Elections for the Student Association executive cabinet will be held on March 29 and March 30. For the rest of this week, the Northern Star will be profiling candidates for each of the four positions: president, vice president, treasurer and student trustee.

Today we will profile the presidential candidates.

Derek Koegel

Year/Major: Junior, political science, minor in Southeast Asian studies

Current SA Position: Senator

Other Group Affiliations: College Republicans, rushing a service fraternity.

What is the most pressing issue facing the Student Association right now?

Cost of education and housing.

What do you hope to accomplish as president?

“Some of the goals I would like to see accomplished if elected would be to update and upgrade technologies across the campus, especially the Wi-Fi. I also want to make the students feel safer at night by putting up lights where there are none and expand parking. The Student Association should actively work with the university administration to ensure that student fee money is spent responsibly and on things that actively affect the students. NIU has one of the most powerful student associations in the nation, and it’s time for us to use that power to fight for student interests.”

Elliot Echols

Year/ Major: Senior, sociology major

Current SA Position: Director of Athletics and Recreation

Other Group Affiliations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Black Male Initiative (BMI), The Black Student Union (BSU), Liberated Minds Organization (LMO), Survive and Succeed (S-Plan), “Who’s Who Amongst Students in American Universities and Colleges”

What is the most pressing issue facing the Student Association right now?

“Do we have a culture here? What do NIU students have that is different from other universities? We have to represent ourselves better than what we are doing now. If we start with [the SA, it will become a ripple affect. As student leaders, we need to perform as such and prepare ourselves for the real world. We have to demand more as a student body for better standards. We can only better and expand ourselves as students through unity.”

What do you hope to accomplish as president?

“I would like to strength unity amongst all students. I want to make sure students feel great about attending NIU and also tell them how great it is to have them here representing the university not only vocally but academically. We have more power than any university in the nation. The only way we can make a change is by standing as one and demanding it. I plan on helping enforce that with critical thinking and ideas.”