2025-2026 Student Association
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President Stevie White HatStevie White Hat is currently a full-time student here at SGU. She is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Lakota Studies. She is the 6th descendant of Chief Spotted Tail and French fur trapper James Bordeaux. Her parents are the late Darwin Spotted Tail Sr and Sharon Shaw. Her grandparents are the late William and Mordella Spotted Tail and Floyd and Joyce Larson. She was recently selected as the SGU Student Association President, and her goal is to bring back the voice of the SGU student body.
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Vice-President Shania Black Bear-SearbyShania Black Bear-Searby is a Sicangu Lakota artist from Two Strike, South Dakota. Her Lakota name is Waštélakapi Wiŋ, meaning one everyone loves. She is the daughter of Michelle Black Bear and granddaughter of Ben and Arlene Black Bear Jr. She is majoring in Human Services with a focus in Mental Health. She is interested in exploring the link between mental health and Lakota arts and has been recently seated as the SGU Student Association Vice-President.
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Secretary Troy Lynn PeneauxTroy Lynn Peneaux is from the Rosebud Community. Her parents are Merrill & Julie Peneaux. She works full-time for the RST Veterans Affairs Program, goes to school full-time, has 2 kids, 8 grandchildren, raises 6 nieces and nephews, and 3 grandchildren. She is pursuing a degree in Business Management and has been selected as the SGU Student Association Secretary. Her goal is to show others that if you work hard, you can accomplish anything!
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Treasurer Amanda ChargerAmanda Charger is an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and lives in Lower Brule, SD. She has attended Sinte Gleska University since her undergraduate years through the Lower Brule Community College site, and is now working toward her Master’s in Human Services with a Lakota Studies emphasis. Her work in community-based programs has centered around supporting youth, families, and our language. She believes in wolakota, treating one another with respect, compassion, and balance. As Student Association Treasurer, her goal is to help ensure that all students, whether on campus or at sister sites, feel represented, heard, and included as we learn and grow together.
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Sergeant-at-arms Sissy Ray
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Sissy Marie Ray is a proud descendant of Chief Smutty Bear of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She is the daughter of Dr. Tony Garcia and Cynthia Loudner and is a 4.0 GPA student leader dedicated to service, healing, and cultural revitalization. As Sargent-at-Arms, Sissy brings a strong sense of accountability, respect, and cultural pride to student governance. She is passionate about being an advocate and creating safe spaces where all voices are honored. Sissy is committed to uplifting Indigenous knowledge, language, and traditions for future generations. Her long-term vision includes founding a nonprofit to support survivors of abuse and prevent addiction through early intervention and culturally grounded healing. Whether she’s advocating for her peers, supporting her family, or sharing stories that inspire, Sissy leads with heart, humor, and humility.
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Student Organizations
SGU HAS A VARIETY OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS / CLUBS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN WHILE A STUDENT. PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT AND GIVE THEM A TRY. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT SGU. THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS/CLUBS AND THE ADVISOR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
