The executive branch is comprised of six cabinet members -- student body president, vice president, chief of staff, secretary of the treasury, secretary of student organizations and affairs, and secretary of community relations.
The president is the official student body representative to the administration and public and represents UNK as a student member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. He or she has the power to pass or veto legislation passed by the Senate.
The cabinet, chaired by the vice president, consists of the four constitutionally enumerated officers and other directors, advisers and support staff.
Noah Shackelford: Chief of Staff
Kim Gomez: Secretary of Student Organizations & Affairs
Olivia Lawless: Secretary of the Treasury
Tanner Jonas: Secretary of Community Relations
The Senate is the legislature of the student body. Students are elected to the Senate from each of UNK's three undergraduate colleges and the University of Nebraska graduate college. There are also freshman senators and deciding/preprofessional student senators.
The Senate has the power to pass legislation for the campus, approve new student organizations, appoint student representatives to Faculty Senate and other administrative committees, and perform any other duties concerning student issues or concerns.
The Senate meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Antelope Room of the Nebraskan Student Union. Meetings, which are open to anyone, are held weekly during the school year, except during finals week.
For more information, call the Student Senate office at 308-865-8395 or Senate advisers at 308-865-8523.
Speaker of the Senate: Samuel Schroeder
Secretary of the Senate: Bethany Burklund
Parliamentarian of the Senate: Olivia Lawless
Senators
College of Business and Technology
Emily Hall
Emma Bond
Omar Sanchez
Keenan Obed Torres
College of Education
Jacob Howe
Joey Orellana
Lily Seibert
Hunter Hiatt
Emma Nolan
College of Arts & Sciences
Alex Danson
Gracie Luebbe
Jenny Kelly
Sam Schroeder
Austin Dubas
Kyle Dittmer
Graduate College
University College
Zoie Jacobsen
Freshman Senators
Hernan Vargas
Paige Oltmans
Student court consists of seven associate justices, a chief justice and secretary of the court. The student body president nominates justices, who must be confirmed by the Senate.
Student Court handles cases in four primary areas:
- Student organizations recognized by Student Government
- Complaints filed in relation to Student Government elections
- Cases that involve the functioning of Student Government from either the legislative or executive branches
- Appeals of traffic citations issued by campus police and parking services.
Student Court meets at 4 p.m. Tuesdays during the school year in the Nebraskan Student Union. These meetings are private, but you are welcome to attend if your case is being reviewed.
For more information, email studentcourt@unk.edu or call the Student Government office at 308-865-8395 or the Court Advisor at 308-865-8523.
Information on how to file a formal complaint
Student Court members
Braden Peterworth, Chief Justice
Jake Novicki, Associate Justice
Theresa Ascherl, Associate Justice
Shawn Peterson, Associate Justice
Simon Clark, Associate Justice
Alex Novicki, Associate Justice
Current openings in Student Government:
Student Court: 1 Justice
College of Education Senator: 1 Seat
Graduate College Senator: 1 Seat
University College Senator: 1 Seat
Student Government Application
Students play a major role in ensuring that the UNK experience is unforgettable. At UNK, student government is highly involved in all aspects of the university, including student life, academics, and policies.
