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2024/2025 ASI Elections Ballot Information

ASI Elections will take place March 11 at 7:00am - 5:00pm on March 13, 2024. 
Elections Results Announced* on Thursday, March 14 at 5:00pm in the USU Ballroom at Student Opener Competition! 

* Results are announced pending there are no potential ASI Elections violations still under investigation.


Who is on the Ballot ?

Meet the Candidates:

Candidate Events
Date Time Event Location
Wednesday, February 28 3:30 - 4:30pm ASI Meet the Candidates Forum Plaza
Thursday, February 29 12:00  - 1:00 pm ASI Meet the Candidates Kellogg Plaza
Monday, March 4 10:00 – 11:00am Coffee & Donuts with the ASI Candidates Palm Court
Tuesday, March 5 3:30 - 4:30pm Happy Hour Mocktails with the ASI Candidates Kellogg Plaza

24/25 ASI President Candidates

Octavio Martinez
octaviomartinez

Hi Cougars! My name is Octavio Martinez, and I am excited to be running to be your ASI President! I am a first-generation college student majoring in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing. Throughout my time at Cal State San Marcos, I have had the pleasure to work in entities across campus that emphasize student success. The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Associated Students, Inc, have fueled my passion for student success and inclusion. I have been able to help students, staff and administrators when it comes to Student Representation as a multicultural Mexican American student. Most notably, I helped with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Inventory to accelerate our efforts to achieve Inclusive Excellence at Cal State San Marcos. In the Office of Inclusive Excellence, I have also been able to empower students, with our office communication that focuses on student opportunities and engagement. And as an employee for one of biggest technology companies I have been able to collaborate and lead internal monthly communication that has fostered a sense of community and belonging. This year, I took the opportunity to grow as a leader on campus and stepped into my current role in ASI as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Representative and have been able to serve students from all walks of life, vote on student matters, and serve on committees in the areas of internal operations, DEIJ, and student advocacy. Most recently I have started a new initiative to work with Student Organizations to amplify student voices by listening to the concerns and goals of our student leaders on campus. Alongside some ASI Board of Director members, I have had conversations with Dining Services for more inclusive dining options to encompass our diverse student population. Now, I am running to be your President, in hopes to continue to serve, engage and empower all student voices on campus, as I have these past three years. I am a huge advocate for student success and as your ASI President I will work to increase student development opportunities and improve student experiences, because students are who power CSUSM!

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI President?

    I want to run as your President because I am committed to serving students at a local, state, a national level, committed to engaging with students, and empowering all voices of students here at Cal State San Marcos. I understand the complex and vast challenges students face, but I also view challenges as opportunities, and I know with the help of all students we can make leaps and bounds of meaningful difference on campus.

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?

    In my three years at Cal State San Marcos, I have been able to lead in multiple capacities. I’m a leader that runs on compassion, I run on the need to help others, and it has become evident that this is not a universal quality most leaders have.

  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?

    If I have the privilege of being elected as ASI President, I hope to accomplish the congregation of a lager student population when it comes to decisions made at our University. Based on my student experiences I know that not all concerns and decisions are approached in a holistic manner, the voice of all students is what’s required to make decisions that are inclusive and just. As a huge advocate for student success and student experiences. I hope to provide multiple ways to get what you want out of your college experience, like opportunities to connect you to your future roles in the world.


Moy Valdez
moyvaldez

Hello Cougars! My name is Moy Valdez, and I currently serve as your President & CEO of Associated Students, Incorporated! I am running for re-election this year on a platform of increasing more basic needs resources for students, expanding student opportunities, and representing students in the growth of this campus! Stepping back, I am a second year political science student. I currently live on campus and I am originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. I had the pleasure of serving as a Lobby Corps member for ASI, the ASI Vice President of Finance and Operations, and now President & CEO. Not only does my experience in ASI give me an edge over other candidates, but I also know how to, within the system, enact change that will benefit all students. This year, we already did amazing work ensuring a new Wellness & Recreation Facility will come to campus, we are expanding the Cougar Pantry, and we allocated more money than ever to events, resources, and more! WIth your help, we can work to make the years 2024/2025 the best college experience for everyone!

 

 

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI President?

    I would like to be re-elected into my office to continue the progress and change that has already come from this year's very productive board. As someone who already has experience being ASI President, I already have experience with outreach, communicating with higher level administration, and representing all students from our university and the CSU system itself.

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?

    I know Associated Students, Incorporated like the back of my hand. Not only have I served as ASI President already, but I also served as the ASI Vice President of Finance and Operations as well as a Lobby Corp Member back when I was a Freshman. As someone who has experiences in all levels of ASI, as well as being a well-connected student, I feel this gives me an undeniable edge that can be used to effectively serve, engage, and empower students.

  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?

    I hope to effectively establish ASI on campus as a functional and reputable Student Government, Student Resource, and as a Professional Development Platform. Every student should know the resources we provide, the opportunities that can be gained, and the experiences that can only come from participating with us here at ASI. Not only that, but I hope to represent students at all levels of government, especially as tuition goes up and fees increase, I want student's voices to be heard, acknowledged, and most importantly be taken seriously by the University.


 


24/25 Vice President of Finance & Operations Candidates 

Ashley Lizarraga
ashleyl

Hey guys! My name is Ashley Lizarraga, and I am very excited to be running for ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations for the 24/25 elections! I double major in Business Administration Finance and Political Science. I am committed to advancing ASI's mission of serving, engaging, and empowering students. I am dedicated to helping ensure resources are always efficiently used for the benefit of every student. I am a firstgeneration college student, and as a U.S. citizen with immigrant parents who could no longer live in the U.S., I grew up in Rosarito, Mexico, crossing the border every day to be able to go to school here in the U.S. Seeing both sides of the border daily shaped me and made me question many things. I grew a passion for improving our world, helping everyone empower themselves, promoting education, and taking advantage of all the opportunities we can. I gained a bigger picture of the current issues our students are facing from my personal experience as an independent student working full-time, hearing stories from other students, and volunteering in youth and single women's shelters here in North County. Some of the main issues I found are how hard it can be to balance work, a social life, and your education, not having the resources or time to eat/cook nutritious meals, the increasing housing prices, being intimidated of getting involved, and not feeling engaged on campus or with your community. I aim to help students be the best version of themselves, promoting taking care of our bodies and minds, ensuring your voice is heard and actively considered in all decisionmaking, improving and promoting resources available for all students, promoting your campus experience, and always fostering diversity and inclusion on campus. That is why I am running for ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations. I deeply align with ASI and its mission, and I am incredibly passionate about all their work for students.

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations?

    I’m running to be your ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations because I am passionate about improving our world, helping everyone empower themselves, promoting education, and taking advantage of all the opportunities we can. I will continue the fantastic work that ASI has started over the past years to help students. I am committed to advancing ASI’s mission of serving, engaging, and empowering students and helping ensure resources are efficiently used to benefit every student

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?

    I gained a bigger picture of some of the issues our students are currently facing from my own experience as a first-generation independent student, hearing stories on campus, and volunteering in youth and single women’s shelters here in North County. I understand how hard it can be to balance work, a social life, and your education, not having the resources or time to eat/cook nutritious meals, and being intimidated of getting involved on campus. I will use these experiences to continue building a better CSUSM for everyone, and I put my heart and my very best into everything I do. Lastly, I would like to mention my passion for numbers and finance.

  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?

    I aim to help students be the best version of themselves, promoting taking care of our bodies and minds, ensuring your voice is heard and actively considered in all decision-making, improving and promoting resources available for all students, promoting your campus experience, and always fostering diversity and inclusion on campus. That is why I am running for ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations. I deeply align with ASI and its mission, and I am incredibly passionate about all their work for students. 


Rebecca Vo
rebeccavo

Hello, I joined ASI during my second year at CSUSM in hopes of becoming more involved on campus. I currently serve as the Vice President of Finance and Operations. In my role, I oversee the Student Emergency Relief Fund and the ASI Leadership Fund. These funds represent a crucial aspect of ASI’s commitment to supporting and empowering students across campus. The Student Emergency Relief Fund serves as a lifeline for students facing unforeseen financial emergencies that threaten their ability to continue their education. Similarly, the ASI Leadership Fund is dedicated to the development of future campus leaders. By providing resources for leadership training, workshops, and initiatives, this fund empowers students to step into leadership roles and make meaningful contributions to our community. If reelected, I am committed to managing these funds responsibly and ensuring that they continue to make a positive impact on the lives of CSUSM students.

 

 

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI Vice President of Finance & Operations?

    I want to run for Vice President of Finance and Operations to continue my work from this current year. As current vice president of finance and operations, I help oversee the ASI Leadership fund which provides reimbursement opportunities for pre-approved student organizations’ events and individual student attendance at professional conferences. I also help oversee the Student Emergency Fund which provides financial assistance to students that encounter unforeseen financial emergencies or events that disrupt their progress towards a degree. Other than overseeing these two funds, I am currently working on an initiative aimed at promoting higher education. Through collaborating with faculty, the alumni association, and current grad students I aim to raise awareness around the 22 graduate programs CSUSM offers. Lastly, I am working with the Academic Policy Committee to finalize the blended program which blends existing baccalaureate and master's degree programs for the purposes of providing students an accelerated pathway to a master's degree.

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?

    I have been able to make connections with various campus organizations and faculty members. Through these efforts, I've gained insights into student needs and collaborated on initiatives to enhance student's experience at CSUSM. My approach emphasizes open communication and proactive engagement to empower students and ensure their voices are heard in the decision-making process. I'm committed to continuing this work to serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students effectively. 

  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?

    If reelected, I am committed to continue working on an initiative focused on promoting higher education, with a specific emphasis on enhancing opportunities at CSUSM. This initiative will encompass various methods aimed at increasing access to higher education, academic excellence, and supporting student success at CSUSM. Additionally, I will work to enhance support services for CSUSM students, including promoting pathways students can take to pursue higher education and potential job opportunities. By ensuring that students have access to the necessary support systems, students will be able to overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals. I will advocate for the  continuation of this initiative of higher education, which will further CSUSM and ASI’s commitment to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed at CSUSM and beyond.


 


24/25 Vice President of Student and University Affairs Candidates

Elaine Pollard

elainepollard

Hi Cougars! I’m Elaine, a second-year student majoring in Human Development and Health Services and this year I’ve been serving on ASI as a member of the Lobby Corps where we advocate for students on the local, state, and federal level as well as the Housing Representative on the Student Advocacy Committee since I also work as an RA at the UVA. At the end of my freshman year, I knew that I wanted to get more involved on campus which led me to working with ASI as well as becoming the Treasurer for the Veterans and Student Org. (VASO) and through these roles I’ve been able to see that even though having our campus population grow has caused some new problems to arise, we also have a great potential that emerges from within each member of our student body. I’m running for Vice President of Student & University Affairs because I believe that CSUSM has the potential to grow in the support given to non-first year students and can increase in our ability to give every student the framework to flourish not only academically and professionally, but socially and inwardly as well. I’ll work with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Department to ensure that we as a campus and a student body are doing our best to foster a positive and stable environment for all students as well as working with campus partners to both reinforce initiatives that have bettered our communities and create ones that will strengthen the student experience for all current and future cougars. As great as it is that our campus is expanding and evolving, I know that along with that comes a higher concern for safety, especially regarding being on campus after sundown. I will coordinate with fellow leaders to construct ideas that our campus can implement to make sure that every student can feel safe no matter what part of campus they’re on. Collectively, we can work to ensure that students can feel like their concers are being heard and have the support systems in place to obtain a quality education.


Karina Ramirez Gonzalez
karinaramirezgonzalez

Hello hello! My name is Karina Ramirez Gonzalez and I’m excited to be running for elections! I am a third-year student majoring in Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies with a minor in Literature & Writing and I hope to attend law school after CSUSM. I served as ASI’s Chair & Chief of Staff for the 2023/2024 school year. I hope to continue into my second year with ASI as the Vice President for Student and University Affairs as I truly want to grow with ASI and continue to serve students on a higher level as I grow into the leader I hope to become. I’m a first-generation college student who grew up as the oldest sibling and believing in the importance of a higher education, always trying to strive academically to make my mother proud. I came to college thinking I knew the road that I was supposed to take and that I could do it all - my first year of college I didn’t even know FAFSA had to be filled out annually and almost the deadline. I’ve struggled to become a good student and learned the hard way that college is not like high school and definitely not like the movies. I strived to find community on campus and am trying to be comfortable setting roots in uncomfortable places. My motivation has always been the people I left behind in pursuing higher education here at CSUSM and those that I know may not have the same opportunities for me. I became an advocate without meaning to, learning to speak up for the voices not at the table, empowering the students and people I represent in any conversation I come to, and have been able to do that through my work in committees with ASI. Since my time at CSUSM, I've become involved with TRIO SSS, have a legal internship with JusticeCorps of San Diego, and always strive for more. I hope to continue to be an advocate and source of empowerment, engagement, and service for students as your Vice President of Student and University Affairs.

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI Vice President of Student & University Affairs?

    I want to run for Vice President of Student and University Affairs because after my time and experiences as an ASI Executive member, I believe I can take on the role and empower the voices of historically underrepresented students and issues. As VPSUA, my goal would be to work with students, those in university leadership, and all the other students in CSU ASI leadership to figure out how to best advocate for students and bring change to campus. I’veworked as ASI Chair and Chief of Staff to empower the ASI Board of Directors of 23/24, and now I hope to empower the student population of CSUSM at the university and state levels.

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?

    As a student, I’ve worked to have advocacy, networking, and initiation skills with experiences on and off campus. I advocate for social justice in my legal internship with JusticeCorps San Diego, advocate for student and educational rights through my fellowship with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and advocate for recognition and change as an executive member of ASI. I’m a first-generation student trying to figure out my path to law school and have learned to network while exploring that pathway for myself while understanding and accepting that it takes initiative and determination to even make it to class on a day-to-day basis. Dreams and determination are two things that I always carry with me and I hope to be an advocacy outlet for students.

  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?

    If elected, I hope to continue to build a relationship between the university and its students so that students may find and explore all that CSUSM offers but also encourage students to use their voice to initiate anything they’d like to bring to CSUSM and advocate for them along the way. I hope to help encourage students to realize just how much ASI can do to serve, engage,and empower as their Vice President of Student and University Affairs.


 


24/25 Chair & Chief of Staff Candidates 

Illeana Carmona Chavez
illeanacarmonachavez

Hi Cougars! My name is Ileana Carmona Chavez and I am excited to be running for ASI Chair & Chief of Staff! I’m a second year majoring in Criminology & Justice Studies. Growing up, I have always been in leadership roles, so when I decided to attend CSUSM, I wanted to continue being leader. I have always wanted to advocate for others and be their voice when they are too shy or scared to speak up for themselves. I would love to be in this role because I know that I would do a great job of getting everyone’s wants and needs to happen at CSUSM. In my position, I will advocate for more affordable housing and tuition costs, better plans for parking, better access to mental health resources, and activelt listen to other wants and needs of CSUSM students. I would love to serve, engage, and empower all of the students at CSUSM so they further enjoy their college experience. I promise that I will constantly listen to the students and share concerns and ideas while being a voice to those higher up. I will collaborate with other leaders to improve the overall experience for students, provide more opportunities, and ensure that everyone is represented and acknowledged. With the help of everyone, I will promise to make CSUSM a better place for students and faulty. 


 


24/25 ASI College of Business Administration (CoBA) Representative Candidates

Anahi Martinez Perez 
anahimartinezperez

Hello Cougars ! My name is Anahi Martinez Perez and I am excited to be running for College of Business Administration (CoBA) Representative in this year's elections! I am currently a second year student majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management alongside a Psychology minor. My academic journey reflects my profound appreciation for the value of people within organizations. I was a former CoBA Representative for the 2023-2024 school year and am ambitious to continue serving students, creating an inclusive and supportive environment in which they feel empowered to reach their full potential. During my 1st year in ASI, I recognized a gap in representation for our Pre-Business students and am motivated to step forward and amplify their needs to regain connection to our community of Business. Furthermore, I am dedicated to ensuring all students feel engaged and included due to the overall belief of driving positive change and creating opportunities for all. My passion for student success flourished due to my current on-campus work position as a Peer Mentor with Personalized Academic Success Services. This position has given me the privilege of supporting and guiding fellow students, helping them navigate through academic challenges and foster a growth mindset. As a peer mentor, I understand the vital role that mentorship plays in the success of our students and believe these leadership skills will benefit in representing a larger community. Nonetheless, as a first generation college student, I am motivated in providing students with as much support and resources available to them, as well as stressing the importance of voicing concerns if their needs aren't being met. In sum, I feel passionate about supporting my community surrounding me here at the university and therefore would make a strong candidate for the CoBA Representative position. Thank you for your consideration and time. 


 


24/25 ASI College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) Representatives Candidates

Angel Albarote
angelalbarote

Hello! My name is Angel, and I am a third-year student majoring in Human Development here at CSUSM. I believe CSUSM is a great place that provides many opportunities for all students across campus, and I want to ensure that we are taking advantage of all aspects of our education. Running for CEHHS Representative, I hope to meet and exceed the goals set across the Associated Students, Inc. Board of Directors, working side-by-side with fellow board members to consider and advocate for all students’ needs and concerns on campus, increase student engagement, and promote holistic wellness. I also hope to create a safe space for more students to directly express their thoughts, as it’s valuable to receive all of your different perspectives and understand how they can be used to improve your academic experience as a whole. A way I hope to increase student involvement is by promoting current ongoing programs by ASI to gain more recognition for how ASI provides various support services, such as the Cougar Pantry. If elected, I also hope to host my own events to continue promoting ASI recognition as well as engage with students and learn more about their values throughout campus to ensure a fulfilled college experience. I aim to promote holistic wellness because I strongly believe that putting your health first is one of the most important things to maintain in your life. If we can’t upkeep that, then how are we supposed to perform well in anything? I hope I can provide coping mechanisms through campus resources to practice holistic wellness so we can understand how our health is just as important as our academic goals and how to maintain each aspect throughout our lives as students. As your CEHHS representative, I've noticed a lack of visibility for ASI within our college. To bridge this gap, I plan to meet with the dean and connect with CEHHS students to understand their needs. Through activities like tabling and events, I aim to raise awareness and provide a platform for CEHHS majors to share their challenges and ideas.

  • 1. Why do you want to run for ASI CEHHS Representative?

    I'm running for College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) Representative because I want to be the voice of my college and advocate for all students' needs. I want to be able to provide a fulfilling college experience to all CEHHS students by making their needs easily accessible. To do so, I plan to build a connection with the college and students by creating a safe environment where students feelcomfortable to communicate any ideas or concerns.

  • 2. What qualities and experiences do you have that will make you effectively serve, engage, and empower CSUSM students?
    I am a Peer Success Coach with the Office of Success Coaching, which has given me
    more insight into first-year students' common issues or struggles on campus, such as
    student engagement and involvement. Recognizing these patterns, I hope to incorporate
    some of my problem-solving skills to develop a plan to increase student involvement on
    campus. As a third-year Human Development major, I can work directly with students
    within my major or the college in general once I've formed closer connections.
  • 3. Based on your experiences as a student, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?
    After speaking with some of the current ASI Board Members, it has been brought to my
    attention that CEHHS has some of the least involvement on campus. If elected CEHHS
    Representative, I hope to form relations with my college and work towards promoting
    and encouraging more students to participate in campus events, especially those hosted
    by ASI, to enhance student engagement and involvement. I hope to eventually host my
    own events that cater to what CEHHS students actually need or want to experience,
    which is why it is important for me to form a relationship with you all so I can represent
    all aspects of our college.

Natalya Tasevski
natalyatasevski

My name is Natalya Tasevski, and I am a second-year kinesiology major. I am excited to announce my candidacy for the upcoming ASI Elections for CEHHS Representative, and I am eager to represent you and work towards advancing ASI's mission to serve, engage, and empower our diverse student body. As a kinesiology major on the pre-med track, I understand the challenges that students face and am committed to addressing these issues to ensure that every student's voice is heard. Whether that be preparing for future graduate programs or gaining valuable clinical and leadership experience. I plan to leverage this knowledge to advocate for improvements in academic resources, enhance collaboration between students and faculty, and develop health-orientated tutoring opportunities. I have taken the initiative to encourage student engagement with faculty with my upcoming event, ASI Field Day with my ASI co-rep Miranda Grzywaczewski. This experience has helped students engage with the available resources on campus, which I hope to continue in the upcoming academic year. I am passionate about making a difference at CSUSM, and I am confident that my experience, dedication, and perspective will contribute to a more vibrant and student-centered campus. I humbly ask for your support and your vote in the upcoming ASI Elections. Thank you for considering me as your CEHHS representative.


 


24/25 College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral, and Social Sciences (CHABSS) Representative Candidates

Nathan Barrios

nathanbarrios

Hello, Cougars! My name is Nathan Barrios, and I am a political science major here at CSUSM. In just my second semester, I've already dived deep into serving you all. As a member of ASI's Internal Operations Committee, I have voted on landmark budgets to make sure the students here now and in the future have the most resources possible, such as proposing changes to our bylaws to expand ASI in the coming years as well as voting in favor of creating new positions in ASI for more efficiency, and have had the privilege to collaborate directly with our current ASI president on these new additions. Some personal achievements I have made include making the dean's list, beginning an internship with California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, and meeting some amazing people along the way! If elected, I will continue to make this university that works for all the student body. Together, let's build a CSUSM that's not just for us now, but for every future Cougar who walks our halls. Thank you, and I humbly ask for your vote. 

 

 


Natalie Cipriani

nataliecipriani

I am Natalie Cipriani and am currently a sophomore - I have completed 3 semesters with 45 units. I am majoring in AMD and minoring in Communications. Fun facts about me: I like to crochet and thrift. I first joined the ASI team by volunteering for the MCT HYPE team, but made my way to the Board of Directions. I only transitioned between the two entities because I enjoy being involved on campus, but more importantly helping other students. I stand strongly on ASI’s goals for the importance of students on campus to know that they have a safe place to voice their issues and opinions. To give students a voice and an outlet to find solutions, means that we are able to accomplish all three goals. Students should be able to come to campus feeling welcome and knowing that we have their back. Since I had this position last term, I will be using and building my knowledge and experience. I will work towards these goals by hosting events (academic based or wellbeing). Implementing more outreach of resources (ASI or other departments on campus) Also, I would reach out to student orgs, such as the center’s in the USU, to connect with students and stay up to date. In addition, I work as the Social Media Assistant for CSUSM Career Center, and hope to continue collaboration between the two departments. The Career Center also focuses on student’s professional empowerment which can overarch with ASI. Thank you for your time :)


 


24/25 College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (CSTEM) Representative Candidates

NO APPROVED CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION


24/25 ASI Student at Large Representative for Diversity and Inclusion Candidates

NO APPROVED CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION


23/24 ASI Student at Large Representative for Sustainability Candidates

NO APPROVED CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION