Students casted their final votes for the A.S. Elections last Friday and the results were announced to the public on March 26. 10 candidates were elected to be the next student body representatives.
Candidates for positions, including president of the student senate and vice president of public relations, were uncontested. All three candidates running for the student senator position were elected..
Amanda Rivada, a biology major, was elected as the upcoming president of the student senate. Rivada looks to advocate for STEM students by looking at what impacts them directly such as bookstore vouchers not covering online homework platforms for math and chemistry courses.
“I know for students taking those classes they all have to pay like out of pocket for this,” said Rivada. “I think I’ve spent over $500 on that alone because I’ve taken a chem class like every semester here. I’ve taken multiple math classes. Sometimes if students don’t pass then they have to retake that and pay for it again.”
Erik Kniss, a mechanical engineering major, hopes to gain more funds for various clubs and programs as our elected vice president of finance. He also wants to ensure transparency among the use of student funds.
“I believe the first step is to really know who’s running this operation, getting behind the curtains and seeing where money is coming from, where it’s being sent to,” said Kniss “I want to make sure I can gain that information by contacting them, holding meetings, and making sure that funds are being directed to where it’s needed.”
The four candidates with the most votes received over 250 votes. Julieta Gonzalez, a pre-nursing major, secured her position as vice president of the student senate with a total of 263 votes. David Maurice received the highest number of votes in this election with a total of 306 votes to become our vice president of public relations.
Samiy Castillo Bolivar, an economics and journalism major, was the elected student trustee and wants to address impacted student’s affairs, as well as the ongoing issue of cafeteria meals.
“I know some current issues and current situations that we have relating to federal administration in regards to undocumented students, in regards to LGBTQ students, and also more local and on campus issues like meal deals,” said Bolivar. “Yes they’re free and I’m sure most of us are grateful for that, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Brenda Perez, a multi-media production major, received 290 votes from students to become the vice president of activities and Katrina Lashlee, a business administration major, earned 172 votes to become vice president of records.
The winners for each category will be sworn in for the upcoming fall semester during the next student senate meeting on April 15. Those who were not able to secure a position still have an opportunity to be sworn in as a student senator by attending the meeting.
Editor’s Note: Samiy Castillo Bolivar is the arts and culture editor for The Hornet newspaper and is not involved in any coverage or editorial process for A.S. Elections. The Hornet has not and will not be making any endorsements.
Spring 2025 Election Results:
President of Student Senate:
Amanda Rivada* – 297
Vice President of Student Senate:
Julieta Gonzalez* – 263
Madhumitha Nandakumar – 64
Vice President of Finance:
Erik Kniss* – 129
Hamed Haidary – 72
Esther Wu – 51
Vice President of Activities:
Brenda Perez*- 290
Charles Oh (Write-in) – 1
Vice President of Records:
Katrina Lashlee* – 172
Rayhan Ahmed – 99
Jerome Bishay (Write-in) 1
Vice President of Public Relations:
David Maurice* – 306
Student Trustee:
Samiy Castillo Bolivar* – 186
Bianca Stopani – 71
Dana Rose Crystal – 55
Student Senator:
Jennifer Morales * 177
Jackson Reeve* 155
Benjamin Villa* 150