Last spring, over 1,000 students voted in UTD’s Student Government election. The Retrograde had the pleasure of speaking to the winners of that election, the 2025-2026 executive officers of Student Government: President Giana Abraham, a neuroscience and psychology double major, and Vice President David Baker, a neuroscience junior. Read on to get to know the humans behind the lofty titles.
Q: What led to you joining Student Government? Have you recovered from that yet?
Abraham: Like most other senators, I wanted to create an impact on campus, making it more connected one conversation at a time. While I may recover from the chaos I have gotten myself into this year, I fear that my email inbox will not.
Baker: My journey with Student Government started on a whim because I thought it could be cool to represent student interests and create projects and events that would leave a mark on campus. Though I didn’t initially put much effort into running freshman year, I’ve invested hundreds of hours into Student Government and plan to work for hundreds more. (Baker will not recover.)
Q: If given complete control of UTD, what would be your first decree, act or abuse of power?
Abraham: Bring back the Spirit Rocks and create a free parking scheme where we tax the loitering campus geese so those fines can pay for parking spots (and maybe a new parking structure.)
Baker: The first thing I’d do would probably be bringing back the Spirit Rocks. They were one of the first things I saw on campus when I toured, and they serve as a great way to build up the community of UTD.
Q: If you crash landed on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean, what would be your Comet Survival PlanTM?
Abraham:
1) Try to remember what I learned from watching “Survivor.”
2) Accept that I have a goldfish memory and focus on gathering coconuts to spell “S.O.S.”
3) Enjoy the disconnected island life until someone flies by.
Baker: The first thing I’d do would be to check for any injuries, then find clean drinking water. From there, I’d build a big “S.O.S.” on the beach, find food, shelter and fire.
Q: Where do you see yourself 5 minutes, 5 months and 5 years after your graduation? Why?
Abraham: In a few minutes, I’ll still be thinking about these responses. In months, I’ll still be at UTD completing my majors, hopefully changing our campus. In a matter of years, I will likely still be trudging down the medical path and may possibly be in residency.
Baker: 5 minutes after graduation, I’m grabbing food with friends and family. After 5 months, I hope to be in med school. 5 years after graduation, I would like to have started my own family and be on my way to take care of my current family. I’m lucky that throughout my entire life, I have known that my ultimate goal is to support my family and to raise a family of my own. Pretty much everything I’ve done or am planning on doing in some way is in pursuit of that goal.
Q: What superpower would you want to have?
Abraham: Teleportation, to maximize travel and minimize time spent in traffic around campus.
Baker: I would want the ability to teleport so that I can travel around the world.
Q: Who would you side with during an extraterrestrial invasion?
Abraham: I’d form a third party: Comets for Coexistence, since Temoc is from space.
Baker: I would almost certainly side with the humans and Earth. The invaders would need very good reason and for the humans to be nearly irredeemable for me to change sides.
Q: Favorite spot to study around campus?
Abraham: Empty SCI classrooms and library study rooms — great for group study sessions.
Baker: ECS West lobby. I’ve spent too much time there for it not to be.
Q: Best and worst building on campus? Why?
Abraham: I like the Bioengineering & Sciences Building (BSB) despite my lab being in the basement. I can get work done there, and there’s a vivarium.
Hoblitzelle Hall is definitely showing its age and could use a revamp.
Baker: In my opinion, the best building is the Student Services Building because of all the offices/resources that it has, plus it’s easy to find.
The worst building would probably be Hoblitzelle Hall because it stands out for how bland looking and small it is.
Q: If you could replace Temoc, what would be our new mascot?
Abraham: Who would ever want to replace Temoc? (He may read this.) Maybe Enarc, considering how much construction he’s endured.
Baker: Either his boyfriend Enarc or Tobor.
Q: Final thoughts?
Abraham: Reach out if you have ideas for Student Government, want to chat or have more questions! We have too many office hours for them not to be used!
Baker: If you see me around campus, make sure to say hi!