The Observer sat down with all three ASCWU presidential candidates, in person, to ask them about their past, views and goals as presidential candidates at CWU. Each candidate was provided with the same ten question Q&A, the following is Alexis Jolivette’s response which has been edited for length and flow:
Q: What inspired you to run for president?
A: Definitely seeing change at this school. I love the diversity at this school and the inclusion, but I think we need more, and so I’d like to bring that to see them.
Q: What do you think you could bring to the role that’s unique to you?
A: For me, being a cheerleader. I’ve been a role model and a face to the school already, but just being at events and bringing more events to the school and bringing more inclusion to everybody, getting student engagement would be my biggest goal.
Q: What would your priorities be as president?
A: So the three platforms that I’m running on are transparency, student resources and safety. So student resources and safety kind of go hand in hand on my campaign. So bringing better parking and that would require no funding. So just taking away some of those 15 minute, 30 minute parking spots so that we can provide more parking spaces, and that will help with safety, because we’ll have better access to buildings, closer access to light poles, and with that, bringing more light poles to more hidden areas as well.
We have them in spots that are out in the open. But what about those spaces that are hidden? And then transparency, mainly with budgeting, just letting students know where their financials are going, and just being more open with that. Also just posting more on social media, so that students are more aware of what’s happening with the school and with events.
Q: Do you have any past leadership experience, if so how do you see it benefitting you if you win?
A: I don’t have any governmental experience. However, I do take the time to research and just get my knowledge on a topic. I do have past experience with being a captain for my cheer team and having to make those big decisions for several people.
Q: CWU is obviously undergoing a lot of cuts right now, both in its programs and budgets, how do you see yourself navigating these as president?
A: It has been brought to my attention that Central is very diverse, and so it’s CWU and then there’s Ellensburg. So just getting the community more involved with Central and finding those donations and things that we can to provide for our students.
Q: How do you plan to represent the student body during your time as president, how have you already represented them in leading up to your campaign?
A: Outreach, just being at events on campus and interacting with them one on one. I think that will be the most beneficial to students, and then also having that platform on social media to outreach to new students. Just finding more people to come to Central because it is a really great campus.
Q: If you were to focus on a main issue or topic during your time as president, what do you think it would be? How do you plan to protect students’ rights during your time as president?
A: I think it would be student enrollment, that’s a really big priority. I know that it has gone up since COVID, but I think we can increase those numbers more and really outreach to high schoolers and get them more connected with all of the activities that we have here on campus.
Q: How do you plan to protect students’ rights during your time as president?
A: Just really finding ways that we can ensure student safety. So I know with ice, there’s a lot of questions in the air with that, so just making sure we have those sanctuary places in order, and letting students know that we have those in place for them
Q: Is there anything you haven’t had a chance to talk about during this interview that you would like to add?
A: I’m just really excited to be an elect. This is a new opportunity for me and I’m hoping to bring the absolute best for everyone. Bring change, and really prioritize student needs, and bring the best for them.
