These are the candidates for the School of Social Work Senate Seats in the Spring 2025 SGA General Election.
Brianna Byrd
I am Brianna Byrd, a sophomore student in the BSW program at the School of Social Work. I’m currently serving as President of the Undergraduate Social Work organization and as a Resident Advisor in Burke Hall. I also participate in Bible studies with InterVarsity Ministries.
My involvement on campus reflects my faith and my genuine care for people. Whether it’s advocating for students in the social work program, helping freshmen adjust to college life, or connecting with my faith community, service has been central to my college experience. I am running for senator of the School of Social Work to continue supporting and advocating for students. As a future social worker, I believe in the importance of empowerment and responsibility, I aim to inspire students to take ownership of their success while encouraging them to empower those around them. Together, we can build a campus culture where we don’t just rely on others to make change — we drive it ourselves. I’m here to help ignite that passion for advocacy, both individually and collectively, so we can all be trailblazers for a better college experience.
My platform is centered around motivating and empowering students to succeed. I will work toward creating policies that provide the resources and support necessary for students to thrive not only as students but also as members of our society.
Mary Frances Collins
My name is Mary Frances Collins, and I am excited to be running for Senator of the School of Social Work. I am a freshman from Fairhope, Alabama, and an active member of Kappa Delta. Additionally, I was recently selected to participate in the 2025 DC Fly-In through the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama.
I am running for this position to advocate for positive change within the School of Social Work by actively listening to feedback from students and faculty. If elected, my primary goals will include: Establishing volunteer sign-ups through the School of Social Work to streamline the process of completing required volunteer hours. Implementing a mentorship program to connect first-year students with upperclassmen for guidance on course selection and navigating their first year. Creating more opportunities for social work students to build connections and foster a stronger sense of community.
If given the opportunity to serve as senator, I will work diligently to implement these initiatives and address any additional concerns brought to my attention. I am committed to being a voice for my peers and ensuring that every student in the School of Social Work has the resources and support they need to succeed.
Emmi Luther
My name is Emmi Luther, and I am thrilled to announce that I am running to be your next School of Social Work Senator. I am a sophomore from Alabaster, Alabama majoring in Social Work on the pathway to the MSW program. Social work isn’t just an academic pursuit for me; it’s a calling driven by a deep passion for advocating for others and creating lasting change. My mission is to ensure that every student in our school has the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed both academically and professionally. My platform focuses on advancing communication and streamlining essential processes, supporting the mental health and well-being of both students and faculty, and developing well-rounded opportunities that help students not only succeed in their social work journey, but also build a strong foundation for their future careers. Together, we can create a school environment where every student feels empowered, heard, and ready to evolve into the best version of themselves. Evolve with Emmi!
Raegan NeSmith
My name is Raegan NeSmith, and I am honored to be running for re-election as an SGA Senator. As a dedicated advocate for student interests, I have served in the Senate while actively being involved in the Blackburn Institute and initiatives like Anchor Tuscaloosa. My experiences have allowed me to engage with students, faculty, and community leaders to create meaningful change.
I am running because I believe in the power of student advocacy and the role SGA plays in shaping our campus experience. Through my work, I have seen firsthand how effective policies and programs can support students’ academic, professional, and personal growth. I want to continue ensuring every student has a voice in decisions impacting them.
My platform focuses on three key areas:
Support & Succeed, expanding access to academic resources, mental health services, and career development opportunities to help every student thrive.
Stay Connected, Stay Heard, strengthening communication between students and SGA to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful representation.
Grow with Bama, using what I’ve learned from launching Anchor Tuscaloosa to develop long-term initiatives that help students find opportunities, build connections, and invest in our campus and community beyond graduation.
I am committed to advocating for policies that improve student life and ensuring that SGA is a platform for positive change. I would be grateful for your support on February 25th from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on mybama!