By: Sydney Umstead, News Editor
Voting is now open for members of campus to select who will hold executive board positions for the United Students Association (USA).
This article is a summary of the candidates and their respective statements which are featured on the voting page, accessible through GriffConnect. Voting will remain open from March 10 until March 14.
Candidates for President
The candidates for President of USA are current junior Analee DeGlopper and current senior Tariq LeFever.
DeGlopper’s statement on GriffConnect reads, “it would be my honor to represent you as the next President of the United Student Association.” She is a political science and criminal justice double major and is minoring in history, and she’s on the pre-law track as well as in the honors program. Further, DeGlopper has spent time at Canisius as a senator twice and currently as the executive vice president of USA. She said that her time in these roles has “been an incredible opportunity to work with such passionate, driven, and motivated individuals.” Which, she states, has allowed her to work “diligently” to highlight student interests “for the past three years.”
LeFever’s statement describes him as “passionate about transparency, collaboration, and real change,” emphasizing the importance of “ensuring every student’s voice is heard.” Further, the statement reads that LeFever “works tirelessly to improve campus life—whether it’s advocating for better academic resources, organizing inclusive events, or holding the student government accountable.”
Prior to the voting page opening, LeFever put out a separate statement to the student body. He wrote, “I know when people look at me, I may not be the candidate they expect.” Continuing, “I come as I am, and I represent the students who have felt unheard, unseen, or underestimated.” He went on to explain that he offers “something undeniable: experience, dedication, and the ability to get things done.”
LeFever advocates that he has spent time “listening–really listening–to what students need,” and that need is for “a student government that doesn’t just exist in name but one that actively fights” for the students.
He states that amongst other things, this would mean “advocacy that doesn’t stop at closed-door meetings but leads to tangible change.” He concluded, “So I’m asking for your support, not just for me, but for the vision we all share: a Canisius that works for every student. Let’s make it happen.”
Candidates for Executive Vice President
The candidates for the position of executive vice president are Treasure McClain and Bee Mulenga.
McClain is a junior majoring in digital media arts and philosophy. She writes that her goal in the role is to “advocate for the student body,” adding that “Students deserve to be heard.”
She emphasized how, if elected, she would make sure that student voices are noticed, which led her to running for the position.
Mulenga is a junior and an international student majoring in computer science and cyber security. She wrote that she is “passionate about leadership, advocacy, and building a strong campus community.” Furthermore, for Mulenga, her experience as a resident assistant (RA) has allowed her to “connect with students, organize engaging programs, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported.”
She expressed that she wants to take her passion for these topics into the role of executive vice president. “My goal is to strengthen communication between students and administration, improve access to resources, and create an inclusive space where everyone feels represented. I want to be someone students can rely on—whether it’s for support, solutions, or simply knowing that their concerns matter,” Mulenga said.
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
Leyla Akil is running for vice president of marketing and public relations. Akil is majoring in psychology and philosophy with minors in international relations and law and policy.
She has served on the Muslim Student Association executive board, and was formerly the Dining Hall service liaison for USA. Currently, she is the “Community Outreach Coordinator for YDSA, a Senator, and the Diversity Chair for USA,” as she writes. She adds, “Additionally, I’m a student ambassador for Admissions, a Philosophy Proctor, a ULLC scholar, and an All Honors student.”
Akil wrote that she is “passionate about fostering community and creating spaces where all students feel heard and valued.” She stated, “In my role as Diversity Chair for USA, I am committed to making sure every student’s voice is represented, and I work to promote inclusivity and meaningful connections on campus.”
Voting ends on March 14 at 3:00 p.m.