The beginning of a new generation of USF student leaders started on May 12, when the USF Student Government hosted a ceremony to inaugurate its sixth consolidated term.

Among the new officers are Sumit Jadhav and Caio Esmeraldi, who will serve as student body president and vice president, respectively, representing all three USF campuses.

Emma Goodwin and Ethan Walsh will serve as USF Tampa’s governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

The USF St. Pete campus will be served by Gov. Elise Prophete and Lt. Gov Victoria Drews, while Gov. Andre Aquino and Lt. Gov. Dennis Kukharenko will serve USF Sarasota-Manatee.

However, it took some SG officers a few extra steps to make it to the inauguration ceremony.

Related: USF SG certifies presidential winners after ‘chaotic’ election

The SG Supreme Court ruled on March 14 that Jadhav made a “false” and “damaging” statement against an opposing vice presidential candidate. 

Through this ruling, Jadhav said the ticket faced disqualification for a level-three violation under SG statutes.

However, Dean of Students Danielle McDonald overturned the ruling, saying the actions were “not severe enough” to “overturn the vote of the student body,” according to public records obtained by The Oracle.

But that wasn’t the only disqualification reviewed this election season.

Goodwin and Walsh competed in a run-off election with Eduardo Osorio Manke and Dhanvanth Rayuku Ramayanam in March because the vote margin between the two tickets was less than five percent, according to an SG Instagram post.

But Manke and Ramayanam were disqualified on April 8 after the SG Supreme Court ruled a level-three violation under SG statutes against the ticket for “intimidating or actively pressuring voters,” according to public records obtained by The Oracle.

McDonald upheld the ruling after reviewing an appeal from the ticket on April 25, citing the violation as “severe enough” to influence an election, according to the records.

Related: Meet USF Tampa’s SG gubernatorial candidates

Outgoing Tampa governor Ava Moreno said she trusts Goodwin and Walsh to “show up and show out” in the coming term.

“I’m really proud of all the work we’ve done,” Moreno said. “Emma and Ethan are absolute workhorses, and they will give the student body every dime, every penny that they deserve.”

Moreno and Goodwin served together as USF Tampa governor and lieutenant governor for the 2024-25 term. 

As Goodwin moves into her role as Tampa governor, she said she plans to continue working toward sustainability goals and student engagement with Walsh for “real change” on campus.

“Ethan and I are committed to launching new initiatives that strengthen the community on campus and create more opportunities to make the lives of students better,” Goodwin said. 

Walsh said he is “lucky” to have the opportunity to represent USF Tampa as lieutenant governor. 

“We know students have placed their trust in us to represent them,” Walsh said. “Our commitment is to help students grow, explore and leave USF knowing that they made the most of their time here.”

Related: USF SG leaders signed contract to switch positions

Suryakanth Prasad Gottipati, the outgoing student body president, said he is confident Jadhav will lead the student body with “unwavering dedication and bold visions.”

“You inherit a torch that has been carried with great care, and now it is yours to carry forward, brighter, stronger and more fearless than anyone until now,” Gottipati said to Jadhav at the inauguration.

Gottipati and Jadhav drafted a contract to switch positions during their term, resulting in an ethics investigation.

Jadhav said he is ready for his presidency no matter the “challenges.”

“Leadership is about responsibility,” Jadhav said. “It means listening to what everyone says, speaking less but doing more and serving with integrity.”

Jadhav said he is also looking forward to having Esmeraldi as his vice president, who he said is “beyond his years.”

Esmeraldi said he feels a deep “sense of responsibility” for the work ahead and is inspired by his brother, Cesar Esmeraldi, who served as student body president in the 2023-24 term.  

Stepping into the vice presidency, Esmeraldi thanked the student body and SG for trusting him.

“Every one of you brings something unique and irreplaceable to USF,” Esmeraldi said. “I am so happy to work alongside you and create a future we can look back at proudly.”