SGA Leaders Share Goals for New Academic Year

With the academic year underway, Georgia Tech’s undergraduate Student Government Association (SGA) welcomes new leadership looking to achieve concrete goals and amplify student voices.  

President Sultan Ziyad, a fourth-year civil engineering major, and Vice President Xiomara Salinas, a third-year chemical and biomolecular engineering major, positioned their platform around a five-point motto: DRIVE. The acronym stands for: 

• D — Develop SGA to champion change. 

• R — Respond to students swiftly. 

• I — Improve service to student organizations. 

• V — Voice student views to faculty. 

• E — Establish SGA’s standard of excellence.  

Ziyad and Salinas’ strategic plan outlines several objectives and specific actions to tackle student concerns around issues such as campus accessibility, wellness, sustainability, and inclusion. They emphasize the importance of collaborating with a range of campus groups to execute these goals.   

“We divided the platform into the 10 areas SGA covers, providing concrete plans for the things we wanted to accomplish this year,” Ziyad said. “To inform these plans, we spoke to people affiliated with each respective area — for example, meeting with Student Life representatives to hear the concerns of transfers, first-years, and international students,” Salinas added. 

Acknowledging that adjusting to campus life can be difficult, both leaders extended advice to new students. Drawing on his experiences as a resident assistant, campus mentor, and now SGA president, Ziyad encourages first-years to embrace uncertainty.  

“Keep an open mind during your time at Tech. Every semester is different, bringing various highs and lows. Be versatile and adaptable,” he said.  

Salinas, who joined SGA in her first year at Tech as a member of the finance committee, encourages new students to step out of their comfort zone.  

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to people. There are so many valuable opportunities across campus. If you find an organization or lab interesting, take the initiative by putting yourself out there. By simply emailing one person or club, you can open so many doors,” she said.  

The pair also reflected on Georgia Tech bucket list items they hope to achieve before graduation.  

“I want to complete the Pi Mile — but I have to run the entire time,” Ziyad said.  

“I’ve never missed a home football game. I even came back from Thanksgiving break early my first year, so I’ve made it a goal,” Salinas said.  

Looking ahead, they hope their administration will leave behind a stronger connection between SGA and the students it serves.  

“If students start seeing SGA as a body that truly represents their voices and concerns — not just one that plans cool events and collaborations, but also as a resource for improving student life — that would feel like a goal achieved. We aspire to make meaningful change for organizations and individual students,” Salinas said.  

Both are motivated to turn their plans into tangible change and leave a lasting impact on Georgia Tech’s campus.  

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