Campaigning, elections, meetings, proposals and delegation are all tasks for the Grand View University student body to complete. But that is not all. There is far more to do. What are their responsibilities? Hardships? What does it look like behind the scenes? What does it mean to be GVU Student Body President?
Germain Sagbo
Photo by Todd Bailey
Germain Sagbo was GVU Student Body President for 2023-2024 school year. Sagbo studied nursing at GVU and is currently working at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Cincinnati’s Children Hospital. He is doing great things outside of GVU but let us take a closer look at his past presidency.
During his senior year, Sagbo was spotted at weekly meetings with his Vice Presidents, his advisor John Howe and even President of GVU Rachelle Keck herself. He also attended other committee meetings as well. Critical thinking was necessary in this process along with accessing situations. But what did he do before? Why did he run for Student Body President?
“I also knew that helping lead the student body was something that my heart desired,” Sagbo said.
Advocating was a primary push for Sagbo. He believed that every person on campus should be heard and seen.
“There’s room for everyone at the table,” Sagbo said.
Prior to his presidency, Sagbo had been in the student leadership before. He knew a few things about being a leader, but he would soon discover more.
“First, trust of your team,” Sagbo said.
A large part of leadership is trusting the individuals on that team. Without trust in delegations, the team can crumble. The same for the leader. If the team does not trust the leader, there is a problem. How do you attain this trust?
Sagbo explained that you need to communicate in order to work as a team. This means the good and the bad. He also explained that as a leader, you must own up and communicate your mistakes. This leads me to the top of the leadership skill triangle.
“I think integrity is a big one,” Sagbo said.
Integrity is honesty. Integrity also comes with trust and communication. They unite together with great leadership qualities. This is all it takes. The code has been cracked. This is how to be a successful leader. Wrong. It is not that simple. Being in a leadership position can be hard.
“Everything falls on you,” Sagbo said.
He explains how GVU Student Body President cannot change everything. As a university there are guidelines and policies that the student council must work around.
“This is very important and so crucial, but don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go right,” Sagbo said.
It gets hard. So why do it? Why keep pushing?
“My biggest lesson I have learned is it is a blessing to serve others,” Sagbo said.
It is a blessing to be in the position as Student Body President. Not very many college students receive the chance. But what does this opportunity do for you outside of school? Or when you graduate? Having the title of GVU Student Body President helped Sagbo with his job search. Once he attained the position at Cincinnati Children’s hospital, he realized student leadership helped him more than he thought.
“With Viking Council, you have to have empathy towards people,” Sagbo said.
In the workplace specifically, Sagbo has been able to relate to patients, families and staff. He creates connections and advocates for his patients. He does more than just show up.
“I necessarily cannot say I am going through that same issue, but I am here to walk through it with you,” Sagbo said.
These leadership skills have helped him form more holistic relationships with his patients. He is more than a nurse just like he was more than just Student Body President. He is someone you could always go to. This is a piece of advice he leaves for future GVU Student Body Presidents.
“They just want to know, ‘I (student) was heard by someone who truly cared,’” Sagbo said.
Listen first, then there is an opportunity to find the solution. Sometimes the solution was just listening however there are times where the president should be a liaison as well.
“Individuals just want to be heard,” Sagbo said.
Elizabeth Joe
Photo by Sophia Soulis
I introduce to you 2024-2025 Student Body President, Elizabeth Joe. Joe is not a typical GVU student. She transferred into GVU and also did her share as a commuter. She studies biochemistry and has plans for medical school after GVU. After medical school, she has plans to enter the healthcare field. But what about her presidency?
Joe ran for Student Body President in January of 2024 with her Vice President, Mia Schumann. This election was not typical. There were no candidates who ran against these two. On January 30, 2024, it was announced that the Joe-Schumann campaign won the election. This was where her responsibilities began.
Technically speaking, the GVU Student Body President’s responsibilities include meetings between students, the council Vice Presidents, advisors, the President of campus and more. Clubs can make proposals for events and the President presents these to the council. Anonymous requests are also discussed. But this is technical. What are the true responsibilities of being Student Body President?
“Having integrity at all times,” Joe said.
The first responsibility Joe responded with was her emphasis on integrity.
“I always want to set the best example or lead by example in every decision I make on campus because I know it is going to affect me and my peers,” Joe said.
Leading by example is a responsibility that comes with the job without being put in the constitution.
“I can be that liaison between, students and administration, staff [and] faculty,” Joe said.
The student body looks to the presidential authority to be a voice for them. Speak for the people. Speak for your peers. Communication is great but what about action? This one is not as easy. As a university, there are many policies, guidelines and rules GVU students must follow. The student council can be a voice to authorities. However, physical and instant change is difficult.
“[You must] lead with wisdom but also understand you cannot change everything and that is okay,” Joe said.
Once again, making changes is hard. But how do you get past that? Remember why.
“My motivation was just knowing how much I love student leadership and I love GVU in general,” Joe said.
Joe’s motivation was love. Her desire was to serve the student body. What are her future desires? Can being student body president help her future as well?
“[Student Body President] has really helped me build up a promising foundation for a job search or even grad school,” Joe said.
Besides the resume, her leadership role has helped her with her communication at the workplace. Specifically, knowing how to address different audiences and being able to step up to the plate for leadership roles has been valuable. She advises future candidates with these skills she has learned.
“Communication is the biggest leadership skill you need,” Joe said.
It is extremely important to communicate. However, you also need to be confident. This confidence is in yourself and your team. Be aware that your team and the student body is looking to you. Along with this, remember empathy. Understanding that people are going through life can be hard when there is high expectations to meet. However, this is necessary. Not only for a team, but for this world.
Liz Richardson
Then there is me, Liz Richardson, the GVU Student Body President for 2025-2026. I was elected president with my Vice President Kevin Dillon on January 28, 2025. It is still surreal to me. However, I have nominated my team and wait for the students’ approval in April 2025. I am grateful for this opportunity and even more appreciative of the wise words and wisdom I have received from Sagbo and Joe. This journey is already flying by. I believe that all leaders in any position should follow the advice above. I have set new goals to listen first, be empathetic, follow integrity and to always communicate. I hope you are able to set these goals for yourself as well. Because everyone can be a leader with any of these qualities.