After two weeks of active campaigning and a campus full of signs, booths and debates, it’s down to the wire with one day left of voting in the online election for Associated Students Inc. president and board of directors. Students can get information about the election and candidates on the ASI Web site and candidate Web sites, and televised interviews with the three presidential candidates are available on the Mustang Daily’s Web site.
In addition to presidential candidates, don’t forget to vote for board members, who will represent the needs of each college.
College of Architecture:
Sean Christy: Christy is looking for re-election after a year on the Board of Directors. “I work hard and am very approachable,” he said. Something he tried to promote this year was justice, which he split into two criteria: service and sustainability. He wants to serve the students in his college with their interests in mind and continue working on the Safe Ride program. For sustainability, he wants to “make sure our future planning is environmentally sensible and prepared for the future of this campus. I ride the bus to school every day and also co-wrote a resolution that would encourage SLOCOG to continue funding for SLO Transit for Cal Poly students,” he said.
Peter Kim: Kim has participated in many committees and organizations including CAED Ambassadors and Associated Students in Planning. He has held leadership positions in his fraternity and has served as a U.S. Marine for the past five years. “These experiences have taught me the foundation of leadership and commitment, while my job as a real estate agent has given me organizational, time management, and work ethic skills,” he said. As to what he would do if elected to the Board of Directors, he said, “I am to advocate for my peers by representing them to the best of my abilities. My efforts will lie in bringing a diversified point of view with respect to the guiding principles of Cal Poly.”
Theresa Swen: Swen has been an active member of Asian American Christian Fellowship during her time at Cal Poly and helped direct the growth of the group. “I truly believe in Cal Poly’s learn by doing motto and want to be involved to see the students of CAED actively take part by voicing their opinions, to enhance student life and experience on campus,” she said.
College of Engineering:
Matt Agnitch: Agnitch has worked for an engineering company for six months which taught him how to get things done in a corporate setting. “I feel that I am more than qualified for the position and it is one more way to give back to my college and my fellow students,” he said.
Jonathan Bonilla: Bonilla thinks a Board of Directors member should be able to voice the opinions, thoughts and ideas of the people in his or her college, and his experience includes taking the time “to read all of the opinions that my peers have scratched into the desk” and represents his tower on Yosemite Hall Council. “I am willing to do everything in my power to represent you and voice your opinions as well as my own in the hopes of making change in a school which seems to frown down on change!”
Stephen Grider: Grider said that his qualifications were the following: “I’m a Viking, always striking, never hiking, I’m doing my thing.” He said people should vote for him “to beat my girlfriend, Kaitlin Spak.”
Alyssa Habing: Habing is currently an ambassador for the CENG and a commissioner on the Engineering Student Council. “I enjoy being involved in campus clubs and activities especially within my college, so I felt running for ASI Board of Directors would be an awesome opportunity to be more engaged in the entire school as a whole,” she said. “I am proud to be an engineer, and I want students to feel comfortable voicing their concerns and opinions to me while trusting that I will bring those issues to the board.”
Laura Ashley Harris: Harris has only been at Cal Poly a year but is already a member of the Society of Women Engineers and serves on the sisterhood committee for her sorority, Chi Omega. She is training to be a WOW leader in the fall and served as ASB president for her high school. “College goes by so quickly; for most of us, we are only here for four years in the span of a lifetime,” she said. “Well, engineers get to be here a bit longer. I want my years here to be memorable not just for myself, but for you as well by serving as a representative for your interests,” she said.
Kaitlin Spak: Spak has held leadership positions in student government, numerous clubs and organizations. “As a mechanical engineer with a minor in communication studies, I will listen to your concerns and make sure that they are addressed,” she said. She wanted to elect someone who worked hard to make sure engineering programs got funding and made positive changes in his or her current leadership positions. “When I thought about the qualities that would benefit the entire engineering college, I realized that I had the motivation, the experience, and the determination to make a difference,” she said.
Russell Taylor: When asked about his qualifications to be elected to the Board of Directors, Taylor said, “I can do long division.” He thinks the Board of Directors and what they do with the budget is a mystery to many students. “I think it’s time to introduce a little transparency into the operations of the BOD and truly keep students involved and informed with how their money is being spent,” he said. “If you agree, vote Russell Taylor and I’ll do work.”
Brett Wellman: Wellman thinks it all comes down to smart decision making, and past experience includes being a student body president, member of a state-wide standardized testing board and holding executive positions within his fraternity. “I want to make my fellow classmates aware that the board exists and that it’s there to serve them,” he said. “Before I knew about the board, I felt powerless in voicing my thoughts or feelings about anything here at Poly. I want to let students know that the board is here to represent them and lobby the faculty on their behalf.” He cited the success of getting Campus Dining to accept credit cards as an example of the BOD’s influence.
Kelley Wigton: Wigton is currently a member of the ASI Board of Directors, and is the only current BOD member running for re-election within the College of Engineering. She has worked to achieve a more efficient voting system and has advocated on behalf of student concerns. She is also involved in PolyReps and the Society of Civil Engineers. “After having already served on the Board, I am aware of the issues that students are facing, including the quality of the Health Center and Campus Dining, and I know by what means these problems can be solved,” she said. “I am proud to be a part of the College of Engineering and want to be a leader who enacts the changes that students of this university find necessary.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science:
Brandon Banner: Banner is an agriculture junior who says his goal if elected will “be to meet as many people as possible to better represent the diverse student populace in the College of Ag.” Banner is involved in the Agribusiness Management Club, Ag Engineers Society and Crops Club.
Megan Brownell: She is an agricultural science senior who has served as a member of the Agricultural Education and Communication Department Student Fee Committee. Brownell said she is “familiar with committee functions, college budgets from a student perspective, and the needs of a college department.” She would like to see that the students are delivered all available information about the student services and resources that ASI provides. Because she was active in her high school student body, California Future Farmers of America and Young Farmers and Ranchers, she said she “understands the duties of leadership.”
Wes Carlson: Carlson is a ag business junior who has “been involved with several clubs on campus and served as a representative to the Ag Council for the Agriculture Ambassadors,” he said. Carlson said a change that he would like to see is “better management of student fees, and making sure that the programs that are important to the students get the appropriate funding.” If elected, he said he “will offer a strong voice for the interests of the students of CAFES. I hold fast to my convictions and beliefs, and if I say I will do something, I will do it.”
Shawn Cooper: Cooper’s experience includes her job as the Agriculture Ambassador Event and Office Coordinator, serving as an officer for her academic fraternity, Alpha Zeta, and sitting on the CAFES College Based Fees Committee, as well as serving as a committee chair for the CAFES Open House. Cooper said although she feels it is important to branch out with ASI activities and programs, she also thinks it is important to “focus on the well-being of our current programs and facilities, such as the Health Center.” She said she would like to see more students voicing their opinions so that “the student voice can truly be represented by the Board of Directors.”
Richard Darrach: Darrach said his ultimate goal is to “be involved in the leadership of my community and nation.” He was involved in Future Farmers of America and the Agriculture Ambassadors in his community college and at Cal Poly, as well as Cal Poly Young Cattlemen.
Michael Kent: Kent is an Ag Council representative for the agriculture fraternity Alpha Zeta and said he would like to be elected to “both represent the students of agriculture and gain professional experience for myself.”
Patty Lev: Lev said she considers herself a good candidate because of her “opportunities to lead with Ag Ambassadors.” She said she thinks it’s important for all students to work together in ASI, and wants to “help the school community flourish.”
Josh Little: He is finance chair of Alpha Gamma Rho and a member of the Crops Club and Vines to Wines. Little said that if he is elected he will do all he can to “bring growth and expansion to our college and its programs, not neglect and reduction.”
Ashli Middleton: Middleton would like to gain more experience through Cal Poly’s motto, “learn by doing,” by getting involved and representing her peers. She has been involved in Future Farmers of America, Agriculture Ambassadors, and Alpha Zeta.
Lucas R. RossMerz: He considers himself “the new face for our college’s new name,” and is a three-year veteran of Poly Reps. RossMerz also sits as an officer on the Association of Environmental Professionals and the Society of American Foresters. He said his experiences with leadership roles will help keep the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at the top of Cal Poly’s priority list. One of the big changes that he would like to see is more sustainability. “We have been making a lot of progress on campus, but more can be done, i.e. further emphasis on integrated pest management processes on our 3,800 acres, more recycling of products, waste and materials and more advertisement for the things we already do great like the Organic Farm,” he said.
Kelsey Rugani: Due to her appreciation for agriculture, she said it “compels me to go the extra mile and help other people not only realize the blessings they have, but also open them up to the blessings that have given my life beauty.” The three things she would value most as a part of the Board of Directors would be education, leadership, and agriculture.
Nate Sandler: He is an ag business junior that has “gained leadership experience by being President and co-founder of one club,” and “an executive board member of two others in previous years.” Sandler said that he believes his experiences with sitting on the executive board for his fraternity will “allow me to lead by example.” Sandler said that he is the best choice for the position because he wants to make a difference for the students. “I am driven to results, confident, energetic and optimistic about the future of the School of Agriculture, and would love to help improve the environment we live in.”
Phil Dirlam: Dirlam has “extensive experience with Roget’s Rules of Order and the proper running of formal meetings” and has held leadership positions in his fraternity including vice president of finance, vice president of scholarship and junior executive of philanthropy. “I wanted the opportunity to become more involved with Cal Poly especially through peer representation as I feel we must take full advantage of the voice ASI provides for students here on campus,” he said. “I also feel that I have a personality that can work well with people of many different facets which will be a benefit to my peers as their representative to ASI.”
Adam Marre: Marre is currently serving his college on the Board of Directors and is also on the COSAM Council, Academic Senate committee, COSAM Ambassadors and other clubs. “I feel that as a current member of the Board of Directors it is my duty to run for re-election, since with my knowledge I will be able to help the students more effectively than the other candidates, and work towards the future,” he said. “Furthermore, I have enjoyed my role as a board member this year, and look forward to working with next year’s board if I am re-elected.”
Mortay Mendoza: Mendoza has a lot of experience volunteering at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, working at Contra Costa Veterinary Hospital and being an active member in the American Medical Student Association Club. He is also a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. “I would love to run for the position of ASI Board of Directors because I feel as though I am a good representative of the student body and I am a voice of their needs,” he said.
Sunil Patel: Patel is currently on the Board of Directors for COSAM and is also actively involved in COSAM-wide clubs such as COSAM Council and COSAM Ambassadors. “I want to run again since I can continue all the progress the board has made this year and serve the students well again for another year,” he said.
College of Liberal Arts:
Christina Chiappe: She is a co-chair of the CLA student council and plans to build “a united and organized CLA body that will serve as a forum for all student groups and organizations to work together on events, student projects and issues, and develop important career-building opportunities that can benefit all students.” Chiappe feels she is the best choice for the position because she has already been able to explore the CLA from many different angles. “I’ve already been on the Board for one quarter, and my wide range of student involvement makes me an ideal candidate to represent CLA students and their diversity of activities and viewpoints,” she said.
Kayvan Chinichian: Chinichian’s experience includes “dealing with ASI in the past from the perspective of a club officer.” He said he would love to see ASI more streamlined. “In the past three years or so, we have seen major improvements on the ASI Web site that have opened up access for forms and instructions to clubs and students,” he said. “Unfortunately though, I feel that many clubs still find the Web site archaic, which only stifles their progress of becoming a fully established club.” If elected he said he hopes to “continue to make our institution more than just a place of study but a place of fun and personal enrichment.”
Kelly Griggs: She is an art and design junior and a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority where she serves as the Standards Chairwoman. Her leadership experience includes team captain in sports all four years of high school, holding an ASB position and being active in the leadership program.
Jen Hajar: Hajar is a graphic communication sophomore that has been involved in the PolyReps club program. After representing the University through PolyReps she said her experience and skills qualify her for the Board of Directors position.
Sara Hunt: After working for ASI Club Services for two years, Hunt said she has grown to know and appreciate ASI as an organization. “I am really passionate about being involved and want to share this passion with other Cal Poly students,” she said. “Because of my diverse background in CLA as a double major, I have a lot of involvement in the history and political science departments as well as the modern languages and literature department.” Hunt would like to improve the ASI outreach program so “every student is informed and doesn’t miss out on the numerous programs sponsored by ASI.”
Jenn Ledbetter: She has been involved in Student Life and Leadership, academic clubs and collaborations between departments. Ledbetter believes that after getting to know students, faculty and staff in the CLA that it “needs an equally diverse and open Board of Directors representative.” She said she hopes to be that person.
Aria Niazi: He is a philosophy senior with a minor in women’s studies, and also a current member of the ASI Board of Directors looking to be re-elected. “I have already learned how ASI works and how to get things done. I can hit the ground running,” he said. He has also been involved with the CLA student council, been on the Status of Women Committee and Campus Safety Committee. Niazi is also the only student who serves as a voting member of the University Union Advisory Board (UUAB) and Board of Directors, is a WOW leader, a presenter for SAFER and works at the county rape crisis center (SARP Center). Niazi said he is the best CLA candidate because of his experience and passion to give back to Cal Poly. “I want to use my final year to give back to the school that has given me so much,” he said.
Jessica Patton: She is a liberal studies junior who has been involved with campus activities for the past three years through the sorority Alpha Chi Omega, women’s programs and the CLA student council. She has also worked very closely with the dean for the CLA as well as many professors, faculty and staff. Patton said she would like to be elected to “make a difference on our campus,” and she feels that she is “prepared to take on the challenges and responsibilities of serving on the Board of Directors.” Patton said she would like to be a “better representation of what the students in the college want and get more students involved in voicing their opinions about what they want to see from the College of Liberal Arts and what changes they want made.”
Kendra Searle: She has involved herself in a variety of clubs and volunteered in the community. She was a WOW leader, is an active participant for Relay for Life, and helps with Phi Chi recruitment. If elected, Searle said she will “come ready to do what it takes in order to ensure that the voice of the students is heard.” Searle said she will do anything to “make this campus a happier, healthier and more inviting learning environment for both students and faculty.”
College of Business:
Laura Gunderson: For the past three years Gunderson has worked in ASI as well as served as vice president in Alpha Kappa Psi. She has also “implemented an alumni mentorship program to connect students with working professionals.” If elected she said she “will listen to student concerns and will work to make sure student fees are used appropriately and in line with student demand.”
Nima Salke: After three years of involvement in clubs, social organizations and community events, Salke said he sees the importance of a position on the Board of Directors and pledges to “take on these responsibilities and represent the student body, with the best of my abilities.”
Jesse Schwartz: He is an active member in the Delta Chi Fraternity and serves as the fundraising chairman, historian and fall collection ambassador. Schwartz was also a WOW leader and participated in an internship with the Rockefeller Group International in New York City. When asked what changes he would like to see made, Schwartz answered, “In addition to keeping the numerous ASI activities and events throughout the year, I will work my hardest to bring changes to on-campus dining to see more healthy and fresh options made available.”
Ashley Singer: If elected Singer said she will “be the liaison between the internal voices of the College of Business and the actions that take place on our campus.” Singer is currently the advertising manager at the Mustang Daily, co-director of Sponsorship for AMA, the AMA representative for Business Council as well as a volunteer with the Student Community Services youth program. Singer said she would like to see a stronger line of communication between the students and the members of ASI. When asked why she is the best candidate for the job she said, “I have undeniable determination and unbeatable passion. I do not settle for less than expected of me, rather I reach for success far beyond my expectations. I am excited and eager to serve on the ASI Board of Directors for the College of Business.”
This article was compiled by Mustang Daily reporters Brittney Clyde and Kory Harbeck.
About seven candidates for the board did not respond to the Mustang Daily’s attempts at contacting them.