GCSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its elections from Feb. 18 to 20, announcing its new officers on Feb. 21 at the Homecoming Men’s and Women’s basketball games at Centennial Center Complex.
The 2026-2027 executive board includes President Sam Samiya, Vice President Samuel Kleppinger, Secretary Mary Ward and Treasurer Blair Bodell.
Serena Semere, a senior criminal justice major, served as the SGA President for the 2025-26 academic year. She believes SGA has a significant impact on student life and engagement.
“On one hand, I think that we have created a lot of change for students,” Semere said. “On the other hand, there are still lots of opportunities for us to continue to improve the everyday life of a student on campus.”
Semere believes her role as President helped her facilitate the connections to prepare the next executive board for success.
“The executive board continues that legacy of listening to things where we may not know that’s an issue,” Semere said. “I hope that they continue the same relationships to participate in creating through the student government and with the alumni association.”
SGA is a university-wide organization that was founded in 1936 on GCSU’s Milledgeville Campus. Its purpose is to allow student representatives to address concerns within the student body by creating a diverse community where all students feel welcomed, heard and supported. SGA is made up of the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as a Conduct board and Cabinet.
Sam Samiya, a sophomore data science major and SGA’s next president, shared her thoughts on SGA’s significance on campus.
“I believe SGA has a strong and meaningful impact on the student body,” Samiya said. “Much of this work happens quietly, but its effects shape the everyday student experience in ways that matter.”
Samiya believes that through various committees and outreach, SGA can be an accessible and student-driven organization. She hopes that student engagement will contribute to SGA’s personal and professional development.
“As I step into the presidency next year, my focus is on strengthening trust, amplifying impact and ensuring that student leadership continues to evolve alongside the needs of our campus,” Samiya said.
Both Semere and Samiya have high expectations for the future of SGA and its presence on GCSU’s campus. Students who voted have an equally important role, as their vote determines who will fulfill these responsibilities.
Lorren Connelly, a sophomore psychology major, shared her knowledge of SGA and how she feels her vote made a difference.
“My general understanding of SGA is that they are relatively in charge of the budgets and laws of the clubs on campus,” Connelly said. “I think they are beneficial to the school, especially if you are a part of the other clubs.”
Connelly voted in the past two elections and reported a positive experience.
“Overall, I would say it is very easy to find all the information to vote. You can also look up the people you want to vote for,” Connelly said.
Like Connelly, students from all majors and backgrounds come together to vote for SGA. Connelly’s vote was one of many that had an impact on the results revealed at the Homecoming game.
The event is an example of the power student voices have in clubs and organizations. By sharing their opinion, students have the opportunity to support their peers and represent their community.
Although the voting period has ended, students and faculty alike can look forward to SGA’s newest Executive team starting in the fall of 2026. The 2026 Fall elections will be held within the first 28 days of the fall semester, and candidates will be notified of the results no later than three school days after the close of the polls.
The positions fulfilled by this election will be those of the Senate, which includes all senators and the President Pro-Tempore (PPT). For more information, students can refer to the SGA Code of Elections on the GCSU website.
