term I have raised awareness about having vehicle theft prevention locks on campus and am about to solve these problems as soon as I can do it. In addition, I have helped plan sexual violence awareness month that will happen in April. I have met with the chair of CODIE every Saturday and with other various people like Elliot Ruggles to discuss about sexual violence awareness month. In addition, I have also helped other people's project by growing it into something better because when there was a senator who was working on a project for having it at the davis center in the grand maple ballroom. In addition, I have also been in the senate meetings every day and talked and used my voice for any issue or topic that was not being solved on campus. Moreover, there are so many diversity issues that need to be solved on campus and I want to use my voice to solve the diversity issues that are not being met on campus. I want to run again as a senator because I believe that there are issues that need to be solved on campus and if I get elected next year as a senator I will work hard towards solving diversity issues on campus that need to be solved. In addition, I will also work towards other issues on campus that need to be solved.
Jaden Grace
Jaden Grace for SGA. I'm Jaden. I’m a Business major. I’m from Southern Vermont. I’m a first gen student. I want to fix some things up. I have been an American Citizen Scholarship Recipient, an Active HS SGA Contributor and Treasurer, and a Special Olympics Penguin Plunge Team Captain. I am a ̽̽ Ski and Snowboard Member, GSB Dean's Cup Finalist, and a ̽̽ Hit Paw. I will be a First-Gen representative on SGA, promote existing first-gen resources, and increase support for first-gens in the application process. What does a senator do? Can they enact real change? If you know, do you know someone who doesn't? I will be your point of contact. The more people who know what SGA does and the change they can enact through it, the better.
James Surak
I am running for SGA Senator because I would like to be a part of a group that is making real change in our community and I thrive in environments like that. I have noticed many things on our campus concerning accessibility, campus food, and school clubs and activities and I hope to take steps to improve the quality of life for every student on campus.The main characteristics that would enable me to thrive as a student leader are my communication and group working skills. I am hardworking and able to collaborate with many people while having an open mind. I was in a project-based learning program in high school that gave me a lot of experience working in group settings about school-wide issues. I was able to take the role of leader during many of these projects and found that I thrived in that role. I led the creation of an inclusion and diversity mural in our high school and I facilitated many group research projects including one on glass and single-stream recycling. In each of these projects, I was able to foster a collaborative environment that enabled diverse perspectives to be heard, respected, and productive together. I have found that my personality allows me to bond with people from all different demographics. I enjoy meeting new people and I feel like this role will allow me to do so. I was also part of a leadership counsel focused on learning in new and innovative ways. There was only one student from each high school grade to join this leadership counsel and the application process was similar to this one. I worked directly with teachers and administration from the entire school district to foster growth and innovation.While ̽̽ does alot to improve the student and campus experience, I do think there are several areas where there is room for improvement. The school's accessibility for students with disabilities and the distribution of quality food throughout the campus. In terms of accessibility, our school lacks many resources that would make it easier for people with physical disabilities. Many of the living community buildings don't have any sort of elevator and ones that do often have them shut off or down in fear of students using them wrongly. On campus, there are ramps and elevators around, but most ramps are very hard to traverse during the cold and icy winter months and the elevators or inside ramps are often very far out of the way or completely inaccessible. Since I arrived at ̽̽, I and many others have found the food at the dining halls lacking. For places like Trinity and Redstone, the remoteness of the living communities doesn't allow for access to all of the dining halls. The options at a place like Northside Dining are often very slim with only one hot option, the salad bar, a pancake station to fill up the students on Trinity. Whether or not you think this is enough food, the quality of most of the options is lacking. These are the main issues I would like to look into if selected as a senator. I hope you will agree that I would be a great fit for a SGA Senator position and I hope you consider me for this position.
Matisse Arnone
My name is Matisse(he/him) and I’m a freshman from Iowa City, Iowa majoring in Environmental Studies in the honors college here at ̽̽. In addition to SGA, I currently am a member of the on-campus competitive a capella group Viridescent and work at Henderson's Cafe in the Davis Center. I joined SGA here after participating in high school student government and Iowa Youth Congress for two years. Some of the projects that I hope to continue working on if reelected are an initiative to get more drinking fountains in dorm buildings, a student TEDX speaker series, and improving the end-of-year dorm move-out recycling efforts. This year, I have also helped plan Earth Week events including a clothing swap and free screen printing activity. I have learned so much as a first-year Senator on the Committee on the Environment, but also still see so many opportunities for sustainable improvement across campus. ̽̽ prides itself on being a green campus, but I think there are ways that the university can be held accountable so that the campus-wide policies stay aligned with that mission. I enjoy talking to many different groups of new people, and what I have learned is the most valuable as a Senator is the ability to actively listen. I maintain my promise to seek out the perspectives of all students before voting on any decision because I am a Senator elected to serve the entire student body.
Wyatt Washko
I think it would be cool if I made it.
Sara Ambrose
1) My main reason for running for SGA Senate is to be a voice for the student body! This is so important to me because being a part of SGA senate means being a part of something bigger than myself that creates and contributes to positive change around campus! 2) I am very passionate about everything I do making it the best it can be, I am a great communicator and can advocate well for others as well as myself, and I am very dedicated to making ̽̽ a better place for everyone! 3) I was very engaged with student government and advocating for student voice throughout high school and was the elected student representative on the school board. 4) I am particularly passionate about focusing on student mental health and well-being. I believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and have a sense of belonging wherever they are, especially here at ̽̽.
McKenna Halvorson
Hi! My name is McKenna Halvorson. I am a sophomore from Minnesota studying political science and psychology. I currently serve on the SGA club affairs committee and am running for re-election. I am passionate about increasing the diversity of voices at ̽̽, increasing the accessibility + sustainability of our campus, and improving campus safety. Specifically, I have concerns with the accessibility of our campus and want to ensure ̽̽ is available for all. This includes making sure the elevators are working 24/7. I also know that the absence of a reliable blue-light system is a major concern for students. I will works towards a better system for safety on campus. An additional project idea I have is expanding the dining hall hours to accommodate different schedules. Over the past year, I have worked on implementing an emergency contraception vending machine in the Davis Center as a low-cost, accessible resource. I am happy to say that this resource will be available to students in Fall 2024!! Additionally, I worked with the club affairs committee over the past year to strengthen relations with clubs. My first step towards this goal was the creation of a club affairs email to streamline communication. I understand that the creation of an email won't eliminate all communication barriers; however, I believe it is a great start. If re-elected, I will continue to increase transparency and communication between students and SGA. I will implement an anonymous submissions form for students to submit any suggestions they have for how SGA can better support them. During the next year, I am eager to continue the work for both of these projects! I understand the importance of advocacy work and will not stop until our needs are met. If elected, I will serve the ̽̽ student body with respect, passion, and integrity. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments! Hope to hear from you!! McKenna Halvorson (mhalvors@uvm.edu)
Lauren Knopp
Hello ̽̽! My name is Lauren Knopp, I use she/her pronouns, I am a part of the class of 2027 and I am from Nashua, New Hampshire.I grew up in Ocean View, New Jersey and many of my experiences as a leader have been in an educational setting in New Jersey. I served on the Ocean City Board of Education, the New Jersey Board of Education, and was a research assistant for the National Association of State boards of Education. Through this work, I was able to review curriculum on the district level, review state learning standards on the state level, and explore the issues of mental health in public education on the national level, developing and outlining an action plan to certify more school psychologists. I have presented research to the CDC and ChildTrends and published an article on technology in eduction in The State Education Standard. As a potential senator, there on category of issues in particular I would like to focus on: academic issues. This would include anything under the umbrella of course registration, course over-enrollment, and class availability. At my high school, I was a part of a task force assigned the job of amending course registration issues, as the enrollment numbers for core courses exceeded 40 students while others would lull at around 5. In addition to this, some teachers were forced to work more hours than their contract stated. By the time I graduated, all core courses hovered between 15-25 students and teachers had course-loads comparable to other teachers within their same discipline in Cape May County and Atlantic County. I hope that I can help amend issues with the academic setting.I am running for SGA senate because I believe that continuously working towards the betterment of an organization is always worth the time and effort. I am diligent in everything that I do, and I can promise you that I will do everything within my power and experience to better the academic experience of ̽̽ students if elected.A little bit extra about me: I love to ski and snowshoe (smuggs for life), I love to read fantasy books, and I love nothing more than going cafe hopping with a good book and some money for "window shopping". I'm a math and computer science major currently (although I've been thinking about switching to economics). See you around campus, and vote Lauren Knopp for SGA Senator!
Eloise Murphy
After serving on the Finance Committee this past year, I have found that there are changes that need to implemented with clubs and their budgets. I am running for my position of senator in order to help fill the gaps between what clubs need and the resources we have. The student experience is incredibly special and is what sets ̽̽ apart from other universities. This experience needs to be fostered and student involvement does just that. It is for students, by students, and that is what keeps enrollment coming. Serving on SGA, being my sorority's Treasurer, and attenting various club meetings has made me realize what is needed on campus, what needs attention, and what ̽̽ can do without. Having this experience makes me feel prepared to ensure that clubs feel supported and worthwhile.
Rachel Bibens
Joining the Student Government Associates presents an extraordinary opportunity for me to engage in various impactful ways. It offers a platform where I can represent the voices of my fellow students and contribute to the betterment of our community. What distinguishes SGA from other leadership roles is its unique ability to facilitate connections with a diverse array of individuals who bring rich perspectives and backgrounds. I am particularly drawn to the prospect of collaborating with such a dynamic group of people dedicated to effecting positive change.I deeply value qualities like hard work, diversity, and community progress. The prospect of extending a helping hand to those in need and fostering a safer, more inclusive environment resonates strongly with me. My experiences, including serving as a senator during my junior year of high school (my third and final year), participating in BLM protests, and embodying various Disney princess roles for children's events. I have exceptional experience working with people pertaining to various backgrounds, which have equipped me with the skills and empathy necessary to thrive in this role.As a political science major, I am particularly drawn to SGA's Committee on Legislative and Community Affairs due to its alignment with my interests and values. I admire their initiatives, such as community clean-ups, clothing drives, and efforts to support the homeless population. I am confident that my dedication and enthusiasm make me a strong candidate for this position, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to SGA's mission. Thank you for considering my application.
Maddi Rice
Hi! My name is Maddi Rice, and I am a member of the class of 2027 studying Economics with hopes of pursuing a career in law. I am running for a position in the SGA Senate to empower the student body by listening to their voices and actively delivering effective change. I will strive to push ̽̽ to reach its utmost potential and the pinnacle of quality with all its endeavors - academic, athletic, artistic, cultural, and much more. I am not afraid to speak up, and I will use my leadership skills and positivity to achieve beneficial results for everyone. I am currently a Senator serving on both the Finance and Judicial committees; two opportunities that have nurtured my communication skills and attention to detail. I will continue to use those skills as a Senator in the 2024-25 term to better ̽̽ and the surrounding community. In the process of reviewing budgets and supplemental requests with my Finance committee colleagues, I help to ensure that all clubs on campus have the financial ability to help their members and the ̽̽ student body explore their interests. This semester, I also helped plan events for Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM). From that experience, I built campus connections that I will utilize as a Senator next year. Furthermore, in high school, I interned at the Connecticut Council of Governments working with economic advisors analyzing data to determine areas in need of economic development. I also led a project with the Sustainable Connecticut organization to research the construction of a solar carport at my school. As Senator, I am hoping to serve on the Finance committee again. I will continue the work of making the budgeting process as accessible as possible and ensuring that clubs are properly funded. Going hand in hand with that is my goal of securing more funds for student activities so that we can better fund clubs and accurately reflect rising costs. It is also important to continue the work of connecting more ̽̽ students to local governments to ensure that their input is taken into consideration. In addition, I will work towards ensuring increased reliability of the elevators in the Residence Halls to maximize accessibility. As Senator, I am committed to advocating for your concerns and working my hardest to ensure our college community thrives and every voice is heard. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me, and vote Maddi Rice for SGA Senator!
Rubi Espejo
Hello! My name is Rubi Espejo and I am a first-year political science major here at ̽̽. I have previously served on SGA during this spring semester on the Club Affairs Committee, and I will continue to uphold the values of an SGA member upon reelection. My main purpose for running for SGA Senate is to help better the student environment at ̽̽ through improving diversity efforts, as well as improving connections in our community of Burlington. As our institution is dedicated to improving connections with Burlington, the state of Vermont, as well as across the country, ̽̽ can play a huge role as a state institution and that starts with the students. As I am in a new place, one of my goals has been to make connections with individuals to better my experience, as well as to learn and improve as an individual. I have always been a leader not just with school organizations but even in my own community. I am a very personable person as well, and I feel that this trait makes it easy to connect to people, especially in a professional setting. In the past, I have been involved with organizations such as the Cultural Competence Committee, Leadership Congress, a coach for Unified Sports, as well as a Student Representative for my district's Board of Education. With all those experiences, it has helped me gain a better perspective of a wide range of issues and experiences that contributes to how I move forward as an individual today. As I have previously mentioned, diversity is a very important topic to me. My father is Cuban and Mexican, and my mother is Irish and French-Canadian, but they raised both me and my brother bilingual. Our culture is extremely important to my family, and as I discover myself in this new home, I want to make sure other people feel as comfortable here with their culture as they would at home. To touch more on connecting with the community, I think that having community outreach is very important to the students here at ̽̽. To make it more accessible or easier for students to be involved would be great, and even to connect with Vermont legislators. By serving on SGA, I will take in any and every prospective student perspective to improve the way SGA can help the University. Thank you so much and feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns!
David Richardson
Hi Everyone! My name is David Richardson and I am running to be re-elected to SGA Senate! For a bit of background on myself, I am from Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, and I am majoring in Political Science and Economics. This past semester I served on the Committee for Student Action and Wellbeing, where I played a role in helping plan and organize Week of Kindness. I also served on the Judicial Committee, where I was able to write and pass a bill amending the impeachment process in the SGA Constitution. The main reason I ran for Senate was to be an advocate for low-income students on and off campus. I come from a low-income background, so I understand the transition to college can be stressful if you are dealing with financial insecurity. If re-elected, I hope to continue advocating for support systems around campus to help students who come from a modest-income background. On top of my leadership experience being an SGA Senator, I also serve as the facilitator for the Vermont State GEAR UP Alumni Advisory Committee. GEAR UP is a federally funded program through the United States Department of Education that supports first-generation and modest-income high school students in pursuing a college education. Having been an alumni of the program, I served as a member of the inaugural committee this past year. As we enter our second term of the committee, I was hired to be one of the facilitators, responsible for leading and organizing monthly meetings. The committee is aimed at providing an alumni perspective in the development of new programming to support current high school students. My work with GEAR UP and SGA have often been intertwined, while in different organizations, both leadership positions have offered me the platform to advocate on behalf of a population of students that are undersupported in college education. Through working on the Alumni Advisory Committee, I have had the chance to represent ̽̽ and SGA in talking to various educational leaders around the state of Vermont about the struggles low-income and first-generation students face. This April, I will also have the opportunity to represent SGA and ̽̽ when I give a presentation at the New England Educational Opportunity Association Conference on empowering students as agents of change within our communities. While I only have one year left at ̽̽, I hope to spend it working on SGA, continuing to advocate for low-income and first-generation students around campus and the state of Vermont. Thank you so much for your consideration, and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. See you around campus, and re-elect David Richardson to SGA Senate!
Kennedy Connors
Hello! My name is Kennedy Connors, and I'm running for the Student Government Association Senate. I was lucky enough to be elected in the Fall, and my continual dedication to ̽̽ students and staff hasn't faltered. I'm currently a member of SGA's Club Affairs committee, and through countless one-on-one meetings with clubs and tabling events, I've witnessed the infectious passion ̽̽ students hold. I want to do everything in my power to continue uplifting this spirit and give even more students the chance to find the best-fitting organization for them. Since being elected, I've joined committees for SpringFest, Sexual Violence Awareness Month, and SGA's Public Relations. In these groups, I've learned how to advocate for students and how to plan resources and events. Outside of this, I've worked on a handful of projects such as looking at new safety initiatives, creating a campus thrift store to reduce ̽̽'s environmental footprint, and planning a fall market for Burlington and campus vendors. I hope to continue this work in the upcoming school year and will always be looking for additional ways to better the student experience. Through SGA, I've grown to love our student body even more and hope to continue to enhance it in any way I can. Thank you!
Cameron Laychak
Re-Elect Cameron Laychak: Safe, Healthy Living. Insta: lcamoronl Email: claychak@uvm.edu About Me: I'm a life long vermonter and avid skier. Im currently studying political science, and hoping to go to law school in the future. during my high school career I was an active member of my school newspaper, becoming editor-in-Chief my junior and senior year. I also contributed to the INSTITUTION of the equity policy at my high school. I believe regardless of what your situation is; you should be supported, succeed and thrive at ̽̽. What I’m Fighting For: -Asbestos Action. -Creating a healthy campus environment for all. -Opposing tiered housing. -Improved transparency in SGA and ̽̽ admin. What Ive Done: Over the course of the short time I have been on SGA I have worked with and requested asbestos records from the Enviromental Health and Safety Office. My goal is to fully understand where asbestos is on campus and how it is being managed. In a second term I will continue this project. Making sure student housing is safe for students is my top priority.
Andrew Ranallo
My name is Andrew Ranallo, and I am a second-year political science major at ̽̽. I am running for a Senatorial position in the Student Government Association because I want to get more involved in the ̽̽ community in order to make a positive difference for my classmates. I am interested in strengthening the University’s commitment to making ̽̽ a safe and welcoming environment for all students. My goal is to be a transparent advocate for all students regarding any issue that might concern them. This is my second year running for a senatorial position on ̽̽ Student Government Association. During my second semester, I was elected to the Finance Committee, where I have continued to serve for the past three semesters. As a previous member of the Finance Committee, I have worked hard to remain fair and impartial for all students groups, clubs, and organizations. If reelected, I will continue my work on the Finance Committee and push to make SGA's financial policies more open and transparent for the student body.
Zorianna Petrosyan
Hi! My name is Zorianna Petrosyan. I am a sophomore from MA pursuing an Individually-Designed Major in the arts with minors in Political Science and Psychology. I am running for SGA Senate for a second term to build upon my existing work and continue to advocate for students. Since eighth grade, I have been involved in student government, School Council, and I was even the sole student representative for my town's School Committee at one point. Throughout high school and beyond, I have been a student leader working to advance initiatives such as later school start times, increased youth involvement in activism/service, and visibility for under-represented students. I am a strong communicator - empathy comes naturally to me and gives me the ability to listen and collaborate with those who have different views than mine. I am also not afraid to be outspoken about issues I care or have concerns about, especially if they deal with injustice. In every group I am a part of, I am deeply dedicated to democratic leadership (regardless of what position I hold) and encouraging others to be active community members invested in creating positive change.At ̽̽, I work as a Program Assistant for ̽̽ Civic Engagement (CE) - a program area in Student Life—planning events pertaining to voter registration, social justice, and community-building. The first event I planned was a successful mindfulness workshop and mixer in May 2023, geared towards combating finals week stress. I am also the Vice President of the Armenian Students Association (ASA), where I raise awareness along with other ASA members about Armenian issues such as the crisis in Artsakh.On SGA, I have worked on and voted to pass resolutions such as Resolution Reaffirming Support for ̽̽ Staff United and Resolution Addressing President Garimella's Response to Campus Conflicts. If I am elected for another term, I hope to work on a few key projects to improve the well-being of the ̽̽ community. These projects include establishing mental health days for students, faculty, and staff; expanding dining and grocery options on campus; and uplifting under-represented student voices (including but not limited to students who hold one or more of the following identities: Armenian, BIPOC, LBGTQ+, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, and disabled.)I have greatly valued my time on SGA so far, and I hope you will re-elect me so I continue working to serve our amazing ̽̽ community! Thank you!
Emily Garcia
My name is Emily Garcia, and I am a first year Political Science major. I served on SGA this past year on the Committee on Legislative and Community Affairs and absolutely loved the work I got to do. As part of my responsibilities I attended Burlington Neighborhood Planning Associations, met with community leaders to create relationships between ̽̽ and the City of Burlington, and explored Safe Ride options for students on campus. Currently, I am working with two of my fellow senators to increase and improve orientation resources for incoming students of color. Through partnerships with the MOSAIC Center, Counseling and Psychiatry Services, and Orientation staff we are planning to incorporate MOSAIC Center tours and events into the Orientation as well as make counselors of color more accessible to the communities they represent. I am deeply dedicated to advocating for student interests and opinions on campus, and ensuring that all students have the ability to access the resources necessary for them to be successful in their time here at ̽̽. If reelected, I plan to continue my work advocating for underrepresented students here on campus. Retaining and supporting these communities not only benefits them and their futures, but adds to our campus culture and perspectives. In more concrete terms, I will continue working to improve orientation programming, contact other identity centers and student bodies to meet their needs on campus, and promote education among administration. I am also planning to create programming for student leaders on campus, to help facilitate project ideas, and connect students who hope to see similar initiatives on campus. Serving as a part of SGA has been an incredibly informative and inspiring experience, and I would be ecstatic to have the ability to continue my work.
Magdalena Keppel
Hi everyone! My name is Magdalena, and I'm a first-year College of Nursing major with a minor in Theater. I'm running for re-election in the ̽̽ Student Government Association because I love to communicate with people and problem-solve. I consider myself an extreme extrovert. I never shy away from a tough conversation and seek to find the best solution for everyone involved. When I see something that needs to be changed, I believe it's important to find ways to create change from within.In high school I was Treasurer of our Student Council, Vice President of our NHS chapter, and a founding member of a club called the Feminist Collective, which tackled gender equity related issues that students experienced on campus (e.g., making period products freely available and spreading awareness about sexual violence). During my first year on the SGA, I have been working to make sure sexual violence prevention resources are more accessible across campus. Right now I'm involved in the Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVAM) committee, which is planning events for SVAM in April. I hope to continue this work into the new school year, beginning with a focus on first-year student safety during the transition to college.Since I have two diverse areas of study at ̽̽, I believe I can help more broadly represent the class of 2027, sharing our ideas with the SGA in a meaningful way. As a first-year student experiencing living on her own for the first time, I believe making students aware of the amazing resources ̽̽ has--and making them easier to access--should be a priority. If re-elected to SGA, I will continue to work toward helping us all create the most healthy and happy community we can be.
Merrick Modun
Hi everyone! My name is Merrick Modun, and I am a freshman and political science major. I am from Montpelier, Vermont! I have been a senator on SGA since last fall, and I am running for re-election to continue working for YOU. I am on the Club Affairs Committee, which helps guide potential and current clubs through various administrative processes. We are all aware that there are a lot of areas where ̽̽ can do better, and I am very excited to continue working on a variety of meaningful projects to help improve our collective experience. If I am re-elected, my agenda for the upcoming year includes reforms to the student conduct process, boosting SGA’s connection with elected VT officials, continuing ̽̽’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, better connecting LGBTQ+ groups in SGA, and enhancing student voice in the administration's policies. For some more background on myself, I am the president of the ̽̽ College Democrats and a former member of my local school board. I previously ran for state representative from Montpelier, and I have worked for Vermont's Secretary of State. I have always been someone who wants to fix problems, which is why I hope to earn your support in this upcoming election. There is a lot we still have to do, and I know that with compassion, a dedication to listening, and hard work, we can do just that!Thank you all for reading! Please reach out if you have any questions. You can reach me at mmodun@uvm.edu or (802) 461-3902.
Nathan Reeder
Hey y'all! Having been a senator throughout this past Sophomore year, I've had the pleasure and privilege to work on a number of projects aimed towards improving the quality of life of students, student advocacy, public safety, and sustainability that have been beneficial to the student body and to our ̽̽ community as a whole. These have included fighting food insecurity via establishing a meal donation program that targets and prevents food waste from dining halls, working with the Sustainable Campus Fund to create sustainable and beautifying landscape projects across campus, fighting for more seating and benches, and sponsoring a resolution aimed towards improving public safety of students. I'm passionate about the projects I choose to pursue and would love to continue this representative work into my junior year. Thanks, and I hope you vote for passion, professionalism, and productivity.
Catherine Jones
Hello everyone! Please continue to support me and re-elect me for my third term representing YOU, and take a look at the attached PDF to see some of what I've been working on this past term and what I'd be looking to prioritize going into the new term. I feel like a large part of what I've been working on recently has focused on really elevating and pushing directly on behalf of the student voice, and especially looking at how these concerns are received and responded to by administration. I'd like to continue this line of work through some ongoing and new projects, working towards addressing important issues for students such as sexual assault resources/supports and suicide awareness/prevention work.
Polina Zubarev
Hi! My name is Polina and I'm a sophomore studying Economics and Russian. I am running for SGA Senate to be a voice for the student body that draws from my own experiences while listening to the perspectives around me. Having personally experienced not only success but also challenges at ̽̽, I empathize with the diverse experiences of my peers, including struggles in many different spheres of university life. My strength lies in my ability to understand that there is a spectrum of experiences at ̽̽ and I pride myself in being able to consider opposing viewpoints. As a resilient person, I strive to be adaptable and determined, qualities essential for effective leadership. I actively participate in student life through clubs, and my academic experience has equipped me with analytical skills. I intend to use a pragmatic approach to problem-solving in addressing community issues. I plan to be active in sustainability efforts, such as reducing single-use dining ware. I also plan on enhancing financial literacy among students, increasing transparency with club budgets, and making fundraising an easier endeavor at ̽̽. Additionally, I recognize the growing influence of AI in academia. Therefore, I plan to enact initiatives to guide its responsible use in classrooms, fostering a culture of academic integrity. As ̽̽ evolves, I am dedicated to representing the evolving needs of our student body, striving to ensure that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. You can reach me at pzubarev@uvm.edu. Thank you for your support!
Rawley Gottfurcht
I’m running for SGA because I’ve grown to love ̽̽ over my first year. When I came here I was a scared kid from the other side of the country who wasn’t sure if this would work out. I’m not that person anymore. I know who I am and I know that this is the school for me. Considering that, I’m doing everything in my power to make this place the best it can possibly be. ̽̽ has treated me well, and I want other students here to have that same feeling of safety and security when they wake up in their dorm rooms, ready to get one day closer to who they are supposed to become. I’m a strong leader because of my experiences. I have been on the Student Council every year since middle school. I have worked with elected officials in Arizona to guarantee water rights to less affluent areas outside of Phoenix. I was also one of the first members of environmental student unions. Where my team was in charge of successfully installing a $1 million solar panel on campus to reduce our energy by nearly 50%. I was also elected to SGA in spring and have done much work funding new clubs and submitting my main project of developing new bike rack locations on Trinity Campus. I also have one-of-a-kind people skills. I love to talk, and I love to talk to others. I am energized when I get to talk to someone and this has led me to meeting a massive amount of students, faculty, and politicians. I never get tired of hearing a new voice and I love that every single person has a different life they get to share with me. I am not shy to speak and will never make it through a room without getting a story from each person in it. I’m interested in potential solutions on campus to issues regarding the environment and school relations to the greater Burlington area. I was drawn to ̽̽ for their reputation of being one of the great sustainability schools, and I intend to keep that reputation sound. I also want to be involved with developing ̽̽’s relationships with the Burlington as a whole. I want to do my part to establish a better connection between students on campus and the areas around them to build a community of respect and collaboration to make Burlington a better place for everyone to live.
Vikyat Mulpuri
1) My main purpose for running for SGA Senate is to open new perspectives, make voices heard, and sustain or change the way operations around ̽̽ are dealt with. I'd like to stand by the students, and be a leading figure in the advocating for upcoming changes on campus to make sure the people get what they want and deserve. 2) The reason I feel I'd be a strong student leader is my confidence. I might not know what to do or how to make it happen, but I can always ensure that I'll try to find a way to make it happen if it's a vision I believe in. Drive and grit is something I value much more than experience, and so should you because the whole point of the SGA is to experience new things and make changes for the better. 3) First time's a charm :) 4) You tell me. 5) no
Leah Theroux
Currently, I am a first-year political science and public communication leader. Growing up I always knew I wanted to work in government and help make a difference where I could. In middle school and high school I was on my school government. I will admit, some years I did not get elected, some I did. Despite some loses, I stayed true to what I wanted to do and reworked my campaign speeches to make it clear what I wanted to do. I made sure my grade felt listened to and that everyone got a chance to share their ideas. My main purpose for running for SGA Senate is because I want to be more involved with students at this school and make sure their voices are being heard. I want to make sure everyone feels seen, and that this school is actively making decisions to benefit them.
Robert Demeo
Hello! My name is Robert Demeo (he/him), and I'm a first-year Political Science major/Psychology minor from Texas but raised in Germany.My main purpose for running is that for too long, administration has made decisions without consulting the SGA, and, in turn, the student body - with the side effect of widely unpopular decisions that are at odds with student needs and wishes being imposed, with the most notable example being the decision to tier housing in the upcoming year. As a representative of the student body, I intend to ensure your place in discussions with administration.I intend to deliver on my promises once in office - here's how. One of the first things I intend to do is engage directly with our non-SGA student representatives on the Board of Trustees - I intend to be a point person/center for that dialogue. Moreover, it will be a priority of mine to increase SGA's engagement levels with the student body, to increase its leverage in negotiations and discussions with administration. SGA cannot call itself the student body's voice if it isn’t acutely aware of their needs and wants. To that end, I intend to advocate for the institution of “town halls” where students can voice their concerns directly to their SGA representatives.With a year of dedicated service to my high school's Executive Board as its Secretary, 3 years of Model U.S. Senate experience (including a year as part of Senate Leadership), 4 years of extensive and varied leadership experience in Junior ROTC, and an honors graduate, I come prepared to give my fellow Catamounts a seat at the table. I am hardworking, strong-willed, and well-versed in parliamentary procedure through my history on Model Senate - something I think gives me an edge. As someone who was fortunate enough to have spent my lifetime overseas, I am also able to contribute a global, intercultural perspective to the SGA that it currently lacks.Thank you for your time and attention! I can be reached at rdemeo@uvm.edu or on Instagram @robertttdemeo. I hope you will consider me to represent you!
Kelsey Lynch
1. As a rising senior during Fall 2024, I have experienced three full undergraduate years being an active student, athlete, and club member within organizations/ groups on campus. Because of my involvement, I possess a deep understanding of the dynamics and needs of our student community. Amplification of valuable opinions and thoughts of the student body is something I am eager to become involved with. I am passionate about making positive changes and improvements that represent all students, and I see serving in the SGA Senate at ̽̽ as a direct way to contribute to the expansion and improvement of the campus.2. I believe I possess many characteristics that make me an effective leader. I can adapt to many different environments of working environments, whether that be independent or in collaboration with my peers, and I always have been a problem solver. I am both creative and logical, and have experience in leading and contributing in clubs at ̽̽ such as Climate Action Collective, Beekeeping Club, Yarn Club, and Art Club. I am dedicated, responsible, and organized with proven ability to effective collaborate with varieties of personalities and individuals (I have many years of food service experience which is where this strength roots from). I am approachable, and a creative, and efficient, communicator, crucial traits for me to represent fellow students and representing them effectively within the senate.3. My involvement with the Climate Action Collective has expanded my ability to tackle complex environmental and political issues. Moreover, my background in Environmental Studies and Political Science, complemented by three years of summer employment at a law firm, equips me with a range of professional skills crucial for Senate responsibilities. From communication and interpersonal skills to attention to detail and administrative proficiency, I am well-prepared to support and advance the Senate's agenda in serving our student community.4. I am most interested in contributing to The Committee on the Environment (CoE). I am an Environmental Studies major and Political Science minor at University of Vermont, and have dedicated to the majority of my undergraduate learning about the synergies between the climate crisis/ environmental issues and Environmental diplomacy and legislation. I am an active member of Climate Action Collection, and have participated in many projects including mobilizing against McNeil- which included discussing with Hannah King regarding the deterrence of promoting the expansion/ proceedings of the McNeil Pipeline. Contributing to the student body living sustainably and healthy is my main goal, and I know that I can synergize social and political implications which environmental issues bring up through ideas. 5. Thank you for considering my application. I am extremely excited for this potential opportunity to serve as a member of the Senate and contribute to positive and effective change on our campus. With my unique perspective and background, leadership abilities, socialization strengths, and dedication to environmental sustainability, I am confident that I can effectively represent the interests and aspirations of our student body within the Senate.
Chiara Petracek
Hi! My name is Chiara Petracek (she/her) and I am a first-year neuroscience major and political science minor from Carlisle, Massachusetts. I'm running to be an SGA senator because I want to become more involved with the ̽̽ community and contribute to making ̽̽ a more accessible and welcoming place for all students. At ̽̽, I am a member of the rowing team and I am excited to be joining a research lab next semester. I am confident in reaching out to and communicating with people regardless of whether I know them previously or not. Additionally, I am comfortable speaking my mind and advocating for what I believe in. I am a very good multitasker and can focus on multiple projects at once without sacrificing the quality of my work. If I am elected, I am especially interested in participating in the management and supervision of SGA clubs. Clubs have been a very important part of my time at ̽̽, and I want to help make sure they have the support and resources they need to function smoothly. I hope you consider me!
Thomas Peterson
Hi! My name is Thomas Peterson, I am a sophomore studying political science and minoring in psychology. I want to be your ̽̽ SGA Senator because I want to get more involved in ̽̽, engage with the student body on issues that matter to them, and understand the back-end bureaucratic processes that are in place. The prior experience that has led me to seek a Senate seat is that I was the president of my class back in high school, as well as secretary of the Student Council, and I was a member of the Berkshire County (Massachusetts) District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board. Those experiences have allowed me to work with people who I barely know improving my communication skills; and, they allowed me to make tough decisions that weren’t always popular, but needed to be made. As part of the Youth Advisory Board, I was tasked with working with other people from all over Berkshire County and organizing a conference for eighth graders where we did activities with them teaching them about bias and acceptance of others. Although, I would be a new Senator, my past experiences have taught me the necessary tools to be an effective Senator for you, the people who truly make ̽̽ great! As president, I led many ceremonies, held meetings with my team, and managed my class’ finances. As secretary of the student council, I learned more organizational skills that allowed me to keep detailed records of meetings and the council's affairs. As part of the Youth Advisory Board, I learned how to work with people whom I barely knew to produce a good product in a limited amount of time. All of these experiences have, together, taught me the most important thing about government, working with other people. I have my ideas, as everyone else has theirs, and working well with others in an effective and efficient environment is vital to success. I believe that teamwork does make the dream work, and at ̽̽ anything is possible! Please elect me, Thomas Peterson, as your next SGA Senator!
Nora Carroll-Millins
Hello! My name is Nora Carroll-Millins and I am a first-year nursing student from Norwell Massachusetts. Over my first year, I have loved getting to know all the great aspects of ̽̽ but also our faults. I am running for SGA in hopes of improving the student experience. Through my dedication and passion to ̽̽, I am excited to hopefully play a bigger part in change for ̽̽. I consider myself very personable, can work well collaboratively, and hardworking. Thank you for your consideration.
Carter Purple
Hi ̽̽! My name is Carter Purple, and I am currently a junior here at ̽̽. I also presently serve as the Vice President of SGA, a year-long role that has been so fulfilling and rewarding to me. I have one semester left here at ̽̽, and I want to spend it serving the student body one more time. I joined SGA the first few weeks of my freshman year, and I’ve been on it ever since. Getting involved on the ̽̽ campus in this capacity was the best choice I made. The advocacy and work I’ve been able to help with has been energizing. Getting to know the campus inside and out, the students, the staff, the faculty, the administration, and the community has been incredible. I spent my sophomore year as the Speaker of the Senate. Between that role and Vice President, I’ve been a part of some really meaningful action here at ̽̽. Some examples are: Going to the State House to advocate for democratizing the Board of Trustees Serving on many job searches for important administrative positions Re-implementing the scribe position to publish the SGA minutes for the student body to see Beginning the Student Leadership Board for more transparency with student leadership groups Advocacy on important topics such as the university’s response to campus conflicts and housing issues such as the tiered housing plan Planning leadership development events for SGA, such as the semesterly retreats And so much more. In my final semester, I’m hoping to turn my attention back to some of the finer details. There are passions and projects of mine I have been unable to pursue in my other roles due to other responsibilities. One of the most important issues to me is this new tiered housing plan. I am hoping to help spearhead a response to the administration to the shortcomings of this plan and their failure, in my opinion, to adequately source student feedback. Other things I am passionate about for the upcoming year include the status of the Burlington-̽̽ MOU regarding building new housing and helping the new senators maximize their potential as student leaders based on my previous experiences. I hope you will all consider voting for me! Please feel free to reach out to me with an yquestions, comments or concerns. My email is cpurple@uvm.edu and my phone number is 978-846-0759, I’m more than happy to chat about anything! This week, vote for me in the SGA Elections! Thank you for your time and have a great rest of your semester! Sincerely, Carter Purple
Voting
Campus-wide voting will occur on ̽̽ Clubs from April 3-5, 2024.
UNSCHEDULED
Appointments
Periodically senatorial spots open on the Student Government Association Senate. At this time the Appointments Committee, consisting of the twelve Executive Committee Members of the SGA, will read applications, conduct interviews, and formally nominate students to be confirmed by the SGA Senate. For more information on this process, reach out to the Vice President at Carter.Purple@uvm.edu.
What is a Candidate Platform?
A candidate platform is your introduction as a candidate to the public, and an opportunity to outline the key ideas and beliefs that form your campaign!
Election Info Sessions
Interested in running? SGA periodically hosts election info sessions in advance of each election for students to learn more about the process.
Marketing Resources
Trying to get the word out about your run? There are a number of Marketing opportunities in the Davis Center alone that you can use to campaign.