Missouri Students Association President-elect Miyah Jones and Vice President-elect Cydney Perkins plan to begin their term by touring campus and delivering in-depth presentations about MSA’s purpose and goals.

Jones is a junior from Nashville, Tennessee, studying political science with an emphasis in pre-law and a minor in American constitutional democracy. She originally came to MU to be closer to her father’s side of her family.

“My dad lives out in Jefferson City and is a huge Mizzou fan,” Jones said. “And ever since I was a little girl, he always wanted me to come here and move to Missouri to be with him because I stayed in Tennessee with my mom until now.”

Perkins is a junior from St. Louis studying Black studies and political science with an emphasis in pre-law and a minor in journalism. She originally didn’t want to attend MU. 

“I feel like there is a pipeline between my high school and Mizzou. So I was like ‘No, I want to travel the world and do this and do that,’” Perkins said. “But the price is right, top journalism school and a beautiful campus — it just seemed like the best fit.”

The MSA presidential election results were announced on March 10 and the team had a celebration following their win. 

“We were just chilling with a few family members — ate some good food, sung some good songs […] it was very small, personal, heartfelt,” Jones said. 

Zeb Howell and Taylor McMahan, who ran against Jones and Perkins, told Maneater reporters in an email they were proud of the campaign Reimagine Mizzou ran and would never stop working to make Mizzou a better place. 

“We wish the Mizzou4U slate the best of luck in their administration and can’t wait to see what they accomplish for the student body,” Howell and McMahan said. 

The week after their win, Jones and Perkins took some time to themselves following their campaign.

“I think we gave some time back to ourselves to make sure we were good and just pretty much pat ourselves on the back for all the work that we’ve done,” Jones said.

The slate takes office on April 11, and they want to start by focusing on their first platform goal: to circulate knowledge. Jones and Perkins plan to accomplish this by talking to students, doing a tour across campus and spreading the word about the purpose and goals of MSA.

“We want to go to different educational schools on campus and give a presentation on what MSA is more in depth,” Jones said. “So that way when you get back to campus you already have an idea of ‘This is my student government, this is who they are and these are our representatives.’”

One of Jones and Perkins’ most prominent connections within the MU administration was through Bill Stackman, the MU Dean of Students and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. On March 12, Stackman announced that he will leave MU to take over as the Dean of Students at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

“It was pretty sad for us because we found out the same night that we found out that we won, but we are super excited for him,” Jones said. “He has a great opportunity, and we’re pretty sure that we’ll have a little input about who will be replacing him.”

Perkins added that they look forward to visiting him at Harvard University. 

With the majority of their term being during the 2023-24 school year, Jones and Perkins want incoming freshmen to know that MSA is here for them.

“We just want to be that support system for you,” Jones said. “Don’t be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone, and we are looking forward to seeing all the great things that you do.”

Jones said that by the end of her term, she wants to have left an impact on the student body.

“I just hope that we will have inspired people to get outside of their comfort zones, try to do something different or join a space that you never thought people like you would join before,” Jones said. 

In an Instagram post, Jones discussed the historic impact of her campaign.

“It has taken 184 years for a Black Woman to occupy a seat at this table. I believe, with all my heart, that I won’t be the last,” Jones wrote in the post. “This victory is for everyone who ever felt unheard, unseen and underrepresented on our campus.”

Edited by Mercy Austin, maustin@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Sterling Sewell and Lauren Courtney