Victor Ortega BROWNSVILLE – For the first time in UTRGV history, the executive officer positions are being contested by three different parties in this year’s Student Government Association elections.
Last week, executive candidates for all three parties and senators made their way to the Brownsville campus’ courtyard to meet with students and share their vision. A similar event took place on the Edinburg campus.
KVAQ-TV spoke with the presidential candidates to learn more about them and why the student population should support them.
Presidential candidate of the Together We Achieve team Orlando Dylan Alvarado, Jr. shares what his team stands for.
“I want to run for president to advocate for the student body, to advocate for student needs. Our ticket is very dedicated to student involvement and student life and advocating for a better campus environment,” Alvarado said.
Alvarado highlighted his past experience working as the SGA director of the First Year Internship Program makes him a good presidential choice.
“So, as president, I’d bring to the table some very valuable experience. I’ve been with student government before, so I know how the Student Government Association works and communicating with higher administration,” Alvarado said.
The presidential candidate and founder of Team Victoriam Juan Espinoza said his team has helped students form their own events and that his work as a tutor has allowed him to help his fellow Vaqueros on different levels.
“I founded a club to help students form their own on-campus events through funding from myself,” Espinoza said. “I’ve even worked alongside the Writing Center as a tutor, helping educate students in and outside the classroom. So, I’ve not only helped students academically, emotionally, but I’ve also supported them and guided them through their journey and experience as a college student.”
Vaqueros Forward’s presidential candidate is Andrea Gaytan, who is a current senator-at-large for Edinburg.
“I started off as an intern, went on to senator for College of Business and then senator-at-large. So, I know what it takes to actually represent the campus, to actually make these changes through administration,” Gaytan said.
She advocates for a bigger push of Brownsville campus representation within the SGA.
“So, we wanted to bring forth a new era for students, new changes that maybe we haven’t seen before for both campuses because both are important. Equally, especially here, being in the Brownsville campus, we are really stretching. We need more Brownsville representation within student body,” Gaytan said.
Associate Dean of Students for Student Involvement Delma Olivarez explained how Vaqueros can vote in the upcoming elections.
“It’s going to be April 7 through the 10. And so, the ballot will be sent to their email, and we do send out reminders on a daily basis. So, they should receive a couple of emails at least, you know, to remind them to go out and vote,” Olivarez said.
Election results are expected to be available a day after the elections end on Friday, April 11.
