• President: Ian Robins
• Executive Vice President: No endorsement — see below
• Financial Vice President: Matt Valdez

President: Ian Robins

This editorial board believes Ian Robins is the best suited candidate. Robins’ experience in ASWU and his clear-sighted vision for next year would be an asset to this position and to ASWU’s executive team.

The guiding factor in our decision was Robins’ experience. Robins has served in ASWU since arriving on the Whitworth campus, and expresses a love for student government that dates back to middle school. In addition to being a Warren representative his freshman year and the current Warren senator, Robins has served on five committees within Whitworth and has worked in the admissions department.

This board believes Robins has a very clear idea of what the role of president has been in the past and how he plans to implement his ideas in that position. His experience on committees leaves us confident that he will be able to assert the student body’s voice and best interests in decisions involving administration or other faculty. This board also finds the fact that Robins has two years left at Whitworth a strength because he has the ability to bring consistency for two years as ASWU president, if re-elected.

Robins acknowledges the power of the student body, and wants to make sure they have as much influence as possible. His ideas for campus engagement, through his proposed “State of the University” address or involving appropriate students (either ASWU members or not) in committees, would give voice to a wider number of students and would also inform them.

While Trevor Zajicek shows many strengths that would lend themselves to leadership on campus, this editorial board believes his strengths are not tailored to the role of ASWU president.

We don’t doubt Zajicek’s qualifications and relationality, but we feel he lacks the experience that is needed for ASWU president. While certain aspects of ASWU can be learned, this board believes the president should come into the position with a solid foundation and understanding of the job at hand.

Both candidates have impressive drive, initiative and ideas, but this board believes Robins is the best fit for this role.

Executive Vice President: No endorsement

The two candidates for executive vice president are Audrey Evans and Remi Omodara. Omodara is the opinions editor for The Whitworthian. The editorial board does not feel it is appropriate to endorse either candidate because of this conflict of interest. This board encourages you to read our Voter’s Guide and transcript of the ASWU debates when making your decision.

Financial Vice President: Matt Valdez

This board believes Matt Valdez will continue to do a good job as financial vice president because of his experience on ASWU. His experience has given him insight as to how he can build on what he did this academic year. We applaud Valdez in admitting his faults and areas of needed growth, which is something this board believes opens the door for him to improve on his performance.

We encourage Valdez to implement his ideas to improve communication with clubs and make financial matters easier and accessible to students.