Each spring, Morgan State’s Student Government Association (SGA) presents government positions that will be available when the current academic year concludes. Students formulate a campaign, speech, and prepare for debate rounds in an effort to sway the opinion of the student body, who will have the ultimate say in who will occupy the positions through an electronic vote.
This year the presidential and vice presidential candidates go head-to-head for the title.
9:38 ET- The Speeches
Candidates were given approximately 3 minutes to explain their campaign to student body voters.
Tamera Trimuel, junior strategic communication major and MarKayla Wilson, junior accounting major, currently serve as the president and VP of the junior class. This year they are running for the overarching roles of SGA president and VP.
They’ve taken the creative route and titled their campaign: The Renaissance Administration after singer-songwriter Beyoncé’s 2022 album Renaissance.
The administration’s three mission points are as follows:
- Rebirth: The action of reappearing, starting to flourish or increase after a decline, a revival. The rebirth stage of Trimuel and Wilson’s campaign is aimed to cause introspective outlooks on student behavior to guide change and become effective leaders.
- Restrengthen: The process of revitalizing and reinforcing leadership capabilities after a decline. This will help students build mental strengths and confidence.
- Reimagine: To form a new perception of: Envisioning a new Morgan with an innovative approach to problems and opportunities.
Their objective this year is to create the space for change at Morgan State University. “We aim to empower individuals and organizations to break free from the status quo and create meaningful change that inspires growth,” said Wilson, the pair’s candidate for vice president.
Candidates Laila Amin, senior industrial engineering major and Thalya Baptiste, junior political science major and sociology minor, presented an administration that would take an approach focusing on student safety and transparency in an effort to promote the success of the student body. The pair are also running for SGA president and vice president under their ARMOR Administration.
The ARMOR Administration’s mission is as follows:
- Campus Resources: Highlighting the resources provided on Morgan’s campus either financial, mental health, food, and more.
- Accessibility: Work to ensure the safety of the campus is mediated and security protocols are in place for students. Showcase the truths of where tuition dollars are going.
- Visibility: Create a bond between student life and SGA for a heightened sense of community.
“Students have every right to feel safe in their university and deserve a transparent approach from the university about what they plan to do to keep students safe. The ARMOR Administration vows to do everything we can…to remain transparent with the student body,” said Amin, who is running for the role of president under the campaign.
Cherise Castello, junior political science major and Christian Gatlin, junior business administration major are running under their T.R.U.T.H. Administration. The pair plans to “reestablish trust in Morgan’s Student Government Association” and encourage students to become agents of change on campus.
The T.R.U.T.H Administration’s mission is as follows:
- Trust: Students should be able to trust the faculty and facilities provided on this campus and within our student
Cherise Castello, Christian Gatlin, the T.R.U.T.H. Administration (Alyssa Evans) government.
- Respect: A mutual level of respect amongst each other to ensure a civil functioning campus.
- Unity: With respect comes unity, we all cand unify through understanding one another.
- Tenacity: Students will be able to strive and yearn for determination to succeed.
- Hope: Finally hope to learn and grow another day.
“Our institution’s slogan is: ‘Growing the Future, Leading the World’ that needs to continue to be the precedent that our students step out into the world and take pride in,” said Castello, the administration’s presidential candidate. “Your power is your truth and your truth comes from your power.”
9:51 The Debate:
Candidates were to select two numbered cards from a basket which prompts a debate question.
The first round of questioning came shortly after speeches. Questions revolving around campus facilities, hypothetical student complaints and Morgan history were asked.
Q: If a student comes to you with a complaint about MSU dining what do you do?
A: (Baptiste, ARMOR Administration)
“First we would identify the department where the student has the issue, send them to that office and make sure that they know if that department doesn’t solve their issue directly they can come back. From there we would climb the ladder to make sure that the student has their issue resolved.”
Q: What is your campaign platform?
A: (Castello, T.R.U.T.H. Administration)
“Our campaign platform is the T.R.U.T.H. Administration…our main platform is to empower students. It’s not all up to SGA, it’s up to students as well. We have to work hand in hand.”
Q: Name the last four former SGA presidents and vice presidents
This question was originally offered to the T.R.U.T.H. Administration, whose answer was partially correct. Wilson of the Renaissance Administration picked up the question to answer in full.
A: (Wilson, Renaissance Administration)
“Brooke Foyles and Kayla Clark, Jaden Dawson and Sydney Beatty, Jamera Forbes and Dai’shona Jones, Alex Freeman and Simone Lonas and Kenyon Grayson and Brandon Homes.”
Voting opens for students on Tuesday, April 2 at 10 p.m. and will end on Friday, April 5 at 9 a.m. Winners of each respective position will be announced on Friday, April 5 at noon.
