Elections for the 2017-2018 Undergraduate Student Government class council are currently underway. Voting will close at 4 p.m. Thursday. The following are bios for the student body president and executive board.

Student Body President

Junior Ryan Foster is a human resources management major. His platform includes an open door policy, communication and unification of the campus and transparency.

“I really feel like I have the experience of somebody who can be held accountable and trusted on campus,” Foster said.

Junior Bobby Martin, a double major in political science and information systems, is also running for student body president. If elected he would like to place a higher priority on clubs, creating more transparent bridges between the administration, student government and the students, and promoting campus-wide events.

“I know student government,” Martin said. “I know how to work with administrators but also how to get the student’s perspective.”

Executive Vice President

Junior Sarah Schuler is an operations and supply chain management major. If elected, she would like to improve neighborhood-student relations, promote servant leadership and improve communication between USG and the student body.

“I have had the honor of being the executive vice president this past year, so I do have quite a bit of experience,” Schuler said. “I think that next year I’ll be even better prepared than this year.”

Nick Hable is a junior biochemistry major. His campaign has a three-part goal of transparency, productivity and inclusion.

“I think I would bring a good change to the student government,” Hable said. “I have a different perspective being a science major. You don’t have a lot of science majors on the student government.”

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Junior and mechanical engineering major JB Stender wants to focus on integrating the Dougherty Family College, encouraging open dialogue on campus and emphasizing campus unity and Tommie pride.

“I have experience in USG and I know what it takes to make a voice heard,” Stender said. “I am also a very level-headed person with an analytical style of problem solving, which is important for positions like VP of Academic Affairs.”

First-year Joshua Crespo is a justice and peace studies major and a communication and journalism minor. His campaign focuses on welcoming students and staff in the Dougherty program, bridging the gap between students and staff on campus and spreading awareness of resources available on campus for social, medical or personal issues.

“I am a passionate guy,” Crespo said. “I listen to understand, not listen to reply. I have experience numerous leadership roles on campus and would like to take on a new role where I can provide support and feedback for students.”

Vice President of Administrative Affairs

First-year Jacob Fette is majoring in political science and justice and peace studies and minoring in economics. He would like to increase transparency between USG and students, encouraging club collaboration, and increasing communication between USG members and their constituents.

“As freshman class senator I helped build student’s trust with the administration by creating transparency around the campus land use plan,” Fette said. “As VP-Administrative Affairs, I will streamline communication between the student body and the USG representatives.”

First-year student Logan Monahan is a biochemistry major and minoring in justice and peace studies. His campaign focuses on making the campus more inclusive, bridging the gap between students and the USG, and making sure USG uses its resources to better the student experience.

“I think UST students should vote for me because of my leadership experience and my approachability,” Monahan said. “I am very determined to improve the overall quality of our campus.”

Vice President of Financial Affairs

Sophomore Jordan Hanson is majoring in accounting and political science. Her campaign goals include greater communication between herself and clubs and organizations, a simplified club and organization budget request form and encouraging clubs to use the funding available.

“I think students should vote for me because of my background of accounting and finance, as well as my commitment to working for the students of this university,” Hanson said.

Vice President of Public Relations
Sophomore Shonni Krengel is a psychology major and would like to see St. Thomas better embrace diversity, create a better connection between the student body and student government and help make St. Thomas a welcoming community for all.

“I have experience with marketing since I am currently the marketing chair for Asian Students in America (ASIA) Club,” Krengel said. “I am currently the Diversity Relations Representative on USG so I have worked within USG the past academic year.”

Vice President of Diversity

Junior Fatoumata Jaiteh is majoring in biology of global health. Her campaign platform includes communication and close connections between the student body and student government, diversity and inclusion being implemented in all parts of the university, such as the classroom or the events held on campus, and changing the way controversial issues in the world are dealt with on our campus.

“I have an open-mind that allows me to embrace and respect different perspectives,” Jaiteh said. “The different identities on campus are a beautiful aspect that every Tommie should embrace. I am driven to make every student feel welcome and supported at St. Thomas.”

Junior Tobias Knight is a finance major and would like to see St. Thomas hiring more diverse faculty and staff, inform more students about events sponsored by diversity driven offices, organizations, and clubs, and examine our current curriculum and implementing classes students are passionate about. He would also like to lower application costs for studying abroad.

“I am confident that I will continue and expand collaboration efforts with the Board of Trustees, USG spirituality, sustainability, diversity and international committee chairs to ensure that all students at St. Thomas can successfully have their voices lifted,” Knight said.

Solveig Rennan can be reached at renn6664@stthomas.edu