For many students, getting involved on campus can feel overwhelming. But one leader, Alayna Stewart, in the Student Government Association (SGA), is working to change that.

As a member of the Freshman Council, she plays a key role in shaping how first-year students experience campus life. The council works closely with SGA’s Senate, planning events and organizing seminars designed to gather feedback from freshmen and bring their concerns directly to student leadership.

“I’ve seen how engagement can change people’s experiences,” she said. “I wanted to create more opportunities for that.”

Her motivation to run for the position came from noticing a lack of student turnout at campus events, particularly those tied to SGA. She believes the issue isn’t a lack of interest, but rather a lack of awareness and connection.

“No one really comes out to anything SGA-related because our name is not out there enough,” she explained. “That’s something I want to change.”

Looking ahead, she plans to focus on creating more interactive and inclusive events while improving communication between SGA and the student body. From newsletters to more consistent updates, her goal is to ensure students know what’s happening on campus, and feel invited to participate.

Beyond events and communication, she also hopes to shift how students perceive SGA as a whole.

“SGA is more than just an uptight, serious organization,” she said. “At the end of the day, we’re all students. We want to have fun, connect, and engage with others.”

As she looks toward the upcoming year, she says students can expect more frequent events and better outreach efforts, all aimed at making campus life more connected and engaging.

“Students can definitely expect more events, more fun events, and better communication,” she said. “We just want people to be involved and know what’s going on.”

With a focus on accessibility, interaction, and visibility, this freshman leader is working to make sure every student feels like they have a place and a voice within SGA.