Associated Students, Inc. will have its first new leader in three years when classes resume in the fall. Chauncay Williams was elected ASI president on Mar. 27, defeating fourth-year international business student Kathryn Santos.
Williams, a fourth-year health science and psychology student, received just over 53% of the more than 700 votes cast online Mar. 23–26.
“For me, this role is bigger than a title,” Williams told The Bulletin. “I’m showing up for my children, my peers, and every student who deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued. I aim to be present, not only in meetings, but also in the everyday spaces where students experience both challenges and successes.”
Williams will assume leadership alongside Dylan Ponce Mendoza, a sophomore cellular and molecular biology student who will serve as Executive Vice President. First-year graduate student Edgar Mejia-Alezano, the ASI president for the past three years, will step into a new role for the organization as vice president of finance.
Mejia-Alezano told The Bulletin the finance position is a natural transition for him, and that he’s “excited” to help Williams achieve her goals.
“I already help fund multiple programs, and that’s something I’d like to continue doing. I wish to provide more outreach,” Mejia-Alezano said. “Something that we directly support each year since I’ve started in 2023 is a collaborative turkey giveaway which is free to students and the community.”
Joining Williams, Mendoza, and Mejia-Alezano on the ASI executive board will be freshman psychology student Kimberly Vargas Portillo as organizations commissioner.
“I notice a lot of students wanting to feel a part of something, and they don’t know where to start,” Portillo told The Bulletin. “I want to provide them with what CSUDH can provide for them.”
Junior music performance student Christopher Ajayi and junior psychology student Makeda Webb will represent the College of Arts & Humanities and College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, respectively. Ajayi echoed Portillo, saying he was excited to create opportunities for his fellow students.
“I hope to use my personal experiences, but also take other people’s experiences to pioneer improvements for the betterment of everyone on campus,” Ajayi said.
Webb, who ran unopposed, echoed Ajayi, saying she hopes to create opportunities for Toros on and off campus.
Webb said: “The goal I am planning on reaching is trying to connect students with more internship opportunities as well as creating more networking events.”