The USUAA General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 15, starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending on Wednesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. All voting will be conducted online via SeawolfLife. Students will be able to vote for the following positions:

• USUAA President & Vice President (1 Ticket)
• USUAA Senator (10 seats)
• USUAA Delegate (12 seats)
• Concert Board (5 seats)
• Green Fee Board (5 seats)
• Media Board (2 seat)

USUAA Candidate Spotlight

• USUAA President & Vice President
  • Gutierrez & Hufford
    President Candidate: Arel Gutierrez
    

    Background:
    Arel Gutierrez, a military brat raised across the United States and in various countries, has
    cultivated a diverse perspective through his experiences. Arel Gutierrez identifies himself as a
    Renaissance man, passionate about the sciences and arts. However, his true calling lies in
    effecting positive change for individuals.

    Affiliations:

    • Senator for USUAA
    • Political Science Major
    • Omniest/Catholic
    • Unaffiliated to a party
    • Chicano

    Platform:
    Arel Gutierrez promotes the protection and expression of UAA's core value of diversity.
    Ensuring all student's rights to voice and express themselves is allowed, along with protecting
    the programs associated with equity and inclusion for the entire student body.

    

     

    Vice President Candidate: Emily Hufford
    

    Biography:
    Emily Hufford is a fourth-year Journalism major with a Communications minor. She is actively involved on campus as the VP of Communications for Alpha Sigma Alpha and President of the Feminist Intersectional Rights Movement. Emily is passionate about storytelling and hopes to create meaningful change through her work in journalism.

    Current Affiliations:
    Alpha Sigma Alpha: VP of Communications/Panhellenic Delegate
    USUAA: FSL Liaison/Chief Activities officer
    The Feminist Intersectional Rights Movement: President

    Platform:
    Emily Hufford supports DEI and mental health initiatives. She believes that true inclusion celebrates diversity and ensures access to mental health resources. She aims to create a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

    

     

  • Ritter & Bryant

    President Candidate: Jason Ritter

    Platform Pillars:

    •  Fee Transparency, Not Guesswork: As an accounting major, the lack of transparency when it comes to student fees is disappointing. We’re pushing for clear, accessible information on student fees—because you deserve to know where your money goes.

    •  Real Advocacy, Real Voice: We're committed to showing up, speaking out, and holding leadership accountable—not just checking boxes.

    •  Spaces & Support That Work: From better study spaces to enhanced mental health resources, we’re focused on where real student needs meet daily campus life.

    •  Opportunity on Your Terms: Unlike our opposition, we support flexible course delivery—online, hybrid, and compressed formats that fit real student schedules.

    •  Access Over Optics: We’re not chasing flash—we’re focused on making this university work better for more of us. 

    Why I'm Running:
    To give back to our communities, strengthen student voices, and hold university administration accountable—with transparency, empathy, and action.

    

     

    Vice President Candidate: Andi Bryant

    Hello, my name is Andi Bryant (she/they), and I am a Junior at the University of Alaska
    Anchorage (UAA). I am majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Neuroscience and
    Children’s Mental Health. I am running for Vice President of the Union of Students because I
    believe deeply in advocacy and transparency, values that I feel would benefit the student body at UAA.

    Affiliations:

    • Secretary, Psychology Club at UAA
    • Rules Committee Chair, USUAA
    • Member, Anchorage Suicide Prevention Coalition
    • Member, Anchorage Adolescent Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition
    • Member, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority

    Platform:

    • Enhancing Student Advocacy: I will ensure all students feel heard and supported,
      advocating for their needs in resources, academics, and student life.
    • Promoting Transparency: I will work to maintain open communication, ensuring
      students are informed about USUAA’s and UAA's actions and decisions.
    • Fostering Mental Health Support: I will advocate for increased mental health resources
      and support, creating a stigma-free space for students to thrive.
    • University Development: I will support initiatives that promote student growth and
      success, working to improve campus facilities and expand academic and extracurricular
      opportunities.
    • Student Activities: I will advocate for vibrant student life by ensuring that student
      activities are varied, accessible, and impactful for all students.
    • Job Security: I will work to ensure that UAA provides stable employment opportunities
      for students, including support for work-study programs and job security for on-campus
      student employees.

    

     

   

• USUAA Senators
  • Macchelssy Dinganga
• USUAA Delegate
  • Jessica DeRocher
  • Fortune Dinganga
• Concert Board
  • Nejima Dubed
• Green Fee Board
  • Louie Jovanovich
• Media Board
  • Mariam Hall