The Student Government Association (SGA) election season is well underway, with voting taking place from Sept. 25–29 via ballot sent to students’ ship.edu emails. 

Those on the ballot had the opportunity on Sept. 21 to speak to the student body during SGA candidate speeches held in McFeely’s Coffeehouse.

Lillian Sellers, who was elected as a Class of 2025 Senator last spring, is running for the Vice President of External Affairs position. VP External is responsible for leading SGA’s outreach, marketing and communication with the student body. 

Sellers is a junior political science major and has minors in disability studies and pre-law. “I have a commitment to public policy. It is what I want to devote my life toward,” she said. 

Accessibility was a focus in Seller’s speech last spring, and it continues to be one of her priorities. She founded the Disability Advocacy Club and currently serves on the Office of Accessibility advisory board. 

Sellers rounded off her speech by saying she hoped to “bring clarity, transparency and honesty to the student body of Shippensburg University. 

Ella Zinn, a sophomore accounting major, is also on the ballot, vying for the open Class of 2026 senator positions. “I enjoy having a very large social circle,” Zinn said. “I’m hoping to broaden my horizons, reach out and get further involved in campus life.”

Zinn placed an emphasis on transparency, referencing issues with SGA last year. “I’d like to help open the doors a little bit, and let people see (how SGA works).”

Speaking on fostering connections between students, Zinn said, “Here (at Shippensburg University) there are so many people from so many different backgrounds. I’d love to see everybody a little more unified.”

While Zinn acknowledged a lack of experience, she expressed a willingness to learn. 

Lack of engagement has been a recurring problem for SGA the past few years, culminating in a record low voter turnout during the spring 2022 officer elections of only 68 votes. 

Sellers spoke on ways she hopes to address that issue. “I want to expand our efforts with first-year experience students,” she said. “I also want to build a bridge between our student media groups here and have more collaboration.”

On SGA’s communication with students, Sellers emphasized transparency and avoiding legalese and jargon: “We need to be able to speak openly and honestly with students is a huge part of it. And making sure students are notified of not only when decisions happen but why decisions happen, and having that communication in language that is accessible,” she said.

Students can access the ballot via an email from Lisa Laughlin sent Monday morning. While there are only candidates on the ballot for two positions, write-in campaigns are welcome. The following positions are available:

● Vice President of Finance

● Vice President of External Affairs

● College of Education and Human Services Senator

● Class of 2024 Senator (2)

● Class of 2026 Senator  

● Class of 2027 Senator (2)

● Nontraditional Students Senator

● Exploratory Students Senator

● Commuter Students Senator

● Transfer Students Senator

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