The president for next year’s UNA Student Government Association will be an international student for the very first time.

President-elect Ralph Akalonu, who is currently operating as the vice president of SGA, was born in Nigeria, but since coming to UNA in 2007, has become a well-known member of SGA and the student body.

“Anything and everything about government is very fascinating to me,” Akalonu said. “I guess I love the proactiveness.”

During the last several months, Akalonu has worked towards many issues on campus, though one of the most important has been his work and opinions on the Division I transition issue.

“I think it is good to go Division I, but I think the university needs to look at its current situation and decide if that is what is needed,” Akalonu said. “Academics should be our number one focus.”

Akalonu is also currently working on other major issues for SGA, including trying to find a permanent home for the student government offices and expanding students’ knowledge on campus issues. He also wants to hold SGA accountable and encourage students to seek out the organization for issues or concerns they may have.

“I want for everyone to have a voice and not feel like we’re supporting one side over another,” Akalonu said. “If we do our jobs wrong, you should call us out on it.”

Akalonu came to UNA from the city of Lagos in Nigeria, where his parents still live and continue to work.

“It was everything you could associate with the big city,” Akalonu said. “It’s the economic hub of our country. It’s like the New York of Nigeria.”

After graduating from UNA, Akalonu plans on going to Alberta, Canada to study biology, and then travel back to his home country to help his mother expand their Internet service provider business.