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Two campaigns are currently running for Loyola’s Student Government Association president and vice president positions: the Merritt-Jones S.T.R.O.N.G.E.R. campaign and the CARE campaign. The S.T.R.O.N.G.E.R. campaign stands for Safety, Transparency, Resources, Optimized, Nutrition, Growth, Engagement, and Relationships. The CARE campaign stands for Community, Access, Results, and Empowerment.
Juniors Kiyah Merritt, a political science major and business administration minor, and Kamrin Jones, an economics and finance major, are the voices behind the Merritt-Jones STRONGER campaign.
Merritt, who is running for SGA president, is pushing for a more efficient SGA and striving to leave Loyola in a better place than before.
“It is the best way for me to build Student Government and Loyola as a whole,” Merritt said. “I have dedicated my entire Loyola career to SGA and plan to continue doing so. I also recognize there are areas where SGA can improve, and I believe those changes need to come from leadership.”
Alongside Merritt, Jones is running for SGA vice president. His vision aims for a more responsive, streamlined SGA that creates tangible results for students.
“I’ve worked within SGA and closely with student organizations, so I understand how it operates and where things can be improved,” Jones said. “I also think my strengths in organization, communication, and execution balance well with Kiyah’s leadership and vision. Together, we want to build an SGA that’s more transparent, accessible, and actually works for students.”
Merritt and Jones relayed how they have been facilitating their campaign so far.
“Our campaign has been very student-centered so far. We’ve been tabling, hosting events, and, most importantly, just having real conversations with students across campus. A big part of our approach has been meeting people where they are and actually listening to what they want to see improved,” Merritt and Jones said.
Merritt and Jones have been intentional in their communication process for their campaign. Through endorsements and their social media platform, they have been uplifting student organizations and shedding light to the work they do.
“That’s something we really value and want to keep doing. If elected, our focus will stay the same. We want to keep building those relationships and make sure SGA feels present and accessible in students’ everyday lives,” said Merritt and Jones.
In expressing their hopes for their campaign, Merritt and Jones also reflected on what their biggest challenges will be if elected.
“One of the biggest challenges will be balancing the different needs of a very diverse student body while making sure no group feels overlooked. Loyola has students with a wide range of priorities, and it’s important that everyone feels represented,” they said.
Another challenge concerns student engagement with SGA, and making sure “students continue to feel connected to SGA and aware of what it’s doing.”
The pair plan to be consistent and intentional about ensuring the established system.
They said, “Another challenge will be maintaining strong engagement and making sure students continue to feel connected to SGA and aware of what it’s doing. We also understand that making changes within an established system takes time, so being consistent and intentional about following through will be important.”
Outside of SGA, Merritt serves as Treasurer of Mock Trial, Secretary of the Pre-Law Association, and Secretary of the Finance and Investments Association. Additionally, she is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the Disabled Student Association, and Pi Sigma Alpha, while also being an Admissions Ambassador, a former Krewe Leader, current Krewe Involvement Mentor, and future Krewe Leader Director.
Jones is the Founder and President of the Finance and Investments Association, Marketing Director of the Economics Club, and an Office Assistant for the Women’s Leadership Academy. He serves as a Krewe Leader and future Krewe Leader Director. Additionally, he has engaged in finance internships, an M&A project, and is currently serving as a Senator for the College of Business.
Merritt and Jones shared their goals for the next school year. Merritt hopes to improve efficiency within SGA, specifically in regard to allocations and internal processes, and also wants to strengthen communication between SGA and students.
“Overall, I want to make SGA more accessible and more responsive to student needs,” Merritt said.
Jones hopes to improve processes within the business and music schools.
“I care about… pushing for more flexibility within business portfolio requirements so students can better align what they’re doing with their actual career goals. Outside of that, I really want to increase student engagement with SGA,” Jones said. “I’ve met a lot of students through this process who said they’ve never really interacted with SGA before, and I want to keep building on that. I also want to help get more student work out there through event promotion, small business support, and highlighting our art students.”
Additionally, Merritt and Jones reflected on what legacy they want to leave behind at Loyola.
“I want to be remembered as someone students felt comfortable going to, whether they had a question, needed help, or just wanted to be heard. I want to leave behind an SGA that feels more approachable and more connected to the student body,” Merritt said.
“I really just want the people around me to accomplish their goals. If something I worked on, whether that’s a policy or a bill or anything like that, helped even one person reach their goals, that would honestly mean everything to me. That’s the kind of impact I want to have,” Jones said.
They expressed what they are most excited about if their campaign wins.
“If we win, we’re really excited to bring a lot of the events we’ve been planning into SGA and actually see them happen on campus,” said the pair. “Overall, we’re just excited to take everything we’ve been talking about and actually make it real for students.”
Alongside Merritt and Jones, Violette Worley and Makayla Horton are also campaigning for SGA president and vice president. Worley, an international business and music industry studies major, and Horton, a finance and economics major, are the voices behind the CARE campaign.
“We chose to run in this year’s SGA elections to give back to the Loyola community that has given so much to us. Through our experiences in student government, we have seen firsthand the impact that strong, intentional leadership can have on the student body,” Worley and Horton said.
They shared how they have been facilitating their campaign so far.
“So far, the CARE Campaign has been centered around intentional outreach and meaningful engagement with students. We have prioritized connecting with diverse student organizations, attending meetings, and listening directly to student concerns and ideas,” said Worley and Horton. “More than anything, we want students to understand what it truly means to CARE.”
“If elected, our campaign will focus on our core pillars: Affordability, Identity, and Campus Connection, alongside our broader mission of Community, Access, Results, and Empowerment. Through these pillars, we aim to create a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centered experience at Loyola,” they said.
“Through this campaign, we hope to create a more connected, responsive, and accessible student government,” Worley and Horton said. “We want students to feel that their voices are not only heard but acted upon. This includes expanding access to resources and opportunities, increasing financial support through grants and scholarships, and creating more inclusive and engaging campus programming. Ultimately, we want every student, regardless of background or involvement, to feel represented, supported, and valued.”
Worley and Horton shared their thoughts on what they believe their biggest challenge is going to be if they come into this position.
“We recognize that one of the biggest challenges in this position will be navigating unforeseen obstacles. However, as President and Vice President, we are committed to working closely with our cabinet, remaining adaptable, and leading with collaboration to effectively address any challenges that arise,” Worley and Horton said.
Outside of SGA, Worley acts as a Krewe Leader Coordinator, President of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Additionally, she has previously served as a Senator and is now Chief of Staff.
Additionally, Horton is a Resident Assistant, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Vice President of Chapter Operations for Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, and is involved in the University Honors Association.
They relayed their goals for the next school year.
“Our goals include increasing emergency grants and scholarships, establishing volunteer partnerships with service organizations in New Orleans, collaborating with Tulane to provide discounted football tickets, creating a syllabus bank, and hosting a homecoming concert,” said Worley and Horton. Overall, we aim to balance meaningful academic support with engaging campus life.”
Worley and Horton want to leave behind a memorable legacy at Loyola. In wanting students to feel empowered and supported, they strive for strengthening existing school systems, opening up more opportunities, and fostering community on campus.
Worley and Horton expressed what they are most excited about if their campaign wins.
“If elected, we are most excited to begin implementing our initiatives and turning the ideas we’ve heard from students into real, tangible change,” Worley and Horton said. “We are passionate about creating an impact that students can feel in their everyday experience at Loyola.”
Students will be able to vote in the SGA elections between April 13 and April 16.
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Campaigning begins for Student Government Association – loyolamaroon.com
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