Student Government
The Student Government of Seattle University (SGSU) is the official governing body of student representatives who are committed to advocating for the needs and concerns of the undergraduate student community.
About SGSU
Virtually every aspect of Seattle University is critically analyzed and addressed by a university committee. These groups — made up of faculty, staff, students and administrators — meet and form initiatives to improve our campus, our education, and our student experience. An SGSU appointee on a university committee represents the student's voice and is responsible for corresponding with SGSU to ensure continuity between University initiatives and the student body.
Seattle University boasts about having a student body that is extremely involved, socially just, and politically active. And yet, in the process of “empowering leaders for a just and humane world,” we often overlook the responsibility we have to become involved on our own campus.
If you are looking for an opportunity to become a leader on campus, please consider seeking a position at SGSU. As a member of SGSU, you will have the unique opportunity to represent your fellow students to the University. In addition to the networking benefits of being on SGSU, senators and executive board members receive a scholarship for their work.
SGSU Positions
- Executive Members: the Student Body President, the Senate Chair, the Chief Financial Officer, and two vice presidents.
- Senators: those elected to represent a particular constituent group, such as a college.
- Staff: those hired by the Student Body President and the respective Executive member.
Additionally, SGSU is advised by a team of dedicated and passionate Seattle University staff and graduate coordinator.
Bylaws and Constitution
Meet Us: SGSU Executive Branch
Sophia Cofinas
Public Affairs and International Studies Double Majors, Spanish and Latin American Studies Double Minors.
Sophia Cofinas is honored to serve as your Student Body President this year. She is in her fourth year at Seattle University and her fourth year in Student Government of Seattle University. She is very passionate about leadership and diplomacy, with dreams of working abroad and/or in the public service sector. In addition to her role in SGSU, she is the Programming and Communications Assistant at the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture. She is also a student employee with the Office of Annual Giving, and a Spanish tutor off-campus. In her free time, Sophia enjoys spending time with her friends and family, enjoying beautiful Madrona (weather permitting…), baking, and exploring Seattle.
SGSUPresident@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Dana Nguyen
Biology Major
My name is Dana Nguyen. I'm excited to serve my first year as your Senate Chair! I am a first-year pre-dental student from Gresham, Oregon. I love connecting with people and sharing smiles. My hobbies include thrifting, baking, and exploring new cafes with friends! You can always catch me at UREC. Please reach out to me if you have any concerns.
SGSUSenateChair@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Follow our Instagram, @sgsu_seattleu! You can also find us on ConnectSU as Student Government of Seattle University (SGSU).
For marketing needs, please reach out to SGSUMARCOM@seattleu.edu.
For all other communications needs, please reach out to SGSUPresident@seattleu.edu.
Diego Gonzalez
Criminal Justice Major
I'm Diego Gonzalez and I am extremely excited to be serving as your Vice President of Academic Affairs! I am a second-year student, and this is my second year in SGSU. I am from Redmond, Washington but my family immigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico. I love spending my free time volunteering, playing video games, and baking. You'll catch me most time in club meetings, school events, or studying till dawn in the library. You'll catch me most of the time in club meetings, school events, or studying till dawn in the library. If you have any academic-related concerns or would like to be appointed to a university committee, please reach out to me via email or by dropping into my office hours!
SGSUVPAA@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Iona Robinson
International Studies Major
Hey! My name is Iona Robinson, and I am this year’s Chief Financial Officer. I’m a sophomore from San Jose, California, and I’ll be graduating in June, so I’m excited to explore Seattle on my own next year. When I’m not doing schoolwork or working at my coffee shop you can find me listening to music, playing video games, finding some weird new hobby to enjoy for the next three days, or catching up on sleep. If you have any questions about club funding processes, please feel free to email me or come into my office hours!
SGSUCFO@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Meet Us: SGSU Senators
Ayushi Upadhyay
Business Economics and Marketing Majors
Hello! I am Ayushi Upadhyay and I'm a first-year international student from India and I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Albers Senator. I am very passionate about Bollywood and am always down for cooking, exploring the city, and an aggressively competitive board game night. Through SGSU, I wish to be the bridge between Albers students and faculty/management to make sure all groups within Albers feel like they have a voice. If you have any feedback or suggestions, or just want to talk, please reach out!
SGSUAlbers@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Minot Elias
International Studies Major
My name is Minot Elias, and I’m excited to be a part of the community at Seattle University! I am a first-year student from Renton, Washington, majoring in International Studies. I have a passion for photography, creativity, music, and coffee, and I love spending my time sightseeing or hanging out and catching a vibe with friends. If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to reach out! I'm here to connect and help in any way I can.
SGSUatLarge@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Feyi Ajiboye
Biology Major
Hello! My name is Feyi Ajiboye! I am so happy to be serving as one of your First-Year Senators. I am a First-Year student from Texas majoring in Biology with a pre-med pathway. I spend most of my personal time drawing, eating, working out, and spending time with my friends! I want to make sure your voice is heard, so don't be afraid to come to me with your concerns or even just to say hi!
Tobias Scott
Philosophy Major
Hello! My name is Tobias Scott and I am a First-Year Senator for SGSU. I’m a philosophy major from Madison, Wisconsin. For fun, I listen to a lot of music (mainly rap and jazz, as well as indie), I play basketball with my friends, I read, and I love exploring the city. My favorite recent spot has been going to the AMC theatre downtown and watching movies with friends. My goals as Senator are to listen to and advocate for the needs of students and to create a learning-conducive environment that everyone can thrive in. Through my position, I hope to bring your concerns to the forefront and make SU a better place.
If you are interested in running for the position of Health and Wellness Senator, please reach out to SGSUPresident@seattleu.edu and SGSUElections@seattleu.edu for elections information!
Check Handshake and our Instagram, @sgsu_seattleu, for more updates on position vacancies.
Cris Rosales
Political Science Major
Helloooo. My name is Cris Rosales, I'm from Mexico and I'm your International Student Senator. I am a first-year student in Political Science. I love rugby, Dungeons and Dragons, ping pong and the occasional dramatic duel with a former friend turned arch nemesis with a catastrophic vista in the background. SGSU means a lot to me, I cherish the opportunity to represent the best interests of my international constituents and hope I can help in creating a home away from home for all of them.
SGSUInternational@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Sebastian Cuadra
Psychology Major Writing Studies Minor
Hi! My name is Sebastian, and I am incredibly honored to be your current Multicultural Senator. I am a freshman student, born and raised in Nicaragua. There is nothing that I love more than long conversations, going on hikes, any kind of pasta, and strawberry smoothies. You can catch me during my office hours at the CSI or writing at the library, probably dressed in blue. I am always open to any kind questions, concerns, and music recommendations. Please feel free to reach out through email or in person!
SgsuMulticultural@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Jennifer Solano Cruz
Nursing Major
Hi! I’m Jennie Solano Cruz, a third-year Nursing major from Mount Vernon, Washington. I’m excited to serve as the Nursing Senator this academic year! I love meeting new people and exploring new hobbies. If you have any questions or concerns related to SGSU, feel free to reach out!
SGSUNursing@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Isha Handa
Computer Science Major
Hi! My name is Isha Handa. I am a first-year student studying Computer Science & I am from Mill Creek, Washington. As the Science and Engineering Senator, I strive to promote accessibility for academic resources, research opportunities, and provide guidance for fellowships and internships via specific initiatives. As your senator, I aim to provide students with the opportunity to voice their concerns and encourage positive change!
Outside of school and SGSU, I delve into various hobbies! I’ve recently just got into CAD Design and have been working with the 3D printers in the Makers Space. I also really enjoy playing tennis, reading, and baking!
If you are interested in running for the position of Student Employee Senator, please reach out to SGSUPresident@seattleu.edu and SGSUElections@seattleu.edu for elections information!
Check Handshake and our Instagram, @sgsu_seattleu, for more updates on position vacancies.
Lina Heredia Rodriguez
Psychology Major
Hi Redhawks! My name is Lina Heredia Rodriguez, and I am your SGSU Arts & Sciences Senator this year! I'm currently a first-year psychology major and I’m from Everett, Washington. I’m very passionate about uplifting student voices, giving back to my community and making sure students around me have the necessary resources to succeed, and I’m hoping to do exactly that in this position. You can catch me attending club meetings, getting food at C-Street or walking around campus. In my free time I enjoy going out with friends to explore the city, listening to music and discovering new artists/songs and video filming and editing. I’m also a huge fashion, picture taking and bubble tea lover. If you ever have any questions or suggestions for me or anything CAS related, feel free to come to my office hours or shoot me an email.
SGSUArtsAndSciences@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Frankie Hampson
Business Management Major and Theater Production Minor
Hi! My name is Frankie Hampson(they/them), and I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I am the current Graduating Student Senator for 2025. I am a fourth-year Business Management major with a minor in Theater Production. I love exploring the city, spending time with friends, and getting involved at SU. I am excited to be part of SGSU during such a pivotal time and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the graduating class.
Ethan David
Political Science Major and International Studies Minor
Hello! My name is Ethan David, and I am so excited to serve as SGSU's Transfer Senator! I am from Charleston, Illinois and transferred to Seattle University as a second year. I am majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Studies. I love going to concerts with friends and traveling the world. If you see me walking around the city come say hi!
Meet Us: Staff and Advisors
Lauren Chen
Management and Global Business Majors
Hi my name is Lauren Chen and I am thrilled to serve as the Chief of Staff this year! I am a senior from Bellevue, Washington studying management and global business. You can catch me around Seattle at local coffee shops with an iced vanilla latte doing hw, hanging out with my friends trying new foods, and shopping for clothes or shoes. If you have any questions about SGSU and how we operate please feel to reach out.
If you are interested in joining SGSU we have delegate positions open. You just need to represent a club or organization you are a part of. And feel free to reach out with any delegate questions as well.
SGSUChiefofStaff@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Karli Calo
Political Science and Philosophy Majors
Hi! My name is Karli Calo, and I am a third-year Political Science and Philosophy major. I am originally from Southern California but have become an official “Seattlelite” this year! During my free time, I love love love reading, going to new cafes to study, hanging with my friends to watch movies or hike, and listening to music! I’m so very excited to connect more with all of you and look forward to this next step.
SGSUElections@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Grace Woodruff
Political Science and Spanish Majors
Hi! My name is Grace Woodruff, and I am a third-year Political Science and Spanish double major. I am from a small town called St. Helens, right outside of Portland, Oregon. In my free time, I love going on hikes, going to concerts, and going on drives with my friends. I love any form of live music, and going on adventures! I am here to answer any questions you may have about SGSU, please feel free to reach out or come visit me during my office hours!
SGSULegislativeAssistant@seattleu.edu | Please check @sgsu_seattleu for office hours and how to reach out with any questions.
Hey everyone! My name is Marissa Robledo, M.Ed., and I am the Associate Director in the Center for Student Involvement and the Advisor for SGSU. I joined the Seattle U team in Aug. 2021. As the SGSU advisor, I have a true passion for working with students and helping them grow and develop as leaders. I am also Associate Director, Leadership & Government, SGSU and GSC Advisor, and Leadership Programs: Leadership Application, iLead, Red Night Out.
Email: mrobledo@seattleu.edu
Building/Room: STCN 360B
Connect with SGSU
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SGSU Office
The SGSU office is located in Student Center 360
Contact SGSU President for any questions: