ASUI Senate election begins Nov. 18

What to know about the six candidates running for ASUI Senate

Fall 2024 ASUI Senate members at meeting | John Keegan | Argonaut

Voting for the ASUI Senate opens this week on Monday at 8 a.m. and goes on until Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. There are six candidates for the five open seats. A link for voting will be sent to student email accounts on Nov. 18 and students can also check the ASUI Instagram account for more details @asuidaho.

The six candidates running are:

Andrea Leal 

Leal is a freshman majoring in political science and philosophy from the Bay Area of California. Leal’s platform centers around financial assistance for students; she wants to do this by working with the financial aid office to make FAFSA resources easier to access. With scholarship season approaching, she is working with the Writing Center to help students craft stronger scholarship essays. Lael wants to work with the on-campus dining options about reducing food waste and ways to inform students how much is wasted daily.  

Binod Khadka 

Khadka is a sophomore majoring in accounting and management information systems. He is involved with a number of groups on campus including Barker Trading, MIS club, Vandal Cycling and more. Through these clubs he has built an appreciation for the diversity and sustainability on campus. Through his platform he wants to expand mental health services on campus through workshops, celebrate diversity through events that showcase the community’s diverse background. Khadka wants to increase the number of recycling programs, tutoring programs and wants to hold regular town hall meetings so students can come forward with their concerns.  

Izaak Krohn  

Krohn is a freshman from Mountain Home, Idaho majoring in agricultural economics. His main goals are all centered around connection; he wants to see ASUI connect with more students and have a larger presence across campus. Krohn wants to put on more social events that connect ASUI to the student body so they can hear concerns and suggestions made by a larger number of students. As College of Agriculture and Life Sciences student, Krohn wants to see a bigger connection made between his college and ASUI.  

Zoha Aqeel 

Aqeel is a junior majoring in psychology from Pakistan. Her main goal is to start a textbook lending program, where students can donate old textbooks so others don’t have to buy or rent them for their future classes. As an international student she wants to push Career Services to find more internships for non-U.S. citizens and expand peer tutoring across campus so those struggling with a second language can help more easily.   

Jacob Gartrell  

Gartrell is a freshman majoring in political science with hopes of continuing his education in law school in Moscow. He is a producer for CrossPolitic, a show that is Christian based that speaks about politics. Gartrell went to Logos High School, a private Christian school in Moscow and now works as their mock trial team coach. He hopes to bring a scripture-based approach to ASUI and wants to bring the Christian worldview. He believes that leadership is a service ultimately accountable to a higher calling. Gartrell is a member of King’s Cross Church, the sister institution to Christ Church.  

Erika Amaral 

Amaral is a sophomore majoring in political science with minors in economics and Spanish from Kuna, Idaho. Her platform focuses on drug and alcohol education for students and her hope is to continue building on the university’s momentum in these areas. Amaral wants to keep students informed about current political affairs by working closely with McClure Center on campus and providing regular emails to keep students informed. Amaral wants to pay close attention to the Office of Multicultural Affairs, The Women’s Center, Black and African American Cultural Center and others. She believes they keep the university diverse and cultured, which is a vital aspect of the University of Idaho.  

Allyssa Dotson can be reached at [email protected] 

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