Hartselle's Samantha Simmons Elected University Of Alabama's 115th SGA President

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Alabama junior Samantha Simmons has been elected the 115th president of the school’s Student Government Association.

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Simmons, a political science major from Hartselle, campaigned across campus in the weeks leading up to the election, visiting more than 50 student organizations, speaking with students and hosting daily events.

She defeated presidential candidates Kyle Porter and Aaron Rak to secure the office.

Her campaign received endorsements from several student groups, including the Black Student Union, Alpha Kappa Psi, the UA Pre-Law Student Association, Brother 2 Brother, The Joy Project and Universities Against Cancer.

“I am deeply grateful to every student who placed their trust in me,” Simmons said in a statement. “Thank you to my team for their tireless work and to my friends and family for their constant encouragement. This victory belongs to every student who believes we can move campus forward.”

Simmons campaigned on what she described as a “Stronger” agenda, outlining initiatives across student life, academics, campus culture and SGA governance.

Under “Stronger Students,” Simmons pledged to modernize Crimson Ride with enhanced real-time GPS tracking, expand campus snack and toiletry pantries, advocate for increased pay for student workers, broaden the Fresh Fruit Friday program to additional campus locations and establish an embedded therapist within Student Life to support students, including those in Greek organizations.

Her “Stronger Academics” proposals also include expanding pre-law and pre-health advising, forming a task force to evaluate academic advising, creating a myBama mobile app to centralize university resources, adjusting class registration start times from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., expanding experiential learning credit opportunities and developing a free graduate and professional school application week across the UA System.

She also proposed incorporating AI-powered virtual assistants to support advising services around the clock.

Under “Stronger Relationships,” Simmons proposed increasing funding for the Student Engagement Fund, launching a Hometown Food Request program through UA Dining, visiting 50 student organizations in her first 50 days in office and pursuing free Canva Premium access for students across the UA System.

She plans to introduce a free on-campus tax preparation clinic in partnership with the IRS VITA program and the Culverhouse College of Business.

Her “Stronger Campus” priorities include working with UAPD to evaluate and enhance campus safety infrastructure, advocating for a dedicated graduate student lounge on central campus, exploring Washington, D.C., housing options for internship programs and expanding local internship opportunities through community partnerships. She also plans to bring the TooGoodToGo app to Tuscaloosa to provide discounted meals and reduce food waste.

Within SGA, Simmons proposed hosting a statewide political candidate forum during the 2026 election cycle, completing SGA’s fundraising efforts tied to the Rising Tide 2.0 capital campaign, strengthening alumni engagement, launching an oral history project with Special Collections and connecting student leaders with corporate, government and university mentors.

Simmons will lead the SGA’s 115th administration and is accepting applications for her executive cabinet through March 10 at 5 p.m.. Applications are available online.

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