SGA's 106th executive board sworn in during inauguration ceremony
The Central Michigan University Student Government Association hosted its annual Inauguration Ceremony, where the 106th executive board was formally sworn in. The ceremony also recognized the work of the association’s leaders over the past academic year.
Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Stan Shingles began the ceremony by discussing the history of student leaders at CMU and the tradition of transferring power from one executive board to the next.
“There were a lot who came before the current group and there will be many who will come after,” he said. “This is a rule of service. There’s a continuum to it.”
Shingles said that SGA has to continue its duty to serve students.
“Some of you know that the Student Government Association is one of our three administratively advised student groups,” Shingles said. “So with that comes a lot of expectations, also resources. But more importantly, a tremendous responsibility to serve our student body.”
During the ceremony, outgoing President Carolina Hernandez Ruiz delivered her state of the student body address, sharing the initiatives that were implemented under her leadership. Some of these changes were:
- Institutionalizing the Scholarship Fair into CMU’s annual events
- Creating more opportunities for students to get food during holiday breaks
- Hosting another TEDx event on campus
- Implementing SGA’s Judicial Branch
- Introducing four pieces of legislation to university officials
She said that she is ready to see what the next executive board will accomplish.
“I'm filled with hope for the new elected leadership,” Hernandez Ruiz said. “I know that they will continue to advocate for all students. In this role, we represent more than ourselves. We carry the responsibility of serving every student, and that's a privilege that we must never take lightly.”
To conclude the ceremony, the next leaders of SGA were sworn into office for the 2025-26 academic year. In her first speech as the 106th President of SGA, Akua Acheampong shared her gratitude for the support she has received from friends and colleagues since her start at CMU.
She said she hopes to make a difference in her time as president.
“For the people who care, those who question when things ... don’t look quite right, don’t be afraid to take space,” she said. “For this campus, I hope to make it a better place than I have found it by creating a fostering community around positivity.”
Throughout this year’s election, Acheampong and newly elected Vice President Kathryn House campaigned to build a better connection between the student body and the association. They said they also hope to create initiatives like book drives and a cap and gown rental.
House said that she is excited for her new role.
“I’m ready to take on that responsibility,” she said. “I am ready to lead. I’m ready to, most importantly, learn from others, learn from my mistakes, learn from the world around and hear and implement things that students really want.”
Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and SGA Advisor Erica Johnson said that the transition of power is an exciting time for students.
“There’s a lot of energy around thinking ahead and thinking about what the future could hold,” Johnson said. “Both for folks who are graduating and moving on, and for folks who are coming into new positions in SGA. It's an exciting time and a chance for folks to dream.”
