{
    "title": "UCO Students Elect Eads, Underwood to Lead UCOSA for 2026\u201327",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-01 13:00:02",
    "published_at": "2026-05-01 13:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-students-elect-eads-underwood-to-lead-ucosa-for-2026-27",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/QODd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "May 1, 2026",
    "slug": "uco-students-elect-eads-underwood-to-lead-ucosa-for-2026-27",
    "body": "<p>The University of Central Oklahoma Student Association (UCOSA) has announced the results of its recent student body elections, with Jake Eads elected president and Luke Underwood elected vice president for the 2026&ndash;27 academic year.</p><p>Eads, a junior majoring in organizational leadership with a minor in pre-law from Ada, Oklahoma, brings a strong record of campus leadership. His experience within UCOSA includes serving as a senator for the UCO College of Business, Election Commission chairman, chair of Congress and chair of the Ways and Means Committee, where he helped oversee the allocation of more than $100,000 to student organizations.</p><p>Underwood, a sophomore majoring in professional media with a minor in theatre, also from Ada, has served as a UCOSA senator and contributed to both the Election Commission and Ways and Means Committee. He currently serves as vice chair of Congress for the 2025&ndash;26 academic year and introduced the &ldquo;Senator of the Week&rdquo; initiative to recognize outstanding contributions among student legislators.</p><p>&ldquo;As student body president, my highest priority is focusing on the needs of students at UCO,&rdquo; \u200b Eads said. </p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about making sure every student feels heard, supported and empowered. It&#039;s about creating a campus where everyone feels safe, where students have access to the resources they need and where students feel they truly belong.&rdquo;</p><p>Eads and Underwood campaigned on three core priorities: campus safety and well-being, accessibility, and student and community engagement.</p><p>&ldquo;Students who feel connected are more likely to succeed and stay. Building a strong campus community creates opportunities for leadership, friendships and personal growth,&rdquo; Underwood said. </p><p>UCOSA serves as the official student government for UCO, advocating for student interests, supporting student organizations and enhancing the overall student experience. The association comprises the executive, legislative and judicial branches, along with several auxiliary bodies.</p><p>The executive branch, led by the student body president and vice president, includes eight cabinet members appointed by the president and confirmed by the UCOSA Congress.</p><p>The newly elected administration will assume office at the start of the upcoming academic year.</p><p>For more information about UCOSA, visit <a href=\"https://www.uco.edu/students/involvement/ucosa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go.uco.edu/UCOSA</a>.</p><p style=\"text-align: center\">(end)</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-9cf366f0-9aeb-4793-99d7-c10687684d3c\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/eee27d1a-e66c-4fc6-ba8f-5f011b0c5414/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Devan Wielgos\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Devan Wielgos</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:dwielgos@uco.edu\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dwielgos@uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>dwielgos@uco.edu</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:405-974-2127\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"405-974-2127\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>405-974-2127</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.uco.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>uco.edu</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
    "header": {
        "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d049f70-3424-4a80-a3c8-e04eae657973/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/",
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    },
    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Devan Wielgos",
            "company": "UCO University Communications",
            "description": "Communications and Marketing Coordinator",
            "email": "dwielgos@uco.edu",
            "website": "https://www.uco.edu",
            "address": null,
            "telephone": "405-974-2127",
            "mobile": null,
            "twitter": null,
            "facebook": null
        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Sarah",
        "last_name": "Ward"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}