OPINION: Farewell Letter

By Trevor Pettit | May 4, 2026

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

As the semester comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on every step that brought me here. Leadership is never perfect. But what matters is how you lead through these challenges.

When I was elected by 1,410 students to serve as Student Association President, I was honored and excited to advocate for issues that had not been addressed before. Representing 12,000 undergraduates allowed me to lead something far bigger than myself. At the time I ran, institutional approval, based on informal student feedback, sat at nearly 5%. By the end of my term, Student Association survey data indicated that 53% of respondents rated the organization as “good” or “excellent.” These figures are based on feedback collected from 796 students through outreach to student organizations.

I set a $2.94 million budget that redirected additional $99,080 to students. This included collaboration quotas, ambulance services, student organization storage units, and increased club appropriations to drive engagement. I worked to balance spending so we only spend what we bring in. This ensures the next administration can build on a stable foundation while advancing their own priorities.

We started the academic year strong with the largest ever, Freaknik-themed, Block Party in campus history. Thousands of students attended, along with a record 228 student organizations registered to table. New clubs found their footing, and established groups welcomed new members.

Despite a last-minute venue change, this year’s Parkfest became the largest yet. We sold 2,249 of 2,800 tickets – double last year and four times the year before. We brought Ice Spice, Kaliii, and Bjack$ to Albany and delivered a high-energy experience for students. 

We also expanded the event beyond undergraduates by building bilateral partnerships with the Graduate Student Association, Alumni Association, and neighboring institutions, including RPI, Union College, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Hudson Valley Community College, and Schenectady Community College.

Dippikill was another major priority of mine. When I took office from my predecessor, it faced closure, litigation, and a budget crisis. At my first Senate meeting as President, I presented a bold plan for a three-way split to share fiscal and operational responsibility across the Student Association, University Auxiliary Services, and the Alumni Association. We finalized that plan and set a path to reopen Dippikill by Fall 2027. In the meantime, we will expand access through orientation programming, consistent marketing, and reliable transportation.

As Executive Vice President for University Auxiliary Services, I helped oversee campus services. After student feedback highlighted concerns with dining, we led the first vendor transition in 13 years through a full RFP process. The new agreement with Aramark expands dining hours and options, adds mobile ordering via Grubhub, and creates student learning opportunities through a partnership with Saxby’s at the Massry School of Business. This change reflects a longstanding commitment to better service for our students.

My time in the Student Association reminds me of a quote from Klaus Schwab. When faced with division and negativity, the answer is not to respond in kind but to build something better. Leadership means making a tangible impact and leaving a place stronger than you found it.

I believe we started a great reset within the Student Association that goes beyond structure. It speaks to our culture and our purpose.

As my term ends, I carry every challenge and every lesson with me. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to serve you all. I have full confidence in the next leadership team. President Ava-Rae Calloway and Vice President Anastacia Pulman have already shown strong commitment to students. Ava-Rae began her work as SGA Director months early to address a student group registration backlog dating back to 2023. That level of dedication reflects what leadership must look like.

I am confident that next year’s team will build on this progress and continue to move UAlbany forward.

Thank you, and Go Great Danes.