The 2025-2026 presidential candidates for Student Council — Michael Mitchell and Micah Andrews — participated in a historic debate where they described their ambitions, passions, and hopes for the future of UVA’s Student Council and detailed why they wish to earn your vote in the 2025-2026 Student Council Presidential Election.
The debate commenced with opening remarks from both candidates and moderators from the University Board of Elections. Micah Andrews, a third year majoring in government and economics, currently serves as Chief of Support and Access Services (“SAS”) on UVA’s Student Council Executive Board. Running on the Our UVA Ticket, Micah’s primary initiative aims to expand student access across UVA. Michael Mitchell, a third year majoring in commerce who currently serves as the Vice President for Organizations, aims to pursue the three pillars of their Dream Ahead Ticket: Stability, Vision, and Justice. One of his key initiatives is to continue serving as a financial liaison between Student Council and CIOs, allocating funds to help support CIOs and other student-led organizations on Grounds.
To kick off the debate, both candidates were asked to specify and explain three issues most important to them. Michael discussed how the Student Council’s lack of financial stability, short-term funding for CIOs, and the need to reform student health services are vital parts of his campaign. His main focus, however, is on endowments as an integral part of amending the $2.5 million discrepancy for student organizations. Micah believes that, for the need to expand outreach, create an endowment fund, and increase Student Council’s legitimacy amongst the student body, the lack of transparency in Student Council is of utmost priority.
What is one recent initiative of yours that reflected the impact of the Student Council on UVA students?
As the founder of the Cavalier Closet, where over $20,000 in custom outfits for students have been donated, Micah and other members intended for this initiative to serve as a resource for first-generation and low-income students to pursue their ambitions. On the other hand, Michael passionately described his interests in long-term endowments for CIOs and the importance of increasing the allocation rate to well above 40% by raising the Student Activities Fee by $4 to ensure CIOs will receive the funding they need and well deserve. He also explained how we must use funds productively to argue for more money while implementing a similar system to the Honors Fund endowment to “give clubs and SAS more money.”
Throughout the change in leadership, faculty and student voices have not been aligned. How do you plan to be the voice for students even amidst opposing views from other relevant stakeholders?
Michael pointed out that the Student Council President is meant to serve as the voice of the student body and advocate for the students, while Micah emphasized the need for the Student Council to set itself apart from the Faculty Senate, independent of such decisions. Both agreed it must always boil down to students’ opinions.
Mitchell and Micah both agreed that the Student Council is unknown to students as a viable resource. Micah argued for expanding Hoos Concerned, broadcasting public commentary across UVA websites, increasing social media presence, and ensuring directors have mandatory office hours for students to voice concerns. In her words: “Students don’t know they should be caring.” Michael elaborated on this issue, arguing Student Council needs to do a better job at being transparent by expanding its outreach across UVA.
One audience-submitted question pertained to the increased federal oversight into university operations, such as with the resignation of former President Jim Ryan and the Department of Justice. On this topic, candidates were asked how they plan to advocate for the students and voice the concerns of the student body. Michael explained how he wishes for students to have faith in the Student Council and elected representatives to serve as the students’ spokespeople. Micah aims to advocate for students by leaning on administrations “who’ve proven they will listen to us” to exemplify the power of the student body.
The candidates’ last calls to action were to thank the audience, student participants, voters, faculty, and supporters, encouraging them to vote for them on either the Dream Ahead or Our UVA Ticket.
Now, the question is…who will YOU vote for in the upcoming Student Council Presidential Election?
Leave a Reply