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Student Governance at Illinois
A tradition since 1870.
The first student government in the United States.
In the fall of 1870 Regent Gregory was prepared to attempt a significant experiment in American education: the formation of a student government at the university.1
History
Since 1870, there have been twelve models of student government at Illinois.
Student's Government (SG)
Established October 3, 1870
1870-18832
University Assembly (UA)
1893
Student Assembly (SA)
1894-1917
The Student Council (SC)
1917-1934
Champaign-Urbana Student Senate (CUSS)
1934-1969
Undergraduate Student Association (UGSA)
1969-1978
Champaign-Urbana Student Association (CUSA)3
1978-1980
Student Government Association (SGA)
1980-1996
Illinois Student Government (ISG-1)
1996-2004
Illinois Student Senate (ISS)4
2004-2017
Illinois Student Government (ISG-2)
2017-2023
Illinois Student Council (ISC)
2023-current
1Citation: John Milton Gregory and the Univeristy of Illinois by Harry A. Kersey, Jr.
2Abandoned in 1883 due to politics.
3Formed by the merger of the Undergraduate Student Association and Graduate Student Associaton.
4Formed by the merger of Illinois Student Government and Student Senate Caucus.
Past Officers
Student Body President & Vice President
| Year | President | Vice President | Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Rudy Lafave | Hunter Farnham | ISC |
| 2023-2024 | Abby McGuire | Alex Koscielski | ISC |
| 2022-2023 | Garrett Forrest | Vindhya Kalipi (Apr-Oct 2022) Elizabeth (Liz) LeBeau (Oct 2022-Apr 2023) |
ISG-2 |
| 2021-2022 | Enoma Egiebor | Nicole Arnold | ISG-2 |
| 2020-2021 | Alexis Perezchica | Chris Ackerman-Avila | ISG-2 |
| 2019-2020 | Connor Josellis | John (Jack) Langen | ISG-2 |
| 2018-2019 | Walter Lindwall | Alice Zheng | ISG-2 |
Speakers & Deputy Speakers
| Year | Speaker | Deputy Speaker | Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Sean Murphy | Alex Belanger | ISC |
| 2023-2024 | Josh Small | Jack LaMorte | ISC |
|
2022-2023 |
Josh Small | Jack LaMorte | ISG-2 |
| 2021-2022 | Ari Kelo | Josh Small | ISG-2 |
| 2020-2021 | Arnoldo Ayala | Cody Bainbridge | ISG-2 |
| 2019-2020 | Alissa Xiao Susan Zhou |
Susan Zhou Arnoldo Ayala |
ISG-2 |
| 2018-2019 | Alissa Xiao | -- | ISG-2 |
Advising
Advisors
| Year(s) | Advisor | Title | Department | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-Current | Alejandro (Alex) Suñé | Director | Student Engagement | ISG-2, ISC |
| 2004-2018 | Rhonda Kirts | Associate Dean | Dean of Students | ISS, ISG-2 |
| 1980-2004 | Willard Broom | Associate Dean | Dean of Students | SGA, ISG-1 |
| 1934-1935 | Paul Beam (Mrs) Harold S. Dawson |
Unknown | -- | CUSS |
| 1870 | John Milton Gregory | University President & First Regent of Illinois Industrial University |
-- | SG |