On April 7, 15 students were sworn in to officially become a part of the 2026-2027 Ashland University Student Senate.
Elections were held from March 30 to 31, during which students campaigned by tabling and creating posters that stated the office they were running for as well as their goals if elected.
While many senators ran uncontested, there were multiple close races. Sophomore student, Drake Crumley, ran for student body president with his running mate, Freshman Sophia Baars, who ran for student body vice president. Crumley previously served as the executive officer of finance and facilities while Baars served as officer of veteran and military-connected students.
Also looking to take these seats were two juniors, Emilee Fletcher, who ran for student body president and Dashia Johnson who ran for student body vice president. Previously, Fletcher served as the student body vice president and Johnson the diversity and inclusion chair.
Crumley and Baars were the winning pair and officially took office that night on April 7.
Before swearing in the new student body president, President Aubrey Stepanik said her goodbyes to the senate she had been serving alongside for the past few years.
“It’s been a pleasure getting to know every single one of you. You all have incredible traits about you that I can’t even express my gratitude for,” said Stepanik.
Other members of the new executive board include Evan Koren, who will serve as the executive officer of the activities budgets and charters committee, Aidan Haggard, who will serve as the executive officer of finance and facilities, Gabriel Perez Palanco, who will serve as the executive officer of judicial affairs and Chloe Kovinchick, who will serve as the executive officer of student affairs.
Senators both keeping their previous positions are Mary Anderson, the executive officer of academic affairs and John Keim, the executive officer of residence life.
Jordan Tichenor and Jamie Lutz, who previously served as the junior class president and vice president have been elected to continue to represent their class as the upcoming president and vice president of the incoming senior class.
Similarly, Madison Teets has been elected to serve as sophomore class president as she has served as freshman class president this academic year.
Sophomore Matthew Debolt has been elected to serve as AU’s College of Arts and Sciences representative.
Junior Hailey Mills has been elected to serve as AU’s College of Business and Economics representative and previously served as the commuter representative.
Sophomore Payton Gall has been elected to serve as the officer of diversity and inclusion.
Adison Viers has been elected to serve as the officer of Greek life and previously served as the public relations chair.
As the AU Student Senate welcomes many new faces, they are also saying goodbye to seven seniors: Student Body President, Aubrey Stepanik, Senior Class President, Prabesh Sunar, Senior Class Vice President, Madeline Christie, Executive Officer of Student Affairs, Maksym Polianskyi, Executive Officer of Judicial Affairs, John Cartagirone, Andrews Hall Representative, David Maloney and Clayton Hall Representative, Lauren Gulden.
