Students here at SSU have the right to choose who they want to impact decisions. The March 13th and 14th Associated Student Elections (AS) is an opportunity to have your voice heard and represented through the student body. In 2022 SSU had a 10% turnout rate for voters; the student government is looking to increase the total number of Seawolf voters for this year’s election. 

Voting is just around the corner,  many candidates have begun ramping up their efforts to have their messages spread. Vanessa Sanchez is running for senator of diversity. Sanchez explained how, “[senator of diversity] holds the responsibility of voicing student concerns while pushing to uphold diversity, equity and inclusion.” She previously served as senator of diversity and hopes to continue to stand up for the interests of the entire student population. “I love hearing from our student population because it allows me to build a bond with students and advocate for them in a way that allows me to fulfill my duties as senator of diversity”, Sanchez expressed. She went on to say, “I believe that the entire student population will be affected if they choose not to vote. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your voice heard… As students, you deserve respect and advocacy from student leaders who are willing to voice your concerns and I believe that I am capable of this.” 

Another candidate who spoke with the STAR was Aaron Estrada. 

He is running for Senator of Government Affairs, which he described as “A significant position that is responsible for the interaction between our student-run government, local government agencies and community leaders that benefit our society as a whole.” Estrada comes from the Philippines where his grandmother worked for the Philippine Government. Since he was a kid, the fellow Seawolf was exposed to government events and allowed to meet government officials. His family also has ties to both the Philippine Army and the US Army. In Estrada’s words, “Family molded me to become a leader within today’s society.”

Estrada became a humanitarian volunteer that was involved with the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command in Camp Aguinaldo for humanitarian and civic missions around Metro Manila, Philippines. With his vast experience and exposure to leadership roles, Estrada aims to reduce,“The many crimes that were committed on campus from past semesters.” Estrada wishes to, “pass a resolution or propose a legislation that requires parking lots and other blind areas to have surveillance cameras.” The SSU student is currently interning at Sonoma State’s University Police Department, Estrada has high aspirations to protect the students from crimes that will affect them. 

All of our students who attend Sonoma State deserve to have their unique voices heard. With the elections being held March 13 and14, there is still time to view the full list of candidates for careful consideration. On the SSU website under AS elections, there are the student government mission statements on why they are fit for the elected position. The Associated Student positions include: AS president, Executive Vice President, Senator of Diversity, Senator of Governmental Affairs and Senator of Student Resources.