UHV's Bo Walding was elected as the next president of the Student Government Association.

Bo Walding, the newly elected president of the Student Government Association, is on a mission to bridge the communication gaps between departments and students.

“I’m the type of person who if I see something can be done better, it will be done,” Walding said. “I saw some things that needed to be, not necessarily fixed, but improved, and I can’t wait to start diving into my work as president of SGA.”

Walding’s tenure as president began June 1, and he will hold office for two full semesters. This summer, he and his team have been studying various constitutions from different universities of similar size while working closely with Jay Lambert, UHV vice president for Student Affairs, and Molly Duke, UHV Student Involvement coordinator.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, Walding will be a senior with an anticipated graduation date of spring 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in management. After he graduates, Walding said he plans to jump straight into a Master of Business Administration program at UHV.

Freddie Cantu

"I'm very excited to have Bo Walding as the new SGA President for the 2024-2025 school year,” said Freddie Cantu, UHV director of Student Involvement. “Ever since last fall, when I suggested to him the idea of running for SGA, he's been buzzing with ideas and is ready to make positive changes. Bo has been involved at UHV since he transferred back in Spring of 2022 and has quickly made a name for himself among the student body as a trusted leader. I know he will represent the UHV students well, and I look forward to working alongside him for this year's Homecoming Week."

With the help from his SGA administration, Walding plans to facilitate better communication between departments, especially between Financial Aid and Student Billing, helping to defog the often-confusing maze that new students come across, he said. Another goal is to increase the presence of SGA on campus so students can know where to go if they have any concerns, he said.

“With a bigger presence, students know that their voices will be heard,” Walding said. “Often times, students don’t know who to go and speak to. I feel like SGA can bridge that communication line between the administration and the students.”

For the past three years, Walding has taken the helm as director of Student Organizations in SGA, a position that allowed him to learn the ins and outs of the administration while accumulating leadership skills, he said. His experience as a student orientation leader last summer, and again this summer, has enhanced his communication skills with first-year students while improving his public speaking abilities, despite lingering anxiety, Walding said.

Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Walding had some family members in Texas and moved down to Victoria with his family. He received his associate degree at Victoria College before he transferred to UHV, where he has been for nearly three years.

“Being in a wheelchair is a big thing, and when I was given a tour at UHV, I thought UHV was just the right size, and they have the program I need, the classes that I need,” Walding said. 

Since he took office, Walding said he has learned the importance of empathy and effecting leadership without micromanaging and has put his full trust in his team while putting his focus on training all members to make sure everyone is well-prepared for their respective roles once the fall semester begins.

In a bid to ensure that all student voices are heard and represented, several initiatives are planned this fall, Walding said. A key strategy is to boost attendance at the bi-weekly SGA meetings, which are viewed as the primary communication channel with the student body, he said.

“If we can encourage students to come out, one thing I’ve noticed is that when students come and they see how it works, they are more open to communicating what kinds of concerns they have,” Walding said. “And if they don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of people, the SGA office will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and students are more than welcome to enter.”

Recognizing a decline in attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to encourage students to attend meetings will include incentives such as raffles to draw students in, Walding said. Another initiative is the “Meet your Dean” and “Meet your Vice President” events, aimed to familiarize students with key administrative figures and departments, he said.

Often times, students are unaware their deans, vice president or in some cases, even the college they belong to. These planned events are designed to enhance students’ abilities to navigate the resources of the university and address their concerns more effectively, Walding said.

“I am deeply honored to step into this role, and I am eager to serve our diverse student body,” Walding said. “Together, we will create a vibrant, dynamic environment where every voice is heard and valued. I look forward to the exciting journey ahead and to achieving great things with our fellow Jaguars.”