MEDIA, Pa. — At Penn State Brandywine, student-led clubs and organizations are the core of campus life. The Student Government Association (SGA) is at the heart of it all — a group of driven, powerful and passionate students who are using their voices to evoke real change. This semester, a newly elected executive board represents SGA, ready to embrace fresh opportunities and lead the organization with purpose.
Whether it is advocating for campus improvements or acting as a voice for students, SGA plays a vital role in enriching student life on and off campus. With Tejas Chigurupati as president, Maddie Ferguson as vice president, Tim McClure as secretary and Sara Hallahan as treasurer, SGA welcomes a new chapter toward success.
While still learning the inner workings of the organization, the new leadership team has hit the ground running.
“Since the end of last school year, our team has been working diligently to plan meaningful events, strengthen campus engagement, and create opportunities for every student’s voice to be heard,” said Chigurupati.
Together, their leadership style is rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and transparency. Their goal is to empower others, value diverse perspectives, and foster a sense of ownership among students.
“By leading with openness and accountability, we aim to ensure that SGA not only represents students but also inspires them to actively engage in shaping the future of our campus community,” Chigurupati said.
Implementing new initiatives was one of the first tasks SGA tackled this semester. The executive board's commitment to accessibility and student empowerment is already shown in its results. Ferguson discussed how the focus was immediately placed on renovations to the Lion Shrine and making it more accessible.
“Thankfully, with the help of faculty and staff members on our campus, a sizable amount of money has been secured to carry out these renovations,” Ferguson explained.
Another new development is the creation of the Parking Ticket Appeals Review Committee. This brand-new sub-committee launching this semester is designed to give students a voice in the appeal process behind parking fees.
“Not many people know this, but all parking fees go to the SGA treasury,” McClure explained. “Since these fees go directly to paying for various campus events and programs, we decided that Brandywine students should have some say in how parking ticket appeals are decided.”
The new committee is modeled after the existing Student Initiated Fee committee. The committee will meet monthly to make decisions as a group. This addition is another way for students to get involved on campus and volunteer to be a member of the new committee.
With many new plans in motion, one of the executive board’s top priorities is increasing visibility and student engagement.
“For any student organization to be successful, it must have a tangible and visible impact on campus,” said McClure.
At Brandywine, impact means being present for all major campus events, from involvement fairs to academic celebrations. McClure said SGA is determined to meet students where they are — whether that is through poster handouts, social media or one-on-one engagements — to make participation easy and meaningful.
Looking ahead, SGA hopes to leave behind more than just a list of accomplishments. The executive board wants to leave behind a legacy of student-driven leadership while building a strong community. More than just a club, SGA is a platform for leadership and policy advocacy with a common goal of serving students.
“SGA is different from other clubs because it is not just an interest-based organization; it serves as the official voice of the student body,” Hallahan said. “While other clubs focus on specific activities, hobbies or communities, SGA has a unique role in shaping campus life as a whole.”