SGA launches 70th session under incoming Castillo-Melean, Lachut leadership
SGA’s outgoing members bowed out to incoming President Emily Castillo-Melean and Vice President Max Lachut in its Monday meeting. Various other members were sworn into new positions, including Robert D’Orso as incoming speaker of assembly. Charlie Hynes | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University’s Student Government Association held its final meeting of the semester on Monday, transitioning from the 69th session to the 70th. Emily Castillo-Melean and Max Lachut were officially sworn in as president and executive vice president, respectively, by their predecessors German Nolivos and Janese Fayson.
Castillo-Melean relinquished her position as speaker of the assembly, and cabinet members nominated sophomore Robert D’Orso to take her place. In his speech, D’Orso said his goals for the position focused on the assembly’s growth as a whole.
“I think that the future of (SGA) really depends ultimately on our assembly. Our assembly really runs everything. That’s where our bills come from,” D’Orso said. “I’ve learned so much about what it takes to run an organization, especially an assembly of this great size, with patients and run nature that we need to run efficiently and fairly.”
Running unopposed, D’Orso accepted questions from other cabinet members and was elected Speaker of Assembly for the 70th session. Castillo-Melean, standing beside D’Orso, handed him the Speaker Pro Tempore Gavel.
“Now that he is elected as assembly speaker,” Castillo-Melean said. “I’m no longer the chair, so he is going to handle the rest of the job.”
D’Orso moderated the duration of the meeting following the assumption of his new position.
Ryan Bouchey, finance board member for the 69th session, was sworn in as comptroller by former holder of the position Alexis Leach. Prior to handing down their positions, Nolivos and Fayson reflected with the cabinet on SGA’s achievements under their leadership.
“Sixty plus amazing events, 1,000 students at harvest fest, probably even more. Two hundred fifty-three heart screens for the EKG event, five-plus heritage months planned, 9,000 grocery trolley riders served every Sunday we had the grocery trolleys,” Fayson said. “And then 1,000 farmers market attendees from the indoor and outdoor combined, so huge success across this entire semester.”
Reviewing the assembly’s accomplishments, Nolivos mentioned the recipients of the 44 Star award in his closing remarks, which highlights exemplary leaders within the SU student body.
“Huge shout out to Alani, Tommy, Asher and Matt for winning an award yesterday,” Nolivos said. “I really love seeing how SGA is represented within 44 Stars, all of these students (have) really made a difference in campus, and not only for all those who won yesterday in our internal awards, but in 44 Stars again, it makes me extremely proud.”
Other students elected to the assembly include:
- Chief of Staff: Luis Gomez
- Undergraduate representative to the board of trustees and University Senate student caucus chair: Asher Gonzalez
- Student Advocate: Irene Ghosh
- Vice President of Public Relations: Hannah Wilson
- Vice President of Academic Affairs: Beckam Polis
- Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion: Nasya Bellard
- Vice President for University Affairs: Riga Czarkowski
- Vice President of Community and Government Affairs: Sara Paredes
- The Conduct Board: Asher Gonzalez, Luis Gomez, Irene Ghosh, Nasya Bellard
- Nine students elected to the Financial Board
The 70th session will resume under the newly elected leadership in fall 2026.
This story will be updated with additional reporting.
