Before you go to vote, it’s important to know who’s on the ballot! Here, you will find a brief overview of the positions up for election followed by short blurbs of each candidate that are different from what you will see on ConnQuest. The headers are big so you can skip to what you care about (there’s also a TLDR for each candidate)!
The Positions and Responsibilities:
President:
The Class President arranges Class Council meetings (meetings with the Class President, Vice President, Honor Council Representatives, and Social Chair) and is a voting member of the Student Government Association General Assembly meetings (every Thursday at 7:15 pm). They can also appoint Class Representatives who help the Social Chair plan and coordinate events. The Class President serves as the liaison between the Class Council, class (as in, class year), SGA, and college administration.
In short, they tell the Class Council, class, and administration what’s up with SGA and tell SGA what’s up with the Class Council and class.
Vice President:
The Class Vice President is in charge of managing class finances. They are essentially the treasurer of the class but they also take over for the Class President if needed. If the Class President ever can’t continue to be President, the Vice President will take over.
Social Chair:
The Class Social Chair organizes social, athletic, cultural, and educational events for the class. They coordinate all organizational needs for these events.
Honor Council Representative:
There are four Honor Council Representatives for each class year. The Honor Council Representatives attend Honor Council hearings and essentially function as a jury of peers for students who are reported for breaking the Honor Code or school policies (except for Title IX infringements, which are overseen by the Title IX Coordinator).
Candidates
Class of 2027
Presidential Candidates:
Griffin Stead
In a sentence, Griffin Stead would describe himself as “Weatherman Griff: A quirky, curious, and outgoing guy who loves to try new things and enjoys life for its unpredictability—just like the weather.”
Stead says he approaches his life “with positivity and fun, regardless of the situation,” and seeks to bring that same mindset to the College. Stead says he wants “student government to be more exciting—like [his] weather reports.” During the summers, Griffin works at a non-profit local to his house. He believes this experience has taught him teamwork, leadership skills and has provided him with opportunities to connect with his local community. He expects to approach his presidency in a similar manner: leading with strong values and connecting with genuine interest.
If elected, Stead plans to “foster greater community engagement by ensuring more transparency between SGA’s goals and [the] students.” He feels that he has the ability to expedite the information-sharing process from SGA meetings to the campus community. Stead has also known a member of the College administration since he was very young and plans to use this connection to improve the relationship between the administration and the student body. He also plans to update his class’s social media presence “to be more engaging with students” by including “more interviews and showcases of what various clubs and sports teams are doing around campus.”
If not elected, Stead plans to continue to engage in student government by running for other representative positions. “Regardless of the result, [he] will still continue to create and upload weekly weather reports for Conn.”
TLDR: Class President candidate Griffin Stead, campus weatherman and curious camel, wants to bring his infectious personality to his Class Council and the ins-and-outs of student government to the student body.
Lily Tobin
In a sentence, Lily Tobin describes herself as “a dedicated, open-minded, compassionate, and articulate member of the class of 2027, who has been loving her time at Conn so far, and has been honored to serve as Class President.”
Tobin has greatly valued her time as Class President this year and the learning opportunity it has been for her. She believes that she understands “how important it is to have a representative who is actively working for you” and she wants “to continue to be that person.” She says that she is “known at SGA for having outstanding attendance” and promises to continue that trend in the future. In her tenure as Class President, Tobin believes she has “fostered strong relationships and respect for [the] class among other SGA members and administrators, creating direct lines of communication between [the] class and those that have the ability to make decisions.”
If elected, Tobin “would continue to advocate for expediting bathroom and Cro renovations, vote in support of Sustainable Projects and Identity-Based Funding Requests, develop legislation to create a formal grade appeal process, and protect students’ freedom of speech on campus.” She also strives to “improve student engagement by making fun class programming that would appeal to the wide variety of students at Conn, and continue to financially support clubs in the Finance Committee.”
If not elected, Tobin hopes to work to bring people together through her involvement in the College community. She says she will “be there to support [her] fellow camels at sporting events, dance shows, theater performances, and college-sponsored events.”
TLDR: Incumbent Class President Lily Tobin has loved being the Class President and would like to continue her participation in the SGA Assembly and committees. Additionally, she hopes to continue to plan enjoyable events for her class and the Conn community.
Julia Toyer
In a sentence, Julia Toyer would describe herself as “silly, diligent, and dedicated, even when [she’s] napping.”
After spending the past two semesters throwing herself into campus life through mainstage theater productions, student clubs (like PERIOD and N20), and attending various events around campus, Toyer feels confident that she has an adequate knowledge of the community that would enable her to serve her class as a successful Class President. Since middle school, Toyer has been involved in student government. She has worked to plan events and connect with her fellow students to improve her school communities. Although she recognizes that “leadership experience is extremely important when it comes to student government, [she feels] as if [her] past experiences interacting with people are what qualify [her] for this position the most.” She is a self-described extrovert and enjoys meeting new people.
If elected, Toyer “would work to enact positive change by first opening up more channels of communication in order to have a better informed student body.” She says that “there are so many wonderful events and new policies being enacted on campus every day that the Conn community should know about.” Sustainability is also very important to her and she would ensure it is considered in all decisions because “sustainability relates to essentially everything.”
If not elected, Toyer “will continue on [her] path for positivity that [she has] been on since the beginning of the year.” She looks forward to continuing to meet and connect with new people. In her clubs, she will create and sustain “inclusive environments where people can come perform and support other people, as well as work to support the local New London community through donations and acts of service.”
TLDR: Class President candidate Julia Toyer is an extrovert with a passion for Camel life, and she hopes her positivity and community-centered drive will foster a strong connection between the general student body and its governing bodies.
Vice Presidential Candidates:
Kate Petrichenko
In a sentence, Kate Petrichenko describes herself as “very outgoing” with the ability to “be a great diplomat or mediator depending on the situation.” She enjoys planning things and never gives up on her goals.
As an international student, Petrichenko encountered difficulties adjusting to the United States. She “received tremendous support from students, professors, and people around [her].” She feels grateful for the support and wants to give back to the campus community as Vice President of her class. Kate believes “every president needs someone who can help plan an event, solve a problem, and take responsibility for a certain decision” and believes these are ways she can give back. Kate says she is qualified for the position because of her experience of “living in two countries on [her] own, solving problems in several languages, and making connections everywhere.”
As Vice President, Petrichenko would like to focus on the sophomore year as “a very important year for every student to use all the opportunities that [students] have,” and would like to help her class do that by “planning special events for sophomores to learn more about fellowships, internships, [and] any possible opportunity that sophomores have.” On these events, Petrichenko adds, “of course with free coffee provided!”
If not elected, Petrichenko will help the community by participating in events and continuing her involvement in clubs and communities. She also thinks “an important aspect of positive change is to be politically engaged,” so she plans to be involved in e-board elections for various clubs and for SGA.
TLDR: Vice President candidate Kate Petrichenko is an international student who would like to give back to the Conn community that welcomed and supported her transition to the country by working to empower all students in her class to take advantage of all opportunities offered to them.
Nicole Sanfillipo
In a sentence, Nicole Sanfillipo describes themselves as “a reincarnation of a 1600’s prince crowned king at age 7 after his father’s sudden death, but now in the body of a psychology and film studies double major.”
The incumbent Vice President has found the role to be both fulfilling and gratifying this year. They “love getting Conn-nected” with the members of their class and expressed joyful interest in continuing those great relationships. They believe the leadership positions they held in high school (president of the volunteering club, NHS tutoring coordinator, and club co-founder) developed and demonstrated their organizational skills and initiative. At Conn, as Layout Editor for The College Voice, a tour guide, and current Class Vice President, they believe they have demonstrated general leadership skills and gained experience that qualifies them to be the Class of 2027 Vice President.
Sanfillipo recognizes the lasting impact of the pandemic on campus engagement. As Vice President, they will work to combat the involvement crisis by catering events to class opinions and suggestions. They said, “reaching out to class members for event ideas or criticisms is quintessential in maintaining our tight-knit small campus community and respectability.” Their goal is to make “milestone events worthwhile (such as sophomore declaration day!).”
If not elected as Vice President, Sanfillipo plans to always offer suggestions to their Class Council to bring about positive change. They will continue their involvement on campus in other clubs and co-curriculars and continue to uphold Conn’s unique, welcoming community that they adore.
TLDR: Incumbent Vice President Nicole Sanfillipo has experience in various leadership positions in high school and here at Conn and would like to focus on boosting engagement within and collection of feedback from the Class of ‘27.
Social Chair Candidates:
Maddie McDaniel
In a sentence, Maddie McDaniel would describe herself as “open to everything and anything!”
As an outgoing and adventurous person, McDaniel would like “to do anything [she] can to aid in the social life on campus.” She believes that the role of Social Chair would be the best use of her talents and natural skills in interpersonal relations. McDaniel has previous experience in administrative positions and is “used to leading and organizing, and overall aiding in the cause,” whatever that may be. She has experience coordinating events and looks forward to organizing events for her class.
If elected, McDaniel’s “primary mission would be to listen to the students.” She would seek opinions and expectations from people around campus. She believes “that’s the key to a government position—” seeking feedback from the community. McDaniel states that anything she could do for her fellow classmates is what she would seek to do.
If not elected, McDaniel will continue to increase her involvement on campus. She is excited to join more clubs and believes she will be able to enact positive change by “taking initiative with aiding in any other cause on campus.” Overall, she says that “being helpful to others who need it is [her] favorite.” She values the impact individuals can have on each other “to make someone happier and improve their life, even if it’s just for a temporary problem.” Even if out of elected office, McDaniel will strive to be a positive member of the Conn community.
TLDR: Class Social Chair candidate Maddie McDaniel would like to bring her energetic spirit into her class’s Class Council to create fun, creative events for her fellow students.
Honor Council Representatives Candidates:
Michaela Goodman
In a sentence, Michaela Goodman describes herself as “a person who is goal-oriented and highly motivated as well as a near-expert time manager who tirelessly prioritizes tending to [her] responsibilities.”
Goodman is currently an Honor Council Representative seeking re-election. She is on the pre-law track and enjoys “exploring the theme of justice and what it means to have a fair trial.” She truly enjoys “examining the Code of Conduct” and doing “the same things lawyers would do with the constitution.” As someone very involved on campus, Goodman hopes that students will see her as a familiar face on the Council and she can help alleviate their anxiety with her presence.
If elected, Goodman would strive to ensure that Honor Council hearings are fair, “that [they] give voice to students, hear their side of the story, and ask appropriate questions to make sure [they] have all the information [they] can get to make sure [they] make the most fair decisions.” She wants to help Honor Council put their best foot forward and that students who have to appear before them are “calm, okay, and know [the Council members] aren’t here to persecute them in any way but are here to help them and give them resources.”
If not elected, she will work to continue to familiarize people with the school’s Code of Conduct. She feels like there are many little aspects to the Code of Conduct that students, especially first-years, don’t know about. Goodman wants to “make sure they know what’s in the book so they aren’t caught off guard.”
TLDR: Incumbent Honor Council Representative Michaela Goodman has a passion for law and policy, and she hopes to bring a sense of confidence and awareness of Conn’s Code of Conduct to the broader campus community.
Ava Tyszkowski
In a sentence, Ava Tyszowski would describe herself as “a ballerina with a book addiction who listens to a Boston Bruins podcast, follows Cookie Monster on Instagram, and whose most-played artist is The Clash.”
Tyszowski has “greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve as an Honor Council Representative this year and would like to continue serving the student body in this way.” She said that “in addition to serving as a Council member this year, [she] was a member of [her] high school equivalent of Honor Council for three years.” In that position, she had “the privilege of helping to develop new student guidelines as a response to Council hearings.” As a double-major in psychology and philosophy with a focus on ethics in both fields, Tyszowski strongly believes “every argument has multiple sides and perspectives to consider when forming an opinion.”
If elected, she would work to treat each case and each student with dignity and respect. She wants to promote Honor Council “as a way to work together to continue to foster a trustworthy and respectful campus community.”
If not elected, Tyszowski “will continue to uphold the Honor Code in [her] interactions with students, faculty, staff, and administration.” She believes that “the Honor Code is not just for disciplinary matters—it helps to create an environment that we can all feel comfortable in.” She said, “regardless of the outcome of the election, [her] viewpoint of the Honor Code and how it enhances [students’] experience of Conn will not change.”
TLDR: Incumbent Honor Council Representative Ava Tyszkowski holds the Honor Code in high regard, appreciates the presence and role of Honor Council on campus, and would be grateful to continue to serve as one of her class representatives in this area.
Mia Whipple
In a sentence, Mia Whipple would describe herself “as a motivated person who constantly seeks opportunities that will benefit others.”
Whipple shares the College’s pride in its self-governance and says that “being able to have a crucial role in upholding this value” as a member of the Honor Council is important to her. Her goal as Honor Council Representative would be to ensure “the community can safely and effectively carry out this value.” She believes she “would manage the task of upholding the Honor Code very seriously and ensure everyone else does the same.”
If elected, Whipple “would encourage students to speak up about anything that should or could be reviewed under the Honor Code.” She would work to make sure Honor Code violations are addressed and “do not further inhibit the learning experience of Conn students.”
If not elected, Whipple will “continue to do this very same thing.” She believes that students both on and off Honor Council “can always make it a point to uphold and maintain [the Honor Code’s] core values in [themselves] and the people [they] surround [themselves] with.”
TLDR: Honor Council Representative candidate Mia Whipple will, above all, prioritize the Honor Code everywhere she can, and she would be proud and happy to do so as a member of the esteemed Council itself.
Class of 2026
Presidential Candidates:
At the time of this publication, there were either no presidential candidates or no presidential candidates that responded to The College Voice for comment.
Vice Presidential Candidates:
At the time of this publication, there were either no vice presidential candidates or no vice presidential candidates that responded to The College Voice for comment.
Social Chair Candidates:
At the time of this publication, there were either no social chair candidates or no social chair candidates that responded to The College Voice for comment.
Honor Council Representatives Candidates:
Harrison Dietzius
In a sentence, Harrison Dietzius describes himself as “someone who likes to just see people happy and help people in any way that I can as much as I can.”
Dietzius said he would like to be an Honor Council Representative, because he enjoys the group aspect of the position and the Council. He enjoys collaborating in group environments and learning from his peers. He thinks people “can learn how to operate within government systems all [they] want but things like empathy and kindness are very hard to teach,” and these strengths are what Dietzius believes he would be able to bring to Honor Council.
If elected, Dietzius would focus on “just holding people accountable.” He hopes that his position as an Honor Council Representative would also enable him to help first-years ease into the social climate of the campus. Additionally, he hopes to “use this as an opportunity to encourage youth participation in politics and campus goings-on.” Dietzius believes “that change is possible but only if [people] make it happen.” He says that “even if it’s something as simple as going to vote or running for Honor Council, [students should] just get involved and try to do as much as [they can] because if [they] don’t, who [will]?”
If not elected, Dietzius will “just continue doing what [he’s] doing.” He tries “to make people feel like they belong and to make people smile as much as [he] can in [his] day-to-day life.” He thinks that “being elected to Honor Council will help and will create more lasting impacts, but there are definitely ways [he’ll] continue to bring positive change.”
TLDR: Honor Council Representative candidate Harrison Dietzius strives to make everyone’s life better and he hopes a position on Conn’s Honor Council will help him hold his peers accountable, thereby improving the campus climate.
Priscilla Ameyaw
In a sentence, Priscilla Ameyaw would describe herself as “someone who believes in equitable representation for all people.”
Ameyaw has a strong belief in the importance of representation. She believes “representation matters when it gets to making decisions about our peers who come before the Council.” Having served on Honor Council for almost two years now, Ameyaw believes she is qualified to continue her service to the community in this position.
If elected, Ameyaw’s “goal is to enact equitable, fair, and just opportunities for all members of the community.” Through Honor Council, she will be able to make crucial decisions that set precedent that will impact students on campus now and in the future.
If not elected as her class’s Honor Council Representative, she hopes “to work closely with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to help bring about change in any way possible.” Ultimately, she will help the campus community understand and value representation for all.
TLDR: Incumbent Honor Council Representative Priscilla Ameyaw appreciates her prior work on Honor Council and hopes to continue to promote equitable representation in student governance and fair, just opportunities for all students.
Class of 2025
Presidential Candidates:
Abdullah Khan
In a sentence, Abdullah Khan would describe himself as a “Pakistani guy who loves traveling, house music, therapizing [his] friends, and being around [his] family.”
Khan values class representation in “areas concerning faculty, staff, academia, and the student government” and strives to bridge “the gaps that currently exist in communication.” As an international student, Khan also believes in the importance of representing diverse perspectives and amplifying voices that are often overlooked. He believes that “everyone who attends Conn deserves to walk on campus feeling like they belong here.” Since coming to Conn, Khan has helped to allocate funds, sponsor new student organizations, and assist in the search for a commencement speaker. Additionally, as a Floor Governor for the past two years, he believes he has been able “to gain insight into the needs of [the] student body and address areas that can improve [the] college experience.”
If elected, Khan plans to “work with Residential Life in addressing safety, accessibility, and living standards in [the] residence halls by opening a dialogue on necessary renovations, initiatives that focus on inclusivity, and implementing safety measures.” He also plans to advocate for more equitable academic policies and course requirements and to collaborate with the class body and seek input from others. Khan also “would love to plan and organize community-building events that reintegrate [the] student body.”
If not elected, Khan will continue with his other campus commitments, including Amnesty International, which he has been involved in since his first-year. Though he acknowledges that “being a part of SGA can equip an individual with the tools to work towards [his] goals, [he believes] that as a student, [he] still [has] a voice that can make a difference.”
TLDR: Incumbent Class President Abdullah Khan is an international student who strongly believes in the importance of inclusivity and diversity, and he hopes to engage with his class to address the needs of his fellow students as their Class President.
Adrien Landon
In a sentence, Adrien Landon describes themselves as “a highly-driven and engaged student,” and says that “though [they] would probably run out of breath listing campus involvements, [they] will certainly never tire of serving [the] Conn community.”
Landon believes they “thrive in interpersonal interactions and in spreading information about and accessibility to student governance.” They say their goal is “to make [students] feel empowered to be as involved as [they] would like to be” in student government, and to “work throughout [their] tenure to ensure SGA serves [students]” regardless of each individual’s personal engagement. Landon believes they are “a responsible, productive, and endlessly persistent individual.” They have been involved in various clubs and organizations since their first year and “have been enthralled by the work of SGA every single day.” They are currently the Chair of Academic Affairs but believe they would more effectively serve their community as Class President.
If elected, Landon will “eagerly attend and actively participate in weekly General Assembly and committee meetings” and “create as many opportunities as [they] have the bandwidth to sustain and the imagination to think up to interact with the class of 2025” so they could be “confident [they] can actually represent the opinions and desires of the class.”
If not elected, Landon will continue their work in The College Voice “to spread information about College policies and news to the campus community.” They plan to continue the TCV SGA column regardless of the result of the election. They will also “endeavor to be involved in committees of interest as a student-at-large so [they] can continue to contribute to the shared governance aspect of the college that [they are] so passionate about.”
TLDR: Class President candidate Adrien Landon is passionate and eager to serve the Conn community, and they hope to provide abundant opportunities to connect the class of 2025 with the governance of the college.
Vice Presidential Candidates:
Alejandra Romero Sanchez
In a sentence, Alejandra Romero Sanchez would describe herself as “passionate, creative, and considerate.”
Sanchez would “love to execute a senior year to remember for all members of the class, especially for a class that missed out on a traditional high school senior year due to the 2019 global pandemic.” She has experience with SGA for the past three years including assisting in the execution of class events that “allowed the class to come together,” like “the Sophomore Declaration event last spring.”
If elected, Sanchez will “enact positive change on campus by creating a space where conversation and dialogue are encouraged without the fear of judgment.” He says he has already started this “by hosting monthly open tabs in Coffee Grounds last year to create a comforting space where students can come get a drink and talk to other members of the class.”
If not elected, Sanchez will continue her other involvements on campus, like being “the vice president of the Women’s Weightlifting Club, a Posse scholar, a career fellow, and the programming chair for the Women of Color+ Coalition.” Through his involvement in these groups, Sanchez will enact positive change on campus, which, she says, “is something that [she plans] to continue even if [she is] not re-elected.”
TLDR: Incumbent Vice President Alejandra Romero Sanchez wants to deliver a senior year to remember for a class that missed out on being carefree seniors in high school, and she plans to continue to create welcoming spaces around campus to foster connections among members of the class of ‘25.
Social Chair Candidates:
At the time of this publication, there were no social chair candidates or no social chair candidates that responded to The College Voice for comment.
Honor Council Representatives Candidates:
Ernesto Flores
In a sentence, Ernesto Flores describes himself as “an open-minded and principled student committed to promoting a Conn community built on trust, integrity, and mutual respect for one another.”
Flores believes his mission of creating the Conn community he loves can be done through promotion of the Honor Code’s principles. He has served on Honor Council for three years and believes this experience has “taught [him] how to apply the principles of the Honor Code fairly and consistently when reviewing cases that come before the council.” He feels strongly that he has “a good understanding of how to uphold the Honor Code’s values in an impartial manner.”
If elected as one of his class’s Honor Council Representatives, Flores will “work diligently to increase awareness and active engagement with the Honor Code and the Honor Council.” He believes “it’s important to understand that the conduct process is not solely punitive; it’s also about growth and taking accountability for one’s actions.”
If not elected, he “will continue advocating for the Honor Code’s core tenets of responsibility, ethics, and respect for all through [his] conduct and involvement in other campus organizations.” Above all, Flores has faith in Conn’s community as one with a positive culture and he will continue to support that in any position he can.
TLDR: Incumbent Honor Council Representative Ernesto Flores has valued his years on Honor Council and hopes to continue in this role for his senior year at Conn, which will enable him to bring about a campus community that values trust, integrity, and mutual respect.
Writing Procedure
Each candidate was asked the following questions:
1. What position are you running for?
2. How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
3. Why do you want this specific position?
4. What makes you qualified for this position?
5. How would you enact positive change on campus if you were elected to this position?
6. How will you continue your mission of enacting positive change on campus if you are not elected to this position?
Though some of their answers are quoted exactly, others are paraphrased for brevity and some equality. The authors of this article endeavored to present each candidate in an unbiased manner. Some candidates had more words than others. We recognize that the length of an answer does not always or directly translate to success in elected office. We also believe that our readers will benefit most from information presented in a succinct manner. For this reason, each candidate’s answers were presented here as approximately the same length. Candidates appear in alphabetical order using their last name within their section.
Some candidates chose not to participate in this article. Though multiple attempts were made to contact candidates through multiple mediums, some did not respond to The College Voice prior to the publication of this article. Those candidates are welcome to reach out and this article will be updated to incorporate their information if and when they do.
As a member of The College Voice and a candidate for Class of 2025 President, Adrien Landon wrote their answers to the questions before reading or receiving answers from any other candidates. Timestamps that demonstrate this have been confirmed by the co-authors of this article and can be made available to any concerned parties.
If any candidate presented here feels that they were misrepresented, please reach out to The College Voice at thecollegevoice@conncoll.edu or the Director of Student Engagement at jeannette.williams@conncoll.edu.
