Adrian Pica-Borjas is the Student Government Assembly’s senator at-large for LGBTQ+ students of color and one of two candidates for its 2026-27 chair.

The cancellation of our affinity graduation ceremonies, NYU Langone Health’s refusal to provide care for transgender youth and the restriction of what can be mentioned within our own student government have all demonstrated that we are living in authoritarian times. Even though these first two programs were eventually reinstated, that does not forebode any less dangerously for our university and nation. During such times, there are some who believe that we should change the names of offices to reflect a federal agenda. There are some who believe that NYU should alter its public persona to fit the wishes of Washington — that if only the students were just more quiet, everything would work out. 

The student government must remember that our role on campus is to demand the change that many students desire. Instead of following a federal agenda, I am much more keen on following an agenda that enhances the experience of students. 

My name is Adrian Pica-Borjas. I led door-knocking missions for Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, and picketed with my professors for fair compensation, job security and academic freedom. I understand that during times like these, the solution is not to change who we are to appease the powerful, only concerned with growing their profits and stroking their egos. In fact, it was in the Paulson Center, the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life and the Kimmel Center for University Life where I learned that we must fight for our right to be who we are. 

When I was accepted into NYU, I was immensely happy because I thought it would be a place where a queer Latino boy could finally find home. I must be frank: The university has fallen short of its mission and my high school hopes. 

Although I am disappointed in the current state of affairs, if my civic engagement experience taught me anything, it is that hopelessness is the most common — and effective — weapon that the powerful use to weaken us. I refuse to arm anyone with hopelessness.

So, I signed onto legislation that sought to override the affinity ceremony cancellations. I wrote a resolution mandating the creation of a student government group dedicated to supporting all unions on campus, including and especially those of nonstudents. When I heard that LGBTQIA+ students were being mistreated while studying abroad, I began work on a travel guide that would inform queer and trans students of how to remain safe in every one of NYU’s global academic sites. 

My campaign to lead the university student government is only a continuation of the work that I have already done. With the resources of the entire Student Government Assembly, I could expand the scope of the queer travel guide to cover gender, sex, race, religious or nonreligious identity and ethnicity. It is imperative that all students understand the cultural differences — and discriminatory acts — they may encounter across continents. 

For the past few months, LS service ambassadors and I have been working to increase the number of complimentary meal swipes that a student can redeem through Swipe It Forward. These efforts would also be continued and expanded under my chairship. Currently, a food-insecure or low-income student may only claim one free meal swipe a week. This is entirely unlivable and must be increased to seven meals a week. The student government chairs have regular communications with the dean of students, the university president and the board of trustees. Such access to the university’s top powerbrokers will grant the chair an unparalleled opportunity to advocate on behalf of low-income and food-insecure students. 

All the advocacy that I have engaged in blooms from my belief that the power of the people — our student body — is more potent than any billionaire, corporation or politician. Equipped with this belief, even during these authoritarian times, I maintain a heart full of hope.

Be sure to vote here! Voting is open until April 3, 11:59 p.m. Follow my campaign on Instagram at @adrian.picaborjas. 

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