Meet the 2 candidates running for SGA president

SOURCE_URL::https://dbknews.com/2026/03/27/meet-2-candidates-sga-president/||SOURCE_NAME::The Diamondback ((“School Board” OR “School Board Member” OR “Board of Education” OR “Board of Education Member” OR “Community College Trustee” OR “College Board Trustee” OR “Water District Board” OR “Fire District Co)

Maryland — University of Maryland undergraduate students can vote in the 2026 SGA election from next Monday at 9 a.m. to Wednesday at 5 p.m. The two Student Government Association presidential candidates for the next academic year are Amira Abujuma, with the JusticeUMD ticket, and Peyton Steinberg, with RollTerps.

The student body president acts as an official spokesperson for the SGA and undergraduate student body, according to the SGA’s bylaws. Dhruvak Mirani, a senior computer science and international relations major, currently holds the position.

The Diamondback spoke with both candidates about their platform and experience. Executive candidates from both tickets discussed their visions for this university during a debate Thursday night. Here’s what students should know about them before next week’s election.

Amira Abujuma

Abujuma, a junior computer engineering and public policy major, is headlining JusticeUMD’s ticket. A Maryland native, Abujuma served as a student member of Charles County’s Board of Education while in high school. She currently serves as deputy student liaison to the College Park City Council.

Her foremost priority, she said, is making housing, food and other living costs more affordable for students at this university. When Abujuma started college, she was completely financially independent, she said. She had to work multiple jobs to support herself, which took a toll on her mental health and diverted attention from her coursework.

“The point of being in school … is so that you can learn, so that you can better prepare yourself for your future,” Abujuma told The Diamondback. “Even if you can decrease the smallest cost, that makes the biggest difference.”

[Here’s how to vote in the upcoming SGA election]

Abujuma said expanding communication between this university’s administration, students and the College Park City Council is a crucial step to address student concerns, such as affordability. As student liaison to the city council, Abujuma helped advocate for the early lease ordinance passed in February, which restricts how early landlords can ask tenants to renew their leases.

JusticeUMD’s platform aligns with Abujuma’s personal values, she said, including supporting this university’s divestment from companies implicated in human rights violations and the fossil fuel industry.

“The university needs to align itself with the values that it claims to uphold, including human rights and making sure that everyone is respected,” Abujuma said at Thursday’s debate.

Saad Ijaz, an SGA off-campus commuter representative and JusticeUMD’s vice presidential candidate, said Abujuma “revolutionized” the student liaison position and has the tenacity necessary to address student concerns.

“Amira has leveraged her positions of power in the past to directly impact and improve student lives on campus,” the sophomore finance and government and politics major said. “Her history speaks for itself.”

Peyton Steinberg

Steinberg, a junior government and politics major, is headlining RollTerps’ ticket. He grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, and decided to attend this university for its proximity to Washington, D.C. He said he hopes to eventually work in the U.S. State Department. Last spring, he interned on Capitol Hill under Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

Though he had no prior SGA experience, Steinberg said he decided to run for president after seeing issues on campus, such as insufficient campus accommodations for students with disabilities and antisemitism, that he felt were not being properly addressed. Pursuing sanctuary campus status for this university is also a top priority for him.

Why it matters: The candidates’ priorities reflect critical issues facing students today, particularly around affordability and inclusivity. Their proposals could significantly influence student life and governance at the university.

What to watch:

• The outcome of the SGA election and its implications for student governance.
• Future debates and discussions that may arise from the candidates’ platforms.
• Potential changes in university policies based on the elected president’s proposals.

Source credibility: The Diamondback is a reliable student-run news outlet known for its coverage of campus issues.

Published: March 27, 2026 1:36 PM

Source: The Diamondback — https://go.noligarchy.us/GTEWKw