The Otterbein University Student Government (OUSG) elections for the 2026-2027 academic year are complete, and your new campus President and Vice President are Skye Hamilton and Nabiha Ilkaqor.
Campus commissioner is Tess Curry, treasurer is Zion Caleb Turner and secretary is Boston Kobayashi.
Along with the executive board, campus senators who oversee the representation of different campus groups have also been elected.
These elected students are eager to implement the changes students are wanting to see.
President elect Skye Hamilton said, “When students don’t feel supported by the university, that’s where student government steps in for support.”
The mission of OUSG is to be the bridge that connects Otterbein students with administration. This connection ensures that students’ voices and experiences are influencing the decision-making that happens on campus.
One of the examples Hamilton gave of the work OUSG does on campus had to do with the issue of library hours this past fall.
Evening hours at the library were limited due to a staffing shortage, meaning that students were left without a late-night study spot. After writing two resolutions, OUSG received a formal letter from President Comerford with collaboration on how to best meet student’s needs.
Hamilton is looking forward to further emphasizing student voices and desires in the 2026-2027 school year.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Otterbein’s DEI initiatives. We want to maintain and improve those initiatives. That’s something that’s really important to our students.”
Many college campuses have seen their DEI programs cut or renamed under the new administration. Hamilton and Vice President Nabiha Ilkaqor are motivated to ensure the same is not seen at Otterbein.
“I’m really excited for the new executive board and the new senators coming in,” says Hamilton. “I think they’re going to do a lot of great work.”
Sophomore art and art history double major Julie Dunkley was recently re-elected as a student organization senator.
“I’m a very vocal person so if I hear a problem from people on campus, I like to bring it up to see if anything can be done about it.”
Dunkley expressed her passion for addressing the things that students talk about. Whether it be parking, broken printers or mold in dorm bathrooms, Dunkley feels as though she is in the position to advocate for people on campus.
As a new executive board of student government forms to serve students in the 2026-2027 school year, Dunkley encourages students to use their voices and care about what happens on their campus.
“Remember to vote, be vocal, express your concerns so we can better advocate for you.”
