The University of Indianapolis Office of Student Affairs announced on Friday, April 26 via email that Stephano Ibarra Shishido and Mallory Thompson were elected as the 2024-25 president and vice president of Student Government Association.
Ibarra Shishido and Thompson were elected over the three other candidate pairs, with the email stating, “over 650 currently enrolled UIndy students voted in the election.”
Ibarra Shishido is currently serving as the SGA president during the 2023-24 school year and is “humbled.” Both Ibarra Shishido and Thompson said they are honored to have been elected to their positions.
“Winning the election is a humbling experience,” Ibarra Shishido said via email. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students who believed in our vision for a better future. That being said, I first want to thank our student body for trusting us one more time on our ability to lead, we couldn’t have done it without you. I can promise you that Mallory and I will be working tirelessly for you even more than before. The best is yet to come, and we are extremely happy and we feel honored to represent you on campus.”
Thompson currently serves as the communication chair for SGA. As vice president for next school year, Thompson said she wants to improve communication and collaboration efforts between SGA and students.
“In my experience serving as communication chair for the 23-24 academic year, I realize the solid foundation I worked to create but, while doing that, I also realized the possibility for growth in so many aspects,” Thompson said via email. “SGA should be an easy connection to work with and give feedback to. By increasing online and in-person presence, I believe we can leave the students feeling like SGA has their back, which is very true.”
Student Affairs said one of the first things the elected pair will begin working on is appointing cabinet members with position applications being available in the near future. The pair emphasized the importance of having cabinet members dedicated to their roles.
“It’s essential that we select individuals who embody the values of integrity and service to their peers,” Ibarra Shishido said. “We’re looking for leaders who are not only willing to put in the hard work, even during the sleepless nights, but who also demonstrate a deep passion for serving their fellow students. We want a diverse team that represents the various voices and perspectives within our student body because we understand the importance of having a team that reflects the experiences and perspectives within our student body.”
“Stephano and Mallory will continue working with Student Affairs staff members to develop a launch plan for the Fall ’24 semester so that they are ready to begin engaging with students and the UIndy community,” Student Affairs said.
Ibarra Shishido is excited for the improvements SGA is planning to make this coming school year. The pair plans to promote belonging on campus, inclusivity, collecting feedback and student engagement.
“When times get tough, we don’t give up. We get up,” Ibarra Shishido said. “I assure you more than ever, that SGA is fired up and ready to go. I want to encourage every student to get involved, stay informed, and never underestimate the power of their voices to effect change. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to be listened to, seen, and valued.”
Those with questions regarding SGA can contact UIndy Student Experience Designer Abigail Postma at postmaa@uindy.edu.
