Student government at Taylor University houses two different student groups: Student Senate and the Office of the Student Body President.
The Office of the Student Body President consists of the Student Body President (Kenley Blake), the Student Body Vice President (Josue Villalobos) and the Student Body Secretary (Molly Jacobs).
The team provides leadership for the Taylor Student Organization (TSO) cabinets and serves the student body as representatives to the Taylor administration, faculty and staff. Through meaningful experiences and right relationships, the office of the Student Body President furthers educational, spiritual and relational development within the Taylor University community.
In March of 2022, Blake and Villalobos created a campaign titled “Fearless” when running for their elected positions. Beginning their roles in August, they have based their team’s projects on the Bible verse 2 Timothy 1:7. Focusing on the pillars of “Love,” “Power” and “Sound Mind,” they have started conversations and initiated projects with the executive cabinet of TSO and various departments across campus including the Office of Intercultural Programs and Counseling Center.
The Student Senate is also a branch within the TSO. The chair is junior Siwon Heo and the vice chair is junior Savannah Strieter. As representatives of the Taylor student body, members of the Student Senate communicate questions, concerns or suggestions on campus from students to the university. It is Student Senate’s role to bridge the gap between the student body and the administration.
Recently, the Student Senate has completed recruitment of freshmen senators through student elections and interviews. Once senators are elected, they are placed in one of four subcommittees covering distinct areas around campus. The students in this year’s student senate committees include:
Academic and Athletic subcommittee members sophomore David VanDyke, sophomore Maria Fish, freshman Max Otto and freshman Brock Carpenter.
Student Health subcommittee members junior Peter Schwarck, sophomore Sarah Ebenroth and freshman David Voss.
Facilities and Maintenance subcommittee members sophomore Logan Fish, freshman Cecily Watterson and freshman Luke Beukelman.
Social Issues and Diversity subcommittee members sophomore Enoch Eicher and freshman Jillian Smits.
On Sept. 29, Student Senate hosted the annual Club and Organization Fair at the Boren Center Patio, where every student-led club and organization affiliated with Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP), Taylor Student Organization (TSO) and Taylor World Outreach (TWO) had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the student body.
A few upcoming TSO events to attend in October and November are intramural soccer, MyGen and Fabrica.
Beginning the week of Oct. 18, there will be coed and men’s intramural soccer league games every week. This provides students with a casual opportunity to participate in playing soccer recreationally and socially. The intramural soccer championships will be held on Nov. 11.
MyGen is an event hosted by TSO’s Student Activities Council that showcases talented musicians and student bands from all over campus performing modern songs from when the graduating class was born until now. This event will take place on Oct. 29.
Presented by the Integration of Faith and Culture cabinet of TSO, Fabrica allows students to showcase their unique style, celebrate different cultures and display fashion as an art form. This show will happen on Nov. 4.
TSO’s student government and cabinets cultivate purposeful events, discussions and opportunities for student growth and overall wellness.
