President:

David M. Carnahan

Year and major: Junior; communications, journalism track

What qualifies you for this position?
My forte is fostering a balance between creativity, administrative tasks, and the importance of building relationships with others. I can safely say that my greatest asset to the ASSP presidency is acknowledging the importance of God's grace and striving to embrace it in every situation. Maintaining a healthy balance between intellect and spiritual principles, I believe, is what it takes to be a great leader, especially in our learning community.

How will you improve this position?
I am not proposing and campaigning for a President (myself), but a presidency (a term), hence you won't find my face on any flyer or poster. I will not simply maintain the position of being ASSP President, but I will utilize the position to create visible change for the SPU community to be a part of.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
I don't have any "past leadership experience at SPU," which makes my potential presidency distinctively singular (this is only my third quarter at SPU). My experience comes from being a leader at a larger community college. As a transfer student, my freshly-developed vision and passion will best suit SPU's future of "engaging the culture, changing the world."

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My proposed focus for 2008-09 is on "engaging the culture." I have four realistic and viable goals that will contribute toward creating a lasting platform for "changing the world." First, a year of God's grace: God's grace is not only what justifies who we are, but it is what obligates us to embrace those around us. Club and organization reformation: I envision the clubs and organizations of SPU interacting with similar interest groups, not associated with SPU. Serving all current and perspective students: I envision a barrage of unique events that would inform and accommodate the interests of students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Groundbreaking benefit concert: I envision a revolutionary concert that would bridge the gap between genre differences and would benefit a developing world country cause, thus finishing the year with a "changing the world" event.

Andrew Huskamp

Year and major: Junior; educational ministry

What qualifies you for this position?
My most qualifying characteristic is my passion to serve others. While my wealth of experience and commitment to excellence contribute to my qualifications, dedication to service remains at the top of my list.

How will you improve the position? Although Dan Miller leaves little to improve upon, I seek to bring an emphasis of service that will ultimately spread throughout the student body population. Additionally, I will utilize my experience within ASSP to streamline and thus better serve SPU students.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
ASSP Executive Vice President, Emerson Hall President, ASSP Senator

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My main goal is that SPU students will truly be serving together next year wherever they are, be it student leadership, volunteer opportunities, work, or wherever else God places them. In order to accomplish this goal, I must commit to effective communication that informs students of service opportunities and asks them, "How will you serve?"

Joel VanderHoek

Year and major: Junior; business administration, entrepreneurship and management

What qualifies you for this position?
Since my freshman year, I've considered running for President. I have vast experience in effective organizational leadership - running my own businesses, as an award-winning high school ASB President, and in my current capacity as ASSP Vice President of Finance. I believe that effective organizational leadership requires a blend of three things: interpersonal skills, innovation, and diligence. I have been blessed with a unique blend of all three; God has given me a great desire to serve through leading and an incredible aptitude to do so.

How will you improve the position?
I will bring innovation to the organization - and promise a commitment to ASSP's actions being based on student feedback. This year, I have seen that the role is often bogged down by a lack of support for certain tasks such as formation of the senior gift committee. I will seek to implement better collaboration in these areas, to allow the President to direct more energy to broad-based leadership and vision development. I hope also to make ethical responsibility inherent to the President's role.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
Sixth Hill floor representative to Hall Council; 5th West Ashton Student Ministry Coordinator (SMC); organized various campus responses, i.e. Virginia Tech Prayer Vigil, "I Heart Phil" campaign; ASSP Vice President of Finance; working with President Eaton to sign the American College and University President's Climate Commitment.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My vision is an important part of my platform. I believe that innovation is a cure for complacency. To be an effective, relevant and thriving organization, we must innovate. I've proven this ability in my current role and reworking the ASSP finance system, and hope for the opportunity to continue to serve students with innovation. Another important component of my platform is my commitment to social responsibility. As mentioned above, I'm working with Dr. Eaton (and the facilities department) to improve our environmental commitment. The pact that I hope SPU will sign commits us to seeking carbon neutrality as soon as possible. During my current tenure as Vice President of Finance, I've encountered situations that have uncovered the need for oversight on ethical sourcing, meaning buying from reputable sources, and not supporting unfair labor practices such as sweatshops or slave labor. I therefore propose creating an ethical code of conduct, and considering a relationship with the Worker's Rights Coalition, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to assist in the enforcement of manufacturing codes of conduct adopted by colleges and universities.

Executive Vice President

Brice Budke

Year and major: Sophomore; economics

What qualifies you for this position?
From working on finance board, I have learned how the processes of Senate work. I not only know how they get passed, but what each person must do in order to get the proposal in front of senate. I have also learned how to lead people in an effective manner while being a part of Ashton's Hall Council.

How will you improve the position?
I will try to improve this position by making sure that each Senator is keenly aware of the process a proposal must go through in order to be seen at Senate. I will then encourage each Senator to work with their constituents so that each proposal is well-thought out and refined before it is even seen at Senate. This will hopefully make events more successful and better allocate student dollars.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
I am the treasurer for Ashton Hall Council and am serving on ASSP's finance board as the student at-large.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My proposed platform goes hand-in-hand with how I want to improve this position. I want to start educating the Senators on the proposal process early and often. The more experience they have with the process, the better they will be able to help when they are asked to sponsor a proposal. By encouraging a more hands-on approach of the sponsoring Senator, proposals will hopefully be refined in such a way that they are geared for success. I will see that this happens by regularly checking in with Senators to make sure that they are not only communicating news from Senate to their constituents, but are also helping them in the proposal process.

Sean Lomas

Year and major: Sophomore; business administration

What qualifies you for this position?
I am the only candidate that has had prior experience in ASSP Senate at SPU. As the Hill Hall Senator, I have been honored with the opportunity to experience firsthand the role that ASSP serves, as well as the purpose and goals. I am well-rehearsed in Robert Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, the process by which Senate runs. Lastly, I have participated in Super Senate twice, the process by which the entire ASSP budget is debated and agreed upon.

How will you improve the position?
I have the dedication and passion for continuing excellence in our student body and pressing on toward the goal of empowering student voice. I will advance a Senate that does not wait for the student body to approach, but rather goes directly to the student body. The primary concerns with Senate and ASSP are availability, communication, and participation with the student body. I have many ideas to educate students about Senate, and increase their access to the money in the budget. Furthermore, the Senate budget has a line of $600 for Senator lead events. I would like to maximize use of this budget, possibly even increase this line item in the budget for next year. In doing so, I would advance more Senator lead events such as forums, open-houses, and opportunities for Senators to communicate with their constituency.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
ASSP Senate (2007-2008); Hill Hall Executive Council (2007-2008); Admissions, Advising, and Retention Faculty Committee (2007-2008); Co-representative for Hill Hall Council (2006-2007)

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
I will advance a Senate that goes directly to the student body, is easily accessible, and offers opportunities for students and clubs to obtain funding from the ASSP budget. I will see this through by increasing the opportunities for and maximizing use of the money set aside for Senator lead events. Also, I would like to create a new committee that publicizes available conference and event opportunities for different academic disciplines. I would also love to allow more students to have voice in the committee that makes recommendations to President Eaton regarding finances. I will also work with the other ASSP officers and research opportunities to bring more Christian musicians to campus. Furthermore, I will seek out opportunities to create a unified communication from Senate to the residence halls and seek out ways for commuter students to stay informed about the student government at SPU.

Kevin McFarland

Year and major: Junior, Economics and Classics

What qualifies you for this position?
In high school, I started a student government for my student body, and, before attending SPU, I served five quarters on the student government of a college with an enrollment of approximately 35,000 and a student budget over $1.6 million. In this position, I helped student leaders to serve best their constituents, collaborated with other college student governments across the state in discussing various issues and passing a bill through Washington State Congress, and led a team in rewriting our entire bylaws to enable us to best protect student interest and serve student needs.

How will you improve the position?
This position is about being a servant of servants, serving leaders by empowering, assisting, and enabling them with avenues and resources to serve best their constituents and pursue their ideas. I see the job of the Executive Vice President as opening avenues for them to pursue the ideas they are passionate about and opening channels to discuss these ideas with administration.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU? I have participated in the Student Budget Committee, Constitutional Review Committee, and served on Hall Council.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
I believe ASSP has immense potential to grow. My vision is to see ASSP better serving students by: 1) increasing student representation in college governance, not just as input but as participants in all layers of college governance. My past experience enables me to work with administration to bring students as participants on such committees as the budget committee which produces the following year's budget, or the tenure review committee which reviews professors up for tenure. 2) orienting ASSP to serve best students through eliminating inefficient aspects and growing other aspects. From starting a student government, rewriting a college's student government bylaws, and serving in the public sector on a large college, I see procedural aspects of the ASSP that easily can be streamlined. 3) empowering student leaders by connecting them with the resources around campus and creating resources to enable them to best serve their constituents. I believe the Executive Vice President and Senate's communication with student leaders and constituents is not a goal, but a requirement. If Executive Vice President, I would seek to know the student leaders on campus and to be aware of their needs through personal contact or through Senate so that we can address them and empower the student leaders.

Vice President of Campus Activities

Alex Binz

Year and major: Sophomore; political economy and rhetoric

What qualifies you for this position?
As founder, communications director, and president of various clubs, I've worked through all levels of the current system and understand its strengths and its deficiencies. I know what clubs need and how to connect them more effectively to the SPU student body.

How will you improve this position?
I will return the position to its rightful and original emphasis. Clubs and campus activities are the lifeblood of SPU, and it is the responsibility of the Vice President of Campus Activities (VPCA) to strengthen and encourage their efforts. As VPCA, I will coordinate club events so more students can attend, encourage inter-club collaboration on various projects, and seek to connect the clubs directly to students.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU? As president of a first-year club, Pemberley Society, I single-handedly organized our entire organization in fall quarter. As communications director of the honor society, I've played an integral role in both event planning and publicity. Last year, I organized a panel of SPU faculty for the Western Economics Association International annual conference, which entailed significant academic and organizational responsibilities.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My platform is defined by one word: connections. I seek to connect clubs to the ASSP office, ensuring that planned activities are carefully coordinated to increase participation. I want to connect clubs to each other, improving the quality of campus events through collaboration. I wish to connect students to the clubs, through a weekly VPCA club newsletter and club forums. Lastly, I will pursue connections with other Christian universities in the state to discover new ideas for campus programs.

Whitney Broetje

Year and major: Junior; psychology

What qualifies you for this position?
The VPCA works alongside of the Executive Student Union Board (STUB) Director to help organize the STUB. I have been a STUB event programmer. I know the responsibilities of the STUB and have also seen personally how it functions and how the VPCA is a part of that system, along with the best ways to support the STUB board. Currently working in the ASSP office has also educated me on how the office runs and what each position does. I am qualified because of experience, and I have an open mind to learn more and to hear from others. I am organized, full of excitement and energy, and would love to serve SPU and the student body in a new way.

How will you improve the position?
I would be more of a voice and advocate for student-led groups and clubs on campus who often might have a hard time becoming known or getting their club out there. I think I could be a supporter to others not only on the officer core, but of those in other leadership roles. Since I have experience in many of the areas, I can take what I've experienced and continue what has worked well and change those things that were a flop, for instance in publicity (where to put posters, what is more likely to be read), fundraising (when and how to contact businesses), and event planning (how far in advance to schedule things).

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
STUB Event Programmer 06-07, my event for that year was Date Auction (All That Jazz); current Peer Advisor on 2nd East Emerson; I have sat on various committees like the homecoming committee and have been a Team Activity Personnel (TAP) member for the STUB board.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
One of the greatest things I believe the VPCA can do is increase the availability of information for students on this campus about leadership opportunities and events. I would like to integrate more leadership fairs, throughout the year, not just Involvorama at the beginning of fall quarter. Another initiative I have is to start the process of getting an outdoor gear rental on campus, as well as bring more concerts back to SPU. Lastly, I would like to continue a previous goal set by this year's VPCA Kellie Hicks of bringing together different groups on campus with campus activities and for a common cause.

Christina Ann Radecki

What qualifies you for this position?

My experience and passion qualify me for this position. I have interned with Teen Mania Ministries, who put on “Acquire the Fire” youth conferences across the United States and Canada. I helped put on an event that drew over 26,000 people to San Francisco. From this experience and various other leadership positions, I feel I am well equipped to oversee the Student Union Board (STUB). This year, I served on ASSP Senate and helped re-establish the Political Union. Both experiences have allowed me to gain insight into the club proposal and approval process. Along with experience, I will bring passion to my work. I hope to create an atmosphere in which students are encouraged to be a part of the SPU community and build memories together.

How will you improve the position?

With this position shifting leadership from year to year, I hope to improve upon past ideas as well as bring new ones to the table. For example, over this year the relationship between the Vice President of Campus Activities (VPCA) and the athletics department has been growing. I desire to continue to improve these relationships in order to help strengthen our partnership in regards to coordinated events between ASSP, STUB and athletics.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?

1) Bridge the Gap with Athletics: Over the course of this year, ties between the VPCA and the athletics department have grown. Partnering with athletics in hosting events and supporting out sports team will strengthen the relationship with the athletic department and ASSP and ultimately bridge the gap. 2) Project Spirit: We take pride in our campus because of our SPU community. In order to build up community on campus, I believe it would be beneficial to raise support around our sports teams. In my vision, when students think of events on campus, they would list things such as basketball, Talent Show, soccer, and Tradition. Our sports events have the potential to create even greater community on campus. I also want to add events that will strengthen the support of our athletic events. To start with, I specifically want to the tailgate parties to be run more efficiently. I will do this by working hand-in-hand with athletics and the alumni association for Homecoming. We need to start promoting these events earlier in the year by collaborating with athletics to host events, such as Pack the Pavilion. Overall, I believe this type of atmosphere can be created on campus through improving the current events and developing new ones.

Vice President of Ministries

KT Barnes

Year and major: Junior; biology

What qualifies you for this position?
I'm committed to serving this University and all those within it. I have worked for University Ministries (UM) for the past year helping develop the 37five program and getting acquainted with each of our ministries and advisors. Through this job, my passion for SPU ministry has grown, as has my desire to serve SPU on a deeper level spiritually. SPU has a vibrant faith fabric that I'm honored to be a part of, but I want to understand better the spiritual threads other people are bringing to campus and do what I can to support ministry programs that align with each person's unique spiritual needs.

How will you improve the position?
I desire to be an effective communicator and mediator between the Student Ministry Coordinators and their advisors. Through working in UM, I have built solid relationships with the UM and John Perkins employees. My desire to bridge these two comes because when there's poor communication and understanding between those that run a ministry, it can't be a valuable resource and asset to those it's aiming to serve. I also want to generate fresh ideas on what our ministries can look like.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
Hall Council floor representative, TAP, intramurals captain, Ashton Hall Vice President, Senator for the Schools of Sciences & Engineering, and Committee for Student Clubs & Constitutional Review Committee

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?

As the Vice President of Ministries (VPM), I will seek to focus on three key areas of development. These areas include: 1) Using the Campus Ministry Council (CMC) as a means of uniting different ministries to reach a greater number of students. I will see this goal accomplished because one of my responsibilities as VPM is to oversee the CMC and facilitate growth, conversation and collaboration between SPU's ministries. 2) Changing up the demographics at Chapel. I want to see more faculty in the pews, greater diversity in our speakers and students who want to be in Chapel, not ones who have to be there. I hope to accomplish this by working with next year's Chapel Coordinator, Core and Advisor to engage our university in a way that people will respond to Chapel and see how valuable it is to our community. 3) I am a huge supporter of the 37five Project. I want to do everything in my power to continue building this program in a way that will promote its continuity and exponential growth. I hope to do this by participating myself and encouraging CMCs to get their ministry staffs involved. As leaders, I think it's imperative that we model participation in 37five for those we are aiming to serve on-campus.

Heather Fink

Year and major: Junior; Clothing and Textiles

What qualifies you for this position?
Working with STUB this year has given me the inside perspective on the way things run. I have shown that I can balance a hefty schedule. Although I have not been involved with a campus ministry, this allows me to be a fresh mind who can encourage the other leaders to think creatively about what is possible. As far as my personal character and strengths, I am great at relating to all kinds of people. I understand that this job requires a balance of practicality to accomplish the mundane tasks of working in ASSP and also an open mind to hear the new ideas of the student leaders I am supporting and combine them with my own to create change.

How will you improve the position?
I will use the strengths spoken of above to effectively balance the role of a person in ministry and the ASSP/Senate side of the job. I think this is a delicate balance to achieve, and the position needs someone who is ready for that difficult spot of being the go-between person. I am ready for that, and I will use the strengths mentioned above to accomplish it.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
STUB event programmer

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
I will work to integrate campus ministries, clubs and any other ministry-based group. To end my year in office with groups who know each other and work together when possible, I will do the following: be a support for, and listen to, the ideas presented by the other student leaders in the campus ministries, and as much as is possible, help them to make those ideas and dreams a reality; work on including outside students in worship events by giving them time to share about what has been happening during their year and by attempting to use students in any need that a ministry may have; by searching out ministries that may not be as public, getting to know what they do, and letting other ministry groups know they exist. In doing this, I will encourage them to know each other as well.

Vice President of Finance

Anna Carlson

Year and major: Junior; business administration, finance

What qualifies you for this position?
I am the current ASSP Treasurer and work directly with this year's Vice President of Finance. I serve on finance board and know how both finance board and Senate works. I have previous job experience in finance companies. Administrative work is something I excel in; I like doing it, and I have a lot of experience with working in finance and within office settings. Also, my anticipated major's continuing education makes me qualified for this position.

How will you improve the position?
I will continue to help the current system be redefined and updated because it is simply outdated and inefficient. This year the Vice President of Finance and I have been working to help minimize problems and install a new system to utilize better our resources and keep better track of the finances. My knowledge of some of these problems and how we are currently trying to fix them make me a valuable asset to keep on board, continue the new systems, and continue to help improve through communication and revamping how things are done. Secondly, I think that there is more collaboration that could be done with ASSP and the finance department. Through closer relationships with them, we could create a more efficient system that cuts down on paperwork and streamlines the current system, as well as through working more closely with clubs and ministries when it comes to finances. I think having some extra resources for club budget managers at the beginning of the year would be helpful for them to get familiar with the finance system. Also, having a meeting with all budget managers and the people involved with finance could help people understand who is involved and how everything works.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
Current ASSP Treasurer, current Finance Board Student Representative, current Associated Undergraduate Students of Business and Economics club president, and a prior Emerson Hall floor representative.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
The transition into the Vice President of Finance position would require only little extra things that I need to know, as I have already learned the majority of the big topics. This leaves me more time to focus on things like working and building better relationships with the finance department. I hope to redefine the finance system and make it easier and more efficient. I think early-on exposure to the finance system and being available for assistance early on will greatly benefit those taking over leadership roles for next year. Communication, experience and relationships are key.

Christalyn Steers

Year and major: Sophomore; international relations and philosophy

What qualifies you for this position?
I'm qualified for this position because I've served on finance board alongside the current Vice President of Finance for this school year. I'm also on Senate as the Senator-at-Large which has enabled me to interact with a wide array of students and student clubs. In high school, I was the National Honor Society treasurer and the Mu Alpha Theta treasurer.

How will you improve the position?
I will improve the position as I bring in years of experience, as well as a strong desire to ensure the most efficient use of our ASSP dollars.

What is your past leadership experience at SPU?
At my time here at SPU, I was a floor representative in Ashton, the SPU Senator-at-Large, and a member of the finance board. I'm also the current president of the Political Union.

What is your proposed platform, and how will you see this through?
My platform is to encourage optimization of spending. I'd also like to strengthen the lines of communication between ASSP officers and SPU student clubs.