The VTSU Castleton campus just elected a new Student Government Association president who said she is eager to get started.

Aurelia Leerkes, who previously served as secretary of Campus Activities, will take over as SGA president with a clear vision, a great sense of empathy, and a profound commitment to the student body.

Leerkes’ rise to SGA president feels like a natural growth.

“I have been running my board for the past year,” she said, reflecting on her time at working on campus entertainment. “While I loved being involved with the entertainment we brought to campus, I felt that running for president was the next step for me.”

Her involvement in student activities has given her an understanding of Castleton students’ needs and values, and she is eager to broaden her impact.

Leerkes’ top three goals for the approaching school year are both practical and meaningful. Her first goal is to continue the work of departing President Thomas Kehoe in upgrading dorm conditions.

Under Kehoe’s leadership, SGA delegates used their funds to install new water fountains, replace the appliances in the kitchen, and make residence halls better places to live.

“I feel as though this is super important because we want our campus to be a place that people enjoy being at,” she said.

Another important concern is helping the individuals who help SGA work efficiently.

“It would be impossible for everything that the SGA Congress does without the board, so making sure that they are supported and feel as confident as they can is very important,” Leerkes said.

Leerkes also intends to further improve connections with Castleton President David Bergh, especially about one particular topic.

“I would love to keep graduation for the Castleton Campus here at Castleton for as long as possible, and while I can’t guarantee that this is something I can do, I want to work closely with President Bergh on this topic,” she said.

Leerkes characterizes her leadership approach based on her empathy. She understands that many SGA members have more duties than just student government. Many have jobs, and many are student-athletes and resident assistants. She believes in being adaptable and supportive.

“I think it is important to be understanding of what other people are going through. I hope that I am a person that students on campus and a part of SGA feel comfortable talking to about any issues they may need support with,” Leerkes said.

Leerkes stated that she would like to receive feedback from her new board to start thinking about immediate improvements and begin new projects as soon as possible.

One, in particular, she is excited about is potential partnerships with the alumni board this summer to arrange more events like homecoming, which she sees as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between former and current students.