By Braden Clark
Ashley Waddoups, the former student advocate vice-president, has
become the first female president at Utah State University since 2001. The
candidates were announced live on Thursday at 7 p.m. through Twitter, and live
in the Taggart Student Center.
“I’m so grateful for everyone, and for everybody that has helped
me,” Waddoups said. “I know my friends, and people close to me, were working
day and night, missing classes and so many other sacrifices that allowed me to
be here.”
Waddoups will replace Trevor Olsen as Utah State University
Student Association student body president, and will become the first female
president since Celestial Star Bybee was elected back in 2001.
“I think Ashley has proven herself as the student advocate vice
president that she can work really well with students, and she will advocate
for the students,” Olsen said.
As the student advocate vice president for Utah State University
Waddoups’ responsibilities include representing student concerns to
student-government and student services, maintaining relationships with faculty
and administrators to bring change, and organizing the Government Relations
Council.
“Student advocate is a specific position, but that’s something
Ashley will continue to do throughout her presidency, and I’m sure we’ll see
great things from her this year,” Olsen said.
“I’m way excited for Ashley, because whatever she does she’s super
passionate about it,” said Luis Armenta, who was reelected as the diversity
vice-president and worked with Waddoups this past year. “Ashley is a hard
worker, and I’m stoked for her to be the next president. I’m a little surprised
there hasn’t been a female president since then, but if anyone were to be the
next one no one’s a better fit than Ashley. She has specific interests among
the diverse students here on campus, and I’m super excited to work with her,
again.”
Waddoups held her first meeting as student body president right
after her election Thursday night.