Incoming student body president Jerry Vielhauer and vice president Sonia Lumley are gearing up to begin their term on April 1, pledging to focus their administration on transparency, student advocacy and community belonging. After weeks of transition meetings, the two expressed their eagerness to begin serving the undergraduate population.
“We honestly want to listen to the student body at all times,” Lumley said. “We just want to make sure that students understand that we are hearing, we are listening and we're trying to be as personable as possible.”
Vielhauer, a sophomore political science major with minors in business economics, constitutional studies and theology, currently serves as vice president for the Class of 2027. Lumley, a junior political science major with a minor in the Hesburgh Program for Public Service, brings leadership experience through cultural clubs and national political internships, including one with Vice President Kamala Harris.
The pair connected through mutual friends in student government, with the match ultimately coming through a recommendation from Blayne Schwarz, the newly elected Walsh Hall president. After a series of conversations and meetings, Vielhauer and Lumley decided to run together.
“We seemed like we had a lot of the same goals and missions for the University,” Vielhauer said.
Lumley and Vielhauer emphasized several key issues they hope to tackle in office: campus drainage, expanded mental health services and improvements to dining.
“One of the big things that we’ve heard every student talk about are the drainage issues on campus,” Vielhauer said. “Mental health resources and the UCC are a big priority. And then the dining hall, that’s something that affects every student.”
To address dining concerns, the duo plans to introduce a new Department of Campus Nutrition. This department would be responsible for advocating for changes like increased Flex Points, expanded meal plan options, more late-night dining and greater accessibility for students with dietary restrictions.
“As someone who’s gluten free and lactose intolerant, I know how hard it can be to find food options,” Lumley said. “Sometimes I’m forced to eat gluten, which is not good for my body. So, expanding those options is something we will prioritize.”
Vielhauer added that campus health and wellness will remain a priority through this new department, which he described as a more focused approach than the existing health and wellness structure.
Their administration plans to reinstate a department on student-athlete relationships which had previously been cut. Vielhauer said the goal is to bridge the gap between student-athletes and the broader campus community.
“There’s a divide between athletes and students in general and that’s something we want to bridge,” he said. “We want every student group represented and to feel part of campus.”
As student leaders, Lumley and Vielhauer also hope to elevate underrepresented voices across Notre Dame through departments like Title IX and the Women’s Initiative, LGBTQ+ advocacy and racial, ethnic and international inclusion.
“We’re doing increased programming across the board,” Lumley said. “We want every student to feel elevated and included culturally and socially.”
Lumley, who is Black and a first-generation, low-income (FGLI) student, is particularly passionate about supporting these communities.
“I’m really excited to continue the Golden Generation dinners and connect with groups like AnBryce, Balfour and TLP,” she said. “I was actually just nominated for the Trailblazer Award for the next dinner. It’s a huge honor.”
The administration is also looking forward to continuing events such as the Black Excellence Dinner and PrideFest, while expanding visibility and resources for all identity-based communities on campus.
Lumley and Vielhauer acknowledged that initial proposals to restructure student government departments faced student pushback. In response, they met with members of various student communities and adjusted their plans based on that feedback.
“There was a lot of miscommunication at first,” Vielhauer said. “We came in wanting to empower people and make change and once we talked to more people, we revised our original vision. We feel confident in the changes we’ve made.”
To maintain transparency, the administration plans to rely on regular surveys, public communications and consistent updates via email and Instagram.
“We want to send out an unprecedented number of forms and feedback opportunities,” Vielhauer said. “We want to know how your laundry system is working, how your dining experience is going so we can take that data and show the administration what students need.”
As they prepare to take office, Lumley and Vielhauer hope to leave a legacy of inclusivity, compassion and action.
“I want to encourage belonging,” Lumley said. “Every student should be able to feel like they belong on Notre Dame’s campus, no matter who they are.”
Vielhauer echoed her sentiments.
"I think it's less about leaving a legacy and being remembered personally and more about having those changes that we implement be seen as positive things whether it's associated with us or not,” he said.
The Vielhauer-Lumley administration officially begins April 1, with the first Senate meeting under their leadership scheduled for April 2.
