ASI Senators at Large hear you out on issues regarding student safety, clubs and orgs, athletics, and more. These Senators are appointed to represent different areas or interests on campus. They are expected to meet regularly with a designated individual who works closely with their respected area and serve at least 8 hours per month. Note: 8 Senators At-Large will be elected, one will advance to become the executive vice president.
Below are your 2017 – 2018 ASI Senators at Large Candidates running for Student Safety and Parking, Student Affairs, Athletics and Recreation, Clubs and Orgs, Undergraduate and Graduate, Greek Life, and Resident Affairs! (Candidates are in alphabetical order by first name) If you have any questions regarding the Elections from March 28th to the 30th comment below or call the ASI Office at 559.278.2656.
SENATORS at LARGE
Alexandra Chavez: Hello! My name is Alexandra Chavez and I would like to serve you as a Senator-At Large for your 2017-2018 Associated Students Inc. I graduated with my B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism in 2016, and have returned for my Masters in Student Affairs and College Counseling. Working on campus, being a commuter student, and serving as a member of several student organizations has given me a well-rounded perspective on the issues that currently face Fresno State students. I hope to create a collaborative platform of students and administrators to tackle problems in areas such as financial aid, parking, class registration and accessibility of student services. My passion for student success drives my campaign, and if elected as Senator-At Large I will use my voice to advocate for yours. Thank you!
Amber K. Malhi: As a student with a double major in Philosophy Pre Law and Political Science and with a minor in General Business, my ultimate goal is to be involved in our student body. I hope find different aspects where Fresno State can prosper and become more substantial. As a senator, my main concerns would be either parking and safety or clubs and organizations. As a student, who also works, night classes are a great option that work around my schedule. yet, my safety during and after the night classes are a concern. I would hope to accomplish making the students who want to attend night classes feel safe to do so without questioning their safety on campus. I would hope to find solutions for the parking issue that we have on campus along with the negligence of the great clubs that are beneficial for our student to join.
Brandon Sepulveda: As the past ASI Vice President of Finance, I have worked on behalf of students advocating for their needs and ensuring they have access to opportunities. Having the chance to serve again as a representative of the student body and ASI, I hope to increase student success and involvement on campus. I plan to work proactively with administration to create new initiatives that help students be successful on campus. Many students at Fresno State face issues in getting classes to graduate, my main goal will be to work to increase the 4-year graduation rate. I also want to work with Office of Student Involvement to ensure students are all aware of the amazing programs that Fresno State offers.
Casandra Ramirez-Sanchez: Hello! My name is Casandra Ramirez-Sanchez, and I am running for an ASI senator at large position. I love working to meet the students’ necessities and would enjoy being your representative for the 2017-2018 school year. I am currently a psychology major, and in this past year I’ve been involved in student government as the ASI special projects officer, as well as a student representative in the budget advisory committee here on campus and recently the ASI activities committee. I am a transfer student from West Hills College Lemoore and was the Associated Student Body President for the 2015-2016 school year, as well as the Student Senate for California Community Colleges Region V Secretary. My involvement in ASI has made me aware of your necessities here on campus and I want to be the person to represent you, fight for your rights as a Fresno State student, and make sure your voice will be heard!
Cody T. Sedano: Cody Sedaño is a Political Science major and a Marine Corps Veteran. Cody was a translator in Afghanistan for NATO. After the Marines, Cody represented Veterans at Fresno City College Student Government. Cody then was elected to the Board of Trustees at the State Center Community College District. Cody represented Central Valley Students in Sacramento in the Student Senate and founded the Veterans Caucus. As an ally of the community, he helped create the LGBTQ Spectrum Club at FCC and advocated for more international students resource center space. Cody received the Deans Medallion at FCC for his work on and off campus. Cody has spent the last 9 months advocating for a voting position for Transfer and Veterans as well as being a big proponent of the Equity and Diversity Senate position. Cody lives in Dinuba, is a citrus farmer, and a single father.
Edgar Castro: Hello fellow bulldogs, my name is Edgar Castro and I’m running for ASI’s senator at large. I am currently pursuing a degree in Business accounting with a minor in Economics. I believe that every bulldog has a voice to be heard; and that voice has a power to transform Fresno State. Being a senior at Fresno State has opened my eyes to the various ways that any student on this campus can impact the university. No idea is too small to make a difference. I plan to transparently communicate the thoughts and ideas of all campus clubs and organizations to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to be heard. This position is an opportunity to serve my peers and further enhance Fresno State’s national prestige. Together with your innovative ideas and my commitment to effective execution, we WILL make a difference. I look forward to serving YOU. GO BULLDOGS!!
Josh T. Dowell: As the only accredited parliamentarian running I have the background necessary to effectively assist the senate in getting things done. Fresno State students should have change created and executed on, not just someone talking about it. I served on ASI from 2015-2016 as the Senator of the Jordan College of Agriculture and have the experience as a member of the board to be an influence for students in the senate. A vote for Josh is a vote in the future of Fresno State, let’s BE BOLD!
Kacey Jones: My name is Kacey Jones, and I am a third-year Kinesiology Physical Education major. I currently work at the Student Recreation Center as a student assistant, I am the current Vice President of the Fresno State Women’s Rugby Club team, and am an active member of the Kinesiology Pedagogy Club. I have a strong passion for student government, serving as the President of my junior and senior class in high school. I now have the leadership qualities and connections in college and am excited to further pursue my passion. During my term my plan is to help promote a healthy lifestyle through the services campus offers such as the Student Health and Counseling Center and the Student Recreation Center. I hope that you can see my passion for the importance of health education and promotion, and will allow me to help make these, and other amenities better known at Fresno State!
Karan Purwaha: My name is Karan Purwaha, and I am a junior. My major is Biology (Pre-dental). I was born in India, and moved to States in 2013. I have been heavily involved on campus. I have been part of Vintage days, Alternative spring break for 2 years, and It’s on us Campaign. My motivation behind running for ASI are the problems I have faced as a student on campus, and instead of complaining I decided to fix them by being part of solution. The first change I would like to bring during my term is fix the parking system, i.e. no unnecessary parking tickets, reduced prices for parking pass, and more parking options. Secondly I want to decrease the crime levels on campus and around campus. Lastly, If I get elected this term, I will make sure that student issues are paid attention and resolved.
Michael K. Merzoian: Hello Fresno State students! I’m Michael Merzoian, a sophomore double majoring in Computer and Electrical Engineering. I’m running for the position of Senator At-Large, with the hopes of becoming the Senator of Parking and Safety. I understand that parking security is essential in providing a safe environment on campus and even more so during nighttime. In the four semesters I’ve been here at Fresno State, my car has been broken into on three separate occasions. As senator, I hope to work alongside the Fresno State Police Department to increase the number of patrolling officers at night to keep our students safe and keep personal property intact. Student security is my top priority! Fresno State is an amazing campus that strives for excellence, diversity, and betterment of the city of Fresno, and I would be grateful to serve as your representative. Thank you all for your consideration, and Go Dogs!
Gilbert Falcon: My Name is Gilbert Falcon, I am a third-year Sport Marketing major and am the first in my family to attend college. I’ve been involved in various aspects of campus to improve student success. I have served as a Dog Days Orientation Leader and as a Campus Involvement Ambassador for the past 2 years. Currently, I am serving as the ASI Senator of Athletics and Recreation and my goal is to connect with students as a peer, a leader, and a source of information to help in your efforts of achieving success. If elected, I hope to continue with my goals of connecting with students across campus with a sense of belonging and to support all students in their future endeavors. Together, we can accomplish anything with your constant support and by electing me as your next ASI Senator-at-Large. Thank you.
Primavera L. Martinez: My name is Primavera Leal Martinez, and I am running for the position of Senator at Large. I am a freshman pursuing a degree in English with the intent of attending law school after graduation. On campus, I am involved in the debate team, MEChA, and The Chicanx and Latin American Studies Student Association. I am a member of the ASI Academics Committee, where I have expressed the academic concerns of students and created solutions to address them. As Senator at Large, my first priority would be to help all students graduate on time and continue to pursue their goals. Fresno State has a multitude of resources that, if used to their full potential, can help any student achieve greatness, no matter what their circumstances are. I will encourage spreading the awareness of these resources, as well as advocate for new ones to be created in order to meet students’ needs.
Ramiro Merino Diaz: A 3rd year majoring in Communications and minoring in Spanish, I currently serve as the Assistant Student Director for Fresno State Vintage Days, am the PR & Marketing Coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break program, and serve as a Reflection Facilitator for the Richter Center. I understand what it takes to set smart goals and achieve them. Talking to students on a daily basis and myself being part of many organizations on campus, I understand what it takes to represent students. Serving you and addressing your needs is what drives me to run as your Senator at Large for Student Clubs & Organizations. If elected, I plan to achieve the following goals: 1)Ensure transparency between clubs & orgs. and student government and voice those concerns 2)Explore networking opportunities for clubs & orgs. to collaborate more 3)Provide better communication to clubs & orgs. so they are more aware.
Sebastian K. Wenthe: My goal ever since I became involved with student government has never changed—to make progress for students and make decisions that will improve the quality of education for everybody. Whether it was during my time as an ASI finance committee member or during my time as the Chair of Budget and Operations for the USU Board of Directors, I have always kept the needs of Fresno State students in mind. If elected as Senator At-Large, I will work to preserve this mission as I represent student needs every day on campus. This includes implementing policies for the new and existing University Student Union, balancing the cost of education, and promoting the unique talents and abilities of our student population. If elected, my greatest responsibility will be to help you, the student!
Travis Childress: My name is Travis Childress, and I am running to represent you as an ASI Senator at Large! My experience in leadership includes: U.S. military service, two years of student government service at Fresno City College, and going on two semesters as Chief of Staff for ASI. Because of my unique background in leadership and student governments, I believe that I can bring a different perspective in fighting for your rights as students. If elected, it will be my pleasure to ensure that the voice of every single student is heard. I am a Junior Political Science major here at Fresno State, and have earned my AA degree last year from Fresno City College.
For more information or any questions, please call the ASI Office at 559.278.2656 or comment below!