Last month, Student Government at NC State held the 2021 elections for its 101st session, which garnered 1,898 total votes from students. The results were announced on March 17, 2021.

The next student body president will be McKenzy Heavlin, a third-year studying electrical engineering; the next student body vice president will be Natalie Bress, also a third-year studying electrical engineering; the next student body treasurer will be Harrison Andrews, a second-year studying political science and communication; and the next Student Senate president will be Molly Vanhoy, a third-year studying microbiology. These students were officially inducted into their positions on April 6, 2021.

All of the student body officers advocated for diversity in their campaigns and have big plans for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts during the 101st session.

McKenzy and Bress included a number of diversity initiatives in their platform, including but not limited to having American Sign Language translators at large NC State events and gatherings, updating the gender neutral bathroom database and revitalizing Diversity Education Week. Their complete platform can be found on their website. During this session, McKenzy and Bress also plan to implement the six recommendations and 28 actions steps provided by the UNC Board of Governors Racial Equity Task Force.

“It’s important for SG to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion because at the base of it all, the purpose of Student Government is to be a voice for the student body and to recognize the concerns and issues students are facing and work with administration to help alleviate these issues,” says Bress.

Student Senate President Molly Vanhoy echoes this sentiment that Student Government should serve as a voice for students. She also says that “if we are not modeling the behavior that we want to inspire in the student body and our larger community, then we are complicit in upholding systems of oppression that affect our students in a variety of ways.”

For more information on NC State Student Government or ways to get involved, visit their website.

Jenna Nabors (she/her) is a graduating senior majoring in communication with minors in international studies and journalism and is a Park Scholar. Share your thoughts about this article on Twitter at @NCStateOIED.