Philip Ritchie, junior engineering major, and Chaina Nafziger, sophomore exercise science major, will step into the roles of future student body president (Ritchie) and vice president (Nafziger) for Taylor’s 2026-27 school year.
The student body elected them after a campaign that involved collecting students’ thoughts on various aspects of campus life, visiting dorms and creating a MyGen commercial.
When visiting dorm lobbies, Ritchie and Nafziger asked students what aspects they loved about campus and what areas they appreciated, but saw room for improvement in.
Ritchie and Nafziger’s campaign process was a gigantic team effort. They’re grateful for the help of many, Ritchie said.
“There was a core team of fellow students who helped with logistics and behind-the-scenes work,” Ritchie said. “Many different people in the dorms helped share the vision with their wings and floors.”
Bergwall Hall was especially helpful in providing ideas.
“Shoutout Berg,” Ritchie said.
Throughout this process, the team sensed a need for easier access to Taylor’s resources. Ritchie and Nafziger hope to make students aware of existing opportunities on campus that help them to live, lead and serve well, Ritchie said.
This could mean creating a mobile app to promote campus events or similar innovations, Nafziger said. These ideas aren’t original. Rather, they were gathered from students throughout the campaigning process, she said.
Running for student body vice president hadn’t occurred to Ritchie initially, he said. He first decided to run when a trusted friend encouraged him to do so. He and Nafziger discussed the idea, prayed, spoke with parents and eventually decided to run together, Nafziger said.
Richie and Nafziger were grateful to the dorms who voiced opinions and expressed campus needs they could improve in the 2026-27 semester.
All the running groups were amazing, Vincent Harder, senior chemistry pre-med major, said.
“Congrats to Philip and Chaina,” Harder said. “I think they’re gonna do great next year.”
Not everyone at Taylor was invested in the election.
Orlando Chatwell, sophomore Chrisitan ministry major, didn’t even vote.
“I think it’s a popularity contest,” Chatwell said.
Chatwell is still excited for Ritchie and Nafziger to lead Taylor, and is confident they will do well, he said.
Many students expressed excitement for Ritchie and Nafziger’s victory.
Lily Gerry, senior marketing major, was thrilled for the team. Ritchie has been a friend of hers since her time at Taylor. He’s the most genuine person she’s ever met, and she’s confident he and Nafziger will thrive in their positions, she said.
“I also am thankful for the other candidates. I think they did a great job,” she said. “Last year, I was a part of a group that ran, and it was so much work. And so I just hope that all of the candidates feel really good about what they’ve done, no matter what the outcome was. I was really impressed, and I think Philip and Chaina are gonna do a really great job.”
For now, they will prepare for their future roles by meeting and learning from existing leaders, Ritchie said.
He asked students to pray for he and Nafziger’s leadership. He also asked for prayer that their spiritual life and Taylor’s spiritual life would continue to thrive. This leadership role is a gift from God they must steward well, he said.
“(Please pray for) wisdom to prioritize what the Lord has for us,” Ritchie said. “To be attentive to the needs that may be easy to miss.”
