At the beginning of each six-month legislative session, Congress selects its own leaders from among its membership. Legislative sessions begin on the first Monday of October and the first Monday of April of each year, following that semester's campus-wide IUSG election.
2024-2025 Congressional Leadership
Speaker of the Student Body Congress
The Speaker is elected by Congress by majority vote as the first order of business at the commencement of each six-month legislative session. Any Representative is eligible to serve as Speaker.
The Speaker is the chief of IUSG's legislative branch. Wielding the gavel, the Speaker presides over meetings of Congress and is responsible for ensuring that meetings are conducted fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with Congress's internal rules. The Speaker serves as chairperson of the Steering Committee, which sets Congressional meeting agendas and handles membership-related matters.
Meet the current Speaker below!
Speaker Elizabeth Conley, Representative of Healthcare Schools
Elizabeth is a second-year from Indianapolis, Indiana, studying Community Health, Political Science, and Law and Public Policy. She is serving her third term in Congress and was elected Speaker in Fall 2024.
Officers
In addition to the Speaker, Congress elects three other officers at the first meeting of each six-month legislative session. Any Representative is eligible to serve in any of these positions.
Meet the current officers below!
Recorder: Leo Cavinder, Representative of College Arts and Sciences
Leo is a sophomore from La Porte, Indiana, majoring in Education Policy and Political Science. He has served in Congress since July 2023.
The Recorder is responsible for managing Congressional documentation and records. The Recorder types up the agenda and minutes of each Congressional meeting and distributes them to Representatives. The Recorder oversees Congress's Central Drive, a publicly accessible repository of bills, vote records, agendas, minutes, membership rosters, Congressional rules, and more.
Press Secretary: Maddi Sponsel, Representative of Off-Campus Housing
Maddi is a sophomore from Greenwood, Indiana, studying Public Relations and Marketing. She is serving her third term in Congress and second as the Congressional Press Secretary. Maddi also works for Indiana Athletics as a photography intern. In addition to student government, she is involved in Cru, Campus Worship Collective, and Meal Planning Committee.
The Press Secretary is responsible for Congress's public-facing communications and the Congressional pages here on the IUSG website. The Press Secretary works with the executive-branch Office of Communications and Engagement to co-manage IUSG's social media presence.
Parliamentarian: Tracy McKittrick, Representative of Off-Campus Housing
Tracy is a second-year student from Batesville, Indiana. She is majoring in Law & Public Policy. Currently, Tracy is serving her second term in Congress, first being elected in the fall of 2023. She recently became the Parliamentarian. Tracy has been involved in many on-campus organizations, including the Civic Leaders Center, Hutton Honors College, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Phi Eta Signma Honor Society. She was also a semi-finalist for IU's Board of Aeons and a winner of the Lenkowsky Award for Excellence in Public Affairs Writing.
The Parliamentarian is Representatives' impartial resource on matters of Congressional procedure. The Parliamentarian is responsible for having a strong understanding of Congress's internal rules and advising Members on how to achieve their desired procedural outcomes. Whenever there is disagreement or dispute among Members on what the proper procedure is in a given situation, the Parliamentarian advises the Speaker on the fair and consistent application of the rules.
Standing Committee Chairs
Each of Congress's five standing committees consists of a number of Representatives assigned by the Speaker. The Speaker appoints one committee member to serve as the committee chairperson. The chair is responsible for presiding over the committee and setting the committee's meeting schedules and agendas.
Meet the current standing committee chairs below!
Chairman Louis Gallegos, Committee on Equity & Justice
Louis is a sophomore from Hobart Indiana, studying Law & Public Policy and Homeland Security at SPEA. This is his second term in Congress. In addition to IUSG, Louis is a Research Assistant for the Obsserving Civic Engagement Lab and a Civic Leader Center Alum.
Chairman John Lane, Committee on Oversight & Finance
John is a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, studying Finance and Accounting. He is serving his fourth term in Congress.
Chairwoman Violet Landrum, Committee on Student Life
Violet is a senior from Kendallville, Indiana, studying Clinical Psychology and Counseling. She is serving her fourth term in Congress. In addition to her service in student government, Violet is a member of Nu Rho Psi.
Chairman Adrian Fisher, Committee on Student Rights & Concerns
Adrian is a freshman from Fort Wayne, Indiana, pursuing a degree in Political Science. He is currently serving his first term in Congress.