After weeks of campaigning, addressing the student body and primary elections, Mark Galvez, junior theology major, was elected as Student Association president for the 2019-2020 school year.
Galvez and his platform of supporting international students, working with the Activate Southern initiative and fostering better access to mental health resources, secured 54.62 percent of the vote, about 100 ballots ahead of runner up Tiago Ferreira, junior international development studies major.
Sophomore psychology major Luis Moreno and junior history major Maddy Thomas were both confirmed as executive vice president, with 84.15 percent, and social vice president, with 83.04 percent, respectively.
All candidates were informed of their election by current SA President Rhidge Garcia on Thursday, Feb. 21 after confirmation by members of SA Senate. Galvez said getting the phone call was an experience like no other.
“My most favorite thing about that phone call was when I won people were not saying that ‘you won,’ they were saying ‘we won’,” he said. “That’s the kind of culture I’d love to continue with to create inclusivity and value to every student here.”
Thomas said that she is excited to join the team.
“I felt pretty happy and kind of relieved but mostly happy,” she said. “I’m really excited about [working with my other team members.] They have good ideas and I hope I can support them in any way possible. I just hope that we are able to talk to each other and communicate really well.”
Moreno, who currently serves on SA as the parliamentarian, is looking forward to finding new opportunities to reach out to the student body.
“I want SA to build on the foundation that this year has set, and to help the school in even more creative and necessary ways,” he said. “I hope that we will inspire change on campus and improve the spiritual atmosphere here at Southern.”
These upcoming executive members will soon begin the process of filling the other SA positions which include the offices of executive secretary, parliamentarian, public relations director and assistant finance director. These members will join Joel Negrillo, who will serve as the finance director after a year at the assistant position.
According to Galvez, they are looking for candidates with the drive and passion to get the various jobs done.
Thomas said a main factor for her is communication skills.
“I would like to see someone that can communicate with us really well,” she said. “They’re not afraid to say what's up and someone that is reliable. Somebody that can give good advice and offer great ideas.”
The cabinet will be completed after applicants for The Southern Accent, the Memories yearbook, Strawberry Fest and Studio 4109 leadership jobs are approved by the Student Media Board here on campus.
Those interested in any position should contact the Student Development office.