With the beginning of the 91st session of ASUN, a new president and vice president have been voted in by the student body. President Boris Carpio-Guerra is a human development and family science major and Vice President Hannah Alquiza is a psychology major.
The duo ran under the Empower Nevada campaign with three main values: people drive change, passion drives purpose and connection drives growth.
“We came up with our campaign values through Hannah’s internship themes during the last ASUN session,” Carpio-Guerra said. “These values mean a lot to us because of how true they are to our personal values.”
Both Carpio-Guerra and Alquiza are first-generation students that come from underrepresented backgrounds.
“At times you feel like you're not worthy to be a part of the University community, so it has been difficult starting as a first-generation student, but finding your communities allows for that imposter syndrome to decrease,” Carpio-Guerra said. “I think it is important for us as a duo to be in these positions because it allows people to see that we do belong and that these big roles are open to all students.”
“Being the first and only person in my family to pursue a degree, I was so lost going into the University,” Alquiza said. “Having to navigate all of these obstacles alone was so discouraging and being in this position now, I think my perspective can bring some light into our future initiatives as a first-generation student.”
As an extension of the Empower Nevada campaign, Carpio-Guerra and Alquiza are planning to focus on working with marginalized students to better their overall experience and make the University feel like home.
“I would like to bring untraditional people to the table where they will feel empowered to voice their concerns and what is important to them,” Alquiza said.
“Increase visibility for all students on campus. We both identify with many underrepresented identities and it is crucial that we are seen by this University,” Carpio-Guerra said.
Outside of ASUN, Carpio-Guerra and Alquiza participate in other on-campus organizations like the Blue Key Honor Society, Human Development and Family Science club, the Dean’s Future Scholars program and the Filipino Culture and Language club.
The two recommend that getting involved at the University will make campus feel more like home for all students.
“Know that you belong and you will find your people. Embrace every second of being at this University,” Carpio-Guerra said.
“Get involved! Find your passions and your people and the University will feel like home,” Alquiza said.
Carpio-Guerra and Alquiza encourage those looking to get involved specifically with ASUN to apply, regardless of any doubts.
“Even if you don't think you can do it, you can! The hardest part of doing something is starting and if you are scared or nervous, that only means that you care. Don’t ask ‘what if’s,’ take the risks,” Alquiza said.
“In ASUN we serve students and everything we do is for students, so any initiative that you may want to create and pursue, there is definitely a place for that in the association,” Carpio-Guerra said.
Those interested in finding more about the available positions in the 91st ASUN session should visit the website. To learn more about ASUN itself, visit the website and @NevadaASUN.
