The Student Government Association is having it’s annual elections this week with four candidates running for president. Before the polls close later today, we asked these candidates questions and have them all below:
1) Tell us a little about yourself, and your experience so far at Norwich.
Mason Jakober (18, Freshman, Political Science, Terryville CT):
“I am a student leader who arrived at Norwich with a deep seated commitment to service and institutional reform. My experience here has been defined by the rigors of the Corps of Cadets and the challenge of balancing academic excellence with active leadership. Completing Rookdom was a transformative experience that instilled in me a profound sense of resilience and discipline. Beyond the Hill, I have spent years in student governance and Board of Education level policy work, which has prepared me to navigate the complexities of our unique campus environment with a strategic and principled approach.”
Wyatt Dunn (22, Sophomore, Cybersecurity, Bedford WY):
“My journey at Norwich so far has been a mix of being focused, hardworking, and exploratory. One of my favorite memories was a trip to the Vermont State House with the Political Science club. We got a full tour and even met the Governor while checking out the government buildings nearby. It was one of those moments that showed me how much impact we can actually have when we step outside the classroom and get involved.”
Kundan Kushwaha (21, Junior, Computer Security & Information Assurance, Birgunj, Nepal):
“I’m someone who likes to stay involved and make the most out of my time here. I’ve had the chance to serve as an RA, SGA Senator, and currently SGA Vice President, along with being part of the Junior Ring Committee and a Civic Scholar. Through these roles, I’ve met a lot of different people, heard a wide range of perspectives, and really come to understand what students care about. Norwich has pushed me to grow both personally and as a leader, and I’ve tried to give back as much as I can along the way.”
Stephan Foo (18, Freshman)
“My name is Stephan Foo, and I am currently a freshman in the Corps of Cadets. So far, my experience at Norwich has been pretty good aside from a few things. Those being the food here, and the lack of events for students to participate in.”
2) What got you involved with Student Government Association? How has your work in SGA impacted you?
Jakober:
“My involvement with the SGA stems from a belief that students should not just be consumers of their education, but active stakeholders in it. At Norwich, I had the honor of becoming the first Rook Student Senator in university history, eventually serving as the Chair of the Appropriations Committee. This work has been eye opening; it taught me the “mechanics” of how our school operates, from budget allocations to administrative hurdles. It has reinforced my belief that while the SGA has immense potential, it requires a shift in mindset to become a truly influential force on campus.”
Dunn:
“I originally joined SGA because I wanted to build real connections with the staff here. I wanted to create an actual dialogue between the people running the school and the students living in it. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that you never just “have” enough time to do anything. You have to make the time for the things that matter. If you want to see a change, you have to prioritize it.”
Kushwaha:
“I got involved in SGA because I wanted to be a voice for students and actually help solve problems, not just talk about them. Over time, it’s taught me how to listen better, work with different groups, and understand how decisions get made behind the scenes. It’s also shown me where SGA is doing well and where we can improve, which is a big reason I want to take the next step.”
Foo:
“What got me interested and involved with the Student Government Association was the email that c/MAJ Gupta sent a little while ago with the elections opening up and that everyone can run. With a little bit of digging around, I found the NUSGA Constitution draft and got to know about the position and the potential it holds. With that being said, I took the opportunity and initiative to try and do what I can to make the food here at Norwich better. I am running for NUSGA President so that I can connect with the student body.”
3) What made you want to run for president? What is your platform and how do you plan to feasibly implement your goals?
Jakober:
“I am running because I believe the Student Body President should be a bridge builder and a fierce advocate, not a figurehead. My goal is to transform the SGA from a passive, ceremonial body into a legitimate powerhouse that represents every student—both Corps and Civilian.”
My plan for implementation involves:
· Establishing regular, direct policy briefings with the administration to ensure student priorities are not overlooked.
· Institutionalizing the student voice in administrative meetings where long term university decisions are actually made.
· Moving away from “empty promises” by providing the student body with clear, actionable progress reports on SGA initiatives. We will focus on feasible, high impact changes that improve the daily life and long term value of a Norwich degree.
Dunn:
“I’m running because I want students to feel like they actually have a seat at the table. My platform is built on three main goals”
· Real Collaboration: Making sure students and staff are actually talking with each other, not just at each other.
· Empowering with Info: Keeping everyone updated on committee meetings, policy shifts, and future decisions before they’re set in stone.
· Direct Involvement: Helping students understand exactly how to get involved on campus so they can drive the changes they want to see. I plan to make this happen by cutting through the red tape and making sure SGA information is easy to find, easy to read, and pushed out to where students actually are.
Kushwaha:
“Running for president felt like a natural next step after serving as Vice President. I’ve seen the gaps, especially when it comes to communication and follow through, and I want to help fix that. My focus is pretty simple: better communication, more transparency, and making sure SGA actually acts on student concerns. I want to set up a clear communication channel where students can easily share feedback, make meetings more open and approachable, and create more opportunities for students and administration to talk directly. To make this happen, I’d work closely with the SGA team, use tools students already engage with, and make sure we’re consistent. It’s not about big promises, it’s about doing the small things right, every time.”
Foo:
“I am running for NUSGA President so that I can connect with the student body here at Norwich and take everyone’s feedback on the food situation and try to improve it. The way I plan on making this happen is by pushing out a feedback form to people on campus, filter through all the feedback I get, and then taking the most common problems that everybody has. With that information, I then will arrange a meeting with the director of Sodexo here at Norwich and request ways to make the change. If change doesn’t happen, I then will push out a petition for the student body to sign. If a large majority of the campus supports the movement, then I will take the petition and meet with Sodexo and demand change. If it still doesn’t happen, I will meet with school administrators and talk about the complaints the student body has. I believe that with enough support from the student body, any change can be made.”
4) If you had the power as president to make everyone at Norwich listen to one musical artist, who would it be and why?
Jakober:
“If I had that power, I wouldn’t use it to impose my own playlist on the student body. Instead, I would use it to ensure that every student has the platform to choose their own. Music, like leadership, is personal. The “soundtrack” of our time at Norwich shouldn’t be dictated from the top down; it should be a reflection of the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and voices that make up this university. Just like this election, the power shouldn’t reside in one person’s preferences, but in the collective choice of the students. My goal isn’t to tell you what to listen to, it’s to make sure that when you speak, the administration is actually listening. The choice to define the future of the student voice lies with you.”
Dunn:
“Honestly? Lofi study music. We’re all constantly on the go and buried in projects. Everyone should give it a try at least once in their lives. It’s the perfect way to ground yourself, find some focus, and get through a long night of work without the extra noise.”
Kushwaha:
“I’d probably go with Drake; not just because he’s popular, but because his music has a bit of everything. Whether you’re in a chill mood or need something more upbeat, there’s something for everyone. It’s the kind of music that can bring people together, which is kind of what I’m aiming to do on campus too.”
Foo:
“If I had to recommend any music artist to everyone at Norwich, I would suggest Imagine Dragons. It might be an old band, and have some meme songs, however I think that the lyrics of the songs they produce are pretty uplifting and motivating. It personally helped me get through some hard times.”
To further incentivize voting among the student body on the final day of polls being open, SGA is offering up several $25 gift cards to sixteen random voters. Once again, the polls close tonight at 5:00 p.m., so if you haven’t cast your vote yet—use this link.
