One senator was nominated to serve as the next speaker of the Student Senate Wednesday evening, and his name is familiar within the Student Government Association — Matthew Phan.
“I value the wonderful community that we have here at WSU,” Phan said in a speech to the senate. “I’ve been in SGA for all four years at Wichita State. I have extensive experience writing and editing bills and resolutions in addition to providing constructive feedback to senators regarding legislation.”
During the April 29 meeting, Phan was nominated by Sen. Grace Naylor. No other senators were nominated.
Serving as last year’s speaker, Phan is no stranger to the position. He also served as the student body vice president alongside former Student Body President Kylee Hower during the 2024-25 academic year.
Phan will be a fifth-year student studying mechanical engineering during his time in the speaker seat next year.
During his time in SGA, Phan has sponsored 56 and co-sponsored 257 pieces of legislation, according to Phan’s presentation. In his first year as speaker, Phan led a senate committee restructuring and has navigated changes and challenges with diversity, equity and inclusion to remain compliant with state policies.
Phan said senate engagement is a priority for him, something he worked on last session by creating a senator of the month recognition and a legislative tracker, as well as focusing on required attendance.
“I believe that it’s paramount that senate leadership has a personal connection with each and every senator here today,” Phan said.
Every senator voted for Phan except for Sen. Ryan Whalen, who abstained from voting.
Sen. Erin Tims said Phan is “married to the senate.”
“He loves senate so much,” Tims said. “He’s very committed to serving students and doing what’s in the best interest of all students, and I’ve never seen someone who is juggling so much and is still able to do so much, especially for senate.”
Sen. Andrew Beam became the Academic Affairs Committee chairperson in the last few weeks of the 68th session after Nazanin Kasirosafar resigned from the position.
“Speaker Phan was the most welcoming person through that,” Beam said. “He welcomed me to senate leadership and he walked me through exactly what I needed to do, and because of that, I think he will be a great speaker next session.”
Phan will lead his first senate meeting of the 69th session on May 6.
