New SGA Executives celebrate win

SGA elections are over, and the new officers are eager to take their seats. Aside from the president, three new officers have taken their place in SGA.

The results were released last Wednesday night. Candidates held their breaths, waiting to hear if they had won or not.

“I was so overwhelmed with gratitude,” said newly elected Executive Vice President Jayden McQueen, a junior political science major from Crestview, Florida. “I’m overjoyed that the student body would elect me in this position to lead the student body in the best way possible.”

Jayden McQueen and newly elected Executive Secretary Liz Smith ran opposed. Both shared campaign tactics that helped them achieve their success.

“My friends and family rallied around me and kept me continuously positive,” said Smith, a sophomore rehabilitation and disability studies major from Dothan, Alabama. “I think the thing that led me to success the most was the in-person connections I strived to make by just walking around campus each day of the campaign.”

McQueen employed some less than typical campaign tactics that aimed to show her dedication.

“I hoped to show my dedication for service and Trojan pride authentically and intentionally,” McQueen said. “I think my 24-hour suit challenge was a hit.

I spent an entire day in my red pant suit, slept in it, ate in it, and even went to class in it.”

Although the Vice President of Internal Affairs Christopher Hood ran unopposed, he had a similar mindset.

“I was thinking about my friends running for the other positions,” said Hood, a sophomore exercise science major from Helena, Alabama. “Even though I knew I was the only candidate; it was an anxious environment.”

Each officer has plans for their new position. Hood wants to increase voter participation among students and to have a full senate. He chose to run because of his experience with Freshman Forum — one of his main goals is to make sure university elections remain unbiased.

“I expect to face some challenges with increasing voter participation,” Hood said. “I think if we can show students how fun SGA is, and how much the senate can help the student body, we can see some success.”

McQueen also encourages students to run for a seat in the SGA senate, especially considering that she will be leading said senate.  She wants to have representatives from all aspects of campus to legislate, plan events, and propose solutions to Troy University’s administration.

Smith hopes her biggest strength is her connection with each senator.

“As secretary, I feel I can make the biggest impact because I will work one on one with each senator,” Smith said. “As secretary, I hope to foster connections not only in the senate, but also between senate and freshman forum.”

The new officers are beginning work for their term. Senate elections will be taking place at the start of next semester.