“It is accessible for you to have your voice heard, so use it.”
By: Charisma Kerns, Mason Votes Contributor
Skylar Ringo is a junior at George Mason majoring in government and international politics. In spring 2026, she was elected to be the Student Body Vice President alongside Student Body President Griffin Crouch.
Skylar is a major contributor to the Mason community. She is involved with Student Government and University Life through her Vice President position; she is a Resident Assistant (RA) for Housing and Residence Life, a Patriot Leader for New Student and Family Programs, and this fall, she assisted Housing and Residence Life during Move-In Days. She is also the Social Media Chair for Mason Ambassadors through the Office of Admissions, a member of Kappa Alpha Phi (a pre-law and government co-ed fraternity), and a member of the National Council for Negro Women. Additionally, she is the Communications Team Lead for the Mason Voting Ambassadors (MVA).
Mason Votes sat down for an interview with Ringo about both her Student Government and MVA positions.
Q: As our Student Body Executive Vice President, what is Student Government doing regarding the election season?
A: “Within Student Government, we have a civic engagement liaison under our Government and Community Relations Committee. I occupied this role last year. It empowered me to share the efforts of Mason Votes and ensure local, state, and federal election updates were being shared with the Undergraduate Representative Body (URB). This year, I am working closely with the student holding that position. Together, we inform our peers about upcoming MVA voter registration drives during our committee and general body meetings. We are also working to schedule a partner/joint kiosk event, in addition to giving a presentation about the role Student Government has in civic engagement by providing students with much-needed voting information”
Q: As the Communications Team Lead, what does your MVA position entail? How did you get involved?
A: “I got involved in this position because during my first year at Mason, my greatest strength was encouraging RSOs to take part in the mission of Mason Votes – increasing student civic engagement and civic empowerment. I was the number one Mason Voting Ambassador with the most kiosk and class presentations for that year, which is why, in my new leadership role, I feel like I really shine. My role as Communications Team Lead is to ensure information is being shared with members regarding updates to our classroom presentations, adjustments to our voter registration drives, and increasing collaboration with other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). In the creation of the classroom presentation, I saw we needed to meet students where they were – in class. This created a more advantageous avenue to spread our message to students at Mason rather than in places like Wilkins Plaza or the Johnson Center.”
Q: What do you want to inspire Mason students to do? What is your individual hope while holding these positions?
A: “With everything I take part in on campus, I want to inspire students to advocate for themselves. It is a different sense of empowerment when you submit your ballot and stake your ground on an issue that affects you and your community. The best way to do that is by going to the polls on or before Election Day to select representatives that best resonate and stand for your beliefs, values, etc. My personal hope while I am in these positions is to show how accessible it is to raise your voice and stand for what you believe is right. Having Merten Hall as a polling place at Mason is a privilege that not many universities have, and working with MVAs has given me an opportunity to share that sense of empowerment with the student body.”
Q: In these roles, how do you reach students? Do you think these avenues of outreach are effective?
A: “As [MVA] Communications Team Lead, my main goal is to meet students where they are at – in the classroom. Showing up to places where we can guarantee students will be can help anyone be exposed to who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Our classroom presentations have had the most engagement since it is time set aside in class to discuss what will be on the ballot and how it affects students attending Mason.
Additionally, our kiosk and tabling efforts have been another avenue of successful outreach. Being on Wilkins Plaza and at the Johnson Center has given us an opportunity to share our message in a concise and impactful way. During the 15-min passing period, students can come to our table to check their voter registration, establish their voting plan, or feel more prepared to make an informed vote.
Lastly, collaborating with RSOs around campus is a great way to reach students. We all have the same message of improving student experience and civic engagement at Mason. Partnering with organizations provides us the platform to share how civic empowerment is necessary in every demographic on campus.”
Q: Compared to other election years, what would you say is the general consensus on campus? Are people excited and ready to vote, or are they disinterested?
A: “The energy is high this year for the midterms! Every tabling and kiosk event we host, we have seen how students want to understand what will be on the ballot and how it will impact them. Our strong partnership with League of Women Voters in Fairfax has allowed us give students digestible information regarding the ballot. They can, then, take the information they learn and make an well-informed vote. People are determined to stand for the issues they believe in. Having such impactful topics, such as the three proposed constitutional amendments on the midterm this year, has definitely been a good push for outreach and advocacy!”
Q: As both a young adult and a college student, what is some advice you’d give fellow Mason Patriots who are hesitant or don’t feel like voting?
A: “Similar to a previous answer, it is accessible for you to have your voice heard, so use it. As college students and young adults, we really depend on proximity and having Merten Hall as a polling place on campus is a privilege we cannot take for granted. For off-campus students, there are plenty of ways to ensure your vote is being cast through absentee ballots, requesting a provisional ballot, or same day change from your original polling place to Merten (if you live on-campus!) There are decisions being made all around us that impact us directly. The best way to have your voice heard and experiences seen is by voting.
Additionally, if you do not want to vote for yourself, I highly encourage you to vote for your community and those who do not have the avenue to feel represented.”
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Slider photo by: Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate