SGA recognized with an all female cabinet

Oklahoma Christian University’s Student Government Association recently held their election campaigns for the 2021-2022 school year, and the results concluded in the first all-female cabinet in Oklahoma Christian’s history. 

Upcoming SGA President Kiva Maxwell said she looks forward to exploring ideas with the new cabinet. 

“You have women here who really want to do some amazing things and who want to make this a campus where people are included, valued and safe,” Maxwell said. 

Treasurer Maralee Edmonds said the possibility of an all-female cabinet was not what drew her to run again for SGA. 

“I saw this as a perfect opportunity to take all of the skills and knowledge that I have accumulated over the past year and help the upcoming team with next year,” Edmonds said.

There is a feeling of empowerment which comes from an all-female cabinet, said Maxwell.

“I do really hope this allows for a pathway for others to do this, for other people to get involved in SGA,” Maxwell said. 

Maxwell commented on how the topic of female leadership has been a long-standing topic of interest as society changes. 

“We have been saying for a long time the future is female but it is a lie,” Maxwell said. “The present is female.”

Opportunities for change are fueling the passion for the upcoming SGA cabinet to lead the way for generations to come. 

“We have had a large increase in freshman and sophomore senators who are very excited about changing campus,” Edmonds said. “They have brought great discussion and feasible solutions to problems we face around campus.”

An all-female cabinet is historic, but Maxwell said students should continue looking to the future. 

“I do not think we should have to be in a moment where we are the beginning,” Maxwell said. “I do think we should be the first but nor should we be the last.”

The upcoming academic year will hold opportunities for SGA to reach out to the Oklahoma Christian community.

“The dynamic changes every year depending on the leadership style and not necessarily the gender,” Edmonds said. 

Maxwell spoke of the benefits of diverse students putting themselves out there as a leader. 

“When anyone leads, it is something special because everyone brings something different to the table,” Maxwell said. 

There are potential opportunities for change surrounding the campus leadership at Oklahoma Christian. 

“I hope to see more female senators of different backgrounds join SGA. I want them to be able to voice their opinions and concerns; that way they can change this campus for the better,” Edmonds said. 

SGA having an all-female cabinet marks a milestone for diversity and inclusion at Oklahoma Christian. History has been made and will continue to be made with the help of the next SGA cabinet.