On April 16, the Student Senate elections for the 2024-2025 academic year opened up to Stockton students. At 12 p.m., all were encouraged to log on to OspreyHub and nominate 27 senators, 1 presidential elect, 1 vice president elect, and 1 Board of Trustee elect. Days of creative campaigns and networking all led up to April 18, where at 12 p.m., voting concluded and candidates saw either a continuation or beginning of their governmental endeavors.

According to an email sent by Senate Faculty Advisor Jeffrey Wakeman to Senate Elects, there were 759 voters over the three days that elections were open. Senators were directed to accept their nominations by 6 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in preparation for the next and final Student Senate Meeting, set to happen at 4:30 p.m. in the Townsend Residential Life Center on Tuesday, April 23. There, next year’s Senate will be officially sworn in.

Andrea Sandoval will continue to be the President of Student Senate, the role of Vice President bestowed upon Vlad Vasylyk — who previously served on the Governmental Affairs committee — and the Board of Trustee winner is Melanie Chin.

Wakemen told The Argo the following 24 names will round out the Senate: Adejumoke Adeyemi, Ahnjeles Maldonado, Andrew Mitchell, Ariel Graziano, Austin Eckert, Carlos Barralaga, Carson Clemas, Christian Wright, Detty-Maidanove Exantus, Edwin “Eddie” Ulises Feria-Serna, Gabrielle Alexandre, Garrett Testut, Hunter Pico, Jackson Heil, Jaedyn Thomson, Juan Diego Chaparro, Villareal, Kaden Ryan, Nana Amma Otoo, Riya Goyal, Saphire Alvarado, Shane Moore, Stevie Birmingham, Tiana Rosario, and Zippi Abramson.

Upon learning of his Vice Presidential victory, Vasylyk took to his Instagram, (@vladforsenate), and shared an elated story post; “So incredibly honored to have been elected Vice President of @ospreysenate I am so grateful to the @stocktonuniversity community for showing your trust and confidence in me, and I promise to always think back to this special moment as I work towards what is best for our community.” He concluded with a congratulations to his fellow Senate members, expressing his excitement to work with them, the Stockton community, and President Sandoval.

Vasylyk also spoke with The Argo and shared what he would like to better about Stockton in order to keep student life thriving. To this, the Vice President-elect said, “I really want members of our community — students, clubs and organizations — to know that they can come to Student Senate with any ideas and concerns that they have, and know that their voices will be welcome and heard.” Then, when asked what this nomination means for his own career at Stockton, Vasylyk responded with, “It truly is a great honor. This nomination underscores just how many opportunities this campus provides to its students, regardless of their year or background, and I see this position as one that allows me to give back and serve this community that has welcomed me so warmly. I am proud to be an Osprey and I want every student on our campus to feel this way.”

Fresh off of Sandoval’s first year as Student Senate President, the Stockton community has had quite a lively year. From President Bertolino’s Inauguration to NLE Choppa taking stage at Woodstockton to, of course, the many woes of campus parking, the future of the university appears bright even amongst a backdrop of necessary change. For now, as students race around to end the spring semester on a positive note, Senate stands ready to begin the 2024-2025 academic year.

To see Vasylyk, Thomson, and the rest of the Senate sworn in, be sure to attend the aforementioned meeting either at the Galloway campus’ TRLC or the zoom link found on OspreyHub. For any additional updates, look towards the Student Senate’s Instagram page, @ospreysenate.