Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
The Associated Students of Grand Canyon University welcomed new student body leaders and a team of senators and legislative directors during Monday’s inauguration at a packed Colangelo College of Business lobby.
Junior Judah Floyd was sworn in as the new student body president and junior Gracie Zimbardi as the new student body vice president.
“It comes down to the values we hold dear,” Floyd said. “I hold the values of service, community and excellence. These served as the core values of the Floyd-Zimbardi campaign, and it will continue to serve as the core values of our administration.
“Gracie and I did not settle on these values lightly. We prayed over them from the beginning of our collaboration because we understood we need a firm foundation of values to build a movement so every student will have the opportunity to be heard, seen and get connected.”
From extended dining hours and additional hammock stands on campus to potential misters, increased scooter safety and community building opportunities, the duo is dedicated to collaborating with students and coming alongside university leadership to enhance the college experience on campus.
Outgoing ASGCU President Tucker Hudson and Vice President Dianne Carla Mae Nasibog swore in the new leaders, who did not come alone. They were joined by 15 new ASGCU student members committed to serving as senators, senate directors and legislative leaders.
“Leadership is not about personal meaning but serving others,” Zimbardi said. “It’s about putting others before ourselves, just like Christ did. If that is the walk that Christ set before us, then that is the standard that I will commit to living out because I serve the students of the largest private Christian university in the nation.”
Floyd and Zimbardi reflected on the mission and purpose of their positions in their speeches, emphasizing the importance of serving students, building a welcoming and flourishing community, and doing so with excellence that glorifies God.
Both decided to pursue their roles in unexpected places.
Floyd was on a 12-day hike with younger brother Josiah Floyd, who is now one of his senators, in Colorado over the summer. They talked about the legacy they would like to leave behind at the university. Zimbardi was serving at a church children's camp learning and practicing servanthood when she first thought of running for candidacy.
When they returned to campus in August, coincidentally, they messaged each other at the same time to meet and talk about their ambitions and ideas.
“I am passionate about ASGCU, about GCU, I love the students, so I thought, what if I ran?” Zimbardi said. “Maybe I should try to see if this is next. Coming back to school in August, Judah sent a text, and the moment he did, I was pulling up my phone to text him to meet up.
“We sat down, and he was like, 'I want to run (for president), and I want to do this with you.’ If that isn’t from the Lord, then I don’t know what is.”
With Floyd’s background in Residence Life and the Ingram Honors College and Zimbardi’s background in ASGCU, the duo has connections that span across all aspects of student life.
Zimbardi has served as an ASGCU senator and senate director. In those roles, she developed the leadership and administrative skills necessary to serve in office. In his time as a Juniper Hall resident assistant, Floyd has been at the forefront of community building and supporting freshmen as they adjust to college life.
These exact skills are what senior David Pritchard, former vice president in 2024-25, advised will be most necessary for the team to take on their new roles as he watched the inauguration and reflected on his time in office.
“Gathering the student data is very important because it changes year to year based on student needs,” Pritchard said. “Once they have that, they should come together and see how they could best serve them. It is also important to have patience with the university administration. Instead of immediately coming to them with ideas, they should learn who they are as people.”
Added Floyd, "I am very excited to work with my fellow students. We have a lot of energy, a lot of momentum to build something really incredible and have a legacy that will last. God has big plans for this university, and I am excited to be a part of it."
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
***
Related content:
GCU News: Student body candidates zip along, talking scooter safety, increased dining hours
GCU News: Newly-elected student body leaders showed faith in their path
