Madison Reporter

At a party hosted by a mutual friend last fall, Sam Mahlum and Shelby Olson began a conversation that quickly revealed their shared interests. Both are STEM students aiming for careers in healthcare, both excelled in competitive sports, and both experienced transformative trips with Wisconsin Medlife.

"We also realized that we really liked each other," Mahlum noted. Their friendship grew rapidly, and by spring, they decided to run for senior class president and vice president at UW–Madison. Despite not having aimed for elective office before and dealing with social anxiety, they saw it as an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones.

Mahlum and Olson campaigned actively by introducing themselves to fellow students on campus. Their efforts resulted in Mahlum becoming the senior class president and Olson the vice president. The Senior Class Office also includes appointed positions such as communications director Logan Anderson, events director Deanna Hebbring, philanthropy director Veronica Goveas, diversity, equity, and inclusion director Dana Tabaza, and engagement director Helen Simpson.

Their leadership approach is influenced by volunteer work with Wisconsin Medlife. This organization partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve access to essential services. Mahlum's trip to Costa Rica involved setting up mobile health clinics while Olson's journey to Ecuador provided cultural immersion and patient interaction experiences.

Mahlum is a biochemistry major from suburban Milwaukee who transferred from Ball State University. She has competed nationally in powerlifting and worked as a certified nurse assistant at UW Health. Olson is a biology and psychology double-major from New Brighton, Minnesota with extensive athletic experience. She volunteers for the National Sexual Assault Hotline among other roles.

Both leaders are collaborating on mental health initiatives for students transitioning post-college life. They are open about personal struggles to destigmatize mental health challenges.

The Senior Class Office sponsors various events including an upcoming Senior Resumé Workshop on October 18th.