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Who We Are

Preamble

We the leaders of the Associated Students of Washington State University represent the diverse student population of Washington State University. ASWSUTC seeks to promote the well being of students by respecting the integrity, dignity, and worth of individuals, with the acknowledgment of differences. The association provides services and opportunities to the student body while maintaining a professional environment. Allegiance to these ideas requires those in positions of leadership within ASWSUTC to refrain from and to discourage behaviors, which threaten the freedom and respect every individual deserves.

Executives

The Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities Executives are the President and Vice President. They are elected in the General Election during the spring semester and serve from commencement to commencement of the following year. They are responsible for supervising the Directors, Senators, and Staff, and they represent the organization to the university administration, Washington Student Association, and the WSU Student Government Council. Their offices are rooms 101 and 103 in the Student Union Building. Come stop by and say hello!

Zachary Harper

President

Zachary Harper is a junior majoring in Business Administration. He has previously served as the ASWSUTC Director of Finance and Vice President, and he is excited to represent the students as the ASWSUTC President to the university and community partners. Zach also serves as the WSU Student Government Council Vice Chair. For his term, his main objectives are to improve advocacy efforts and increase at-large student involvement. In his free time, Zach enjoys playing with his dogs and watching baking shows on Netflix.

Savanna Kresse

Vice President
  • Office Hours: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, & Friday and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Email: savanna.kresse@wsu.edu

Savanna Kresse is a mother of four and a senior majoring in History with an emphasis in US History, Pre-law. This is her second year serving students within the Associated Students of Washington State University Tri-Cities. She is the WSUTC Newman Civic Fellow and Vice President of Diversity for the Washington Student Association. She is passionate about serving her community and strives to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusionary environment for Washington State University Tri-Cities students. In her free time, Savanna enjoys spending time with her family and contributing to her community.

Directors

The directors within the Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities are the Directors of Legislative Affairs, Diversity Affairs, and Marketing and Communication. They all serve different purposes, but their main objective is to improve campus life in specific ways. The Director of Legislative Affairs focuses his or her work on legislative efforts on campus and in Olympia, plans Coug Day at the Capitol, and holds advocacy-based programs and events that further legislative processes on campus. The Director of Diversity Affairs participates in diversity training to educate the student body through purposeful programs and events as well as ensures the ASWSUTC team listens to constituents with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. The Director of Marketing and Communication is an internal officer that supervises the Graphic Designer and manages all social media accounts. They all hold their office hours in the ASWSUTC General Office in room 104 of the Student Union Building. If you have any questions or want to share your opinion, please feel free to stop by!

Lian Jacquez

 Director of Diversity Affairs

Lian is a Digital Technology & Culture major who will be graduating Spring of 2019 with concentrations in Multimedia Authoring and Electronic Art. He loves keeping busy: in addition to being the ASWSUTC Director of Diversity Affairs, Lian is also a Student Ambassador for the Office of Admissions and an intern with the National Park Service. He is all about maintaining a positive inclusive attitude, both on and off campus. Lian encourages anyone to express themselves freely and without fear of judgement.

Astrid Moreno

 Director of Marketing and Communication 
  • Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Tuesday & Thursday and 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday
  • Email: astrid.moreno@wsu.edu

Astrid Moreno is a Junior transfer from Columbia Basin College. She graduated from CBC with her General AA in June 2018, and she’s currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Digital Technology & Culture. She’s excited to be the Director of Marketing and Communication for ASWSUTC this school year! If you have any questions, ideas, or comments about the ASWSUTC social media accounts, please feel free to reach out to her via email.

Akanna Poor

 Director of Legislative Affairs
  • Office Hours: 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, & Friday and 11:50 AM – 1:25 PM Tuesday & Thursday
  • Email: akanna.poor@wsu.edu

Akanna Poor is currently the Director of Legislative Affairs for ASWSUTC. She graduated from Monrovia High School in Indiana; upon graduating, she moved across the country to the Tri-Cities. There, she enrolled in Columbia Basin College and earned her Associate Degree. After earning her degree, she transferred to WSU and is studying Social Sciences with a minor in Spanish. She is on track to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2020 with honors. As ASWSTUC Director of Legislative Affairs, she intends to advocate for her fellow students and represent their interests at WSU Tri-Cities. Her ultimate goal is to attend law school in hopes of becoming a strong advocate for women and aid in passing legislation that she can proudly stand behind.

Staff

The ASWSUTC Staff are the Executive Assistant, Finance Manager, and Graphic Designer. These positions are primarily internal and help the organization run smoothly. The Executive Assistant assists the President, Vice President, and Senate Pro-Tempore with day-to-day needs like scheduling meetings, taking minutes in meetings, and managing the documents on CougSync. The Finance Manager tracks the ASWSUTC budget and makes spending and saving recommendations to the President and Vice President. The Graphic Designer creates all of the posters, flyers, and other marketing materials needed to promote ASWSUTC’s advocacy-based programs and events. The staff hold their office hours in the ASWSUTC General Office in room 104 of the Student Union Building. Feel free to come say hi!

Makaylah Ferritto

Finance Manger

Makaylah Ferritto is a Senior majoring in Business Administration. This is her first year serving students within the Associated Students of Washington State University Tri-Cities, she’s excited to serve as the Finance Manager! After graduating from WSUTC in May 2019, she plans on traveling for a year before attending law school. In her free time, Makaylah enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and doing yoga.

Megan Fisher

Running Start Delegate

Megan is a senior at Richland High School and a Freshman at WSUTC. After graduation, she plans to attend WSU Pullman and pursue a degree in Business. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working for the Richland High ASB, and taking her dogs for a walk. Her goal for this year is to meet as many Cougs as possible!

Carter Kovacs

Graphic Designer

Carter Kovacs is the graphic designer for ASWSUTC. He is currently a junior pursuing a degree in Digital Technology and Culture. He is looking forward to channeling his passion for design into serving the WSU community in many ways. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music and with his dogs. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Go Cougs!

Remy Plate

Executive Assistant

Remy Plate is currently a junior at WSU-TC studying Business Administration. Her role as executive assistant is to help the organization run smoothy. Some of her roles include updating the website, scheduling, and organizing documents. When Remy isn’t in class or in the general office, she loves to travel!

Senators

The Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities have eleven senators, made up of the six college-specific senators that represent students within their college, four University Senators that represent all students, and one Graduate Senator that represents graduate students. These eleven senators make up the ASWSUTC Senate, the official policy-making body of ASWSUTC. The ASWSUTC Senate is responsible for representing and advocating for their constituents in response to student feedback, and working as a team to pass bills and resolutions that are sent to the WSU-TC administration to officially voice their support, concern, or opinion on a certain topic. Senators can be found holding their office hours in the ASWSUTC General Office in room 104 of the Student Union Building. If you have a way to improve campus, don’t hesitate to stop by!

Sierra Brines

Senate Pro-Tempore & College of Arts and Sciences Senator 
  • Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Tuesday & Thursday and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Wednesday
  • Email: sierra.brines@wsu.edu

Sierra Brines is a junior majoring in psychology and biology in order to pursue a career in child psychiatry. As the College of Arts and Sciences Senator, Sierra serves as the connection between students in her college and ASWSUTC, advocating for the needs and wishes of those students.  Her goal for this year is to meet as many students as she can and make WSUTC experience as awesome as possible!

Farha AL Naamani

University Senator 
  • Office Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Monday & Friday and 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Tuesday
  • Email: farha.alnaamani@wsu.edu

Farha AL Naamani is one of your University Senator. She is an international student from Oman, and this is her second year in the United States. Farha is a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Earth Science. Before she joined Student Government, she was an officer in two clubs and was, and has always been, involved in many campus events and activities. Her job as a University Senator revolves around addressing issues and concerns relating to the university as a whole and presenting it to the Senate in form of bills and/or resolutions to be voted on. She also serves as a resource for all clubs and organizations. Her main goals are to meet with students and clubs to connect them to Student Government, and encourage students to be involved on campus, and make our campus feel like home. Her hobbies include playing the piano, cooking, calligraphy (Arabic), playing video games,  and hiking. So if you see her around, challenge her to a Foosball game!

Vacant

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Senator 
  • Office Hours:  N/A
  • Email: N/A

Ashley moved from Colorado to pursue a degree in Viticulture and Enology. This is her second semester serving students through ASWSUTC and her second year pursuing her degree. As a Wine Science major, Ashley dreams of opening and running her own winery. She says: “In order to be successful in life you must be willing to risk it all and take a chance on your dreams. It is better to take a chance and fall short rather than never take a chance at all. Otherwise, you may regret it for the rest of your life.” This is why she came to WSU. As Senator, she hopes to help other students find their passions and be their voice in ASWSUTC.

Anjhellica Ampil Orozco

College of Nursing Senator 

Anjhie is this year’s College of Nursing Senator. She is currently a senior in the BSN Nursing Program and will be graduating May 2019. As the College of Nursing Senator, Anjhie advocates for all nursing students and pre-nursing students to ensure that they are represented on the main campus as well as offers resources available to all WSU students—think of her like the bridge between the two campuses. Her priorities include connecting the nursing students with the main campus by being more present at both locations and encouraging students to get familiar with their student government by addressing any issues the college might have. If you have any questions or just want to chat, Anjhie can be contacted via email or stop by the general office in the SUB. She hopes everyone has a great school year!

Emma Ballew

University Senator

Emma Ballew is a junior majoring in psychology. Emma was previously the Associate Director of Legislative Affairs with ASWSUTC and was also the Activities Coordinator in her Residence Hall Leadership Council during her time at CWU. Her goal as a university senator is to get the larger student body to connect and engage with student government and to increase student self-efficacy. She also wants to become a resource to students on campus. In her free time, she enjoys watching the cooking channel and playing with her three dogs.

Oscar Carrillo

University Senator 

Oscar Carrillo is currently a junior at WSU-TC studying Mechanical Engineering. Having graduated from Yakima Valley College with his AA degree, Oscar plans to further his education with a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Washington. On his spare time, Oscar enjoys playing video games, reading,  and going on vacation.

Vacant

University Senator 
  • Office Hours: N/A
  • Email: N/A

University Senator Gerard Lomas is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Gerard is currently an undergraduate research student in Dr. Cheeke’s Microbial Ecology Lab where he performs various Molecular Biology techniques to study plant-fungi interactions. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with his younger siblings and puppy. Gerard is looking forward to being in a position where he can help promote student involvement and inclusion for the entire WSUTC campus.

Turner Otto

College of Business Senator
  • Office Hours: 4:10 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday and 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Friday
  • Email: turner.otto@wsu.edu

Turner Otto is our Carson College of Business Senator. He’s studying Business Administration at WSU Tri-Cities as a Junior this year. Some hobbies that he enjoys are hiking, running, hammocking, and meeting new people. His main goal this year is to meet more students within the Carson College of Business. If you are a student, business or not, stop by our office to talk to Turner!

Emily Peite

College of Education Senator

A 2017 graduate of Delta STEM High School, Emily passionately advocates for student exposure to STEM education. As part of this platform, she established Think Differently, an after-school program which is being piloted at a local elementary school. Emily currently partners with Washington STEM, serving as the Washington STEM Super Youth Advocate for the Mid-Columbia Region. As the Senator for the College of Education, Emily’s mission is to make education relevant for ALL students. She believes reshaping the education system to be innovative requires networking among educators and a strong community collaboration. Stop by her office hours to learn how you can #EducateToInnovate.

Marie Qian

Graduate Senator

ASWSUTC Graduate Senator student Marie Moriko Qian is a PhD student studying in Biological Systems Engineering. She is an international student from Japan, graduating with B.S in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. She has worked in student associations since high school, in which she experienced establishing an audit committee to the newly launched student government. Marie is very excited to join ASWSUTC 2019 to be involved and impact the whole campus, and it is also her enthusiasm to represent the voice of graduate students in WSU Tri-Cities.

Dani Young

College of Engineering and Applied Science Senator 

Dani’s goal at WSU, outside of graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, is to promote and develop legislation to benefit the students of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. As a student representative, she asks her constituents to provide her with their SEAS experiences so she can make decisions with their priorities in mind. The few hours she’s not studying or sleeping, Dani’s weightlifting, wife-ing, playing with the doggos, working at CHPRC, or eating pickles.

Judicial Board

The Judicial Board is charged with making sure all ASWSUTC Officers are following the Constitution and By-Laws. They have the power to hold hearings to keep officers accountable for their actions. The Justices also plan and oversee the general election as well as special and recall elections, if needed. Justices have office hours in the General Office in room 104 of the Student Union Building. Come by and say hello!

Natalie Vazquez-Lopez

Chief Justice 

Chief Justice Natalie Vazquez-Lopez is a senior studying Business Administration within the Carson College of Business. She is a graduate of Pasco High School and a graduate from Columbia Basin College with her Associates in Arts and Sciences. As a Pre-Law student, Natalie seeks to familiarize herself with the ASWSUTC By-Laws and Constitution to ensure ASWSUTC is performing to their best ability while serving the students. Natalie enjoys being a student advocate and inspires to promote communication and understanding throughout the student body. If you see her around campus, don’t hesitate to say hello!

Jennifer Silva-Gutierrez

Judicial Board Member 

Judicial Board Member Fernando Damborg is a senior studying psychology at WSU Tri-cities. Having graduated from Columbia Basin College with his AA degree, Fernando plans on using his psychology degree to further his education with a Master’s Degree in psychology in Pullman, WA. Fernando has previously served as the Student Entertainment Board Assistant Director and University Senator, as well as having held positions of leadership within student government at CBC. Fernando is excited to be able to work with such a promising group this year and to bring a real positive impact to campus life.

Christina Saget

Judicial Board Member 

ASWSUTC Judicial Board Member Christina Saget is a Tri-Cities local and a sophomore studying biological science and psychology. She grew up locally and is in her sophomore year. Throughout her time at WSUTC, she has served as the Chair of the Election Board. Christina is excited to advocate for students!