By Jacob Clavijo | Editor-in-Chief
Soliyana Atnafu ‘26, a computer science major, was elected on Wednesday to serve as the next Student Government Association (SGA) president for the 2025-2026 academic year. Atnafu says that she hopes to serve as an advocate on campus and help amplify the voice of the student body.
“I really want to focus on being the voice for students,” said Atnafu. “I love working with people.”
Atnafu, an international student from Ethiopia, emphasized that finding solutions to students’ concerns is just as important as listening to them. She stated that one of her goals for next semester is to follow up with university administrators on solutions to problems that are affecting students.
“I really want to focus on getting the solution,” Atnafu asserted.
After joining SGA last semester as an intern, Atnafu had most recently served as the director of finance for SGA. Atnafu said she was pondering the idea of running for the role of vice president of external affairs, but ultimately decided on running for president after shadowing the former president, Marquese Armstrong.
“I was mainly shadowing Marquese, the president from SGA, and he really helped me,” Atnafu said, adding that her time with SGA has allowed her to understand the responsibilities of each cabinet role.
Atnafu noted that SGA will begin working on creating a digital suggestion box for students to share their concerns, noting that the physical ones located on campus are hardly used and outdated. She believes that a digital suggestion box will allow for a more direct line of communication between students and SGA.
Atnafu, who ran unopposed in this election, had welcomed the idea of running against another cabinet member, stating that it would have made for a more engaged election process.
Two other cabinet positions were filled on Wednesday, with Pooja Adhikari and Timmy Mayowa also elected to the SGA cabinet. Adhikari and Mayowa will be serving as the next vice president (internal) and vice president (external), respectively.
As the next SGA president, Atnafu says she is prepared to listen to any suggestions or concerns that students may have. She noted that the best leaders within a community must listen before they take action.
“If you have any suggestion, request, or anything, I would love to get your input,” Atnafu said.
For updates and announcements from the student government, follow the SGA Instagram page.
