Meet the 2020-2021 SGA Executive Board

October 7, 2020

This fall, the 2020-2021 Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Board welcomes new members into key positions. The new executive board is ready to work with the College’s student organizations to foster openness and inclusion, and create engaging campus events.

Logo: SGA at St. John Fisher College

SGA’s new president, Michael Lilholt ’23, is ready to increase its profile on campus by surveying students, meeting with clubs and organizations, attending more events, and making The Nest a more welcoming space for students.

“As a whole, the Executive Board is looking to be more transparent, and have more of a presence on campus. We are also looking to restructure the constitution and bylaws, to reflect more of our constituents,” he said. I am excited for a fresh start for the SGA, and am looking forward to being more inclusive of all students and collaborating with other clubs and organizations.”

An honors student, Lilholt is double majoring in inclusive adolescence education and mathematics. In addition to his role as SGA president, he serves as a resident assistant in Keough, a campus ambassador, and writing tutor. As a Service Scholar, he engages in service work at East High School, and is an executive board member of the program.

Emily King ’23, vice president of clubs and organizations, is an inclusive childhood education major with a concentration in biology. A Service Scholar, she is also a peer mentor, a member of the Teddi Dance for Love Committee, and is involved with TESA.

She is excited to help plan events and activities on campus this year.

“I am someone who loves planning and seeing those plans executed so being able to do that on campus really excited me,” she said. “One thing I want to accomplish this year is to make sure the clubs at Fisher feel supported and know that I am someone they can come to if they need anything.”

As a finance major with a minor in professional sales, Matthew Adams ’23, SGA’s vice president of financial affairs, is well-versed in the world of budgets and finances.

“I hope to work with clubs to help them utilize their funds to the best of their ability, without compromising their core mission and activities,” Adams said.

Adams is also a member of the Investment Club, the School of Business’ fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, and the Alpine Ski Team.

Sophie Burt ’23 serves as the vice president of student services. An inclusive adolescence education and history major, she is also part of the Council for Exceptional Children and Best Buddies clubs.

Burt said she’s excited to be back on campus and serving in her new role on SGA.

“I am hoping that through SGA, we can become better at communicating and listening to students and their wishes,” she said.

Ready to develop new traditions on campus, Spencer Bonawitz ’23, director of spirit and tradition, is hoping to have a lasting impact on campus. A member of Fisher’s a cappella group, Drastic Measures, and a student ambassador, he has enjoyed participating in Admissions Open Houses. This August, he welcomed new students to campus as an Orientation Leader. His goal is to spread the Fisher pride.

“I would like to make the student body as a whole feel more proud to be Fisher students; I hope to achieve this through networking, events, and the rebranding of SGA,” said Bonawitz, who is an inclusive adolescence education and English double major.

Marketing major Meghan Houseknecht ’23 is serving as SGA’s director of marketing. She’s focused on increasing student engagement in SGA.

“I want people to feel welcomed and excited to be a part of this amazing organization that Fisher offers,” she said. “I know we have a great group of leaders on the executive board and I am so excited to work with them.”

A member of the Teddi Dance for Love Committee, Houseknecht is also excited to create more relationships and partnerships between SGA and Teddi.

Jenna Vinoya ’24, SGA chief of staff, is a first-year student and nursing major. As a new face on campus, she is ready to learn more about SGA and the College in general.

“I’m also hoping to promote inclusion and engagement within the student body,” she said.

In addition to her role with SGA, Vinoya is a Service Scholar and member of the Teddi Dance for Love Committee.