The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Student Government Association (SGA) hosted its annual candidate forum on April 14th, providing a platform for the next generation of campus leaders to outline their visions. Co-hosted by The Executive Election Committee Chair, Hazeeza Olaniran, and TechNews’ Editor-In-Chief Elio Armas-Rojo, the debate centered on a fundamental goal: transforming the SGA from a bureaucratic body into a visible, accessible advocate for the student experience. From fixing the “information gap” in academics to fostering a deeper sense of belonging for international students, here are the highlights from the executive candidates.
VP of Academic Affairs: Bridging the Syllabus Gap
The candidate for Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA), Delwin Manjali, faced tough questions regarding the lack of clarity in course descriptions and the administrative hurdles that leave students feeling overwhelmed. Addressing the issue of students unknowingly taking on excessive workloads due to vague registrar descriptions, the candidate committed to pushing for syllabus transparency. He noted that the Academic Affairs committee is already working on a legislation resolution to fix the existing course catalog.
“I believe [the administration] can still provide the services needed, but there are barriers,” Manjali stated. “I am here to break those barriers in order for students to get what they want out of their academic careers.”
When asked how he would advocate for needs currently ignored by the university, Manjali emphasized a data-driven approach. His strategy involves analyzing current school policies, proposing solutions directly to the administration, and feasibility ranking: solutions will be ranked based on how realistic they are to implement, ensuring that student advocacy leads to tangible results rather than just ideas.
The debate also touched on whether the VPAA should advocate for broader institutional shifts, such as university funding for academic conferences and class trips. Manjali expressed a desire to move beyond just “academic changes” to “institutional changes.” While acknowledging that conference funding isn’t within his current jurisdiction, he expressed a commitment to looking into it in the future to ensure the university better supports the holistic academic experience.
In their closing remarks, Manjali highlighted his experience as a Hawkeye appointee who revitalized the Academic Affairs committee. He signaled that his “unfinished business” includes finalizing legislation for the add/drop deadline and ensuring that the VPAA office operates as a cohesive team that knows how to navigate the University Senate.
VP of Research: Expanding the Scope of Student Discovery
The candidate for the newly established Vice President of Research (VPR) role, Tengis Munkhbat, addressed the future of the position, focusing on moving beyond the committee’s primary existing responsibility: the annual Research Banquet. When asked if the VPR should take on more consistent tasks beyond the Research Banquet, Munkhbat proposed a vision centered on accessibility. Recognizing that many students find the prospect of starting research “intimidating,” he suggested the creation of a formalized system to help students find their fit within the university’s research ecosystem. This would move away from the current reliance on students cold-emailing professors, replacing it with a more streamlined, accessible entry point for undergraduates and graduates alike.
A key point of discussion was the “invisible line” between the duties of the VP of Academic Affairs and the VP of Research. To avoid potential overlap or conflict, Munkhbat advocated for a collaborative rather than a competitive environment.
“I personally believe that there does not need to be a very clear fine line,” Munkhbat explained. “It is very important that we work hand-in-hand. I feel like that’s more efficient.” He emphasized that prioritizing communication between branches is the most effective way to foresee and resolve conflicts before they arise.
Addressing the perennial issue of funding, Munkhbat acknowledged that while the SGA does not have direct control over university budgets, the VPR can act as a catalyst for “creative” solutions. Munkhbat proposed:
- Encouraging the use of open-source databases and existing institutional tools to mitigate costs.
- Leveraging the ambition and intelligence of the student body to produce high-quality research even when financial friction exists.
Munkhbat concluded by noting that his own journey of seeking research across different departments, including physics and psychology, has provided the “breadth of knowledge” necessary to make better decisions for all students in the future.
VP of Engagement: Beyond the “Party Planner” Label
The candidate for Vice President of Engagement (VPE), Harold Brent Wu Yi Ho, addressed the historical perception of the role as a “glorified party planner,” outlining a strategy to transform the position into a more substantial bridge between the student body and the SGA.
When asked how the vision for the Engagement Committee would evolve, Ho acknowledged the department’s traditional focus on social media and event planning but expressed a desire to deepen its impact. The proposed change involves moving away from generic events toward those that address the “underlying needs” of the student body. The goal is to ensure that students attend SGA functions not only for the activities, but because they feel their specific academic and social needs are being met through these interactions.
To keep the vibrant side of the role alive while steering away from being a “party planner,” Ho emphasized a strategy of purposeful collaboration. Proposed initiatives include:
- Collaborating with a wide variety of ethnic organizations, the Union Board, and professional engineering societies to create events with more substance.
- Tailoring to cater to the diverse backgrounds of the student body, ensuring that engagement efforts feel inclusive of all groups on campus.
- Utilizing an “exquisite team” of professional content creators and editors to maintain high-quality communication that resonates with a wider range of students.
A primary focus for the VPE candidate is creating a more direct line of communication between students and their senators. Recognizing that Instagram is currently the most effective tool for reaching the student body, Ho plans to utilize social media features to facilitate dialogue. Plans include encouraging students to use comment sections and direct messages as formal avenues to voice concerns and ask questions. By prioritizing the “outreach” aspect of engagement over simple promotion, Ho aims to make the SGA the true “Voice of IIT,” ensuring that senators are consistently informed by the direct input of their constituents.
VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The forum concluded with a deep dive into the roles of the two candidates for Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Both candidates, Ashanti Bunton and Jiaxin Xie or “Jessie,” addressed the complexities of managing cultural conflicts and supporting a global student body during times of international crisis.
When asked how they would mediate between organizations with conflicting values, the candidates emphasized transparency and empathy. Candidate Bunton advocated for a “middle-ground” approach, stating that when conflicts arise, the committee’s role is to ensure all parties can state their case in a transparent environment to find a compromise. Jessie focused on the importance of “perspective-taking,” suggesting that the DEI committee should act as a platform for open communication. By encouraging leaders to “put themselves in each other’s shoes,” the committee can break down communication barriers before they escalate into larger conflicts.
A major point of the discussion was how the SGA can support students whose home countries are facing periods of uncertainty or crisis. Bunton proposed the implementation of a monthly newsletter and a feedback system where students can share their experiences and concerns directly. This data would then be used to dictate the committee’s priorities and ensure the administration is aware of specific student needs. Jessie suggested a more localized, grassroots approach: physical “bulletin boards” in campus hotspots. These would allow students to leave anonymous notes and share their experiences, fostering a sense of solidarity and making student struggles visible to the broader community.
To enhance the committee’s role as a liaison between cultural groups and the administration, the candidates looked toward data and inter-club connectivity. Bunton emphasized the “power in numbers.” By using surveys to collect first-hand accounts of the student experience, ranging from cultural identity to sexual orientation, the committee can present the administration with undeniable evidence when advocating for policy changes. Jessie highlighted the diversity of Illinois Tech, which hosts students from over 100 countries. They proposed revitalizing the Diversity Advisory Council, using it as a low-pressure platform for different ethnic and cultural groups to step out of their comfort zones and understand one another’s backgrounds.
The candidates also touched on their personal ties to the role. The forum highlighted the critical role that a sense of belonging plays in student engagement. Bunton stated that when a student feels they truly belong, their perception of the environment and their interaction with others changes for the better, noting this as the ultimate goal for the DEI committee. Jessie discussed her own experience as an international student who faced language and cultural barriers upon moving to the U.S. five years ago. “I’ve gone through that, not only as a leader, but as a bridge to connect to SGA,” she remarked, pointing to a sense of belonging as the key to increasing student passion and participation on campus.
The SGA forum continues tomorrow with sessions for the VP of Student Life, Executive Vice President and Presidential Tickets. Students are encouraged to stay tuned for election details as the university prepares to vote for the 2026-2027 leadership.