The 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) saw its first contested presidential election in five years. Weeks of debates, social events, and campaigning culminated in a highly anticipated election night, where students gathered to watch the results unfold. The heated race featured passionate speeches, social media campaigns, and a series of debates that highlighted key student concerns, from tuition costs to campus inclusivity initiatives. On January 17, Alexander Stanczak and Shane Mitchell were inaugurated as President and Vice President of Operations (VPO).
Alexander Stanczak, a 4/5 Mechanical Engineering major, has been involved in the SGA since his first semester at Stevens. He served as a First-Year Senator before taking on the role of Vice President of Student Interests and later VPO under former President Paulina Georgoutsos. He emphasized that one of his key motivations for running was to provide younger members of the SGA the same opportunities he had to form lasting friendships and leave their mark on campus. His main goal as president is to improve student life, ensuring that new students can fully integrate into the community, make meaningful connections, and have their voices heard.
Shane Mitchell, a 2/4 Computer Science major, also began his SGA career as a First-Year Senator. He recalled first becoming interested in leadership during an internal Senate bonding event where he was paired with Stanczak, who was then serving as VPO. “I really admired his drive to make a positive change, and the supportive dynamic that existed within SGA leadership was apparent to me,” Mitchell said. His experience as a Senator and later as Speaker of the Senate helped him develop an understanding of the organization’s internal structure and how best to support his peers.
Together, Stanczak and Mitchell centered their campaign around encouraging student involvement, with three main objectives: boosting student-faculty interaction, revitalizing campus life, and promoting student representation in decision-making. One of their most prominent initiatives is enhancing weekend programming to engage students who stay on campus. “We want to provide financial incentives for clubs that host weekend events,” Mitchell explained, highlighting an ongoing collaboration with Vice President of Finance Arthur Serra. Additionally, they plan to organize SGA-sponsored festivals, bringing multiple student organizations together for large-scale weekend activities.
Beyond the executive pair, an appointed cabinet is working to implement these initiatives. Vice President of Academic Affairs Christina Alexandrov aims to strengthen student-faculty interactions and expand research opportunities. Vice President of Finance Arthur Serra is focused on supporting student organizations and funding capital improvements. Vice President of Student Interests Sebastian Sztolberg is working to revitalize the committee on student interest to provide more support for clubs. Vice President of Relations Michael Moschello seeks to enhance alumni engagement and foster better communication with the Board of Trustees. Finally, Secretary Jeylan Jubran is committed to increasing student involvement in SGA and fostering lasting relationships within the organization.
A key strategy for increasing participation is improving feedback collection. Mitchell shared how they incorporated feedback collection into the Take Your Professor Out (TYPO) program application, allowing students to voice opinions while requesting meal vouchers for professor meetings. “Incorporating feedback collection into forms students already fill out may increase the amount of feedback we receive,” he said.
Transparency and outreach are also priorities. “We’re making an effort to keep Stevens more informed about what SGA is working on through programming like our first-ever press conference and a new social media strategy,” Mitchell said. The team is updating the DuckLink website to serve as a central hub for students to learn about SGA initiatives and provide input.
Recognizing the importance of diverse student voices, they plan to strengthen collaboration with club leaders. “We’ll be contacting and collaborating with club leaders to ensure our actions benefit the student body at large,” Mitchell stated.
Looking ahead, Stanczak envisions growing student involvement in campus activities. “One of the major goals that SGA is working toward is increased student participation across all aspects of campus,” he said. Through advocacy and improved awareness, he hopes to foster a culture where students feel empowered to shape their community.
With a strong leadership team and commitment to engagement, the 2025-2026 SGA aims to create a more connected and vibrant university experience for all students.
