Student Body President Candidate Adrian Henry

Hello everyone! My name is Adrian Henry; a first-generation Jamaican immigrant and dedicated student advocate, and the current SAS-N University Senator and Interim President for the Black Organization of Students. I am running to be your next SGA President to build a stronger, more inclusive Rutgers-Newark. As the University Senator for the School of Arts and Sciences, I have led initiatives to implement Open Educational Resources (OERs) to lower textbook costs and ensure students can access affordable learning materials. As Chair of the Bylaws and Constitution Review Committee, I have worked to amend and refine governing documents, making student government more transparent and responsive. Under my leadership as Interim President of the Black Organization of Students (BOS), I have not only reactivated the organization but provided another space for student advocacy as well as uplifting other student leaders. As President, I commit to creating an improved and unified campus through real change, such as prioritizing financial aid accessibility, parking affordability, dining improvements and stronger support for student organizations. I am ready to turn advocacy into action and make Rutgers-Newark a place where every student is heard, valued, and empowered.

Vice President Candidate Savayra Rao

My name is Savayra Rao and I currently serve as your SGA Vice President. I am excited to run for reelection for RU-N’s SGA Vice President to continue to amplify student voices and drive meaningful change. As Vice President, I have collaborated with students, faculty, staff, and administrators to address key student concerns. As a future educator and a staunch advocate for the voices of students, I have served on President Holloway’s Student Advisory Board and am the undergraduate representative for Rutgers’ Presidential Search Committee. This year, I have prioritized transparency and accessibility through my open-door policy.

I’ve led initiatives to improve dining conditions on campus, directly encouraging and advocating for the presence of better options for students with dietary restrictions and facilitated the most engaged senate in recent RU-N history. SGA is now more active than ever before, attending the Agents of Change retreat, Student Organization Showcases, and collaborating on events with student organizations to strengthen campus life.

Along with my work in SGA, I am actively involved in the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC), both of which have shaped me into a leader and community advocate. As RU-N Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Educational Honors Society’s Fundraising Chair, I launched our first virtual fundraiser and provided scholarship opportunities for our members.

Reelection will allow me to continue to advocate for the student body’s needs both at the campus and university levels. Fostering exponential change takes time and I hope to continue to establish roots that will allow our campus to improve and withstand the times we are facing. I look forward to your support and continuing this work together!

Why YOU Need to Vote for HenryRao

Our administration is committed to tackling some of the most pressing issues facing Rutgers-Newark students—starting with parking and financial aid accessibility. The high cost of parking and the lack of available spaces have become a major barrier for many students. We will work closely with campus administration to tackle prices of parking and parking permits and explore funding options for students who may need assistance affording them. Additionally, we will pursue partnerships to find ways to create overflow parking for students who have purchased permits but still struggle to find a spot. We also recognize the serious impact of financial holds on students’ academic progress, and we will push for a more transparent, efficient, and student-friendly financial aid process. By partnering with the Office of Financial Aid to host workshops and provide clear guidance, we aim to ensure that no student is left behind due to bureaucratic red tape.

Another core issue we aim to address is the declining quality and rising cost of campus dining. As President and Vice President, we pledge to work directly with dining services to ensure students have access to affordable, culturally diverse, and high-quality meal options. We will prioritize gathering consistent student feedback through forums and surveys to inform real improvements in food services. We will advocate for pricing adjustments, expanded menus, and greater flexibility in dining hours and meal plans, especially for commuters and students with non-traditional schedules. Our goal is to make the dining experience one that supports and not hinders student well-being, affordability, and satisfaction.

Endorsements

These student organizations endorse the Henry Rao ticket.

Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)

Black Organization of Students (BOS)

Haitian Association Of Students At Rutgers

Rutgers Students for Justice in Palestine

The RU-N Creative Writing Club

Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.