EMU's 2026 Student Government presidential tickets share their visions for governing

Students voting in the upcoming 2026 Eastern Michigan University Student Government election will be presented with two presidential tickets on the ballot. In February 2026, The Eastern Echo reached out to both campaigns separately by email to learn more about their respective platforms.

At EMU, Student Government president is an elected and paid position that serves as the highest-ranking official in the Student Government. As of this term, EMU's Student Government manages a budget of $150,000 in university-allocated funds, according to a document obtained by The Eastern Echo through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Historically, Student Government has run events for students, passed various resolutions and allocated funding to various campus organizations. The Student Government president is also the representative voice of the student body in closed-door meetings with EMU faculty.

Last year, Jack Booth, the sitting Student Government president, served on a search advisory committee that produced a new university president. The Student Government president is also responsible for appointing executive board members for Senate approval and has veto power over legislation that can be overruled by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, according to the Student Government constitution.

A candidate list was provided to The Echo by Election Commissioner Max Butler on Feb. 20, 2026, after the deadline to be listed on the ballot was reached. The candidate list, alphabetized by last names of the presidential candidates, is as follows:

Farook-Shehab ticket

Yasrib Yasir Farook

• Presidential candidate
• Incumbent senator (elected) and speaker of the senate
• Major: Computer science applied (mathematics minor)

Mirna Shehab

• Vice presidential candidate
• Incumbent senator (appointed)
• Major: Interior design

Freeman-Orlich ticket

Nina Freeman

• Presidential candidate
• Incumbent vice president
• Major: Secondary education math

Eva Orlich Rojas

• Vice presidential candidate
• Current director of student services
• Major: Chemistry (concentration in fermentation science)

Raj Rahman, an incumbent senator running for reelection, is also running for Student Government president as a write-in candidate. Rahman's answers to the following questions can be found in this article's senatorial counterpart.

Both tickets were asked identical versions of the following questions. Orlich gave answers on behalf of the ticket, which Freeman confirmed. Farook and Shehab submitted their answers individually.

How would you describe your platform?

Orlich: "Our platform is objective but heartfelt. By this, I mean that we have a clear set of priorities in our campaign, all grounded in our own experiences, in what we have consistently observed, and in what we have heard from students across campus. We are intentional about this because we do not want to make false promises; our ideas come from what we truly understand student government is capable of changing and improving. At the same time, it goes beyond simply addressing issues. We genuinely want to understand students’ perspectives and make a real impact in their daily lives. We are both deeply moved by what students share with us and by the kind of experience they can have when they are given the right support and resources.

Our platform has a plan, but its priority will always be to remain open, so students can raise their voices and so our plans can grow and adapt with them. Our intention is not to impose our ideas on campus, but to make student voices the reason and the direction behind everything we do."

Farook: "Our platform is student-centered, action-oriented, and accountability-driven. Student government should actively respond to student needs, not just pass resolutions. Our focus is on tangible improvements, such as installing more charging stations across campus, extending Halle Library and Rec/IM hours during peak academic periods, advocating for late-fee relief options, and increasing transparency in decision-making. We want to strengthen communication between students and administration while ensuring every commuter, resident, international, graduate, and first-year student feels represented. Our guiding belief is simple: Student needs Student Government, and Student Government needs Students."

Shehab: "Our platform is really about making student government feel accessible and actually useful to students. We want to focus on opportunity, connection, and transparency. A big part of that is prioritizing commuters and making sure they feel just as involved as anyone living on campus. I also want to create stronger career opportunities like company shadowing, day visits, and more direct connections with professionals. Overall, our platform is about making sure students feel heard and supported in real, practical ways."

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

Orlich: "Food insecurity is one of the most urgent concerns we hear about. Many students are financially independent and often limit or skip meals, which directly affects their well-being and academic performance. Increasing the accessibility, both financially and in distance, of resources is essential.

Safety and campus infrastructure are also major priorities. Students, especially those with disabilities, have expressed the need for clearer, well-maintained pathways during the winter and throughout the year. While I understand that maintaining a large campus is challenging, I do consider that there can always be room for improvement, and this can truly make a difference in students’ daily lives, especially in Michigan, where winter can sometimes feel eternal."

Farook: "Accessibility and affordability are major concerns. Students are balancing academics, work, and personal responsibilities, so extended library and facility hours would better support their schedules. Financial stress is also real, as late fees, textbook costs, and unexpected expenses impact many students. Additionally, students want clearer communication about policies, campus changes, and available resources. There is also a strong desire for more inclusive engagement, ensuring international students, commuters, and underrepresented groups feel heard. Students want practical solutions, not just promises."

Shehab: "I think one of the biggest issues is feeling disconnected — whether that’s from campus life, administration, or career opportunities. A lot of students, especially commuters, struggle to feel included. Students also want clearer paths to internships, networking, and real-world experience. On top of that, mental health, affordability, and academic support are always major concerns. Students want to feel like their time here is worth it and prepare them for what comes next."

What qualities and experiences make you a good candidate for these roles?

Orlich: "Both Nina and I have great experience in student government and strong connections across campus. Nina has served for two years in student government, including as Co-Chair of Business and Finance, Director of Community and Diversity Outreach, and now Vice President. I currently serve as Director of Student Services, where our team has passed multiple resolutions and created opportunities where students can engage and learn, such as the Democracy Dinner where civic engagement was promoted. These roles have allowed us to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students while gaining a deep understanding of how to turn student needs into action. Beyond student government, I work closely with the International Student Association, Campus Life, Orientation, and the Faculty Development Center, which has given me great teamwork skills and an understanding of the importance of engagement for a student's college experience. As well, Nina works with the Alumni Office, where she has created many events for students to grow professionally while building connections with faculty and alumni. Beyond our experience, I believe that we have proven to have great organization, passion, and a genuine commitment to this community that make us strong candidates."

Farook: "I have served in Student Government for two years as a Senator and currently as Speaker of the Senate, where I’ve helped pass over 50 resolutions and worked closely with administrators and campus departments. I’ve learned how to navigate university systems, collaborate across perspectives, and turn ideas into actionable outcomes. Beyond government, I’ve founded and supported student organizations, which gives me insight into the needs of diverse student communities. My leadership style is collaborative but decisive. I prioritize listening first and acting strategically."

Shehab: "I’m hardworking, organized, and genuinely care about advocating for others. I’m not someone who just talks about ideas — I follow through. I’ve been involved in leadership and collaborative spaces before, and I know how to communicate with different types of people. I’m also approachable, which I think is important. Students should feel comfortable coming to their representatives with concerns or ideas."

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

Orlich: "One challenge I recognize in any leadership position is that not every decision will satisfy everyone. When that happens, I will prioritize transparency, active listening, and thoughtful compromise so that every perspective is genuinely considered and the final decision reflects the greatest overall benefit for students.

Another challenge is balancing the responsibilities of student government with my academics and other commitments. I plan to approach this the way I always have: by relying on my team. I deeply trust Nina and know we will be able to count on each other to manage the workload. I am also committed to helping build a collaborative student government where every member understands their value and feels supported. That shared sense of responsibility and mutual trust will allow us to move through demanding moments while staying focused on our mission."

Farook: "One challenge could be balancing ambitious goals with institutional timelines and constraints. Change within a university system can be gradual. To overcome this, I would focus on building strong relationships with administrators early, setting clear benchmarks, and communicating transparently with students about progress. I also understand that representing a large and diverse campus means managing competing priorities. I plan to address this by creating structured feedback channels and ensuring decisions are data-informed and student-driven."

Shehab: "One challenge might be navigating administrative processes because change can take time. But I’m patient and persistent. I would focus on building strong communication with administration and staying consistent. Even if progress is slow, I won’t drop issues that matter to students."

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Orlich: "While we are proud of the work we have already accomplished in student government, our vision goes beyond holding office. We believe every student has the ability to shape a more supportive and inclusive Eastern community through simple, everyday actions. Nina and I lead with respect, energy, and a constant desire to uplift others, whether we are in a meeting, a classroom, or a campus event. This is something that any student can do; any student can be a leader. Regardless of the election outcome, we will continue advocating for students and encouraging others to recognize their own power to create positive change in our campus."

Farook: "This campaign is about service, not position. I believe leadership is about responsibility and accountability to the people I represent. If elected, my goal is to make the student government more visible, more transparent, and more impactful in students’ everyday lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and to continue working toward a stronger EMU community."

Shehab: "At the end of the day, I care about impact. I don’t want the student government to feel distant or performative. I want students to see real effort and real outcomes. I’m running because I believe we can make campus feel more connected, supportive, and opportunity-driven for everyone."

A candidate forum for presidential and vice presidential candidates will be held March 18, 2026, at 5 p.m. in Room 352 of the Student Center. Voting in the 2026 Student Government election will begin March 25 at 8 a.m.