Trevor Tobey ‘26 is now serving in his role as Rice’s Student Association President having received nearly 75% of the election votes. Tobey is double-majoring in Sport Management (with a concentration in Sport Law) and Economics. He will also complete the Politics, Law, & Social Thought minor.
Tobey entered the office with a clear set of priorities and a commitment to advocating for the student body.
“I ran for Student Association President because I believe the SA, with its $400,000 budget and direct access to administration, has the potential to make a real impact on students’ lives,” Tobey said. “My mission is to elevate the student experience by being a relentless advocate for student priorities.”
His goals during his term include addressing campus affordability, protecting student self-governance, and improving everyday student experiences.
“This means improving the dining experience, using our funds wisely,” Tobey said. “Promoting open dialogue and free speech, and embodying Rice’s Culture of Care are also essential to building the kind of campus environment students deserve.”
Tobey draws from a range of experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. He’s worked in political offices at both the state and national levels and held event management roles with organizations such as the College Football National Championship and the NFL Honors Awards Show.
“From these experiences, I’ve learned to think on my feet, communicate clearly with teams, and execute high-level initiatives with precision,” Tobey said. “No matter the setting, my approach is grounded in doing what is right and giving every opportunity my full effort.”
At Rice, he previously served as a Student Association Senator and Parliamentarian. These positions gave him insight into how university systems operate and how to advocate within them.
“As SA President, I aim to refine my philosophy of servant leadership by actively delivering results for the students I represent,” Tobey said. “This role will help me strengthen my ability to delegate, stay grounded in my principles, and navigate challenges while fulfilling my commitments.”
Tobey credits the Department of Sport Management with equipping him for student leadership. He pointed to courses and professors who shaped his approach to communication, ethics, and structure.
“From Sport Practicum with Professor Stallings, I learned how to effectively communicate and ‘sell’ the initiatives I believe in,” Tobey said. “Professor Crossey’s Leading with Service class taught me to anchor leadership in a clear mission and values, and Sport Ethics and Sport Law gave me the tools to make sound decisions and interpret rules faithfully.”
Looking ahead, Tobey hopes to lead with both strategic focus and integrity.
“Ultimately, whether in sports, business, or government, leadership is about how you serve and support the people you represent,” Tobey said.
Sergio Rojas, a senior from Houston, Texas, is double-majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance and also Sport Management with a concentration in Leadership.