Candidates for EMU's 113th Student Senate share their visions for governing

Eight candidates will be on the ballot for the Student Government senator position on March 25 and 26 at Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, some senate hopefuls are running as write-in candidates. 13 senate seats are expected to be available, according to the guidelines laid out in the Student Government constitution and the official enrollment numbers from the fall 2025 semester. Students who wish to fill empty Senate seats during the upcoming term may submit applications to the Student Senate, which may accept their application by a majority vote as established in the constitution and bylaws.

At EMU, senators may serve on one of three senate committees and are responsible for voting on legislation throughout the school year during full senate meetings. A list of budget allotments obtained by The Eastern Echo shows that the current Student Government manages a budget of $150,000 for the 2026 fiscal year. As of March 6, the Student Senate has passed 12 resolutions subsidizing various events and student resources.

A candidate list was provided to The Eastern Echo by Election Commissioner Max Butler on Feb. 20, 2026, after the deadline to be listed on the ballot had passed. The candidate list, alphabetized by last name, is as follows:

Allison Dorta

• Did not respond to multiple requests for comment
• Incumbent senator (appointed)

Ifeadikanwa Eze

• Major: Computer science

Emiliano Garcia

• Did not respond to multiple requests for comment
• Incumbent senator (appointed)

Ahnika Gaydos

• Major: Exercise science (general business minor)
• Incumbent senator (appointed)

Engin Efe Gokce

• Major: Electrical and computer engineering (math minor)
• Write-in candidate

Malkia Karagwa

• Did not respond to multiple requests for comment
• Incumbent senator (appointed)

Josephine Oloye

• Major: Sports management (social work minor)
• Write-in candidate

Raj Rahman

• Majors: Psychology, mechanical engineering (communication minor)
• Incumbent senator (elected)

Piper Schumaker

• Major: Secondary education social studies
• Incumbent senator (appointed)

Trent Springer

• Did not respond to multiple requests for comment

All candidates were asked identical versions of the following questions:

How would you describe your platform?

Eze: "My platform focuses on putting money back in students' pockets. I have two main goals: fixing campus parking and lowering the cost of class materials. 

With the school managing parking again, we have a rare chance to push for cheaper permits and a 15-minute grace period. I’m also fighting for textbook affordability. Students should know the cost of materials before they register, and I want to use senate funds to get more free digital textbooks into our library."

Gaydos: "My platform is about providing more resources to the student body and making the overall college experience more enjoyable and less stressful for students."

Gokce: “My platform is built on a simple belief: every student deserves to feel at home on campus, no matter their background or who they are. We are all still learning how to be adults and figuring out how to make decisions for our lives and that can be stressful. My platform is to get rid of  that stress as much as we can by strengthening collaboration with existing student organizations and supporting students who want to start their own. No one should have to go through that process alone. I want to make it easier for students to find their community, get involved, and build something meaningful on campus. Because when students feel connected and supported, the entire campus thrives.”

Oloye: “My Platform focuses on student voice, fairness, and opportunity. I want to make sure every student feels heard and represented. I also want to improve campus life by supporting better resources, stronger communication between students and leadership, and more opportunities for involvement.”

Rahman: "My platform is centered on access, involvement, and opportunity. I want to make campus life easier and more connected for students. That includes expanding the campus shuttle to grocery stores and essentials on Washtenaw, improving food access through a stronger Swoop's location, and creating more student jobs through campus delivery and printing services.

I also want more year-round events that bring students together: cultural nights, concerts, pancake breakfasts and open forums with student leaders.

Student government should solve everyday problems and build real community. I’m running to make campus more practical, more engaging, and more supportive for every Eagle."

Schumaker: "My platform centers on facilitating better sustainability across campus. I aim to serve not only as a representative for our current students, but also as an advocate for future students who will rely on the same finite resources and materials we use today. To me, this means integrating sustainable practices into event planning and creating a clearer, more practical understanding of what sustainability looks like in action around our campus and surrounding areas. I currently serve as a student representative on Eastern Michigan University’s Sustainability Commission, where I am gaining insight into how our campus operates, where improvements are needed and how student government can contribute through thoughtful resolutions and projects. While sustainability is the focus of my platform, my broader goal is to strengthen community engagement and enjoyment on campus, which are areas that significantly shape the student experience."

What issues do you think are most important to students on campus today?

Eze: "The biggest problems for students today are hidden fees and everyday campus hassles. Students are feeling the financial squeeze, not just from tuition, but from the everyday expenses of being a student like overpriced parking permits, strict ticketing, and $150 textbook access codes. Beyond just saving money, students want practical solutions that make it easier to succeed academically."

Gaydos: "With the current state of our campus, the most important issues regard campus resources such as food and parking, and not knowing the future of these resources for students. There is also a lot of concern about the state of the world and what life will be like after graduation, and how to best prepare for it."

Gokce: “The most important issues I see on campus today are financial clarity and student storage during summer travel. Too many students don't realize what they are being charged for on their eBill, creating unnecessary confusion and stress. As for storage, many students who live in dorms have nowhere to keep their belongings when they travel during the summer  and currently there is no real solution offered by the university. I experienced this firsthand my freshman year when I asked housing if I could keep my belongings in my room until the fall semester, and I was simply turned away with no alternatives offered. No student should be left in that situation. I want to advocate for affordable or accessible storage options so that every Eagle can travel home without any hesitation or unnecessary stress”

Oloye: “Key issues include affordability, mental health support, and access to campus resources. Students also care about feeling safe, included and respected. Cultural awareness and support for diverse students are very important, along with more opportunities for jobs, internship, and career growth.”

Rahman: "Students are concerned about affordability, food access, transportation, employment, and connection.

Many students struggle with groceries or rely on Swoop's, which deserves better organization and expansion. Transportation is another issue; not everyone can afford a car, so strengthening the campus shuttle is important.

Students also want more involvement and engagement beyond just Homecoming. We need spaces where people can connect, talk, and feel included.

Finally, students want more job opportunities on campus. Creating student-run delivery services and expanding print/media labs would create employment while keeping resources within the university."

Schumaker: "Community engagement and overall student well-being remain central to my work, as they are issues for many students on campus. For example, challenges related to campus life, including access to meaningful events and connections, as well as financial pressures that impact their ability to fully enjoy their college experience. These concerns influence my votes, statements and priorities in the Senate."

What qualities and experiences make you a good candidate for senator?

Eze: "As a transfer student, I’ve experienced the confusing roadblocks that many students deal with daily. My background in software development has taught me how to break down complex issues, work with a team and build systems that actually work. I’m running for senate to bring that exact analytical, fix-the-problem mindset to our student government."

Gaydos: "I am a current senator on student government and have an understanding of student government and what can be done to support students. In addition to this, I have held many leadership positions throughout local and national organizations which gives me experience in how to effectively lead, organize tasks and deliver measurable results."

Gokce: “My experience with the International Student Association for about 7 months has given me hands on getting along with the students while hosting events and actually being a student myself allows me to understand firsthand the challenges that come with moving to a new country, a new campus, new people and a new system all at once. This experiences and perspective of my own makes me empathize with the students much more and that is why I am running for senator.”

Oloye: “I am a strong listener, respectful, and open-minded. I have experience working with others, organizing, and solving problems. My background in sport management has helped me build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. I value diversity and bringing people together.”

Rahman: "I’m hands-on. I attend meetings, draft resolutions, and work directly with student workers across campus. Leadership is not about visibility, it’s about consistency.

I’ve helped organize cultural events that brought hundreds of students together, and I believe in building community through action. I’m willing to sit in offices, follow up on issues like dorm maintenance and sustainability and push ideas forward until something changes. I care about practical improvements, better study spaces, improved services and stronger student engagement. I don’t just talk about change; I show up for it."

Schumaker: "Over the past year, serving in Eastern Michigan University’s Student Government and on the Sustainability Commission has strengthened my understanding of responsible leadership. These roles have required both self-reflection and commitment, which have taught me to approach decisions thoughtfully and intentionally, while remaining firm in advocating for initiatives that benefit students and our surrounding community."

What potential difficulties might you personally face in office? What would you do to overcome them?

Eze: "The biggest challenge will be how slow the university is to make changes, especially for urgent things like parking rules or lowering textbook costs. To get around this, I’ll use clear data to show what students need and team up with faculty to keep pushing until it gets done."

Gaydos: "A potential difficulty I may face in office is the slow rate of institutional policy change. To overcome these difficulties, I would problem-solve and find new solutions to solve the problems more effectively and efficiently."

Gokce: “Some problems that I can face in office probably will be because I am a new person and a new face for everyone additionally that means I need to get more and more involved with everyone compared to the rest [of the] senators."

Oloye: “As a student-athlete, I balance classes, a job, and regular training, so time management could be a challenge while serving in office. However, I am used to handling a busy schedule and staying disciplined. To overcome this, I will stay organized, plan ahead, and prioritize my responsibilities. I will also communicate effectively with my team and fellow senators to stay on track. My experience balancing multiple commitments has prepared me to stay focused and still give my best effort to represent students well.”

Rahman: "Institutional change can be slow. Budgets, approvals and administrative processes take time. To overcome this, I would stay persistent, build relationships with departments and keep communication open with students. I believe in turning ideas into formal proposals and resolutions, not just conversations.

Another challenge is making sure students stay engaged. I plan to increase visibility through forums, events, and transparent updates so students know what’s happening. Consistency and follow-through are how real progress happens."

Schumaker: "One of the most significant challenges I face as a senator is carefully weighing the benefits and trade-offs of resource allocation. This means determining whether the use of campus resources justifies the impact and value they bring to students requires thoughtful consideration. Overcoming this means connecting with students across campus and seeing the voices of those who will use and those who will not use said resources."

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Eze: "I am incredibly passionate about making this campus work better for the people who actually use it every day. I'm not interested in running on vague promises; I want to focus on actionable policies that keep money in students' pockets and reduce their daily stress. Whether it is fighting for fairer parking enforcement or ensuring every student has affordable access to their required coursework, I am ready to put in the work to see these changes through. Thank you for considering my candidacy."

Gaydos: N/A

Gokce: “Lastly for the students who feel like a member of this huge family I guarantee you that I will be always for you no matter what happens. If you see me on campus don’t even hesitate to come and talk to me any concerns that you have. For the students who feel left out of this family I would like to say it is not too late for anything. I want students to see me as their little/older brother, friend and someone that they can talk about their concerns. Thanks”

Oloye: “I want to promote peace and unity on campus. Every student deserves to feel valued and supported. I will be an accessible and approachable leader so students feel comfortable reaching out to me. I also want to be a strong voice for students during both good times and difficult moments. I am ready to listen and take action to improve the student experience for everyone.”

Rahman: "Yes. This election should be fair and student-driven. Your vote matters. Voting takes 10 seconds, but the impact lasts all year. I’m running to create better transportation, stronger food access, more employment and more campus-wide engagement.

We can expand the shuttle, improve Swoop's, build partnerships with local businesses, create print labs, and host events that define the year, not just one weekend. Eastern should be a place where every student can thrive. & I'll be always soaring around. For Students. For Eastern."

Schumaker: "Overall, as a senator, my goal is to serve as a vessel for student voices and a source of direction, helping guide initiatives that are both sustainable and important to the broader campus community."

Voting for the 2026 Student Government election will begin on March 25 at 8 a.m. Election Commissioner Max Butler can be reached by email at dbutle42@emich.edu.

Read more: EMU's 2026 Student Government presidential tickets share their visions for governing - The Eastern Echo

Editor's note: This article was updated on March 10, 2026, to reflect new information obtained by The Eastern Echo that Raj Rahman, an incumbent senator, is no longer running for Student Government president as a write-in candidate. This article was also updated on March 25, 2026, to include information and responses from two new write-in candidates who announced their campaigns.