Sophomore Kaylee Sanchez is the newly elected 2026-27 vice president of the Student Government Association, and she is diving headfirst into the role the same way she approaches everything else in her life: with a positive attitude and a commitment to uplifting those around her.
Growing up in Taunton, Massachusetts, Sanchez has honed her leadership skills from a young age. Sanchez says the role of eldest daughter has taught her strength, resilience and grit, all of which are traits she plans to carry with her into her term as vice president.
“I think that has shaped a lot of who I am today as a person, and how I just love helping people and supporting people, but I am also very independent,” said Sanchez. “I think already having that maturity has played into my personality and shaped me as a leader.”
A first-generation student and political science major, Sanchez says her motivation comes partially from wanting to make her loved ones proud, specifically her mother and close friends here at Suffolk. She is very involved on campus, and has met most of her closest companions through extracurriculars like SGA and being an orientation leader, which she says has been a formative experience in her college career.
“It genuinely was such an amazing experience. It has really given me so many valuable skills and helped me grow and create some of the most important bonds that I have in my life now,” said Sanchez.
As vice president, Sanchez is stepping into one of the crucial roles in the SGA executive board — what she says is essentially the rule keeper and peacemaker of the club. Moving forward, Sanchez says she wants to “take her own spin” on the role, while also upholding the rules and regulations that help SGA function. Her main goals are connecting with and ensuring the success of other clubs on campus, as well as making sure that nobody is left in the dark when it comes to decision-making.
“I want to commit to and execute my campaign promises,” said Sanchez. “The vice president kind of has to say no a lot. I want to be able to give them the answer, and if it has to be no, I’m going to explain it to you, and say here is a different avenue you can go down and here’s how I can help you.”
Helping others and creating change is something that Sanchez strives for each and every day. Whether that be in SGA, as an orientation leader or otherwise, she always tries to implement these values into her everyday life in any way, big or small.
“I think it’s so easy to just brighten someone’s day, or turn someone’s frown upside down,” said Sanchez. “In orientation, I have the opportunity to do that a lot, and just kind of be that support for people, constantly reassuring them and being there for them.”
Sanchez says something she is most looking forward to as vice president is working more closely with her fellow e-board members.
“I’m so excited, I think this is an amazing team,” said Sanchez. “I’m super excited to work with Frank. I know he has so many goals that he wants to accomplish next year. I’m excited to collaborate with him,” said Sanchez. “There’s a lot we can all learn from each other.”
Class of 2028 Senator Julianna Da Luz, who worked closely with Sanchez on her campaign, says she has all of the faith in Sanchez and her ability to do the job well.
“I helped with her campaign, so I know her ideas and I’m excited to see what she can do with those ideas and what she can put into action,” said Da Luz. “Ideas are only so much, and I truly do believe that she’s someone who can really implement them and be the change that she wants to see.”
