Addyson Runde (she/her) is a junior majoring in American politics. @Runde4StudentLife

What do you believe the role of the Vice President of Student Life is?

The Vice President of Student Life helps create a campus environment where students feel

connected, included, and excited to be involved. The role focuses on building meaningful

experiences outside the classroom by organizing events, supporting student organizations, and encouraging student participation in campus life. A key responsibility is listening to student feedback and working with campus groups to create opportunities that bring people together. Ultimately, the position helps ensure student life at Drake is engaging, welcoming, and supportive of students’ interests and well-being. 

What are your goals for this position? Are there specific issues you hope to address through initiatives or projects in this position?

My goals are to create a more engaging and connected campus experience. I want to expand the variety of events on campus, including themed mixers, open mic nights, movie nights, and collaborative events between student organizations. I also want to make sure students have a voice in campus programming by using polls, surveys, and feedback opportunities. Another priority is ensuring events are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to students from all backgrounds. One issue I hope to address is that many students feel disconnected from campus events or aren’t always aware of what is happening. I want to improve communication and make events more visible, so more students feel encouraged to participate. I also want to support student well-being by introducing stress-relief activities during high-pressure times like midterms and finals while continuing to expand the range of events offered on campus.

What experience has prepared you for this position? Why are you the best person for this role?

My involvement at Drake, including being active in campus organizations and the Greek

community, has given me experience collaborating with different groups of students and

planning activities that bring people together. Through these experiences, I have developed

communication, leadership, and organizational skills that are important for coordinating events and representing student voices across campus. I bring energy, creativity, and a genuine passion for student life. I enjoy bringing people together and making sure everyone feels welcome and included. I am committed to listening to students and working with organizations across campus to turn ideas into events and initiatives that strengthen our campus community. 

How will you ensure that you and the Student Senate will represent the interests of the student body? 

I will prioritize open communication and consistent student input. By using surveys, polls, and open forums, students will have opportunities to share their ideas and feedback. I also want to stay approachable and connected with students through events and conversations so their perspectives are reflected in decisions made by Student Senate.

How would you make sure you are aware of the needs of the student body?

Staying connected with students is key. I plan to regularly gather feedback through surveys

and conversations with students across campus, including student organizations and campus groups. Being present at events and engaging with students directly will help ensure I understand what students want to see in their campus experience.

Why should the student body vote for you?

Students should vote for me because I am passionate about creating a campus environment

where people feel connected and excited to be involved. I am committed to listening to

students and working to make campus life more engaging, inclusive, and memorable for

everyone.

How do you plan to balance this role with your other commitments?

I plan to balance this role through strong time management, organization, and teamwork. I am used to managing multiple responsibilities and staying organized so that each commitment gets the attention it deserves. I will also work closely with Student Senate and campus organizations to ensure initiatives are carried out effectively.

Sarah Fey (she/they) is a junior majoring in digital media production and advertising with a minor in graphic design. @vpfey_

What do you believe the role of the Vice President of Student Life is?

I currently serve as Vice President of Student Life so I actually know this title is a bit misleading! The Vice President of Student Life is the support system for Student Senate. I make sure the organization runs effectively by helping the Student Body President and handling our internal operations. My responsibilities include coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, overseeing minutes, and maintaining communication with senators. I also focus on accountability, making sure senators and executive members are meeting expectations so we can be productive and advocate for students.

What are your goals for this position? Are there specific issues you hope to address through initiatives or projects in this position?

My goals are organization, accountability with support, and clear communication. 

I want to make sure our meetings are clearly structured, everyone understands how the Senate runs, and we are operating as efficiently as possible! I also believe that every senator should have the tools they need to be successful. I aim to provide these resources; everything from contacting faculty and staff to reserving event spaces and equipment or simply answering phone calls and making copies. Finally, I want to strengthen senate-wide communication so each of our 25 members can work together to aid our student body. This can be challenging; we’re representing groups from all across campus!

What experience has prepared you for this position? 

I’ve served two years on Student Senate. I joined my sophomore year as University Services Senator. In that role I acted as a liaison between departments such as Drake Dining, Access and Success, Residence Life, and students. One of my biggest accomplishments was helping bring the U-Cook Station to Hubbell so students have more choices for meals. 

This year, I served as Vice President of Student Life. In this role I support the senate by performing administrative and organizational tasks. I successfully reorganised our storage system and worked with our Parliamentarian to develop stronger bylaws. This has helped make Senate information more accessible and easier to find.

How will you ensure that you and the Student Senate will represent the interests of the student body? 

 I want to make sure that student voices shape the decisions we make. Our weekly meetings are open to all students, faculty and staff however we have few participants who aren’t on Senate. I will increase communications with the student body so they know that Senate is always open to their ideas and concerns and their voices truly matter.

How would you make sure you are aware of the needs of the student body?

Representation starts with listening! Staying connected across campus is essential. I plan to gather feedback through conversations with student organizations, informal discussions with students and Administrators, and anonymous feedback through our online forum. Gathering a wide range of perspectives helps ensure that Senate is addressing the issues that matter most.

Why should the student body vote for you?

Students should vote for me because I am committed to improving student life at Drake. I have developed the knowledge and relationships needed to effectively advocate for students, through my years of experience on Student Senate. I care about making sure every student feels supported on campus.

How do you plan to balance this role with your other commitments?

Balancing responsibilities is something I’m very familiar with! I’ve honed this skill by being a full time student and holding several leadership roles on campus while also working. Strong time management, organization, and communication help me stay on top of my commitments. I’m fully prepared to dedicate the time and effort needed to serve students.