The student body president. Have you ever wondered: What do they do? We have a student body president? Who is our student body president?
Well, for starters, Chaina Nafziger and I (Philip Ritchie) just hired the cabinet presidents for Taylor Student Organization (TSO)!
You may find yourself asking, “what is TSO?”
Here’s a brief crash course and the names of the future presidents:
1. Student Activities Council (SAC) – President for 2026 – 27: Andrew Crane
a. SAC put on many fun student events including Nostalgia Night and MyGen!
2. Interclass Council (ICC) – President for 2026 – 27: Gabriella Yatooma
a. Each group of class representatives work together to plan some of Taylor's most iconic traditions including Taylathon and Airband.
3. Integration of Faith and Culture (IFC) – President for 2026 – 27: Matthew Fall
a. This cabinet hosts concerts and movies. In the past, they’ve brought in Rend Collective, Colony House and The Figs to name a few.
4. Birrama Creative (BC) – President for 2026 – 27: Emma Carlson
a. BC is filled with creative minds who design all the promotional material for TSO and photographers to capture the events.
5. Intramural Cabinet– President for 2026 – 27: Jacob Huitsing
a. This team works countless hours to organize all your favorite recreational sports.
6. Student Senate – Chair for 2026 – 27: Spencer Pardee
a. If you’ve got a problem, chances are the Senate has a solution. They address facilities, student health, and academic life-related issues. They also sit on faculty sub-committees as the student voice! All the clubs are also funded through the senate.
On top of leading in TSO, the SBP office gets involved in specific topics they feel passionate about.
Now for a little Taylor history! The reason Taylor has no school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is because of the work of former Taylor student body president (and the current Gordon College President) Mike Hammond!
Chaina and I are actively working toward our campaign goals. These goals are centered around places where relationships grow: The local church, local community, and campus community.
We’re learning how our goals are already being pursued by campus leaders and seeking to understand how we can join in with the work that is already being accomplished.
As we begin preparing to take on more responsibility, we have received wise advice and helpful insights from several leaders on campus.
Kent Yost, one of Taylor’s regional directors of development, shared his thoughts on the posture of “remembering and celebrating.” Especially in this season of campus growth, he encourages the student body to “Spend time considering the past, Taylor's rich history, and times where God blessed TU in significant ways, and to celebrate those times.”
Yost particularly appreciates the boulders stacked between Zondervan and Euler as a reminder of “those Ebenezer moments in Taylor's journey, and individual moments in our own lives,” as well as the Basin and Towel as “the reminder and call to serve.”
He also emphasized Proverbs 3:5-6 as an important reminder that “wisdom starts with TRUST in the LORD.”
Chris Jones, Taylor’s vice president, chief of staff, and chief information officer shared about the administration’s current relationship with the SBP office. He emphasized the importance of the student body, acknowledging the role of students’ perspectives as the administration makes decisions.
Over this last year, Jones has worked closely with the current SBP office on issues such as parking on campus, events for student feedback.
“I am encouraged by the shared desire I see among student leaders to serve well, to make decisions that honor Christ, and to steward the trust and resources of the Taylor community thoughtfully,” he said. “That posture has made partnership between TSO and the administration both meaningful and productive.”
We are excited to continue working with Jones, and the rest of the Taylor administration in the coming year, and we can’t wait to serve you as the student body president and vice president!
