New Student Union President German Nolivos ’26 (right) and Vice President Reed Granger ’26 strive to include as many student voices as possible in the decision-making process on campus.
Listen. Learn. Lead.
These three simple verbs were repeatedly emphasized by German Nolivos ’26 and Reed Granger ’26 during the Student Association (SA) spring elections.
German Nolivos
It was especially important to hammer an effective message into the minds of Syracuse University’s student body because Nolivos and Granger were running unopposed. With no competition, the duo were virtually assured of the leadership roles of president and vice president. But they weren’t going to cruise to victory.
Rather, they have worked tirelessly to convey SA’s important role as a bridge that listens to students and works with administration to find solutions.
“We wanted to make it clear to students that we cannot function effectively without their input. We want to leave our mark on student government by focusing on these recognized student organizations and multicultural organizations that have asked the student body and SA for help. We can strengthen the relationship between our students and student government,” says Nolivos, a Posse Leadership Scholar and first college student in his family who is studying political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences and public relations in the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications.
“We had to convince students to get involved in the student union, and we built our campaign on the values of listening, learning and leading. Our goal is to advocate for new policies that effectively solve the problems our students face and to let the student body know how important our involvement really is,” adds Granger, who is studying photography at the Newhouse School and political science at the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences.
ReedGranger
The message was well received, and Nolivos and Granger were elected president and vice president, respectively, with over 90 percent of the vote. The SA is the official student government and advocacy organization for the nearly 16,000 students at Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Nolivos and Granger have previously held leadership roles on campus and are excited about their new positions while striving to involve as many students as possible in the decision-making process on campus.
More than just a campaign slogan, the motto “Listen, Learn, Lead” influences Nolivo and Granger’s primary goals as elected student leaders. Their main goals for the upcoming academic year are:
- listening to the voices of the traditionally underrepresented student group;
- learn from and engage with the collective diversity on campus;
- Leading the way in further promoting an inclusive, accessible and welcoming campus for all;
- Improving security on campus, particularly on South Campus;
- Improving the quality of food in dining halls and further ensuring student access to food through free grocery cart rides;
- Supporting the University in reducing its carbon footprint with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2032; and
- Creating changes that improve the student experience for everyone.
Nolivos and Granger sat down with SU News to discuss their goals for the academic year, offer advice to new students on campus and share how their time at Syracuse has fostered their development as student leaders.
What makes this academic year a success?
German Nolivos: My goal is always to empower the students who work under me and to ensure that the 100 members of the Student Union know that they are valued and that their work has an impact on our campus. To make this year successful, we want the campus community to know who we are and that the Student Union can be a valuable resource for our students.
ReedGranger: To attract more students to the Student Union than ever before and to continue the good relationship with our administration. We want to improve on the work of previous student leaders while continuing to advocate for the student body.
What would you have liked to have known before you started your trip to Syracuse?
Granger: Time management. I don’t know if there’s a general secret to time management, but I wish someone had explained to me before my first day how to manage my time. Given my majors and my commitment on campus, everything I do, every meeting I have, goes through my Google calendar, even homework. And I encourage new students to make sure they have some free time.
Nolivos: During your first few weeks on campus, it’s important to build your support system. You’ll have opportunities to meet people from all over the world. Really take the time to find the people you want to join you on this journey. This is the opportunity to become the person you want to become. It’s a new chapter in your life. Give it 100% of your attention. One thing that helped me during my first year was extracurricular activities. As you discover your community, you’ll feel more connected to campus.
German Nolivos (senior class of ’26, left) and Reed Granger (senior class of ’26) emphasized the important role of the Student Union as a bridge that listens to students and works with administration to find solutions.
Are there common mistakes that first-year students should avoid?
Nolivos: Think about the courses you take, especially the required ones, and consider which courses you should take first to set yourself up for future success. And from a social perspective, think of this as the first page of the rest of your life. Be transparent with yourself on this journey. Be an open book to everything. You will meet people with different life paths and different experiences than you. Make sure you always respect and learn from other people’s opinions and experiences.
Granger: Don’t join too many clubs or take too many classes. You’ll just overwhelm yourself while you’re still learning what it means to be a student at Syracuse University. You may lose your self-esteem while you’re trying to figure out who you are. Don’t take on too much if it’s your first time here.
How has Syracuse University helped you become the person you are today?
Granger: I’ve been a totally different person since my freshman year. This campus has given me elements of friendship that I never experienced in high school while figuring out what I look for in friendships. Who do I want to spend time with? Why do I want to spend time with them? The true value of friendship and what it can do for your life is something I’ve really learned over the past two years here. Also, the importance of making connections, whether it’s with your classmates or your professors. So many of those connections are either tied to your career path or will be. Learn to maintain those connections. That’s one way the Syracuse experience changed me for the better.
Nolivos: I am a political refugee. I came to this country six years ago. I always had trouble trusting myself and my abilities and felt like I would always fall behind those around me. But Syracuse showed me how much power I have and how far I can go to become the person I want to be. Syracuse gave me the tools to build that future for myself.
