Sheehan Earns National SGA President of the Year Honor

Brendan Sheehan, president of the Student Government Association (SGA) and senior political science student, was recently named Student Body President of the Year at the 45th annual Conference on Student Government Associations (COSGA), hosted by Texas A&M University.

"It has been a tremendous honor to serve the students of Monmouth University as SGA president, and to receive this recognition is proof that our efforts over the course of this year go far and above what is expected of student government," Sheehan said.

In addition to Sheehan's individual honor, Monmouth University's SGA received the Rising to the Challenge award for its response to the 2025 federal government shutdown.

"This award belongs to all of the members of the SGA … [and] the campus community as a whole," Sheehan said. "Our responses were a multi-faceted approach with support from campus offices and other student leaders … I've seen first-hand how this university comes together to support one another in challenging times."

Sheehan, along with fellow Monmouth students Alexis Hudyma, Hannah Fierro, Aysu Sahbaz, Sheyla Caly, Nico Vartolone, and Thambbir Khan, presented at the conference, highlighting their efforts during the shutdown and their advocacy for UWill-a free, 24/7 virtual mental health counseling service to all New Jersey college and university students.

SGA collected more than 500 pounds of food donations, expanded the hours of The Nest, the University's food pantry, and secured financial contributions, including a grant from the state, to support the initiative. Additionally, SGA passed a resolution calling on Gov. Mikie Sherrill and the state legislature to extend funding for UWill.

"I hope this year is proof to future student leaders that you can and should take on the kinds of David and Goliath fights you know you may not win because you have an obligation to your fellow students … I also hope this year shows that Monmouth University isn't just the statewide leader in student governance, but is a nationally recognized group showing others how to lead with courage, courtesy, and conviction," Sheehan said.

COSGA unites student leaders worldwide to share ideas, strengthen leadership, and advance the quality of student governance. It is the largest student-run SGA conference globally.