The Student Government Association held its first meeting of the 24th Senate Tuesday night, where the newly elected senators were sworn in and the Speaker of the Senate and the Chief of Staff were elected. 

Sarah Vincent, College of Health and Human Services senator, was elected as the Speaker of the Senate.

Vincent was up for the position against Sophia Bryant, Potter College of Arts & Letters Senator.

“The Speaker’s [of the Senate’s] role is to act as the voice of the Senate within the Executive Cabinet,” Vincent said. “My former experience on the Cabinet will help me to navigate that and to know when you, as a Senate, are not being fully represented and when your voice needs to be amplified, to be heard at the same volume as [the] Exec[utive Cabinent].”

Anne-Marie Wright, senior senator, was appointed as the Chief of Staff. 

Wright said she was excited about the opportunity to work with the new Senate in her role and thought the variety of the elected senators would bring many new ideas for SGA.

Ellen Henderson, Associate Chief Justice, was appointed as the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice Isaac King swore in Vincent, Wright, Henderson and the remainder of the newly-elected students present, officially beginning the 24th Senate of SGA for the 2024-25 academic year.

Sam Kurtz, student body president, announced to the Senate during his officer report that the position of Chief Communications Officer, formerly known as Director of Public Relations, is open.  

“We would love to have someone that has experience with SGA, but we’re also opening it up to every creative individual and media talent to help put the brand of SGA in the best hands.”

Assistant News Editor Ali Costellow can be reached at [email protected]