Last spring, the University of Iowa’s undergraduate student body elected Jacob Simpson, a fourth-year majoring in economics, and Lilián Sánchez, a fourth-year majoring in political science and ethics and public policy, as president and vice president of UI Student Government.

UISG sponsors and organizes programs that serve undergraduate needs and works with campus partners to allocate about $1.8 million in revenue generated by the Student Activity Fee to various student organizations and student services, such as Student Legal Services and the Rape Victim Advocacy Program. UISG senators and executive council members advise university administration, participate in shared governance, work with university and city services that engage undergraduates, and advocate on behalf of undergraduate interests to university administration and city, state, and federal government.

Simpson and Sánchez say that people are surprised to learn about their varied interests. Simpson says that in addition to studying economics, he is minoring in music, English, and philosophy. Sánchez is a self-proclaimed multipotentialite, or a person of multiple interests, and recommends people see this TED talk to learn more about it.

Iowa Now caught up with Simpson and Sánchez to find out more about the experience they bring to their roles and their plans for the year.

What experiences inform your position with UISG?

Simpson: I was the co-president of the UI Gardeners for two years. As a result of collaborations between the gardeners and community partners, we built a hydroponics system in the Biology Building East greenhouse, sponsored a Lifetime Leisure Skills course, and donated hundreds of pounds of produce to local food pantries, such as Food Pantry at Iowa. Participation in our organization grew, and I experienced firsthand the importance of community relationships and mutual support. This is critical to UISG’s success, and we have great working relationships with our campus partners. We are lucky to be part of a community where our efforts are supported by administration, faculty, and staff.

Sánchez: I am the first in my family to go to college, so I have had the opportunity to critically assess the level of support provided for students like me. I can identify support mechanisms that have positively impacted my student success and critically evaluate areas for improvement. In addition, I have been president of multiple student organizations, including one of the largest preprofessional organizations on campus, the UI Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity. I’ve participated in two Hawkeye Service Trips—to Detroit, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York—where I was able to serve alongside those communities in addressing social equity. I participated in and coordinated the annual LeaderShape program and was involved in programs such as Iowa Edge, Iowa N.E.W. Leadership, Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity, and the Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines. 

What are some things you hope to do while UISG president/vice president?

Simpson: I would like to develop a retention grant program. Some students who cannot pay a small amount on their U-bill at the end of a semester drop out until they find the money on their own. A number of universities have started programs that provide grants to students in these circumstances, and I have had productive conversations with campus partners about the idea. I’m committed to ensuring access to a higher education and providing students the support they need.

Sánchez: UISG’s goal is to have as much positive impact on our community as possible. I am particularly interested in extending our support and outreach for first-generation students, collaborating with campus partners to promote a more safe and welcoming community, and continuing to strengthen our working relationship with shared governance. 

What do you think are the important issues facing undergraduates today, and how do you plan to address them?

Simpson: The important issues include cultivating an inclusive campus culture, preventing sexual assault, and increasing civic engagement and political advocacy. One of the best ways to address those issues is getting students involved who haven’t been. We continually host awareness campaigns on these topics, and we hope to empower students to reach out and get dialogues started in their networks.

Sánchez: Pursuing higher education can be taxing on an individual’s mental health. For some time now, the UI has been working very hard to destigmatize mental illnesses and implement effective student-support mechanisms. UISG will continue to advocate for this issue and raise awareness. We will work closely with members of our UI community to assess and ensure that our campus is welcoming, safe, and supportive.

What can undergraduates expect from UISG in the coming months?

Simpson: I am most excited for the upcoming fall launch of a new off-campus housing student-support website. Most students at the UI live off campus. There aren’t many resources on how to lease housing; how to find affordable, healthy food; how to get involved with the community; etc. We hope students find this resource valuable, especially first-year, transfer, or international students who may be transitioning to off-campus living for the first time.

Sánchez: UISG will be hosting monthly town hall meetings regarding top issues voted on by the student body. This spring, we will organize a first-generation campuswide event to recognize, honor, and celebrate our first-generation students. More information to come, so stay tuned. Lastly, we will continue to advocate for and support the cultural and resource centers. We want more students to appreciate and take advantage of the value that they bring by fostering community.