Meet Rafael Gilboa a fourth year software engineering student from Pittsburgh who is serving as this year’s Student Government president at RIT

Rochester, New York – When Rafael Gilboa first arrived on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus, he was searching for more than just a strong academic program. A fourth-year software engineering major from Pittsburgh, Gilboa chose RIT because of its renowned computing reputation, competitive co-op opportunities, and the generous financial aid package that made higher education possible for him and his family. But what he discovered beyond the classroom surprised him even more—the chance to build friendships, learn new skills, and immerse himself in a vibrant student life culture.

Now, as this year’s Student Government president, Gilboa is determined to make sure other students find those same opportunities. He says the goal is simple but powerful: support the more than 300 clubs and organizations on campus so students can connect, discover new passions, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

For Gilboa, his own story is proof that this community connection works. Over the years, he has joined everything from intramural badminton, volleyball, and pickleball teams to the RIT sailing club. His schedule once became so packed that he joked about living at the gym and athletic fields. “One semester, I was on seven intramural teams,” he said. “I even learned how to play hockey here, something I didn’t expect to graduate with from a software engineering program.”

This broad involvement gave Gilboa friendships and experiences that shaped his college journey, and it’s exactly what he and Student Government Vice President Ana Paolini Carrano, a third-year biochemistry major from Miami, want to expand for their peers. Together, their platform emphasizes making information more accessible, bringing student voices into academic decisions, and ensuring that campus events feel welcoming and fun.

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“We know that change is hard to make, and that most students don’t have the time in their busy schedules to dedicate to this type of advocacy,” Gilboa said. “That’s what we’re here for, and just because we know something is a long shot or may not be completed by the end of our term, doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try.”

Their early progress has already shown momentum. Even before the first formal Student Government meeting of the year, Gilboa and Paolini Carrano helped roll out free menstrual product dispensers in the Campus Center, a request long discussed by students. They also worked with campus partners to arrange additional outdoor trash cans, a smaller but widely appreciated improvement.

Looking forward, their team is pushing for projects both big and small. Among their priorities: developing a spring club fair to showcase organizations beyond the fall semester, extending the course add/drop period, improving communication so announcements reach students where they already are, and launching an electronic ID “tap” program designed to simplify philanthropic fundraising. These are practical goals, but they also speak to a larger vision of making student life more seamless and accessible.

Their campaign, Gilboa says, was built not on a laundry list of promises but on a foundation of values. “We are going to do everything we can to make RIT a better place,” he and Paolini Carrano said during their run for office, “and that doesn’t just include our own new ideas, but making sure the work of past administrations is followed through.”

That philosophy guided their election strategy. Rather than pledge specific outcomes they couldn’t guarantee, Gilboa says they focused on honesty and effort. “We ran on our values and a commitment to trying our best and feel really appreciative that the message hit with the RIT student body,” he explained.

Gilboa’s desire to serve comes from gratitude. He credits RIT not only with preparing him for a career in software engineering but also with giving him countless ways to grow outside the classroom. From working shifts as a bartender for RIT Catering to competing with the RIT Launch Initiative performance team, his college years have been filled with activity. He has also been active in the Student Alumni Alliance, which has since become the University Alumni Alliance, as well as Greek Life, the Quiz Bowl club, and regular time spent in the fitness center.

These commitments, though diverse, reflect a common thread: he thrives on connection. For Gilboa, leadership in Student Government is the natural extension of that drive. It’s a way of giving back, of ensuring that students across all programs and backgrounds have the support and opportunities that made his own experience so rich. “I decided to run for president to help give back to a school which has made such a large impact on me and where I’ve been able to find a lot of friends,” he said.

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He also wants students to know that while RIT offers immense resources, navigating college can still feel overwhelming—and that’s where organizations like Student Government can help. “RIT is a great school to go to,” he said. “There are a ton of available services and support out there, with a lot of people who are looking out for you. That doesn’t mean it can’t be better. If you have the space and time, get involved. And if you don’t, we’re here to help.”

As Gilboa settles into his role, he balances optimism with realism. Change, he knows, takes time. But with the right mindset—and the right team—it’s possible to make a difference. His approach reflects the very lessons he’s learned from being involved in so many areas of campus life: progress comes not only from bold ideas but also from persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to try.

For the thousands of students who make up the RIT community, that persistence may translate into small conveniences, new traditions, or better communication. But for Gilboa, it’s all about the bigger picture. His presidency is not just about what gets built or passed this year—it’s about leaving a culture of involvement and care that lasts beyond his own graduation.