Presidential candidates for Central Michigan University’s Student Government Association answered several student questions about leadership, engagement and advocacy Monday night during the 2025 Executive Board debate. These were two of five debates held during the meeting.

This debate was the last chance candidates had to address SGA members during a meeting, before voting begins next week.

Presidential Candidates

Presidential candidate Akua Acheampong, who currently serves as SGA's treasurer, and incumbent President Carolina Hernandez Ruiz took the stage first. Elections Director Praise Oyimi started by asking both candidates what their vision is for students and how they hope to make an impact during their term.

Acheampong opened by stating that her cabinet will try to make students comfortable during their time on campus by eliminating issues they face.

“Being a student is not easy,” Acheampong said. “Having academics, involvements and sometimes even work is not easy. So, when other issues couple that, it becomes even more of a bigger issue.”

Acheampong didn't specify what issues she hoped to get rid of.

Hernadez Ruiz followed the same question with her campaign’s slogan, “Empower. Advocate. Elevate.”

“We want to empower you and find your community here at CMU, your space, and you can succeed with that,” Hernandez Ruiz said. “We want to advocate for you. What you need, what you are struggling with, we want to represent you. … We also want to elevate you so when you leave the university, you feel like your time at CMU was really good.”

When asked about how they will ensure all voices on campus are heard, the candidates both said they hope to engage with students more. However, they had different plans on how they would achieve that if elected.

A main objective of Acheampong’s campaign is to create “SGA Pop-outs,” where members of the executive board will meet with students around campus.

“Part of our policy is SGA Pop-outs, going out into the community for the people who don’t come (to every meeting) to also see they have resources, they have representation,” she said. “And to hear from them what they want, as opposed to us thinking of things we think will benefit them."

Hernadez Ruiz said a big part of representation is to be active around campus.

“I would say to represent underrepresented voices, it's important to be present,” she said. “Present means going to meetings, going to RSO club meetings, going to cultural events. It's really important to know what people are going through.”

She mentioned the initiative she implemented during her presidency that requires all SGA executive board members to take diversity, equity and inclusion training.

"It's very important we create an inclusive environment,” Hernandez Ruiz said. "I want to continue making sure everyone has an open with things in SGA."

Vice Presidential Candidates

During the vice president debate, Sustainability Committee Chair Kathryn House and incumbent Vice President Aashka Barot amplified their tickets’ plan for the future of CMU’s student body. House is running with Acheampong, and Barot is seeking re-election alongside Hernedez Ruiz.

The candidates were first asked how they would incorporate their leadership style while supporting the president. House said that she and Acheampong have the same goals, such as ensuring that students know about SGA’s resources.

“We both see the wants and needs of students, and we are both going to work together to implement those,” House said. “It's not co-leading, it’s co-elevating.”

Barot said that she and Hernadez Ruiz have worked well together over the past year and hope to continue that work. Barot said collaboration is a key part of being on a presidential ticket.

“Over the past year, we've collaborated and have been on the same page and aligned with our goals,” Barot said. “If we get re-elected, our collaboration will be even stronger and better.”

SGA member Gretchen Furst asked the candidates how they would advocate for student needs.

Barot said that advocacy is the main goal of the association, and that she tries to utilize her platform to promote student groups and activities at every meeting.

One of the duties of the SGA vice president is to lead the general board meeting every Monday.

“In those meetings, like I’ve continued to do so in the past, I intend to give the platform to students,” she said. "Whether it is talking or promoting events they are having or issues they are facing … We need to make sure everyone has a voice.”

House said that SGA isn’t an accurate representation of every student. She said that she and Akua would work to change that if elected.

“This room right here is not a full representation of every student here on campus,” House told the roughly 80 registered student organization representatives in attendance. “Like what (Acheampong) was saying earlier … outsourcing and going past just the Monday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. meetings to see what students need, what students want and empowering student voices.”

Next steps

Voting for SGA’s next executive board will begin at 8 a.m. Monday, April 7 through Engage Central, and will stop at 5 p.m Friday, April 11. Elected officials will be announced by CMU’s Student Activities and Involvement after votes are counted.

The Inaugural Reception for SGA’s newly elected board will be held at 7 p.m. on April 28. Officials have not announced where the reception will take place.