SGA reveals high social media, student engagement numbers in weekly session
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Syracuse University’s Student Government Association resumed its regularly scheduled meetings on Monday, announcing exceedingly high social media and assembly engagement numbers.
The SGA Executive Board made foundational changes to internal systems in an attempt to boost its social media presence, President Emily Castillo-Melean said. SGA’s communications department transitioned to a public relations department and Castillo-Melean credited Vice President of Public Relations Hannah Wilson with substantially growing SGA social media platforms since the beginning of the academic year.
“We’ve tried to really expand that team so we have more hands working on our media output,” Castillo-Melean said. “We are really happy that within three weeks of school, we’ve already increased by 1,000 followers. We’ve hit 350,000 or more views on our Instagram, and that’s by implementing new initiatives.”
Castillo-Melean encouraged SU students to watch for “more to come” from SGA’s social media as it begins planning for historically high-engagement events during the fall semester.
Chief of Staff Luis Gomez presented a monthly cabinet report on an upward trend in engagement across social media platforms and SGA initiatives, including grocery trolleys, Thanksgiving Break buses and Latine Heritage Month, which will begin on Sept. 15.
Gomez emphasized the importance of strengthening connections between SU and SUNY ESF during this session to ensure students on both campuses understand the role SGA plays in shaping campus experience.
During the executive report, Castillo-Melean announced she is set to speak on behalf of SGA at Chancellor Mike Haynie’s Inauguration on Friday, Sept. 18. The Friday inauguration of Haynie as SU’s chancellor will make him the 13th person to hold the position in the university’s 156-year history.
“Being able to participate and share my words, give a warm welcome to someone who has given their all to this university, and to come together to welcome and recognize that act of service and love for this university is something that I am really looking forward to,” Castillo-Melean said.
Haynie’s Investiture Ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome on Friday, Sept. 18. Friday afternoon classes have also been canceled to encourage student attendance.
Working in conjunction with the SGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office, Latine Heritage Month will host its Sept. 15 kickoff event in the Schine Student Center from 1-3 p.m. The event will celebrate the culture, language and history of a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.
Events will continue across campus until Oct. 14.
Other Business:
- SGA Cabinet members will work with members of SU’s administration to explore more cost-effective event catering options, which are purchased through the student activity fund.
- With 30 new assembly member petitions, SGA anticipates a full assembly for the 2026-27 school year.
- New York Public Interest Research Group representative Natalie Fox updated assembly members on its upcoming voter registration initiatives.
