FIU held its student government elections on March 10 and 11, days that felt routine for most students but carried high stakes for candidates awaiting results.
Alicia Bolton | Staff Writer
Campaigning students spread across hubs like the Graham Center, Green Library, and MANGO, explaining their platforms and encouraging peers to vote. Newly reelected SIPA Senator, Manuel Fernandez, described the experience positively: “It was fun… I got to meet new people… and interacted with constituents… I gained a lot of insight.”
After voting ended, candidates waited two days for results, Fernandez noted, “I felt the wait was unnecessary… it was stressful,” though he acknowledged it created “a sense of community” when students gathered for the announcement.
Results were revealed on March 13 at the GC Panther Pit, where candidates, students, and faculty assembled before celebrating with photos and festivities.
Alyssa Mederos and Isabella Romeo, of Paws for C.H.A.N.G.E., were elected president and vice president for the 2026–2027 academic year, running on a platform of consistency, accountability, and change. While they did not comment, several senators expressed gratitude and introduced their goals for the upcoming term.
Edward Ng, a sophomore international business major, emphasized increasing campus engagement through more events and stronger student outreach. He said he plans to connect more directly with students to understand what makes university life enjoyable beyond academics.
Ng, who previously felt disconnected from SGA, said that experience shaped his approach: “I used to be one of them… I know what they want and what they look forward to.” He believes initiatives like campus events can improve both student involvement and SGA visibility.
As the first Business Senator from Hong Kong, Ng also aims to support international students and diversify representation, stating he wants to address challenges within those communities.
Drawing from his early experience at FIU, which he described as lacking interaction due to its commuter nature, Ng said he is focused on “improving the university life on campus and increasing engagement.”
Naomy Suarez, a Miami native, plans to attend law school and describes herself as passionate about community and student engagement.
During her campaign, Suarez focused on initiatives such as free professional headshots, reduced parking rates, campus fairs, and increased social media outreach, noting that “they haven’t changed” and remain central to her goals.
She identified parking costs as her top priority, citing the large amount of student pay and emphasizing her intent to work with SGA to lower rates.
Suarez said, “Just interacting and hearing the concerns of the people is my main way of representing them.” Emphasizing her approach to representation centers on direct student interaction. She also highlighted events and social media as tools to connect students with SGA.
She added that she plans to support underrepresented communities by ensuring their voices are heard through active outreach.
Shilat Jayo-Acuna, Honors College Senator-Elect, is a pre-law student and founder of Panther Speech & Debate who emphasized her commitment to advocacy, communication, and student support.
Her platform centers on transparency, opportunity, and access, including plans to implement an SGA bill tracker and expand professional development resources. She said her goal is to ensure students are “both informed and prepared” as they pursue academic and career opportunities.
To improve engagement, Jayo-Acuna plans to gather student input through surveys and collaborate across colleges, emphasizing that transparency is key: when students understand SGA’s actions, they are more likely to get involved.
She also highlighted the importance of inclusion, stating that “representation should be about being heard and valued,” with a focus on outreach to underrepresented and international students.
Drawing from her experience building Panther Speech & Debate, she said she aims to make SGA more “accessible, more transparent, and more supportive” so students can better navigate campus opportunities.
The newly elected administration will assume leadership for the 2026–2027 academic year, with expectations from the student body to follow through on campaign commitments.
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