Black United Students and PRIDE! Kent elected new officers this week for the 2014-2015 school year.

Members of PRIDE! Kent chose to keep current president Brandon Stephens, a junior criminology and political science major, at the helm. Newly elected president of BUS Matthew Thompson replaces Roslynn Porch, senior communications studies major.

Thompson, a junior sports administration major, plans to advance BUS by refocusing its work toward the students.

“There is a long history upholding this organization,” Thompson said. “Now I feel it is time for us to continue that history and pave a way of our own.”

He said he will be a leader that can push the culture of BUS forward.

“I know that I have an executive board that will work very hard to see the change we all claim to want,” he said. “Black United Students is necessary, and I am extremely excited about the things we are planning for next year.”

Stephens said his goal next year is to continue the mission of talking to the university and students about homophobia and bridging the gap between various social circles at Kent State.

“PRIDE! is an incredible organization,” Stephens said. “My goal for the past two years as vice president and president has been to once again push the organization and its members to make some noise while still providing that fun, warm and welcoming social environment.”

Contact Kara Taylor at [email protected].