Time for SGA elections

Choose your leaders; shape the future of campus

The Student Government Association began its annual election process for 2025-2026 today. UTRGV received a record-breaking 52 candidates’ applications, the highest number in its internal voting history.  

Elections will be held from April 7 to 10. Students will receive an email with a digital ballot to vote online.

Beginning today, candidates will be able to present their proposals and engage with students before voting.

According to its website, the SGA is composed of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. 

“The positions in SGA are designed to specifically represent the student body based on their academic college, whether they’re attending classes primarily in Brownsville or Edinburg,” said Delma Olivarez, associate dean for Student Involvement and SGA adviser. “It’s about accountability and also being able to have students that are gonna represent their best interests.

“[It] is the official representation of the student body. Being the voice and partner with university administration on any issue that affects students.”

For the first time in SGA election history, three teams will campaign for the executive position, while six senate seats will be decided in close races, according to the SGA adviser.

Executive Branch:

Ticket 1: Orlando Dylan Alvarado, Jr., Otweduampong-ba Ewuradwoa Nketiah and Hannah Emily Martinez.

Ticket 2: Juan Espinoza, Ian Alfaro and Clarissa Rendon. 

Ticket 3: Andrea Gaytan, Skyller Howell and Isabella Zapata.

 The six contested races are: Senator for the College of Engineering & Computer Science, Senator for the College of Liberal Arts, Senator for the College of Sciences, Senator-at-Large for Brownsville and Senator-at-Large for Edinburg. 

“We aim to increase voter turnout from the student body, and I do believe that having more students running and more contested races will generate more interest and candidates will be campaigning more actively to the student body,” Olivarez said.  

The Rider tried to contact Odalys Saenz, president of the SGA, for information about the election process. As of press time March 14, she had not replied back.

Merari Ramirez, an integrated health science junior, said she had never heard about SGA and suggested the association improve its promotion so students can know more about them.

“I learn more about certain groups or organizations when they host events,” Ramirez said. “I would also like to have better filtered water. I don’t particularly like the taste of water, and I’ve heard other people don’t like it either.”

The Rider asked Olivarez about how SGA projects and activities benefit students.

“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that involves meetings with university administrators, either to pitch new ideas or to be informed of changes,” she replied.

The associate dean added when a student becomes elected and agrees to participate in SGA, he or she must be prepared to make major time and responsibility commitments. However, he or she also has the unique chance to get to know his or her classmates, listen to their concerns and translate those encounters into meaningful actions that benefit the entire university community.

Philosophy junior Hillary Cordero said SGA could put more flyers around campus to better inform students about the organization.

“I would like to see more buildings with more history behind it,” Cordero said.

SGA will host a Meet the Candidates event from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Main Building courtyard on the Brownsville campus and at the same time Thursday on the Student Union patio on the Edinburg campus. 

For more information on SGA elections, visit the Center for Student Involvement website.