Lainey Pritchett, a junior journalism and mass communication major (JMC) has been elected the 2026-2027 Student Government Association (SGA) president, and she has big plans for her term.
Pritchett’s campaign, “Lead with Lainey”, aims to make SGA more transparent, accessible and student-focused. For Pritchett, communication with the student body is key to achieving these goals, and she says her service as press secretary and her major in JMC have prepared her to engage with the student body effectively.
“I want to implement consistent communication updates, so students know what SGA is doing and why it matters,” Pritchett said, “along with more intentional opportunities for feedback, like open office hours and accessible forms.”
Values such as servant leadership, integrity, faith and community are foundational to Pritchett, as they are key to achieving her goals as president.
“I believe leadership is not about position, but about how you serve the people around you,” Pritchett stated, “I will uphold these values by listening intentionally, communicating honestly, and making decisions that reflect the needs of the entire student body, not just a few voices within my circle.”
Regarding student representation in SGA, Pritchett said she wants to build a student government that is present, approachable, and reflective of all students. Pritchett has not always been a member of SGA, but she has been involved in other organizations and activities. She said that this time outside of student government allowed her to see where representation gaps exist in leadership spaces like SGA. Pritchett plans to mend this gap by increasing SGA’s student outreach opportunities.
“At the end of the day, students shouldn’t have to seek out SGA; SGA should be actively seeking out students,” Pritchett said. “I want to create a more engaged and unified campus community. This includes hosting consistent student listening opportunities, strengthening communication from SGA and encouraging collaboration across student organizations.”
Current SGA Chief of Staff Jayla Duncan said that Pritchett is genuine, innovative and a true team player.
“She’s the kind of person you always want on your team because she gives 100% to everything she does and brings an energy that makes others excited to work alongside her,” Duncan said, “I’m so excited for this next chapter for her and know she will do an incredible job serving Samford.”
Current SGA President Caleb John stated that Pritchett is a deeply confident and capable leader with a calming presence and a passion for others. John said that during her time as Press Secretary, Pritchett was able to completely reimagine SGA’s strategic communications through her ingenuity and creativity.
“She has my full endorsement and support, and I am confident she will be a faithful friend to students, a fearless advocate for their needs, and a strong partner in advancing the Samford student,” John stated.
Pritchett is also active in campus life outside of SGA. She enjoys spending time with her friends, meeting new people, being involved in Chi Omega and growing spiritually.
After graduation, Pritchett plans to attend law school and pursue a career in entertainment law. Pritchett said that her interest in communication and in law stems from her desire to advocate for and represent others, a desire she plans to maintain during her time as SGA president.
Staff Reporter
