Students can vote for their preferred Student Government Association candidates on MyGate during March 10-11 for the positions of president, executive vice president, vice president of finance and vice president of administration.
There are two tickets on the ballot for this election. The first consists of presidential challenger Ali Khatib, Executive Vice President candidate Raeya Burton, Vice President of Finance candidate Cameron Wright and Vice President of Administration candidate Levi Lucas. On their Instagram page, @firstchoice4MSU, the ticket has been endorsed by sorority presidents Dylan Fox of Alpha Delta Pi, Haliyah Martin of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Anna Claire Griggs of Sigma Alpha. The ticket has also been endorsed by the owner of Matty B’s Pizza, Matt B, and fellow students such as Mary Huffman, Honors Student Council President.
“It’s my honor to endorse Ali, Raeya, Cameron and Levi for SGA,” Huffman said. “Throughout their campaign, they’ve been really open and willing to discuss all manner of things about SGA from finances to ways to improve.”
The second ticket consists of presidential incumbent and Student Regent Brendan Hawkins, Executive Vice President candidate Brooklyn Willaims, Vice President of Finance candidate Silas Jackson and Vice President of Administration candidate Maggie White. On their Instagram page, @let_the_race_continue, the ticket has been endorsed by a variety of students, including but not limited to Ellie Krouse, SGA Director of Publication and Public Relations and Public Relations Student Society of America President.
“I worked with and have seen firsthand what this administration can do,” Krouse said in a written statement on the Instagram page. “They have taken great efforts to grow our campus academically, advocated for student voices and fostered a community on campus.”
Krouse said there is not a team more driven, qualified and student focused.
Other endorsements include Phi-Kappa Alpha-Epsilon Lambda President Will Van Horn, RH Hester President Rae Hobbs, RCA President Jaylon Taggart, Honors Student Council Community Service Chair and Baptist Campus Ministry leader Rachel McClung, SGA Director of University Relations Alex Parham and Hart RCC President Paige Watson.
Current SGA President Brendan Hawkins said he is seeking reelection because serving in his role is one of the most rewarding experiences of his entire life. He also wants to continue serving and make student voices heard so they are at the forefront of administrators’ minds. He would also like SGA to continue expanding, as it has during his term, in the future.
“I would like every single student to know what SGA is,” Hawkins said. “Take every single minute of my day. I’m in this role to serve the students. SGA is the mouthpiece of the students to the administration, to the University, and so that’s why we have contingency groups across campus all represented through SGA.”
Originally meant to be a presidential debate between Hawkins and Khatib, before the latter declined, Hawkins spoke more about his campaign as well as pressing campus issues in an exclusive interview “16 minutes with River Murt.” Topics include the work his administration has dedicated to the veterinary school, addressing the recent power outage displacement and the search for a new University president and more.
Vice President of Administration candidate Maggie White said she’s running for the position because of the responsibilities that it requires, such as “ensuring that senators are fulfilling their duties, taking minutes at meetings and ensuring that meetings are being properly attended.” She said she believes it’s incredibly important that all students are being represented during senate meetings.
“This means that their senators need to be both physically present at meetings but also mentally present in the sense (so) they are ready to complete their job,” White said.
White said she wants potential voters to know she loves serving others and is an “extremely organized and prompt individual.” She also said her door is “always open” through text and email for fellow students. She said if elected, she would completely dedicate herself to the students of Murray State and put her passion into making Murray feel even more like home.
“I would like to harbor a relationship of collaboration between SGA members and the areas in which they’re representing, whether it be a residential college, their academic college or students as a senator at large,” White said. “I want every organization and student to feel as if they are being represented in SGA. I think holding individuals responsible for their actions is incredibly important and a lesson that everyone should learn. It is our job as the Executive Team to ensure that every individual is upholding the oath that they take when they are sworn in as senators. I also want to ensure that everything is completed in an organized and efficient manner. Efficiency and organization are essential in this position.”
Vice President of Finance candidate Silas Jackson said he’s running for the election because he wants to give back to the University. With the opportunities he’s had to make meaningful impacts as director of government relations, Jackson said he believes he can do more as vice president of finance.
“I plan to apply my finance knowledge and professional experience to ensure that student funds are allocated effectively to improve campus life,” Jackson said. “My goal is to make financial decisions that directly benefit students. Over the past year, I’ve advocated for Murray State in Frankfort, and I will continue to work with campus leaders to make a meaningful impact here at the University.”
Jackson would like potential voters to know he’s grateful for the opportunity and “truly cares about Murray State’s success.”
“From the moment I arrived on campus, I made it a priority to get involved and make a difference,” he said. “I take this commitment seriously and want to continue working to improve the student experience. If elected, I will dedicate my time and effort to ensuring Student Government serves the best interests of our students.”
Jackson also said he values the opinions of others and is open to constructive criticism. He said he’s happy to discuss any concerns the student body may have directly.
Candidates Ali Khatib, Raeya Burton, Cameron Wright, Levi Lucas and Brooklyn Willaims did not reply in time to a reporter’s inquiries on their campaigns.
