SGA Spring 2024 Candidate Information
Candidates for Presidential Ticket
Candidate Name (President): Liv Barefoot
Pronouns: she/they
Candidate Name (Vice President): Alondra Barrera-Hernandez
Pronouns: they/she
SGA Ballot: Presidential Ticket
Candidate Description: "Both of us have now served well over a year in SGA as former senators as well as being your current President and Vice President (and now we're hoping to switch positions). Likewise, we want to utilize the experience we’ve gained, the momentum we’ve garnered, and the connections we’ve forged with student organizations, the Faculty and Staff Senates, as well as with administration to ensure that every student voice is heard and that we are advocating for true equity, justice, accessibility, sustainability, and especially transparency. Having made all this progress and taken our time to learn the ropes, we feel that, if given the chance, we could really propel UNCA forward especially in light of the difficult times we are going through; we would speak truth to power and ensure that student voices continue to be amplified at every level of this university and beyond--we have and will continue to make SGA our number one priority on campus and dedicate our time and efforts into making sure SGA stays true to the values of our student body."
Candidate Name (President): Indigo Lesser
Pronouns: they/them
Candidate Name (Vice President): Ziyanah Alexander
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Presidential Ticket
Candidate Description: "Our campaign prioritizes creating a more inclusive, engaged, and compassionate campus through initiatives such as intercultural education and events, Election Day support, sustainability programs, mental health support, and community-building activities. We seek to amplify student voices through initiatives to increase student-administration communication and allow for more student influence on UNCA’s inner workings. Our efforts will inspire a sense of community, belonging, and school spirit!"
Candidate Name (President): Obianko Osaro
Pronouns: he/him
Candidate Name (Vice President): Maana Blake
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Presidential Ticket
Candidate Description: "During my two academic years with the Student Government Association as a transfer senator, I've advocated for a safe campus and for a welcoming place for students to express their concerns about making UNCA a safe space for all. In addition to ensuring that students know of all the resources UNCA provides, I will advocate for assisting student clubs and organizations in flourishing at UNCA and creating collab opportunities where students can engage with other members of the UNCA community. I want students to feel they have a voice about how we can make UNCA a fun, growing experience and an acceptable place for everyone."
Candidates for Senior Senator
Candidate Name: Nashanti Best
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: I am running for Senior Senator because I feel that my values and passion for social justice reflects the student body. I have a revolutionary heart that is willing to do whatever is possible for the well-being of the students at UNCA. I will represent us well!
Candidate Name: Mick Trexler
Pronouns: she/they
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: "I want to advocate for sustainable student life, as well as fair and reasonable access to university goods for my fellow seniors. Although we are in our final year at UNC Asheville, we need to look towards the future to make sure that what we're doing benefits our community in the present, and inspires those who follow us."
Candidate Name: Eric Nelson
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: My main focus will be on the mental and physical health of students. I’m passionate about the issues of students that live on and off campus because the nontraditional student experience is just as important.
Candidate Name: Miles Van Heusden
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: "I am a student who is dedicated to learning and wish to use my last year at UNCA as a way to give back to this community that has nurtured me thus far. I am a strong advocate for student mental health and plan to use my own experiences with the matter to encourage students to take care of themselves mentally. Also, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I plan to act as a bridge between our administration and other queer identities here on campus."
Candidate Name: Kat Hale
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: I am running because I care about UNCA and want to be more involved. As a trans woman I hope to support and improve resources for my pears. Thank you!
Candidate Name: Linus Johnson
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: "I am running to advocate for better disability access across campus, to manage waste and litter to keep our campus green, and to broaden communication with students and the SGA."
Candidate Name: Ren Abel
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Senior Senator
Candidate Description: "I believe that our school and student government should run on a system of transparency and accountability. As a senator for SGA, I will work hard at connecting students with what is going on behind-the-scenes. I am committed to amplifying students' wants, needs, and concerns. "
Candidates for Junior Senator
Candidate Name: Cole Hampton
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Junior Senator
Candidate Description: "I am running for Junior Senator because I believe that I am a great person to represent the class that I belong to. As a two time senator previously, I have served my role with the upmost diligence and plan to keep doing so if I am re-elected. I kindly ask for you to vote for me, Cole Hampton, for Junior Senator for the 2024-2025 academic year."
Candidate Name: Audrey Kmiecik
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Junior Senator
Candidate Description: "Government and politics have always been something I'm interested in, so running for SGA seems like a no-brainer! I think having a student government is the best way to create lines of communication between students and administration, and I want to be a part of that. Communication, advocacy, and strong relationships are things this campus needs to maintain for a happy student body, and I want to work to make the students at UNCA feel like campus is a place where these things DO happen."
Candidate Name: Emma Carr
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Junior Senator
Candidate Description: "I believe in immersing yourself in whatever environment you spend time in. I deeply care about UNCA, and I want to do my small bit to give back to this university that has given me so much. "
Candidates for Sophomore Senator
Candidate Name: Guillermo Hernandez
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Sophomore Senator
Candidate Description: "Knowledge is power that should be shared, as such, clarity should be a priority. Vague answers to the problems people deal with will lead to distaste. Distaste leads to distrust; I will tackle it at its core."
Candidate Name: Autumn McNeil
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Sophomore Senator
Candidate Description: "I'm running for SGA because I'm passionate about making our school a better place for everyone. I want to be the voice that brings your ideas and concerns to the forefront, ensuring they're not just heard, but acted upon. From organizing events that reflect our shared interests to advocating for improvements that benefit us all. I'm committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and responsive school environment. Your vote means we can work together to make real, positive changes. "
Candidate Name: Marcos Martinez Vidal
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Sophomore Senator
Candidate Description: "As a Sophomore Senator, I intend to continue my work of communicating with students and faculty across all sorts of different departments, in order to best represent the thoughts and ideas student body during this incredibly turbulent time. My goal, both on SGA and in my life, is to lift up the most marginalized voices on campus, particularly people of color, and fight for recognition of the most pressing concerns many of these people have regarding the financial and social state of campus."
Candidates for Transfer Senator
Candidate Name: Obianko Osaro
Pronouns: he/him
SGA Ballot: Transfer Senator
Candidate Description: "During my two academic years with the Student Government Association as a transfer senator, I've advocated for a safe campus and for a welcoming place for students to express their concerns about making UNCA a safe space for all. In addition to ensuring that students know of all the resources UNCA provides, I will advocate for assisting student clubs and organizations in flourishing at UNCA and creating collab opportunities where students can engage with other members of the UNCA community. I want students to feel they have a voice about how we can make UNCA a fun, growing experience and an acceptable place for everyone."
Candidate Name: Ren Abel
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Transfer Senator
Candidate Description: "I believe that our school and student government should run on a system of transparency and accountability. As a senator for SGA, I will work hard at connecting students with what is going on behind-the-scenes. I am committed to amplifying students' wants, needs, and concerns. "
Candidate Name: Emma Carr
Pronouns: she/her
SGA Ballot: Transfer Senator
Candidate Description: "I believe in immersing yourself in whatever environment you spend time in. I deeply care about UNCA, and I want to do my small bit to give back to this university that has given me so much. "