With the gavel in his hand and the votes in his favor, Nicholas Johnson started his first meeting as Shippensburg University’s Student Senate president on Thursday, Oct. 23.

As the former senator for Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), Johnson will be serving a wider body of constituents as he takes on his new role.

Johnson competed against three other candidates for the position and received news of his win on Monday, Oct. 20.

Secretary Rebecca Zelner swore Johnson in as president on Thursday, Oct. 23. Vice President Olivia Straka was not present for the open caucus.

After running through the usual reports from senators, Johnson opened the floor to the audience. A representative from the SU Chapter of the College Republicans and MSA congratulated Johnson on his election, as did some of the senators.

SU interim President George “Jody” Harpster welcomed Johnson to the presidency.

“We look forward to working with you any way we can,” Harpster said to Johnson at the Thursday caucus.

Once Michelle Bradley stepped down from the presidency, some of Johnson’s friends in MSA encouraged him to run. The support from the student body eventually won Johnson his seat.

“I think I belong to a lot of different parts of the campus and that was the first time I was able to see the effects of that,” Johnson said of the election. As a former football player, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and MSA, Johnson has met students from many regions of campus.

As president, Johnson hopes to improve relations between SU and the town.

“We have to take more responsibility as students to ensure that our campus is friendly to everyone, that there is room for everyone to grow,” Johnson said.

Although the population of diverse students is increasing, Johnson believes SU can do a better job helping those who are already here.
“In our decisions that we make, we forget about them and they aren’t taken into account and as a result they’re excluded,” Johnson said of the diverse student population.

Bradley will serve as a mentor to Johnson as he adjusts to the role of president.

Johnson was surprised when Bradley stepped down but he greatly appreciates that the former president will be there to guide him, he said.

The executive rules committee (ERC), consisting of Vice President Straka, secretary Rebecca Zelner and treasurer Kevin Rezac, will be working closely with Johnson.

“They’re very genuine, they’re very hardworking,” Johnson said.
Originally from Philadelphia, Johnson is a human communications and international studies major with a minor in ethnic studies. After graduating he plans to pursue work with the Peace Corps before attending graduate school.

A message from the new student president Nicholas Johnson.

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