Student Body President & Vice President Candidates

The Student Body President and Student Vice President are elected together as a ticket or team. Students are able to vote for one ticket or team that includes one candidate for each office.

2026-27 Candidates

All candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Blankenship & Rood (1,417 votes)

Jonathan Blankenship

Student Body President
Aviation Major

Raya Rood

Student Body Vice President
Elementary Education Major

"VOTE BLANKENSHIP/ROOD

Jonathan & Raya are student leaders who have proven their abilities through their actions. They represent and serve all UND students and ensure your voices are heard and included in the decisions being made for our university. Their passion for making a positive impact, and commitment to advocating for students at all levels, is what sets BlankenshipRood apart and makes them strong candidates.

Jonathan is currently serving as your Student Body President and has so much more he wants to accomplish for all of UND, including taking your voices to the legislative session next year. He has been listening to his peers and advocating for them since the first day he stepped onto campus his freshman year. With the ultimate goal of making a positive difference on campus, Jonathan immediately began finding ways to get involved, including serving on University Senate, Student Government, North Dakota Student Association, UND Student Legislation Team, and UND Curriculum Committee. Additionally, Jonathan represents UND and North Dakota nationally as a representative of the Henry Clay College Student Congress and delegate of the Western Governors’ Leadership Institute.

Raya currently serves as the senator for the College of Education and Human Development and has been actively involved in organizations such as Future Educators of UND, the College of Education & Human Development Student Council, and Student Government. Through her involvement, she has developed a strong understanding of campus needs while building meaningful relationships with students and faculty. Outside the classroom, she stays connected to the community through coaching and substitute teaching, experiences that continue to shape her leadership style and commitment to serving others.

In all they do, Jonathan and Raya will always be a VOICE for all students! The BlankenshipRood campaign is a continuation of the work they began this year. Jonathan and Raya have worked tirelessly to create meaningful opportunities for student involvement and initiatives like bringing NightCap drink spiking prevention products to campus, hosting the first-ever student government town hall, implementing student government suggestion boxes across campus to expand opportunities for student feedback, and establishing a student parking committee so students could directly engage with Parking Services leadership. Another initiative Jonathan and Raya are proud to bring to campus is the SafeRides program, which will provide students with a safe and reliable transportation option and will be launching as a student resource this coming fall.

Moving forward, Jonathan and Raya are running on a SERVE UND platform that stands for: Support, Educate, Represent, Voice, and Enhance. These core values help guide their current work and future goals.

Supporting students means taking action and being intentional about meeting their needs. This year Jonathan and Raya have worked to support all 352 student organizations through funding, advertising, and connections; and hosted the first-ever Student Leadership Gala. They want to further that support by creating local business partnerships to expand fundraising opportunities for student organizations, connecting clubs with sponsors and resources within the Grand Forks community. Their goal is to ensure every team, club, and student feels supported. This support will include spotlighting student leaders across campus - recognizing their work in organizations, classrooms, athletics, and the community.

Education encourages informed decision-making and transparency. Under Jonathan and Raya's leadership, student involvement in student government increased by 67% this year - showing that informed and supported students are engaged students. They believe every student deserves to understand how decisions are made and feel confident participating. BlankenshipRood will clarify the roles of student government leaders and continue mentoring the next generation of student leaders, empowering them to confidently step into these leadership roles and carry UND forward.

Representation means advocating with purpose and acting with integrity. Jonathan and Raya are already engaging in legislative conversations, collaborating with student leaders across North Dakota, and ensuring students have a voice in higher education funding discussions. Additionally, they will fight tuition increases and funding cuts, ensuring affordability remains a top priority in conversations during North Dakota’s Legislative Session. The work Jonathan and Raya have put in this year lays the foundation to continue representing UND students in these important discussions.

Every student’s voice matters, and BlankenshipRood is committed to making sure your voices are heard. Jonathan and Raya have participated in conversations on the UND Master Plan and major committees like the Student Fee Advisory Committee. They will continue advocating for student priorities in campus development; ensuring changes to housing, parking, and dining reflect student needs; and keeping students informed and involved in long-term campus planning.

Enhancing campus life means improving experiences and creating opportunities for connection. Jonathan and Raya aim to improve transportation, add new social spaces like a bowling alley, and continue long-term improvements like better tunnel connectivity. Their goal is to make UND safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for every student. Additionally, they want to foster alumni and student connections, especially through traditions like Homecoming. Building these relationships gives students mentorship, networking, and career guidance; while enhancing the student experience. Jonathan and Raya are also advocating for free 2-hour parking, providing flexible options for students and visitors, while continuing to address parking concerns, reducing ticket costs, and ensuring policies are fair.

The most important thing students should know about the BlankenshipRood campaign is how much Jonathan and Raya truly care about our university. Our students are always at the forefront of their actions; and you can trust that they will always - lead with integrity, promote unity, and serve UND!Learn more about the BlankenshipRood campaign and the amazing student leaders they are endorsing for student senate @blankenshiprood on Instagram & Facebook! #SERVEund"

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Castro & Snell (162 votes)

Miguel Octovio Castro

Student Body President
Commercial Aviation Major

Miguel Snell

Student Body Vice President
Air Traffic Management Major

“We are dedicated to providing a voice for the students that are often overlooked. It is our belief that leadership is defined by service and selflessness.

Miguel Castro is the Presidential candidate for the Castro – Snell ticket. He is a Commercial Helicopter Major and Air Force ROTC Cadet. Born on the outskirts of Chicago, he spent most of his high school years in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio. Miguel is an Eagle scout and active outdoorsman, enjoying hiking, camping and observing nature. He likes to be involved on campus, counting active membership in the UND Helicopter Association, Latino Pilots Association, and Games Club. He is currently serving as a Floor Representative for the Smith/Johnstone Hall Government, contributing to planning and executing the many well attended events for the community. As a former high school actor, he can often be found in the audience at UND’s plays and musicals. Miguel brings a constantly positive attitude, engaged listening ear, and spontaneous flexible leadership style to the table. He hopes to become friendly with all his fellow students and is always down to talk about life!

Miguel Snell is the Vice Presidential candidate on the Castro - Snell Ticket. He is an Air Traffic Control Major, Air Force ROTC cadet, Student Pilot, and community volunteer with several years of applicable leadership experience. Originally from a small town in the mountainous state of Idaho, Miguel has always had a passion for volunteerism, service, and education. Throughout his high school years he made strong contributions to his community by participating and directing multiple volunteer events, including: Veteran appreciation banquets, War Grave memorials, Food drives, Fundraisers for youth aviation Non-profits like EAA and CAP, and hundreds of hours as a volunteer at his local church. At UND, he continues serve others by volunteering at the Ralph, the North Country Food Bank, and tutoring fellow classmates. He brings several critical skills to the table: He is a confident and entertaining public speaker, Organized planner, and insightful writer. His favorite past times are eating dinner with his fiancé and hanging out with his buddies.”

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Thingvold & Martin (1,587 votes)

Mason Thingvold

Student Body President
Business Management Major

Kaleb Martin

Student Body Vice President
Finance & Political Science Major 

"Mason Thingvold and Kaleb Martin are committed to leading UND with action, accountability, and results. They aim for student government to be more than representation—delivering changes that strengthen the UND community.

Mason, running for Student Body President, is an Off-Campus Senator and a student representative on University Senate. He also serves on the Campus Safety Committee, the Campus Master Plan Working Group, and the Student Employment Committee, directly engaging in decisions that affect student life, campus development, and student resources. In addition, Mason works as a Landscape Specialist at UND, staying connected to daily student experiences and reinforcing his commitment to a safe, functional, and welcoming campus.

Kaleb, a candidate for Student Body Vice President, serves as President of the Interfraternity Council, Managing Director of Investor Relations for Dakota Venture Group, and as an Off-Campus Senator. Through his leadership, he has focused on strengthening collaboration among student organizations, building relationships across campus, and leading initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact. His experience gives him a well-rounded perspective on both the challenges students face and the opportunities to improve the student experience at UND.

Together, Mason and Kaleb are running on their B.O.L.D. vision:

Build Community: by uniting students across organizations, creating campus-wide traditions, strengthening student connections, and fostering collaboration. The aim is for every student to feel a true sense of belonging.

Opportunity for All: by expanding access to careers, internships, campus jobs, affordable academic resources, and improved programs and advising. The goal is to ensure every student has the tools and support needed to succeed.

Lead with Integrity: by increasing transparency in student government, holding leadership accountable, strengthening student representation, and focusing on real, achievable change. They believe leadership should be honest, accessible, and built on trust.

Deliver Results: by improving campus facilities and spaces, enhancing transportation and parking, making daily student life more convenient, and focusing on initiatives that are realistic and achievable. Their campaign is centered on turning ideas into action and following through on the priorities that matter most to students.

Their action plan includes more free student vouchers for everyday needs, a centralized UND app to streamline access to resources and communication, advocacy for a year-round turf dome, increased flexibility for student work and more internship opportunities, and improvements to the campus shuttle system. These practical initiatives are designed to impact students’ daily lives.

This campaign is about more than two individuals—it is about a team. Their ticket includes exceptional leaders with diverse experiences and perspectives, who are deeply involved across campus and committed to strengthening the UND community. Each member is ready to represent their peers with purpose and integrity.

Mason and Kaleb are committed to empowering these student leaders and working alongside senators to ensure every voice is heard. They believe the strength of student government lies in its people and in a shared commitment to collaboration, accountability, and action.

They are not running on promises—they are running on action. With a clear vision and a strong team, Mason Thingvold and Kaleb Martin are ready to deliver results and move UND forward."

#beBOLD Vote Thingvold & Martin