New UGBC leadership

Boston College undergraduates have elected juniors Jonah Renz and Addie Weiss as Undergraduate Government of Boston College president and vice president, respectively, for the 2026-2027 academic year. They will begin their terms later this semester, succeeding seniors Cameron (Cami) Kulbieda and Reagan Marino.

“It’s truly an honor,” said Renz and Weiss in a joint statement. “Both of our lives have been defined by leadership in various ways and we are constantly pursuing new opportunities to grow in our abilities as leaders. It’s extremely rewarding to know that the students see us as a good fit for these positions, and we’re excited to use our roles to better the student experience over the course of next year.

In their campaign, Renz and Weiss focused on a five-pillar policy—community building, belonging and dialogue, service and social impact, campus life, and internal improvement—all of which they said were grounded in the conviction of community. Their top three priorities for their leadership term will emphasize this community, as well as transparency and service.

Renz, a Milton, Mass., native in the Carroll School of Management with a double major in accounting and business analytics and a Managing for Social Impact minor, began his journey to student government after relentlessly searching for purpose and affinity during his early years on the Heights. This past summer, Renz worked on campus as an orientation leader, where he found his stride in giving back to students on a similar quest as him.

“That role instilled in me a love for helping other students and building community on campus,” said Renz, who currently serves as UGBC’s coordinator of student initiatives. “Having felt a version of struggle that some students express, I ran for president primarily because I want to use my final year at BC to give back to other students, helping them find that sense of belonging to not only push past their struggles but also find a true love for Boston College.”

Weiss, a sociology major in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences with minors in International and Hispanic studies, first discovered a love for advocacy participating in student government at her high school in Green Bay, Wisc. The first QuestBridge scholar to be elected to the UGBC Executive Council, she realized during her first year at the Heights that UGBC offered a similar opportunity for service.  

“My love for UGBC, the senate, and the potential of the organization has grown in the years since then,” said Weiss. “I felt drawn to the role of vice president because it allows me to facilitate the many moving parts of the senate and hopefully make it the most cohesive, effective space it can be.”

Renz and Weiss agree that diverse leadership will be vital in bringing unique viewpoints to meetings and discussions across UGBC’s seven divisions and three committees. By making this a priority, they hope that every student on campus feels their interests are shared by all members of the student government, and that UGBC is a resource to turn to when they need change or advocacy.

When it comes to allocating resources in the form of time, effort, and money, the president and VP-elect say their ultimate goal is to build a community of thoughtful discussion where all voices are heard.

“The balancing act between members spending intentional time within their own respective group and interacting across other divisions and committees will be a challenge. We hope for a combination of both in our [leadership] efforts, allowing cross-divisional collaboration and ensuring that each division is strong on its own.

“We also plan to engage in open dialogue with division directors and committee chairs about how they can be best supported in this manner and with other issues that are division- or committee-specific.”

Renz said he hopes that, by the end of his term, UGBC “has helped students find their place and a sense of love for BC. I hope people see UGBC as an organization that is there to help students and not one that operates in the shadows.”

Weiss sees her legacy as all about success that is shaped by passion and love.

“Success in this role to me means making every member love being a part of this organization. That love will show through in their initiatives and be apparent to the students who benefit from them. I want to look back at this upcoming year with full confidence in the next generation of student leaders to grow and spread love through the work that UGBC does.”