By Morgan Jacobus, Editor in Chief and Election Committee Member
RUSGA elections are coming up! With the official start to the campaign season beginning, here’s an opportunity to get to know the candidates. Voting will begin on February 22 at 8:00 am, with results announced February 24 at 6:00 pm.
Student Body President
Madelaine Johnson & Moose
Year at Regis: Third
Academic Program/ Degree: Gender Justice and Law with Psychology
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“If a student comes to me with an issue, I will ALWAYS take appropriate actions. I will ALWAYS include the student in the process, and I will ALWAYS serve the Regis community. As a first-generation student, I believe that leadership begins with service and grassroots community involvement and ultimately student voice, interest, and representation are vital for a successful campus environment. Growing up in a low-income family, I learned from an early age the value in working together and the importance of collective growth. This year, I have restructured RUSGA to be more inclusive, and have empowered our students to take direct action and follow-through within their advocacy and relationship with administration. There is a difference between hollow promises and solidified action, and I would like to reinforce my mission and standard of student centrism within our community. The standard that I have implemented is one of representation, diversity, and transparency. Through my current presidential leadership, I have ensured that the University is accountable for its promises.”
Eric Novelo
Year at Regis: Third
Academic Program/ Degree: Neuroscience and Philosophy
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“To answer this question wholeheartedly, I must first say that for me personally becoming an elected RUSGA officer is not an interest but a passion. A passion stemming and continuing to grow from my involvement and engagement here at Regis University. What’s more, in running specifically for Student Body President, I hope not to only continue serving my community, but also the community this institution is surrounded by. With this, it has become extremely important to me that the role of Student Body President fulfills its responsibility of being a voice for those who don’t usually speak up for themselves. Being that voice, has recently become extremely important to me as result of my work with the Global Inclusive Program, the Diversity Office (ODEIE), the Hispanic community, the Venezuelan refugees, the Asian American population, the African American and Afro-Latinx community, and the LGBTQ+ community. With that, I’d like to finish by adding that my passion in becoming Student Body President is driven by my ability to do what is needed when it’s necessary for the good of others.”
VP of Representation
Iris Jaramillo
Year at Regis: Third
Academic Program/ Degree: Neuroscience and Education
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“I am interested in becoming a RUSGA elected officer because, throughout my 3 years on RUSGA, I have been in awe of all the good work the organization does for the student body. Being a part of RUSGA for one last year will ensure the good work my fellow officers and I have done these past few years will be continued and consistent all whilst being receptive to new ideas.”
VP of Diversity, Social Justice
Ashley Garcia Torres
Year at Regis: Second
Academic Program/ Degree: Politics and Pre-Law
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“I found a lot of difficulty in deciding if I should stay at Regis after my first semester of my freshman year. I felt isolated, overlooked and as though my voice as a person did not matter. I had forgotten what it felt like to be one of if not the only person of color in a classroom, a feeling that I was reminded of upon entering Regis. This institution has made wonderful strides to being more diverse, but I have yet to see a fundamental shift in culture that this establishment so desperately needs. I decided to stay at Regis because I want to ensure that no one else feels the same way I did. I am interested in becoming a RUSGA elected officer because I wholeheartedly believe that I will be able to start the process of not just hearing but amplifying and giving power to the minority voices within our community.”
Yelenne Martin
Year at Regis: Second
Academic Program/ Degree: English and Psychology
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“I’m interested in becoming a RUSGA Elected Officer due to the simple importance there is in being involved within your community. Involvement comes in all forms and I feel that when given the opportunity and ability to do so one should participate. My interest in being involved within my community as a RUSGA Elected Officer is due to how I feel that being part of RUSGA makes a huge impact within the community due to the various responsibilities they have on campus that have positive effects on the community that they have been able to successfully do. Another aspect of this is that as the current first-generation representative, it has already been meaningful to try and voice the opinions of not only those who I represent but as well as others who have come to me. This aspect is something I feel is so crucial and I believe that continuing as a RUSGA Elected Officer is crucial to continue this and keep amplifying the voices of Regis students.”
VP of Academic Life
Lauren Manzanares
Year at Regis: Second
Academic Program/ Degree: Political Economy
Interest in being a RUSGA Elected Officer:
“After spending a year on RUSGA senate, I have found my calling with my peers. The moment I stepped foot on ranger soil I knew that this school would bring me opportunity. With strong Jesuit values, I have been able to seek Magis. As a RUSGA elected officer, I know that I can bring strong leadership and inclusivity to campus. If I had the opportunity to be VP of Academic life, I would seek to support my fellow students in every way possible as well as creating lasting relationships.”