Meet the Congress

Executive Board

Acacia Dykstra

President

Acacia is a junior studying political science from Franklin, Tennessee. Previously, she served as a Kollen Hall representative followed by a term as Public Affairs chair. Acacia is an avid coffee enthusiast. In her free time she enjoys photography and all things friends. The president is responsible for bridging the gap between faculty and staff, answering questions from the student body and being a voice in rooms where a student perspective is needed, as well as directing a team of student leaders.

Hayley Kennedy

Vice President

Hayley Kennedy is a sophomore from Corunna, Michigan, studying engineering and mathematics. This is Hayley’s second year on Student Congress, where she was previously Gilmore Hall representative and sat on the Co-Curricular Activities Committee, and she now sits on the Campus Life Board. She is involved in Greek Life and is part of the Panhellenic Council. She is also an employee for Hope College Intramurals. In her free time, Hayley enjoys listening to and playing music, crocheting, making crafts, skateboarding, and hanging out with friends and family.

Sam Bryne

Chief of Staff

Sam is a sophomore studying secondary education social studies from Bloomfield Township, Michigan. Previously, he served on the Appropriations Committee and as a Kollen Hall representative followed by a term as treasurer. Sam is an avid Detroit sports fan. In his free time he enjoys gerrymandering and all things politics. The chief of staff is responsible for overseeing the election process, answering questions of constitutionality and parliamentary procedure, directing a team of cabinet officials, and overseeing the biannual constitutional revision process.

Eric Alsgaard

Chief of Assessment

Eric Alsgaard is a senior from Holland, Michigan, studying electrical engineering and math. He is currently serving his second term as the chief of assessment, surveying the student body to drive meaningful, data-driven change in many areas on campus. Outside of work and classes, he is an avid rock climber and coffee connoisseur. He is still the only member of Student Congress to have a properly-fitting pair of wooden shoes.

Grace Hammers

Controller

Grace Hammers is a senior from Southfield, Michigan, studying biochemistry and molecular biology. Grace is on a pre-med track and plans on attending medical school following graduation. This is Grace’s third year on Student Congress, serving in the past as vice controller and Cook Hall representative. Besides Student Congress, Grace is greatly involved in Hope College’s Dance Marathon and the Department of Chemistry as a research assistant.

Alexander Cook

Vice Controller

Alexander Cook is a junior from Grand Rapids, Michigan, studying business and psychology with a minor in classical studies. Alex plans to work for a few years after college to decide whether to pursue a master’s in business administration or organizational psychology. This is Alex’s second year in Student Congress. Before this year, he served as the neighborhood representative, was a member of the Academic Affairs Task Force and the Appropriations Committee, and is now sitting on the Co-Curricular Activities Committee. Apart from being in Student Congress, Alex is involved in Greek life and likes to work on jetskis in his spare time.

Isabella Rodriguez

Vice Chief of Culture and Inclusion

Isabella Rodriguez is a junior from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, studying women’s and gender studies and sociology. This academic year marks Isabella’s debut in Student Congress, where she is ready to make a positive impact. Apart from serving on Student Congress, Isabella is the financial manager for Women of Color United, a committee chair for the Campus Ministries Prophetic Witness Team, and is the social media assistant for the Phelps Scholars Program. As Isabella serves in these roles, she has the intention to make Hope College as inclusive, diverse, and equitable as possible.

Cabinet

• All Exec (including Vice roles)
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Chief of Public Affairs
• Public Affairs Coordinator(s)
• Administrative Affairs Task Force Chair
• Academic Affairs Task Force Chair
• Campus Life Task Force Chair
• Critical Issues Symposium Director

Class Council

• Contact congress@hope.edu if you are interested in representing your class!
• Senior Class Representatives
• Junior Class Representatives
• Sophomore Class Representatives
• Freshman Class Representatives

General Congress

• Cook Hall
• Durfee Hall
• Dykstra Hall
• Gilmore Hall
• Kollen Hall
• Lichty Hall
• Phelps Hall
• Scott Hall
• Van Vleck Hall
• Voorhees Hall
• Wyckoff Hall
• Neighborhood Representatives
• Off-Campus Representatives
• Appointed Campus Representatives
• Appropriations Representatives
• Culture and Inclusion Representatives
• Assessment Representatives