Elected Governors

Governor

Collin Nicholson

Bridgewater College, Class of 2026, political science with a minor in pre-law
Hometown: Strasburg, Virginia

My name is Collin Nicholson, and I am proud to serve as the first Governor of the Virginia Government Simulation in 2025. I recently served as a delegate in the inaugural simulation and am ready to pursue the needs of all delegates. Furthermore, I ensure that I will advocate for every delegate to be heard and promote bipartisanship within the legislature.

Outside of politics, I play football and Esports at Bridgewater and am an active member of the tutoring team, where I share my knowledge of history and politics with my fellow students. I am also a member of the Honors program and was a part of the Moot Court competitive team. During the Summer of 2025, I plan to intern at a law firm in Winchester, Virginia.

After graduating from Bridgewater, I plan to attend law school to pursue my goal of becoming an attorney, focusing on business law. Using my knowledge and experience from the simulation, I want to run for office and build a sustainable future for the next generation.

Lieutenant Governor

Aaron Ress

University of Richmond, Class of 2028, Political science with a minor in Russian studies, sustainability, and history
Hometown: Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Growing up, many programs similar to the Virginia Government Simulator (VGS) were out of reach due to high upfront costs. Thankfully, one of VGS’s primary missions is to remain affordable for all Virginia students. To foster a nation rooted in liberty and the successful pursuit of happiness, we need a civically educated and engaged population—a need that remains pressing today. Programs like VGS play a crucial role in empowering and educating the next generation of citizens.