Ag Business/Economics major Dakota Hoben was recently voted Government of the Student Body President for the 2011-2012 school year.

Hoben, a senior who served in the student Senate for two years, and says that the focus for his coming term will be on "active engagement" with the student body.

“I really believe in serving constituents and bringing their ideas to the forefront,” says Hoben. He and Vice President Jared Knight will attend two campus club meetings per month as part of their outreach strategy, and request student Senators make a similar commitment.

"I think the reason why people supported us is that we really made an effort to be amongst the student body rather than holding ourselves above,” he says. “Our role is really to serve as an outlet for communication.”

One issue that Hoben will work on is changing testing policies during “dead week.” During the campaign, he says many students talked to him about their frustration that the week is often used for additional testing, when the time is intended for final exam preparation. “It’s too stressful for students to manage both,” he says.

He'll also continue to make progress on projects started by the previous administration, including the rollout of a student financial literacy program, communications regarding Campustown changes, and ongoing conversations over tuition increases with the Board of Regents.

Hoben is originally from Grandview, Iowa. He plans to enter the agribusiness industry when he graduates, but with a new focus on governance, he’s also considering possible work in ag policy. “I enjoy serving as an advocate,” he says.