This year’s Student Government Association (SGA) elections were quieter than usual. A majority of the candidates ran unopposed, including SGA’s next President and Vice President, sophomores Brady Keane and Elizabeth Howard.
The field for Class of 2027 Senator was scarce, with only one candidate returning next year. Although each class is typically represented by three senators, Carter Ralston will serve the upcoming senior class alone.
All three Class of 2028 Senators also ran unopposed. Maya Mathews and Matthias Miller were incumbents running for reelection. Both will return for their second term. New senator Miles Kim will fill the third spot previously held by Howard. Kim previously served as a Science Senator.
After the student body elected six Class of 2029 Senators earlier this academic year, only three will return. Michael Romano, Wyatt Nicholson and Joseph Knepper will represent the upcoming sophomore class.
Elections for the upcoming freshman class will take place during the fall semester, once the new class of students has settled on campus.
Amelia Cardinal and Lucas Scotto will be the new Liberal Arts Senators. Cardinal previously served as a Class of 2029 Senator. Current sophomore Taylor Atwell will fill the Science Senator seat previously held by Kim. Nick Sherbondy and Kara Lindonen will be the new Engineering Senators, and Vanessa Joseph will be the Nursing Senator. Sophomore Nick DeRosa will return as a Business Senator, alongside newly elected Grayson Bucher.
The Villanovan had the opportunity to speak with the newly elected SGA President following his win.
Keane discussed his priorities for the 2026-27 academic year, his top being supporting the upcoming sophomore class’s transition to the new Cabrini Campus. He spoke about the potential in the University’s vision for the new campus.
“One of my top priorities is going to be making sure that the transition for, especially the sophomore class, over to the new campus, is very seamless, and students don’t feel like they are isolated, given that they are off campus,” Keane said. “Hosting a couple of our different SGA-specific events there, as well as collaborating with other campus clubs and organizations to really just make that new part of campus feel like home for everyone that is going to be over there.”
Keane also spoke about other, smaller priorities he has for the next year. SGA will continue collaboration with Dining Services, the Registrar’s Office and University Tech Services. Keane also noted that he will work to improve “how students will utilize technology going forward.”
Keane’s path to the presidency, although unconventional, has provided him with the experience necessary to succeed. He previously served as a Class of 2028 Senator his freshman year, as well as the Liberal Arts Senator and Chair of the Campus Climate Committee this past year. Although Keane is a sophomore and hasn’t previously served as vice president, he was supported by his peers and fellow SGA members, who encouraged him to run.
Keane has previously worked with the President’s Office and former President Aleko Zeppos to design the mural painted during St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. As chairperson of the Campus Climate Committee, he also helped organize notable SGA events, including the Father Peter Town Hall and the Cabrini Housing Town Hall.
Keane also discussed a project he has been working on to improve communication between SGA and the student body. The Student Organization Liaison Program will partner student organizations on campus with an SGA member. These will provide student organizations with a direct contact to reach out with concerns or questions.
“SGA can help smaller organizations with budgets that may be smaller than ours really make an impact with social events and educational events that they put on for students,” Keane said.
Keane also touched on improving SGA’s social media and online presence.
“One of the things we found is obviously a lot of students aren’t familiar with SGA and everything we do and are involved with,” Keane said. “We want to be an organization where students feel like they can reach out whenever they need to, for us to help them, so that they can have the best possible experience as a student in their time here at Villanova.”
When asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind after his term, Keane struggled to answer. He had never thought about how he would be remembered because he did not feel the need to be remembered.
“Honestly, I’m not concerned about what my, you know, legacy will be,” Keane said. “As I take on this role, I just want to spend the next year improving our campus and our community and serving every Villanovan to the best of my ability […] I don’t need anyone to remember me or the things I did specifically or attribute them. I just want people to love this place as much as I do, and I will do anything I can to give everyone that same sort of special experience.”
During an SGA general body meeting on Wednesday, April 22, Keane will be sworn in and officially start his term as president.
