Despite being elected as president of Merrimack College’s Student Government Association for the 2024-25 academic year, Mariia Diahilieva ’26 doesn’t have that much of a fever for politics.
Instead, she’s hoping to use the leadership position to give back to the community that gave her so much during an incredibly trying time in her life.
“I want to make sure everyone has a way of working on their passions,” she said. “Listening to students’ concerns, working out solutions, watching the changes happen on campus – that’s what makes me happy.”
Originally from Ukraine, Diahilieva attended high school in New Hampshire as part of a foreign exchange student program in 2021. What was originally planned for a one-year study abroad turned into an indefinite stay in the U.S. after the Russo-Ukrainian War escalated in February 2022.
Luckily, she found a home at Merrimack College thanks to a scholarship created by Vin Foley ’68 for undergraduate students with refugee status in the U.S. on asylum or who are seeking asylum. Today, she’s pursuing a double major in chemistry and data science as a member of the Merrimack Honors Program.
“Especially with me being here on such a great scholarship, I feel the need to give back,” she said. ”Keeping in mind the College’s Augustinian tradition, I’m looking to help others and work for my community.”
Diahilieva said she first learned about SGA during new student orientation.
“They seemed like a really great group of people,” she said. “I never wanted to be in student government, but once I talked to them I decided that it would be something I’d be interested in doing. The first Tuesday of my freshman year I was at the first meeting at The Hub.”
Diahilieva initially served as one of the four student senate members representing international students. The next year, she was nominated to serve as vice president where she oversaw the creation of eight new student clubs and organizations.
Once she enters office this year, Diahilieva said the SGA will start updating the student constitution and bylaws to ensure students hold the body more accountable.
“There are a lot of questions that students have,” she said. “We’re going to figure out a way to make that communication bridge bigger.”
