It’s time to meet the candidates for the first student body government of Utah Tech University.
There are six candidates for student body president, two candidates for vice president of academics and two candidates for vice president of clubs and organizations.
Student body president candidates
Holly Hurtado
Year in school: Senior
Hometown: West Jordan
Major: Earth, energy and environmental science
Instagram: @hollyhurtado96
Goals: Make students feel included and ensure they have more places on-campus to eat and have fun.
Campaign platform:
Hurtado plans to talk to students to see what they want/would like to see on campus as well as getting to know DSU students. She wants to make sure students have fun places to hang out on campus so they do not feel like they have to go off-campus to have fun. Lastly, Hurtado wants all students to feel like the university is a place they feel included and a place they can call home.
Devon Rice
Year in school: Junior
Hometown: Bountiful
Major: Marketing
Instagram: @dink182_
Goals: Be someone who is familiar with what is going on during the name change process, and be someone who can make our newly rebranded university recognizable.
Campaign platform:
Rice wants to focus on policy improvement throughout the university, specifically in dining services and the box office to end the localized monopoly occurring. He also wants to focus on mental health by improving the social life on campus. Lastly, Rice wants to improve campus security by adding campus police and safety regulations.
Gus Brownsugar
Year in school: Sophomore
Hometown: Spanish Fork
Major: Management
Instagram: @gusbrownsugar
Goals: Continue the Trailblazer spirit during the name change process.
Campaign platform:
Brownsugar wants to renovate the Kenneth N. Gardner student center so students have a building with more dining and hangout options. Brownsugar wants to focus on active life, which means he would work hand in hand with the Provost to explore new master’s programs and degrees. He also wants to focus on equality for students such as the period project and House bill 162.
Ameila Slama-Catron
Year in school: Junior
Hometown: Sandy
Major: Earth, energy and environmental science
Instagram: @slamacatron
Goals: Be the face of change when Dixie State University becomes Utah Tech University.
Campaign platform:
Slama-Catron wants to continue improving the inclusiveness throughout campus. She wants to embrace the change Utah Tech University will bring the academic side of our school. But she also wants to embrace the Dixie life and the traditions DSU students participate in. Slama-Catron wants this position because she is passionate about equal representation and opportunities for all students.
Katie Sanders
Year in school: Senior
Hometown: La Verkin
Major: Biology
Instagram: @studentpreskatie
Goals: Take her past student government experience and find new ways for students to learn and feel included.
Campaign platform:
Sanders plans to work on student success and this entails students completing internships, research projects, etc. that give them experience they cannot get in a classroom. She also wants to build the universities reputation by showcasing student achievements which will allow the university to be known for its student accomplishments and not just by the name of the university. Sanders wants to bring unity across campus by bringing students together, making sure students know they have a home here, and that all students are welcome and wanted.
Jose Toral-Martinez
Year in school: Junior
Hometown: St. George
Major: Communication studies
Instagram: @josetoral_98
Goals: Be an advocate, leader and inspiration for DSU students.
Campaign platform:
Toral-Martinez wants to focus on keeping DSU’s past and present traditions as we transition to Utah Tech University. He also wants to focus on mental health, inclusion, academics and student involvement to ensure we start strong as Utah Tech University.
Vice president of academics candidates
Karson Ray
Year in school: Sophomore
Hometown: Hurricane
Major: Biology
Instagram: @karson4vpa
Goals: Provide more funding for student projects, research projects, etc.
Campaign platform:
Ray wants to provide funding to all students and be an open resource to them. He wants more students to know about and utilize the student initiative fund. Lastly, Ray wants to change the overall culture over academics by making things like tests and homework not have a stressful stigma.
Laisha Noyes
Year in school: Freshman
Hometown: Groveton, Texas
Major: Biology
Instagram: @l.noyes.vp
Goals: Increase research and internship opportunities for students.
Campaign platform:
Noyes wants to increase research and internship opportunities for students of all majors. She wants students to know the correct internship and/or research projects available. Noyes is also willing to work with students, faculty and people outside the community to increase student internships on campus and in the community.
Vice president of clubs & organizations
Sean Rios
Year in school: Junior
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Major: Criminal justice
Instagram: @sean_rioss
Goals: Ensure each club has a space to be heard.
Campaign platform:
Rios wants to focus on leadership and the proper leadership will allow clubs to thrive on campus. His other main focus is service and having the proper service so they are able to provide the best tools for clubs. Rios wants there to be inclusivity throughout all of the clubs and organizations as we transition to Utah Tech University.
Fernando Rodas
Year in school: Sophomore
Hometown: St. George
Major: Business administration
Instagram: @fernandope17
Goals: Build a bridge between clubs and the rest of the resources on campus.
Campaign platform:
Rodas wants to gain all resources necessary for the clubs and organizations and he also wants to make them more accessible to students. He would also like to have bi-weekly meetings with every club on campus. This will get the students to brainstorm ideas together and meet new people.
Campaign & election dates
Feb. 28 – March 3: Primary campaign
March 2 at 8 a.m.: Voting begins
March 3 at 3 p.m.: Voting ends
March 3 – March 10: Final campaign
March 8 at 1 p.m.: Voting begins
March 10 at 1 p.m.: Voting ends
Winners will be announced on March 10 after 1:30 p.m. via social media @dsupolitics.
Click here to vote on the dates and times listed above.
