Passing the Torch: An Exclusive Interview with SGA President Isabela Vasquez
The Conglomerate, for as long as I have known it, has been an organization dedicated to campus news and student advocacy. Like other projects and organizations that hold a special place in our hearts (because we pour so much of ourselves into them), this year has seen its share of growth, challenges, and moments of reflection on how we can continue to serve our campus community as student journalists. As we approach the close of the academic year, and with graduation on the horizon, I find it especially meaningful to look back at new leadership, hopeful initiatives, and the future of our campus community as a whole.
To that end, I had the opportunity to sit down with Isabela Vasquez, a rising Junior and the newly elected SGA President, to hear her and her committee's hopes and plans to make a meaningful impact on campus life and advocate for growing student needs. What follows is an exclusive interview that offers insight into Isabel’s vision, motivations, and the goals she hopes to accomplish for the student body.
*Note: These notes are a summary of the key points from my meeting and interview with Isabel. They are not her exact words, but rather an overview of her main ideas and responses!
Q: What inspired you to run for SGA President?
Isabela: Honestly, I wasn’t initially interested in running. I’ve only been serving for a year, mainly on the Institutional Committee for Affairs, handling smaller projects like new lighting in the Sub, the bricks outside the Sub, and ongoing projects such as possibly getting 3D printers for the biology department. My motivation ultimately came from a desire to make tangible improvements – projects that students can see and feel. It was about giving students better resources and a voice with SGA.
I realized during my time at Centenary that if I wanted to change things, I needed to be in a position where I could influence that change. It’s not just about keeping logic or tradition; but about understanding that students have a beating heart on campus, and need to be heard tangibly, not just seen as numbers when they come with resolutions or other initiatives. The decision to run came from wanting to help move the campus forward.
Q: How does the SGA plan to increase student engagement and ensure diverse voices are heard?
Isabel: One key step is improving our town halls, through making them more accessible and ensuring students feel comfortable participating in person. We also want to expand our digital outreach, like using online forms for feedback, and foster a more transparent, collaborative environment. We recognize that our current systems aren’t ingrained enough in campus culture, but through consistent effort, we hope to change that.
Q: What are some of the SGA’s goals regarding policy and advocacy?
Isabela: Although my team and I have not had many meetings yet, since we were recently elected, one of our main goals is to focus on policy changes that truly reflect students’ needs. This includes revising bylaws to make decision-making and how students can request funds from resolutions more deliberate and transparently. Ultimately, it’s about promoting transparency and making information more accessible, whether that be how to get charted or how to access emergency resources, so students feel comfortable coming to us with their issues in a welcoming environment and knowing they can expect tangible, clear results.
Q: Lastly, what advice would you give to students wanting to become more involved in general with student advocacy?
Isabela: My favorite quote is from Emily Dickinson: “Forever is composed of Nows”. Appreciate where you are right now and take that first step to be a pillar in your community. The drive to make a difference is the most important part. If you want change, put yourself in a position to make it happen. Be patient, stay committed, and remember that your voice matters.
_______
Thank you to Isabela Vasquez for agreeing to do this interview with me! I genuinely hope that, moving forward, the SGA can become an organization truly led and shaped by students; those who are ready to build on the past and be there for all members of our campus community. It’s important that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of transparency and integrity in the positions of power we are in – students, faculty, staff, deans, and all – and use our platforms to genuinely serve and uplift every student.