Polls are OPEN!
Cast you vote before Thursday, March 27th at 8:00 PM
ELECTIONS TIMELINE
Application Materials Posted – March 3
Application Materials Due – March 14 @ 5:00 PM
Candidate Meeting – March 16 @ 3:00 PM
Campaigning Begins – March 16 @ 4:00 PM
Election Window – March 25 – March 27
Application & Materials
SGA Executive Positions
Review SGA Bylaws
Election Results – COMING SOON
SGA EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES
Fiona Mundy & Karen Henriquez Fajardo 2026 – she/her/hers
President & Vice President
Tell us about yourself…
Hi everyone! We are Fiona and Karen, two junior Political Science majors dedicated to leadership and advocacy. Karen also studies Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Race/Ethnic Studies, while Fiona studies Psychology and Philosophy. Our participation in the Student Senate and Fiona’s current executive team position has built us a strong foundation to be your leaders. We are excited to work with the student body. Please reach out to us to learn more about who we are and what we believe in!
What is your platform?
We are dedicated to creating an approachable, transparent, and accessible SGA that advocates for student interests on campus. To accurately represent you, we will focus our attention on getting to know you. Our role is to empower Oles and to act as a liaison between the student body and administration. To do so, we will rely on your feedback and the feedback of your elected senate representatives. We want to challenge next year’s SGA to take action against decisions made without us as students.
Fortress Okorie 2027 – he/him
Secretary of Academic Affairs
Tell us about yourself…
I am a sophomore international student from Nigeria, majoring in Mathematics with an SDS concentration. I enjoy distance running, cooking (I'm working on a recipe book), and reading (currently "A Gentleman in Moscow"). I serve as the student representative on the Faculty Governance Committee, a representative on the NSM action team, a TA for the MSCS department, and a proxy for the Secretary for Student Affairs in the Student Senate, resulting in the residence halls' whiteboards.
What is your platform?
1. Start discussions with faculty to make syllabi available during registration. This may involve detailed descriptions of teaching styles and grading criteria or providing the most recent syllabus with a note that it may change.
2. Begin talks with faculty and the Provost about establishing a formal mid-semester feedback process. This will help students understand their standing in class and allow them time to adjust if they are not satisfied with where they stand in the class grade wise.
Lily Kamrath 2027 – she/her/hers
Secretary of Academic Affairs
Tell us about yourself…
Hi! I am a Chinese-American adoptee who is passionate about improving access, equity, and transparency at St. Olaf. This year, I have been working on investigating and improving the conduct process on the Academic Affairs Committee. I am a rising junior studying Quantitative Economics, International Relations and Business & Management Studies. I also work as a TA for the French and Economics departments, as well as the Vice Chair of DEI for the Pre-Law Student Association for two years now.
What is your platform?
Implement insights from the Conduct Survey I have been working on this year to improve the student experience. Allow students to request funding for inclusive educational tools such as text-to-speech readers and continue the Textbook Project making course materials more affordable. Create a Faculty Meeting Report to be published monthly on the SGA Bulletin to summarize faculty meetings. Advocate for greater grade transparency and proposing features for our new Student Information System (SIS).
Azzie Avelar 2028 – They/Them/Elle
Secretary of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Tell us about yourself…
I am Azzie Avelar, a Latino nonbinary person who strives for equality for all genders and races. As a latino nonbinary individual, I have had dealt with discrimination against my ethnicity, sexuality, and gender. Although I am closested back in my home state, I have made sure to still engage in issues here in minnesota, and I am an active executive member of Queer Ole Individuals and volunteer part time to being a SARN Advocate and I am mental health first aid certified.
What is your platform?
I am running for Secretary of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as I have noticed a lack of trans/gender nonconforming representation among SGA. I want to be able to provide trans students safety and a home within the St. Olaf community, as I consider St. Olaf my safety. I am closeted back in my home state, and I want to have all students here to have a community that can welcome them, with all voices being heard. I want to support organizations that benefit this cause, which helps many people.
Kaya Clemons 2026 – She/they
Secretary of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Tell us about yourself…
I’m Kaya Clemons, the current Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As an Education and Race/Ethnic Studies major with a concentration in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, I aspire to pursue a career in education policy to promote equity and diversity in classrooms. I’m running again because I’m passionate about helping students reach and thrive in higher education and grow into engaged, thoughtful citizens. I’d love to continue supporting our community in this role!
What is your platform?
This year, I focused on ensuring DEI organizations had funds, clarifying funding structures, establishing new policies, sharing information on administrative changes, and securing storage bins for international/out-of-state students. I aim to continue this work next year by facilitating more alumni connections and fostering direct relationships with students to better understand campus issues. Remaining intentional and strategic will be key to our success moving forward.
Selwe Mbingo 2026 – she/her
Secretary of Global Impact
Tell us about yourself…
My name is Selwe Mbingo and I am a junior Theatre and French major, concentrating in Musical Theatre and Gender and Sexuality Studies. I come from the Kingdom of Eswatini, and I have used my time at St.Olaf to explore ideologies and cultures through my relationships and travels. I have spent most of my years as an executive member of Karibu, the African-Caribbean Student Organization. Through managing Karibu's needs, I have greatly refined my communication, organization, and leadership skills.
What is your platform?
I am interested in this position because I strongly believe in the mission of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a beneficiary of the college’s efforts to foster a safe and inclusive environment, especially at a time when DEI is being undervalued, I feel strongly compelled to give back and serve the community. I want to contribute my time, energy, and experiences as both a student and an individual to help sustain the enthusiasm and systems that keep DEI strong on our campus.
Maggie Walsh 2026 – she/her
Secretary of Involvement
Tell us about yourself…
I am a Junior Nursing major from Roseville, Minnesota. Family and friends are everything to me, and I love spending time with them. If you see me in workout clothes, it's because I'm probably headed to play frisbee or soccer. Balancing my extracurricular pursuits with a demanding nursing major has taught me the invaluable role of communication, teamwork, and organization. For me, they are the cornerstones of success, ensuring that plans and opportunities thrive.
What is your platform?
I’m driven to run because I value our campus organizations and want to empower students to create clubs that reflect their interests. I aim to build on my work with the new club sports funding model, streamline the review process, and explore innovative ways to allocate funds to organizations through events. I will also ensure clear access to club resources on the SGA website. These goals will be achieved due to my previous experience with SGA and my love for fostering our thriving community.
Anna Gargamelli 2027 – she/her
Secretary of Local Impact
Tell us about yourself…
Hello! I am Anna Gargamelli, a rising junior from Durham CT. I am a music major in St. Olaf Band and Philharmonia. I love being involved with both the campus and local community as I am a shift leader for Food Recovery Network, a campus EMT, and have served two years on the current Local Impact Committee (formally Volunteer Network). I would love to continue my commitment to St. Olaf and the town of Northfield by serving as the Secretary of Local Impact!
What is your platform?
I want to continue and expand my work done as a project manager by running more engaging events that connect the student body to the town of Northfield. This would involve continuing long running activities as well as adding new ones such as a community fun run in the natural lands for Northfield and St. Olaf alike. I also plan to advocate further for the community action grants allowing individual students the financial support to make a difference.
Lily Spoerke 2027 – she/her/hers
Secretary of Local Impact
Tell us about yourself…
I am someone whose main goal in life is to help people. I believe the best way to do that is through law and policy, that’s why I am a political science major on a pre-law track and then planning on going to law school right away after college. I am a goalkeeper for the St. Olaf Women’s Soccer team. I am the Project Manager of Engagement for Local Impact Board and am one of the co-founders of the Bike Task Force which has received all of the funding it needs to get the bikes to campus!!!!!
What is your platform?
I want voters to know that I am committed to helping the students of St. Olaf connected, or more connected, with the city of Northfield. Northfield can benefit in major ways with the help of students and the students will also benefit and learn so much. I am currently the Project Manager of Engagement on Local Impact Board and I am interested in running Local Impact Board. I was on VN last year. I am also a co-founder of the Bike Task Force, which is a shoot-off of Local Impact Board.
Benjamin James Fisher 2027 – he/him
Secretary of Local Impact
Tell us about yourself…
Hey there! My name is Ben and I'm a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and economics. I'm a big outdoors guy and love breathing in the fresh air of the Natty Lands when it's nice out. During the spring, I like to work on the student-run farm STOGROW where I can really feel the earth. Some activities I enjoy are helping with campus sustainability through the Environmental Coalition, going on runs on the trails, and playing broomball on the ice after a long day of classes.
What is your platform?
I would like to connect the campus community with some local organizations that they resonate with the most. This means asking people which issues they want to discuss and work with the most and finding the right groups in Northfield that can be brought into the St. Olaf community. Through this position, I want to hear people's thoughts both in person and virtual Google Form to see what we can do to strengthen our ties with and wellbeing of St. Olaf and the greater Northfield community.
Anna Grace 2026 – she/her/hers
Secretary of Student Affairs
Tell us about yourself…
Hi! I’m Anna Grace, a junior majoring in political science and economics with concentrations in management studies and data science. I’ve served in student government for 3 years and am currently the Chief of Staff, handling Senate organization and collaborating with students and admin on student life projects. I’m also co-president of the Ole Thrift Shop and Consulting Club, and I play on the Tempest women’s frisbee team. I also work at the St. Olaf Fund, where we connect with 40,000+ alumni!
What is your platform?
Actions speak louder than words. My track record proves I get things done, and this drive is key to being an effective student representative. If elected, I’ll take actionable steps to improve student life, including extended Stav hours, housing reform, DEI advocacy, and enhanced mental health support. My priority will be to listen and represent your voice to admin. I’m committed to challenging and collaborating with the Board of Regents to create a better, more inclusive campus for all Oles.