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SGA presidential candidates Promise Joseph, left, and Kamille Whaley participate in the forum. (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)

Candidates for the 2025-26 president and vice president of Â鶹´«Ã½’s Student Government Association participated in a two-part forum on March 26 following a week of campaigning.

Presidential candidates are current SGA treasurer Promise Joseph and Chief of Staff Kamille Whaley. Running for vice president are Christian Nathaniel and Myles-Anthony Johnson.

Voting will open to students on April 1.

During the forum, candidates were asked about their motivations, goals and platforms. Each was given a minute and 30 seconds to answer.

Presidential forum

Whaley is campaigning to elevate the “Â鶹´«Ã½ Standard.” She described the standard as “leadership, accountability, innovation and overall success.”

“Being in a leadership position, it puts you at a different perspective,” Whaley said. “Being able to know that, hey, I can be up there, and I can advocate, not only for myself but for my peers as well.”

Joseph’s “strictly presidential’ campaign aligns with being proactive, planned and prepared. She said her dedication is made clear by her previous work.

“For example, speaking at city council and getting the Goff street speed bumps; there has not been any safety concerns thus far since then,” Joseph said. “That was something that I did my sophomore year, but if I was in an even higher position, I feel like I could do even more.”

Asked about the main concern they have noticed on campus, Whaley cited a lack of student engagement with SGA.

“We've tried to adjust town halls to where you all will feel more welcome because where you are comfortable, conversations start flowing, real concerns start coming out,” Whaley said.

Joseph said there is a lack of accountability across Â鶹´«Ã½’s departments. She said there is also a lack of proactiveness, citing recent internet issues during midterm week.

“For example, the email that we were sent during midterms week about Wi-Fi being down,” Joseph said. “There should have been a proactive email sent the first day that they noticed.”

Both candidates proposed ideas to create a better connection between SGA and the student body. Whaley said accessibility is part of her platform.

“I want to serve on the SGA board where you all can feel free to access us anytime, having that transparency and knowing that whatever we know you know,” Whaley said.

Vice presidential forum

Nathaniel’s platform is the “The G.O.O.D. VP”: growth, opportunity, outreach and development. He said he has a passion for speaking up for others.

“I have the passion for advocating for those people,” Nathaniel said. “The quiet voices who don't necessarily feel like coming to speak out, who have solid points that they want to get across but just don't feel comfortable speaking out.”

Johnson’s platform is restoring Panther Pride. He said he had “immense pride” when he first arrived at campus in 2022.

“We had Â鶹´«Ã½ paraphernalia everywhere, events were full. Why?” Johnson said. “Because they had pride in their institution. Fast forward in 2025 and I don't feel the same way.”

The vice-presidential candidates were asked about interacting with students who are not traditionally involved on campus.

Nathaniel said he gets it done by remembering what it's like to be one of those students, instead of a student leader.

“I've taken a step out of those shoes,” Nathaniel said. “And I've learned how to interact and how I would want to be interacted with as a normal student, or as a normal person even when I'm not on this campus.”

Johnson said SGA members are students too and interact daily with their peers. He said he would take advantage of “The Big CU,” a campus-wide group chat.

“Not everybody is willing to come to a town hall,” Johnson said. “But just knowing that I liked that message, that I heard an idea, that can brighten up their day and let them know that there are people listening, and I'm one of those.”

The vice-presidential forum: Christian Nathaniel, left, and Myles-Anthony Johnson.  (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)