VOTE HERE
Voting for AS Student Senate Elections will take place from 12:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25 to 4:00 p.n. Friday, Oct. 30.
The students running to represent the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are: Lauren Besthoff, Breaker Chittenden, Stephen Cooper, Althea Dana Frye, Yessica Hernandez Perez, Jaclyn Johnson and Alyssa Martini.
Lauren Besthoff
Hello, my name is Lauren, my pronouns are she, her, hers, and I would like to serve as your student senator for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. My job is to advocate for your voices within our senate. Including, but not limited to student concerns regarding COVID-19, solidifying the anti-racism work taking place on campus, and working with other senators in fulfilling the Black Student Organization’s demands. I can’t complete any of these tasks without your trust, participation, and your vote of confidence. Thank you for your consideration
Breaker Chittenden
Hello, my name is Breaker Chittenden, and I am running for AS Senator from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. I’m a third-year at Western studying Political Science. During my time at Western, I’ve had the honor to represent multiple student groups, including serving as president of the Nash Hall Council, Vice-President of Public Relations for the RHA, and Vice-Chair of the WWU Young Democrats. Through these positions, I have been privileged to hear the concerns of students across campus and have taken action to alleviate those concerns. Some issues I have worked on and plan to continue to work on include: keeping academic and housing costs low, ensuring that every student’s voice is not just heard in the A.S., but encouraged, and keeping the school administration accountable. I would like to continue this necessary work in the senate, which is why I humbly ask for your vote.
Stephen Cooper
Western Washington University is a school that says it strives to be as inclusive and as representative of its student population possible. Despite this, the school has failed on many fronts to do just that. BSO demands are not being met, students’ needs during a global health crisis are not being prioritized, and yet the university still has done little to nothing to address these issues in a productive way. Students, both in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and across campus, deserve better. They deserve someone who looks like them, with their interests in mind, who is willing to put themselves on the line to fight for what their peers need. My name is Stephen Cooper, and as a senator I will always put the needs of those I represent first and will work to further prioritize the underrepresented BIPOC individuals that Western has failed to support.
Althea Dana Frye
As a first-generation immigrant and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it would be my privilege to advocate and protect LGBTQ+ and BIPOC rights at Western. If there is one thing COVID-19 has taught me; it is the value of strong leadership. Any person holding any leadership role should be inclusive and courageous. Courageous in starting uncomfortable conversations and inclusive in making sure that all students’ needs and rights are met. I am very passionate about fighting for human rights and have always tried to take an active role in my community; from shadowing a City Mayor in 2018 to showing up to protest all around the world. I am ready, motivated, and willing to do whatever it takes to fight for people who have had their rights stolen (or people who were never given rights to begin with) and to speak up for those who have been silenced.
Yessica Hernandez Perez
I am a first-generation student attending a four-year university. My passion is helping other people and volunteering in my community. During the summer I work in the fields to offer living expenses. With my experiences and knowledge of cultural awareness, I will be able to interact with and advocate for all students. I am running for Senator because I want to show that a student who comes from an immigrant family and is undocumented can be in a leadership position. Taking the initiative and advocating for other students can create more inclusive opportunities for all, regardless of gender, economic status, race, religion, or disability. As a senator, I will ensure that all student concerns or issues are addressed. In addition, I would like to participate in this leadership position to promote diversity at WWU. Lastly, my main goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone.
Jaclyn Johnson
When I first joined the WWU community, I blindly idolized this school and administration, but I’ve come to learn that we have much room for improvement. I am a second-year student, recently declared as a sociology major. I do not have prior experience in student government, but I have extensive volunteer experience working at food and clothing banks, and other community events. I want to take my experience working in the community and build upon it to help bring necessary changes for our school. The students on and off this campus deserve to have their voices heard, especially when so many voices are being stifled around the country. The progress of our community depends upon the work put in by our leaders, both student-based and otherwise. I am ready to commit myself to enhancing this school by advocating and fighting for academic equity and student concerns.
Alyssa Martini
As a Psych Major and a disabled student I am very aware of how often disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill students are left out of the conversation and the curriculum. All too often our voices are not heard or respected from the classroom to campus at large. I am running for Student Senate to be a voice for all disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill students from all backgrounds. This is my passion in life. I study disability advocacy and am working to become an Occupational Therapist to specifically work with disabled individuals. You should not have to change yourself to function in school, work, or society at large. Accommodations are a human right, and I will fight for them. Disability rights are human rights. I want to work for you to make campus safe and inclusive.
Editor’s Note: All photos and statements were provided by the candidates and not edited in any capacity by the AS Review. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Correction issued Oct. 14, 2020 at 2:28 p.m. to remove Beth Paul from the candidate list.
Correction issued Oct. 15, 2020 at 12:43 p.m. to remove Chantz Glover from the candidate list and to add Jade Hedeen to the candidate list.
Correction issued Oct. 17, 2020 at 3:25 p.m. to update Yessica Herenandez Perez’s candidate statement in order to abide by length guidelines.
Correction issued Oct. 20, 2020 at 12:57 p.m. to remove Renee Witherspoon from the candidate list.
Correction issued Oct. 23, 2020 at 3:37 p.m. to remove Jade Hedeen from the candidate list.