Fairfield University’s Student Association (FUSA) presidential election season has begun with over three pairs of students declaring to run for President and Vice President.
According to Chief Justice Ryan Tappan, the pairs who declared for the election are Tommy Fitzmaurice and Olivia La Bruno, Matthew Doherty and Hailey Guzman, and Vincent Vizzard and Ava Knaus.
Though they have all declared, they are not running until they get 200 signatures to be on the ballot.
Current FUSA President Courtney Sabogal emphasized that the three pairs can make for an interesting race. And that successful student leadership begins long before election day. According to Sabogal, organization is one of the most critical qualities for any student government leader.
“There are a lot of moving parts involved in leading a student government,” Sabogal said. “Organization is key to making sure everything runs smoothly, gets done in a timely manner, and your work is as effective as it can be.”
In addition to staying organized, Sabogal stressed the importance of being future-oriented. Planning weeks or even months in advance, she explained, helps prevent last minute stress. A strong understanding of FUSA’s sturcture and operations is also essential, especially for students new to student government.
Beyond logistics, Sabogal highlighted open-mindedness as a defining trait of effective leadership. “We are here to serve the students,” she said. “Listen to those around you to be a compassionate and thoughtful person and leader.”
Sabogal credited support from fellow FUSA members, including Vice President Amaia O’Brien, for helping her push through discomfort running and staying focused serving the student body. She hopes this year’s candidates will do the same.
“My hope is that even if it feels scary, you do it anyway,” she said, “and keep your goal of supporting the student body the center of your work.”
Although the election is still underway, Sabogal expressed confidence for the future of FUSA and their potential to bring fresh ideas to FUSA.
“At the end of the day, everyone involved in FUSA is working toward the same goal: improving the student experience for every Stag,” she said.
Creating space for new voices within student government remains a key priority for FUSA leadership. Sabogal explained that inviting feedback through multiple channels helps all students feel heard. Representation also extends beyond meetings, as FUSA members regularly sit on university committees and communicate directly with administrators.
