As the first editor-in-chief of The Pace Chronicle, I learned plenty about objectivity in news articles but something seemed out of place during the latest Student Government Association (SGA) Election Special.

For the upcoming SGA executive board, the Pace community has the option of electing one of two presidential candidates. The Pace Chronicle’s SGA election edition published an article, which started on the front page, mainly spotlighting one candidate but nothing about fellow candidate, Kristina Vukaj.

Before graduating in May 2012, I had the opportunity to get to know Kristina in a political science class. In this class, I witnessed a then-freshman speak her mind, and with confidence, about an array of topics that involves the University or on a national level. She wasn’t an average Pace student. With that in mind, I recruited her to join the award-winning Model United Nations team and with only a couple weeks to prepare. Being part of Model UN, she effortlessly handled the research, negotiations, public speaking, and workload, which I believe are qualities for an SGA president to require. The work paid off as the team won first place against dozens of international colleges and universities.

Kristina would go on to be a founding member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Honor Society for First Year Students, as well as the Setters Leadership Program. She’s now helping establish the Pace Mart convenience store in the Mortola Library, which will bring food and jobs to Pace students.

Kristina’s involvements on campus are commendable, and let’s remember she’s a commuter. I’ve known many commuters who would come to class then head back home, and I say this as a former member of the Commuter Advisory Board. Despite what she’s done, Kristina wants to continue to serve the Pace community as their SGA President and will do so while listening to students’ views on any issue, from the Master Plan, parking, transparency for or from student organizations, and more.

Ultimately, the current students at Pace get to decide their next SGA e-board. For this year’s elections, I see many great candidates who are ready to do greater things for the University. For me, Kristina is more than ready to fulfill the role of SGA president and talk to people such as President Stephen J. Friedman or Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer Bill McGrath to the good folks within Student Development and Campus Activities.

In the end, I congratulate the effort the outgoing SGA e-board accomplished and hope the incomers succeed with the needs for the students.