As we walk through the campus, eager to learn new things regarding our major, we can’t help but notice the variety of signs posted up along the walkways and sidewalks. These signs are advertising the potential 2016-2017 student leaders at CWU.

These are the student leaders who will affect the culture of the school. They will be the names that are attached to the legacies of the upcoming school year. Although each student leader will impact the school’s well-being, the class president is the one person who personifies the entirety of the student government. After interviewing the two candidates running for class president, I was able to get a better sense of who they were as individuals. We dont use first person in writing. This is more casual but dont use first person.

The candidates for next year’s presidency are Braden Batt, a lively Political Science Major, and Armando Ortiz, a candid Sociology Major. Both of the future seniors are enthusiastic about their campaigns. They are even more enthusiastic about what they will do if they are elected.

The following questions and answers were exchanged with myself and each candidate:

Do you have any prior experience in student government? If so, what kind of experience?

BATT – I do not have any experience specifically in Student Government. I just transferred into CWU Fall Quarter of 2015. This is now my attempt to give myself entirely to the student body because I find great potential not only in myself, but in each individual student. My experience of Student Government is what I have of all government up to this point, and that is my continually expanding knowledge in the fields of political science, political philosophy, executive administration and management.

ORTIZ – My experience in student government is only limited to high school, where I was on student government all four years as the leadership developer and spirit committee chair. I have other experience, though, from the community work I have done here at CWU. I have been an executive officer in MEChA student organization for the past two years, an active Black Student Union member, and a TRiO scholar. I am the Brother2Brother president, and I have worked for the Center for Diversity & Social Justice as a program coordinator for the past two years as well. My experience does not come from an office position, it comes from being one of the many voices of and for the people.

If elected what would be your first goal as president?

BATT – Right off the bat we will find qualified welcoming engaging assistants to control the operations of the front office. About half the time, you go up to the ASCWU office it’s empty, or at least you think it is because there’s not a significant welcoming presence attempting to facilitate student needs.

ORTIZ – My first goal as president would be to continue the work I have been doing with our president Dr. James Gaudino. I plan to continue working with Dr. Gaudino and Dr. Cleary on finding space for a resource center for underrepresented groups on campus. That also includes students with different abilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, non-traditional students, etc.

What would be your second goal?

BATT – My second action is to start to create a culture around CWU based on individual empowerment and student’s engagement with others interests. This comes from my campaign’s style of leadership and human interaction that is mentioned in a book written by Steve Farbar called “Greater Than Yourself.” It’s about individual students continually expanding and empowering themselves. And, periodically, that student will give their knowledge to another student who may have been unaware of such knowledge.

ORTIZ – My second goal would be to work with the VP of Academic Affairs and implement a mentorship program throughout each department so students can have someone within their major to go to for guidance during their time here.