President Candidates
Name: Miguel Craven
Bio: Hi! I’m Miguel Craven, a second year Mechanical Engineer, currently representing you as one of your Senators! As your President, I want to modernize ASUCM to best help all of you as students! I’d love to be a friendly face for all of you, so if you have any, and I mean ANY concerns or suggestions with our campus, feel free to email me at mcraven3@ucmerced.edu.
Internal Vice President Candidates
Name: Lawson Lasch
Bio: Vote Lawson Lasch for IVP! As a current Senator- At- Large, I've accomplished more than most, including expanded funding for Wake-up Wednesday and increased dining options at the Pavillion. With plans to create more student jobs, opportunities, and a student building in the 2030 expansion, I'm dedicated to improving your quality of life as a student.
External Vice President Candidates
Name: Arianne Huffman
Bio: I would be honored to continue to serve as UCM’s External Vice President. I will continue to stand up for Merced students and continue my work in connecting ASUCM to our greater campus community. I will continue to advocate for Merced and ensure that the other UCs feel our presence
Treasurer Candidates
Name: Tatiana Ibarea Morales
Bio: I’m proud to serve as a Senator At-Large, and Secretary of the Budget and Finance Committee! With my experience in Budget and Finance I have gained the necessary skills to be your Treasure. If I have the honor to get this position, I'm committed to serve our RCO's, and student body to maintain UC Merced's student success. A little bit about myself; I’m from the Bay Area, enjoy spending time with family and friends, and love traveling!
Director of Academic Affairs Candidates
Name: Brian Arroyo
Bio: Brian enjoys hanging out with friends, cooking and in his spare time he goes on hikes and plays piano. As Director of Academic Affairs, his goal is to provide students with material they need to learn as well as research funding if needed. Do not hesitate to ask him for help!
Name: Alex Luu
Bio: Hi, I'm Alex, a third-year political science and history double major running for Director of Academic Affairs. I'll restart the Test Preparation Program, promote transparency in policies, and forge departmental partnerships. During my tenure as Senator, I increased the Fellowship and
Undergraduate Research Symposium program and investigated departmental procedures for transparency. Let me serve you again. Thank you!
Name: Laura Angela Pena
Bio: I am a second-year applied mathematical science major with an emphasis in environmental science and an NSEC minor. I want to be a high school mathematics teacher and, eventually, a principal. Academic affair directors plan and implement professional development, and academic programs for students and staff which is exactly what I intend to accomplish. This position would help me develop and prepare for my future aspirations.
Director of Student Activities Candidates
Name: Sophia Velazques
Bio: My name is Sophia Velazquez, I am a 2nd year Political Science major and I am running for Director of Student Activities for this upcoming academic school year. I am a First-Generation Mexican-American with many ideas, extremely determined and with a high drive to help continue to create a welcoming, safe and fun campus environment for everyone. For the last two academic school years, I have been a part of the ASUCM Campus Activities Board as a Cabbie for Campus Unity and currently serving as an Executive Board Member as Co-chair for Campus Unity Committee.
Name: Geovanna Velez
Bio: My name is Geovanna Veloz, I will be a fourth-year, majoring in Public Health. I am running for Director of Student Activities because I am passionate about planning events and ensuring everyone feels welcome. I will be a strong leader everyone can count on and make sure everyone’s voices are heard. Making our campus a memorable place.
Director of Student Advocacy Candidates
Name: Josue Herrera
Bio: My name is Josué Herrera, a current third-year Political Science major and Sociology major, and I hope to serve as your next Director of Student Advocacy. Before my time as an ASUCM Senator, I contacted the Merced Sun Star to report on the numerous health concerns at the Pavilion Dining Center. Through the publicity, administration was forced to seriously commit to improving the student dining experience.
Name: Daniela Alvarez
Bio: Hello Bobcats! Given the chance to serve you, I hope to bring more awareness to issues affecting students, promote campus in a way where new and continuing students feel safe, and serve as a voice for you. I currently obtain an RA position on campus where I engage with students daily and already advocate for student rights and campus rules. In addition, the training I have received as an RA on how to manage student issues and be a resource for students would come hand in hand with this position.
Senate for School of Natural Science Candidates
Name: Zulette Orduna
Bio: I am a current first-year Biological Sciences major with exceptional communication skills and a well-developed willingness to learn and grow. In my role as ASUCM Natural Sciences Senator, I hope to advocate for students like myself by providing them opportunities in student engagement and development in their respective fields of study.
Name: Kimberly Florez- Zavaleta
Bio:As senator for the School of Natural Sciences I plan to serve my peers through advocacy and stewardship by creating a bridge of opportunity for students to achieve success in their academic and professional careers during and after their time in this institution through research, internships, other programs, and opportunities.
Senate for School of Engineering Candidates
Name: Joey Sandoval
Bio: Hello, my name is Joey Sandoval, and I am currently a first year studying computer science and engineering. I chose to run for Senator for Engineering to help the engineering program at UC Merced grow and become one of the top programs in the nation.I plan on helping this campus grow and providing more resources to help students to succeed at UC Merced.
Senate for School of Arts and Humanities Candidates
Name: Ariana Munoz
Bio: As an active member of the UC Merced community, I am dedicated to making positive changes that will benefit all students. If elected, I will prioritize increasing accessibility and inclusion, fostering a supportive campus culture, and advocating for the needs and concerns of underrepresented groups. Let's work together to make UC Merced the best it can be.
Name: Lela Wallace
Bio: My name is Lela, I am a first year sociology major from Fresno California. I enjoy nature, being outdoors, hanging out with my friends and being spontaneous. I love to learn about the different cultures around the world as well as their beliefs and ways of life. During my time at UC Merced, I want to be involved in my campus and advocate for students to find ways to create an amiable environment for every student and students to come. I want to contribute to fixing some of the most known issues on campus and help on improving the social science, humanities, and arts pathway.
Senate At-Large Candidates
Name: Jacqueline Azevedo
Bio: "Great leadership usually starts with a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to make a change." Hi there! My name is Jacqueline Azevedo and I will be running as one of your Senators at Large. In this position I plan on battling the complications of food delivery service for students and door dashers to make the widely used service more efficient at our campus.
Name: Harshul Satija
Bio: I am running for Senator At-Large for ASUCM to advocate for the needs and wants of my fellow students. I will work to support struggling clubs, prioritize mental health and well-being through on- campus activities, and ensure every student feels heard and respected. Additionally, I will push for better food options on campus to enhance the overall student experience. Let's work together to make a positive impact on our community.
Name: Benjamin Lee
Bio: I’m a first-generation student from Fresno, California. I work as an office
assistant in the Residence Education office. I’m a part of Phi Alpha Delta and Robert F. Kennedy Young Leaders. In the ASUCM Senate, I hope to improve the quality of life at UC Merced by responsibly allocating funds to our clubs and organizations.
Name: Rocio Robles
Bio: My name is Rocio Robles, and I am a 2nd year Political Science major. I wish to run for Senator At-Large because I want to immerse myself within the UC Merced community and help students with any problem they might face, both academically and personally.
I want to normalize mental health and provide easy access to resources for students
Name: Jasmine Okincha
Bio:My name is Jasmine, I’ve served as Senator At-Large here at ASUCM for the past semester. Around campus I also serve as the elected vice president of Bobcat MUN and secretary of TCG club, as well as a scholar coordinator in the SJI office. I have worked in the California Senate under politicians like Evan Low and Lena Gonzalez with a focus on promoting LGBT and women’s reproductive health rights and related legislation.
Name: Anthony Liu
Bio: Hello, my name is Anthony Liu, and I am a first-year student studying Management and Business Economics here at UC Merced. I am originally from San Francisco, and yes, for those who ask, I am actually from San Francisco. Something about myself is that I am honest and truthful, even when someone wants to hear the one thing that makes them feel better despite it not being the truth
