The UIS Student Government Association (SGA) held its Spring elections on Monday, April 20^th and Tuesday, April 21^st. The Association held multiple tabling events to drive student engagement and increase awareness of the election. They also collaborated with the Student Activities Committee (SAC) and the Student Organization Funding Association(SOFA) to raise student interest. However, voter turnout remained low.

The winning candidates secured their positions by earning a majority of the student votes submitted through the UIS Connections system. With the election now finalized, each elected representative is set to take on the responsibility of serving the student body, advocating for student concerns, and helping shape campus policies throughout their term.

Current freshman, Kyle Haas, was elected the new SGA president, taking over from Jazel Ware-Grant. Haas stated that his primary goal at the start of his term is to increase student interest in the organization and increase voter turnout in SGA elections. One way he plans to do this is by collaborating more with other on-campus groups.

“I want to get more engagement on this campus. I think working more closely with SOFA and SAC will make SGA more visible to all of campus,” Haas said.

Haas also plans to raise awareness around SGA meetings and SGA elections with the hope that this will grow voter turnout. He says this will include both more visible campaigning and also a revitalized social media presence that will make it easier for students to stay informed about SGA’s activities.

“We just had our election, and it was very low turnout. Last year about 300 people voted, which is already low. This year we had about 130 people come out and vote. I really want to try to bring those numbers up. We can do that by interacting with people more and running more candidates,” Haas said.

This year’s election highlights the importance of student participation in campus governance. When students take the time to vote, they play a direct role in shaping the direction of their university experience. By choosing their representatives, students ensure that their voices are heard on key issues such as campus resources, student life, and academic support. Participation in elections strengthens the connection between the student body and its leadership, making student government a more effective and representative organization.

The newly elected SGA members now face the important task of turning their campaign promises into meaningful action. Their role goes beyond simply holding a position; they are expected to actively listen to student concerns, advocate for change, and collaborate with university administration. By working closely with both students and campus leaders, these representatives can help create policies and initiatives that improve the overall college experience. Their success will depend largely on their ability to remain engaged, responsive, and committed to the needs of the student body.

This full set of certified election results can be viewed at this box link.