Lexi Reekie, a junior philosophy, political science and law and liberal arts triple major, decided to join Chapman University’s Student Government Associate (SGA) her freshman year. Two years later, she is bracing herself to be sworn into office April 29 as the new SGA president for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Although the transition has been a bit overwhelming, Reekie said there has been endless amounts of support around her.

“It's been a really interesting transition; definitely a lot at once, but I'm super excited for all of it,” Reekie said in an interview with The Panther. “The executive board that we have right now has done a great job of teaching me what I need to know (going forward). It's definitely been a long process, and it's going to continue to be, but everyone that I look up to has been a great mentor for me.”

Before serving as president, Reekie was involved with SGA as the academic student organization senator and the speaker of the Senate. Because of this, she discovered Chapman through a lens she wouldn’t have otherwise realized to look through. 

As a freshman, Reekie was able to find her niche on campus through SGA by meeting people with similar goals.

“I think just having the opportunity to sit down with a group of people who are wanting to see positive change happen on campus is one of my favorite memories (from my first two years at SGA),” Reekie said. “As a freshman, being able to be in that kind of space and environment of super motivated and positive people.”

Reekie is thankful for the time spent at SGA before becoming president, because she said it has helped her realize what her goals will be moving forward.

“(I want to) ensure the connection between SGA and mental health/wellness groups on campus,” Reekie said. “I'm hoping to make sure that that's really strong this year, considering the abrupt transition from online to in-person and the difficulties that students have faced throughout the pandemic.”

Vice President-Elect Mac Francini, a junior accounting and business administration double major, is also eager to implement change among the Chapman community once he assumes his new position. 

“I’m looking forward to contributing in a meaningful way to the university that has provided me with such a holistically enriching educational and extracurricular experience thus far,” Francini told The Panther in a written statement. “I look forward to all of the challenges and opportunities the upcoming term has to offer, and I cannot wait to officially get started.”

Francini has not been a member of SGA until now. Although it will be a new environment, he is prepared for the dedication that must come with the new position. 

“One of the primary objectives I have for my term as vice president is to create a basic professionalism curriculum for implementation across campus, regardless of college and/or major,” Francini said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference that fundamental skills in areas like resume building, cover letter writing, etc. can have on a student’s employability, and I’m confident that implementing even just minor changes to our core curriculum will increase the value of a Chapman education significantly.”

Although this transition is exciting, it also means saying goodbye to current SGA President Philip Goodrich. Goodrich, a senior history and political science double major, is optimistic about the success of the new elects, and he offered some advice to the Chapman community before he officially is sworn out of office.

“Now is the time to utilize SGA,” Goodrich said. “I think over the past two years, students have more and more turned to SGA as a resource, whether it be for funding, whether it be for advocacy or anything else to improve their student experience. But, I think we need to continue to bolster and improve engagement.”