New Student Government Association president plans to bridge student voices at UHV
The University of Houston-Victoria has a new Student Government Association president. A communications major entering her junior year, Helenavi Sumilong is stepping into leadership with a passion for student engagement and institutional connection.
"We are excited to welcome Helenavi as the new Student Government Association president and we look forward to supporting her as she begins this important leadership journey," said Freddie Cantu, UHV director of Student Involvement. "The role of student government is a vital one, and I am confident that she will serve our student body with passion, integrity and a commitment to making a positive impact on our university."
Originally from Guam and having spent her teenage years in Harlingen, Sumilong brings with her a diverse background. She entered this role, which began on June 1, with a multitude of experience under her belt.
She served as a senator for the Student Government Association last year and then went off to act as director or Student Organizations this year. She also serves as an orientation leader and served as vice president of the Jaguars Activities Board.
“I just like being involved, I like seeing and interacting with students,” Sumilong said. “My main goal is to create a space where students know they have resources and support.”
This past term, UHV’s Student Government Association did a fantastic job in building their name and hosting events, Sumilong noted. She plans to continue organizing events that will provide students with opportunities to voice their concerns about issues they are facing, Sumilong added.
"It has been an honor to serve the university and its student body, and I am so proud to pass the torch to Helenavi," said Bo Walding, the organization's previous president. "I have all the confidence in her leadership, and I wish her all the best as she takes on this role."
As president, her main priority and approach centers on being a communication bridge between students and university administrators, leveraging her team’s outgoing nature and her own comfort in navigating institutional conversations, she said.
As UHV transitions into the Texas A&M system, Sumilong said she sees an opportunity for increased student representation and engagement. As SGA president, she aims to continue the momentum of previous SGA teams by hosting events and ensuring that student voices are heard.
“I want to leave a positive mark,” Sumilong said. “I have a positive mindset with everything I do. My focus is showing students that there’s always a solution, always a way to support each other.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.