IOWA STATE DAILY– Balancing classes, jobs and meetings is a daily reality for Iowa State’s Student Government (StuGov) members. For many members, the payoff comes in the connections they build and the change they create.
Delaney Graef, a senior in forestry and StuGov College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) senator, focuses on life sciences representation alongside Jacob Schilling, a sophomore in agronomy, who represents agricultural constituents.
“I’m one of the CALS representatives, alongside Jacob Schilling, and I kind of offer more of the life science representation for our constituents, while he offers more of the agricultural side of our constituents,” Graef said. “But of course, we’re a dynamic duo, and we usually don’t disagree on things.”
“If there’s anything I ever want other people’s voices on, I just talk to them,” Graef said. “I talk to life sciences clubs all the time about the opportunities in the money they can get, especially when they express that they’re struggling.”
Graef said student outreach and inclusivity were two drivers that led her to participate in StuGov, and she said they continue to guide her work.
“When I was campaigning, my biggest thing was that I wanted to make Iowa State more inclusive,” Graef said.
Graef, a member of the Local Affairs Committee, is planning a multicultural fest in downtown Ames.
“I think that getting this multicultural fest is a great way to bring everybody together,” Graef said.
A major component of Graef’s role as a representative is listening to the concerns of her constituents, a task that takes time and outreach. Not all students are aware that StuGov exists, Graef said, which can prevent them from reaching out.
“I think our biggest struggle in Student Government is that a lot of people don’t know we exist – they don’t know that they can have their voices heard by us,” Graef said. “We have outreach credits that we have to fulfill, but honestly, it’s like the bare minimum.”
Outside of her once-a-week office hour, Graef said she constantly monitors her email inbox for concerns from her constituents.
“Like all students, I’m on my email all day, every day,” Graef said.
Colby Brandt, a senior in agriculture and rural policy studies, is student body president. A large part of his role is dedicated to planning this year’s Big 12 On the Hill 2026 conference in Washington, D.C., scheduled from Feb. 22 to 26. Iowa State StuGov is in charge of planning this year’s events.
“A lot of my time the last few months has been dedicated towards planning this event,” Brandt said. “At that event, and the Big 12 conference in West Virginia last fall, we are able to connect with other student leaders from Big 12 schools.”
Another way Brandt has built connections is through partnership with university administration, and specifically with the Department of Transportation.
“When we reached out, the guy from the DOT said he was someone no one had reached out to before, so that was a special connection that we were able to create,” Brandt said.
Brandt is able to balance student life and StuGov through his schedule. He was able to come to Iowa State with enough credits to allow him to take 12 each semester this year.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays are my academic-focused days, and I have Monday, Wednesday and Friday to focus on Student Government work,” Brandt said.
Will Vlasek, a senior in agricultural systems technology, is student body vice president. Vlasek said his role primarily consists of leading the StuGov Cabinet and facilitating its weekly meetings.
Vlasek is involved with the Story County Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team (ASSET), which has allowed him to build connections with leaders in the greater community.
“These are all people deeply embedded in Ames and Story County and working to make it a better place,” Vlasek said. “There’s some people I’ve met from ASSET that I keep bumping into and that network is what enables you to be successful and to advocate successfully on behalf of students.”
Vlasek said StuGov is one of the best ways for students to enact change on campus.
“There are few other opportunities to have as big of an impact as StuGov does on campus,” Vlasek said. “ I would encourage anybody who’s interested about making an impact during their time here to get involved.”
For information about StuGov leadership opportunities, the get involved page of the website allows students a place to connect. Opportunities for involvement include the student senate, committee at-large, cabinet, supreme court and election commission.
“I’m very fortunate for my experience and very fortunate for the students who voted to give me this opportunity to represent them,” Vlasek said.
One of the biggest learning opportunities for Vlasek this year was learning to give grace to others.
“When someone shows up late, when someone frustrates you, when someone doesn’t show up the way you expect them to, practice and demonstrate grace for them,” Vlasek said. “It makes your experience much more positive.”
Follow the StuGov social media pages to stay up to date on happenings. For student-related concerns, the StuGov website provides a variety of resources. Additionally, students are encouraged to email Brandt or Vlasek.
Emma Goode 