The Student Government Association’s first official meeting took place Sept. 8 at John Brown University. In this meeting, the new senators went through orientation and training to prepare them with expectations for their new roles. Under the direction of this year’s officers, SGA is motivated to serve students.
For this fall, the newly elected senators include Erick Maldonado, freshmen senator; Daniela Gomez, sophomore senator; Dayton Baldizon, junior senator; and Caroline Best, senior senator. Residence Life Senate is composed by Robin Chavez representing Hutcheson Hall, Luke Thng, J Alvin Hall; Erin Kuykendall, Mayfield Hall; Celeste Licona, Walker Hall and Upper Division Housing is represented by Lenin Vasquez. Divisional senators occupy five positions, Wilber Aguilar as College of Business Senator; Sofia Santana, Communication and Fine Arts senator; Daniel Colmenares, Education and Human Services senator; Marlon Gaitan, Engineering and Construction Management senator, and Jose Guerrero as Natural Sciences senator. At large, senators Joel Quiralte and Deily Alpizar represent Diversity and international students on campus.
SGA oversees a large list of activities for students throughout the year. Astrid Gutierrez, vice president of Elections and Legislation and responsible for all elections related to SGA events, shared her excitement for working alongside this energetic senate and expects that all the different backgrounds and cultures represented this year contribute to the JBU community and make our campus a more diverse place with new events and projects.
Many new senators share a common inspiration: being able to hear and represent the opinions of their divisions. “I know that this is a charge where the decisions you make may benefit or affect others,” said the new freshman senator Erick Maldonado. Many of the interviewed senators shared his position by reassuring they will do their best to fulfill their duties and work for the well-being of students.
Kevin Hernandez Chavez, SGA president for the elective year 2022-2023, states that it is a blessing to work alongside such a great and diverse team. Hernandez also states that no internal or external changes will be made to the system SGA works under.
Senators have weekly reunions to discuss varied issues, innovative ideas for projects and events, budgets and events schedules. For more information about SGA and upcoming activities like Homecoming, Junior-Senior banquet, TP Game, Moonlight Breakfast and more, their official Instagram page is @jbusga. Or reach out to any of the new senators who are eager to connect with students and give voice to their needs