What started through some short messages on Snapchat evolved into a new friendship — and a USF student body presidential campaign. 

USF Student Government (SG) presidential and vice-presidential candidates Bita Aliakbarzadeh and Alyssa Hubbard met while looking for friends on the app.

“I was posting, trying to meet some new people and make some more friends,” Hubbard said. “[Aliakbarzadeh] just transferred here and didn’t know anyone yet.”

Although neither of the candidates have held a position in USF SG, the friends came up with the idea to run because they wanted to be more involved on campus.

They plan to help connect students to social and study resources by establishing a website that operates similarly to Archivum. 

However, instead of scheduling advising appointments, the resource would connect students within their major to organize study groups and find friends.

“The feeling of belonging is very important,” Aliakbarzadeh said. “My biggest hope is for students to feel welcome and be a part of our community.”

Aliakbarzadeh, 19, is a transfer student from the University of North Florida, where she started in fall 2023. She is a freshman international business and political science major at USF, but a sophomore by credits. 

Originally from Miami, she enjoys the “lively” atmosphere at USF and the constant campus activity organized by student organizations and clubs.

Aliakbarzadeh served as vice president for her high school’s SG and said this has given her some background for presidency at USF.

“I saw the position was open and I knew that I wanted it,” Aliakbarzadeh said. 

Hubbard, 19, is a sophomore health sciences major and is part of Sigma Kappa, a panhellenic association. She was also recently inducted into Eta Sigma Gamma, a health sorority. 

From Plant City, Hubbard is a fan of the Strawberry Festival and is motivated by creativity and passion.

In high school, Hubbard was the vice president of their SG and a secretary for the Health Occupations Students of America.

USF SG presidential positions are leadership roles in which students serve for a one-year term. 

The president has a seat on the Board of Trustees, USF’s decision-making body. As part of the board, the student body president will vote on topics such as the on-campus stadium construction and the upcoming presidential search to replace USF president Rhea Law. 

Related: Rhea Law’s resignation announcement comes at a tumultuous time at USF

Both the student body president and vice president are paid a flat rate of $13.50 and work 30 hours a week in the position, as listed on the SG page.

The ticket is campaigning to represent the student body and cater to student health, connections, organizations and campus transportation.

Hubbard hopes to implement more “healthcare initiatives” on campus, such as connecting students with healthcare professionals on and around USF and providing students with more resources surrounding reproductive health.

With student organizations likely facing budget cuts in coming semesters, the two candidates want to organize a monthly event to allow clubs to advertise and fundraise through tabling events on campus. 

Related: USF student orgs, departments might see budget cuts

The pair also hopes to remedy some parking issues around campus by pushing for a new payment plan for parking permits. This initiative would split the permit fee into smaller, monthly payments for a more digestible purchase.

Permit prices vary by type, but for students, they can run up to roughly $230 per permit. 

Hubbard said she feels this would be a better, more appealing option to students compared to paying a flat rate all at once. 

“I think it would help students out who are maybe paying for tuition themselves, or everything by themselves,” Hubbard said. “It makes it less overwhelming than a full payment.”

Related: USF parking has cashed in over $25M in permit sales since 2021

The ticket also hopes to establish rentable scooters on the Tampa campus for faster pedestrian transportation. These would have separate racks and allow faster travel to and from classes. 

USF IDs would work to rent the scooters, and fees could be charged and paid through student accounts.

In addition to their presidential candidacies, Aliakbarzadeh and Hubbard are running for campus council and senate positions for the Tampa campus. 

For Hubbard, running for these positions is a way to get more involved on campus and apply the skills she has learned within her major.

“I like coming up with new initiatives,” said Hubbard. “And I think there are definitely some things that would be great to implement at the school.”

This article is part of a “Meet the Candidates” series for all tickets running in the presidential election. You can find the other articles in the series here.

The other tickets running in the race are: Jamar Blaze Smith (candidate for student body president) and Brayden Jahn (candidate for student body vice president); and Sumit Jadhav (candidate for student body president) and Caio Esmeraldi (candidate for student body vice president).