Student Senate applications are LIVE! Apply before September 21st!
Questions about applications, positions, or SGA at large can be sent to sga@stolaf.edu
ELECTIONS TIMELINE
Application Materials Posted – NOW!
Application Materials Due – Sept 21 @ 5:00 PM
Candidate Meeting – Sept 21 @ 5:00 PM
Campaigning Begins – Sept 21 @ 6:00 PM
Election Window – Sept 29 – Oct 1
First Senate Meeting – Oct 6 @ 6:30 PM
Application & Materials
SGA Executive Positions
Senator Positions
Review SGA Bylaws
SGA SENATE CANDIDATES
Lila Rstom 2030 – She/her/ella
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hello! My name is Lila Rstom, and I am planning to be a political science and psychology major. I have been interested in being a politician for my entire high school career. I was in speech and debate throughout my high school years. I was also a competition dancer! In speech, I competed in the category of Original Oratory. I wrote my speeches based on real-world issues that I was determined to help spread awareness of. I will be committed to being a public servant and representing others.
What is your platform?
As a first-year class representative, I want to represent the new students of St Olaf and make our next four years exactly what we dreamed of! I am very interested in running for this position so that I can get a feel for how to serve the students of St.Olaf best. My main goal if I am chosen for this elected position is to allow the class of 2030 to feel welcomed into their new home and enjoy their college experience. It would be an honor to help my fellow students get to love their new home!
Ly Nguyen 2030 – she/her
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hi Oles! My name is Ly Nguyen, and I plan to double major in Psychology and Kinesiology, where I plan on going toward the OT track! I was born and raised in Des Moines, IA. I have always loved helping others out by volunteering and working daily, and being highly involved in my high school. My hobbies include walks, shopping, concerts, and genuinely being anywhere where there are people- I also just love to grab a coffee and chat! Overall, I am so incredibly excited and blessed to be an Ole!
What is your platform?
I am interested in being your First-Year Representative because I want to make a meaningful impact, represent the voices of others, and help create a positive environment not just for the Class of 2030, but for our Ole community. In the past, I have loved getting to know others through this type of position and making them feel heard. If elected, I hope to strengthen communication, encourage involvement, and bring new ideas that make our organization more connected, inclusive, and successful.
Olivia Tierney 2030 – she/her/ella
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hey! I’m Olivia, an aspiring Political Science & International Relations major and a member of the swim team. I am service orientated, volunteering my time weekly at a local farm sanctuary. In high school, I served as President of Girl Up, VP of Student Council, and as a member of Model UN. While these roles shaped my leadership skills, my role with Hope Squad (a peer to peer suicide prevention group) was the most valuable, as I connected with and supported my peers during challenging times.
What is your platform?
As a First Year Class Representative, I would plan on initiating opportunities for our class to share opinions to make St. Olaf a welcoming community for all, while growing and adapting to change. My values and goals are rooted in service to others. I hope to ensure all students are aware of opportunities and resources available to help achieve both academic success, personal growth, and wellbeing. Through service and peer support, I look forward to connecting with the rest of the class of 2030!
Maya Wright 2030 – She/Her
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hi! I'm Maya Wright, and I intend on majoring in Political Science and either Psychology or Film & Media Studies. I have always been very passionate about politics and I would like to be a politician to make the change I want to see in the world. In high school, I served on the leadership team as well as the State Steering Committee for both Youth in Government and Model UN (where I was Human Rights Council Vice President), I was Student Council Vice President, and I work at a Summer Camp!
What is your platform?
As a leader dedicated to helping others through service & representation, I want to have our whole class graduating from this school looking back with fond memories, friendships for life, & the necessary skills for success. I hope for this year to be full of fun, learning, growth, connections, & community, while I serve as a catalyst for those experiences. I will take inputs from all & turn those requests into real results, so all can be heard. I would be honored to represent the class of 2030!
Jack Bogie 2030 – He/Him
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hello Oles! I’m Jack Bogie, and I’m planning to double major in Political Science and Philosophy on the pre-law track. I grew up in Minnesota and have always been involved in my community. In high school, I was captain of the debate team, a member of Model UN, and an active member of the National Honor Society. I also helped raise hundreds of dollars and collected thousands of pounds of donations for local causes, building leadership skills and a commitment to action.
What is your platform?
As your first-year representative, I want to make the voices of 2030 heard! While we may have just started, I firmly believe each of us has something to contribute to St. Olaf. That means observation, connection, and action from the student body as a whole. If elected, I will observe the state of St. Olaf, connect with my fellow Oles, and take action to make this campus the best it can be. It would be my honor to be your first-year representative. Go Oles!
Naomi Cook 2030 – She/her
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hi Oles! My name is Naomi Cook and I am so grateful for the opportunity to run for freshman representative! I plan on majoring in Political Science on the Pre Law Track. In high school, I was a social media intern for my school district, a member of National Honors Society and the Speech team, as well as a peer mentor for the Debate team, and a manager at a local restaurant. With my leadership experience, I am confident in my ability to advocate for others and serve our class.
What is your platform?
As your representative, I hope to hear your concerns and make sure change happens! If elected, I will encourage engagement from the entire class, plan events that build community and belonging and implement any ideas you may have. Using my advocacy skills, I will make sure Oles have access to the resources they need, and that we have a successful year! I would be honored to represent such an amazing class.
Jared Noble 2030 – he/him
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hey! My name is Jared Noble, and I plan to major in Political Science and Economics on the pre-law track. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I care a lot about being a leader, being inclusive, and making an impact. Throughout high school, I have held several leadership roles. I served as Vice President of the Student Body, was a leader in my school's Black affinity group, co-led my school's sexual assault awareness club, and served as varsity track captain.
What is your platform?
For some time now, I have reflected on what leadership truly means, and I have realized that it is not about titles, but about the impact you make on those around you. I want to be a first-year representative so I can ensure that your voices are heard and continue to strengthen the bridge between the student body and the administration, as well as the connections within the student body itself. If elected, I will stay true to these ideals and work to make everyone's experiences unforgettable.
Caragan Baker 2030 – She/Her
First-Year Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
I’m Caragan Baker, I’m from the Chicago Suburbs and I’m running for First-Year Class Representative. I’m also just a new student figuring out college life. I know this school loves music and though I can’t play an instrument, I can handle Just Dance. I have experience in multiple different groups such as Inclusion Summer Camp, Hockey, Cross Country/Track volunteering with Civil Air Patrol, Junior Firefighters, Horsepower TR as well as my local library.
What is your platform?
I’m running partly to push myself outside my comfort zone and meet more of my class, but mostly because I want to hear what other first-years have to say. We’re all figuring out St. Olaf together and everyone is going to have different opinions, concerns and ideas. I’d like to make opportunities easier to find and help people feel more comfortable showing up, even if they don’t already have someone to go with.
Caragan Baker 2030 – She/Her
Environmental Senator
Tell us about yourself…
I’m Caragan Baker, I’m from the Chicago Suburbs and I am running for Environmental Senator. Though I am not an environmental science major, I do love being outside in nature throughout all its seasons, going for a run, a bike ride, camping, ice skating, and more. Some simple things I do to prevent waste are repairing my clothes and shoes. I’m studying biology/pre-vet and am really interested in animals, conservation and how all of it connects 🙂
What is your platform?
I am running because I want to help turn achievable ideas into action. I want to listen to students' ideas and learn more about environmental problems and possible solutions. When voting, I want to consider what St. Olaf students actually think, not just my own opinion. I also have ideas I would love constructive feedback on, like creating useful things from recycled materials or exploring a St. Olaf repair shop.
Lilia Edwards 2029 – she.her
Sophomore Class Representative
Tell us about yourself…
Hi! My name is Lilia Edwards, and I'm a Biology major on the pre-PA route. In my free time, I love to run, walk, read, be outside, go to concerts, try new coffee shops, and spend time with loved ones. Last year I served on the Board of Campus Affairs as the Health and Wellbeing Chair, and I had the honor of proxying for the Campus Affairs Executive in J-term. These opportunities gave me a better understanding of our campus community and what it takes to be a leader here at St. Olaf. Um Yah Yah!
What is your platform?
As a Sophomore Class Representative, my main goal is to create a space where all student voices are heard, welcomed, and encouraged. I believe The Hill is OUR space, and I want to make an effort to grow the strength of our Ole community, cultivating our campus to be as positive an environment as possible. If elected, I plan to focus on student and class involvement on campus, as well as growing physical and mental health resources to improve the overall well-being of students.
Marea Nielsen & Elsa Plocica 2027 & 2028 – She/Her/Hers & She/Her/Hers
Student Life Senator
Tell us about yourself…
Hello! Our names are Marea Nielsen and Elsa Plocica! Together, we have over two years of St. Olaf SGA Student Senate experience, with Elsa serving as a First-Year Class Representative (2024-2025) and Student Life Senator (2025-2026), and Marea serving as Junior Class Representative (2025-2026). We love St. Olaf and the community here and were both drawn to Senate due to our passion for furthering connections and advocating for positive change, and we are ready to return to do just that.
What is your platform?
We're running for Student Life Senator because we want to keep advocating for students of all backgrounds across the issues that are most prevalent when it comes to student life: parking, res life, dining, academic affairs, and overall student affairs. Through our two years in SGA, various org involvement, student-employment experience, and overall time on the Hill, we've built strong connections; if elected, we will continue to use those relations to cross-connect SGA with the broader campus.