Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor
VCU Student Government Association Press Secretary Natalie Bowen has won the race to become the body’s next president for the 2026-27 academic year.
Bowen — a third-year history and mass communications student — won with 44%, or 634 votes, according to the SGA. They noted “record-breaking” participation with 1,441 total votes cast.
Bowen promises more engagement with administration, other students
Bowen stated in an email she has congratulated her fellow electeds for senators and other positions, and is grateful for the conversations she has had with students and her fellow student government members.
“I’ve been in SGA for three years, and I have never felt so inspired by and proud of a group of senators, and I know we will make a really great team,” Bowen stated. “SGA is here to help in any way we can, and we have a huge team of hard-working and passionate Senators, so please never hesitate to connect with us.”
During SGA’s Presidential debate on Monday, Bowen made a case for increasing efficiencies in the organization and engagement with VCU administration, according to a previous report by The CT.
“A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week, and I want to be a president that puts my foot down in what the student body wants, and not let the administration try to take advantage of our close position,” Bowen said.
Bowen wants to encourage senators to talk about the SGA in their classes and other organization meetings to show the organization is listening to the student body.
All other positions in the student government were run for by unopposed candidates this election cycle. The SGA will see an entirely new leadership board starting in the Fall 2026 semester.
Increased Board of Visitors presence
Lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly considered a number of proposals this year to reform boards of visitors at public universities — including some that would make some students voting members. VCU’s Board of Visitors is its highest governing body.
If such a proposal were to become law next year or in a future legislative session, it could significantly boost the power and relevance of student groups such as the SGA.
Currently, there are four representatives on the board of visitors who represent undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members and staff respectively. All four of them are non voting members and are not allowed to sit in on the closed sessions of the board meetings.
SGA passed a bill — introduced by Mahmood — in the first half of the Monday meeting that would allow the selection of two SGA members to represent the student body during board of visitors meetings.