The Student Government Association (SGA) promotes the interests and welfare of the student body and guides and finances more than 50 registered student organizations. Managed by elected students, SGA approves funding for active student organizations, adopts policies affecting students, and serves as a liaison between students and the College administration. Senior Ella Stafford, the SGA president for 2026-27, shares what SGA is all about and why she’s involved in a leadership role.
Hello! My name is Ella Stafford and I am a senior in the Business Management and Marketing programs here at Springfield College, and I am president of the Student Government Association (SGA for short)!
SGA is a student-led organization that meets year-round with a group of passionate students to plan events for each class, discuss various topics regarding students or campus initiatives, and address or resolve matters of concern. The mission of the organization is to bridge the gap between students and faculty and amplify student voices for the betterment of our College as a whole. To accomplish this, we meet with faculty, staff, and students across numerous disciplines to facilitate meaningful conversations with the intention of staying informed and creating change when necessary. This 2026-27 academic year, SGA will integrate subcommittee groups within the organization to accomplish specific tasks, such as evaluating policy and providing a student perspective on the College’s strategic plans. These working groups will allow us to maximize efficiency and capitalize on our biggest asset: the students involved in SGA.
Student representation within all aspects of College operations is imperative for proper alignment between institutional efforts and the student experience. Springfield College has identified within its strategic plans that one pillar of these initiatives is Student Experience and Culture. Providing a student voice ensures that the College is successful in meeting its goals, but also that the work they do is relevant to students now and in the future. Representing the student body is a privilege and an honor, and it is a responsibility that I personally, as well as our organization, take very seriously.
About the author
Ella Stafford is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Business Management and Marketing programs at Springfield College. Ella enrolled at Springfield College because of the mission of service as leadership to others and the opportunity for continued involvement around campus. She has been a part of the student government since the spring of her first year and has watched the program gain increased momentum and size, leading to impactful work toward goals that benefit students, faculty, and the institution as a whole.
