SGA held the candidate debate for the 2026-2027 elections on March 6. Senate candidates advocated for transparency of SGA processes and increased representation to promote community and engagement.
The Q&A style debate was moderated by Election Commissioner Catalina Moheit and UCCS Radio Director of External Affairs Brody Schmidt.
The specific college senators campaigning are the College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences, the College of Nursing & Health Sciences and the College of Public Service.
Senate candidates spoke about the importance of representing the diverse needs of the student body, highlighting their experience in student organizations, leadership roles, advocacy work and campus services.
A comprehensive list of the 21 senate campaign positions can be found here.
Senator-at-large
At‑large candidates discussed transparency, student advocacy and strengthening the presence of SGA on campus.
Catalina Clay is running for re-election. According to Clay, she intends to improve SGA election competition to avoid uncontested races by increasing awareness via outreach efforts. Clay values open‑minded, respectful senate discussions and sees her role as a resource for all senators, not only specific groups.
“I have enjoyed being able to understand more about UCCS and how student voices are valued. I do my best to be a representative for student voices and make sure that all students are considered in major decisions, initiatives and events on campus,” Clay said.
Logan Smith, U.S. Air Force veteran and founder of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapter at UCCS, is also running for re-election.
Smith wants SGA to reduce spending on engagement event items and focus on initiatives like free food, clothing drives and student support. He also advocated for expanding the senate with more specific senators, such as housing and disability positions.
Nate Mushlin is running as a first-time candidate. He wants to prioritize honesty and uplifting student voices by reaching out more intentionally to students. His platform centers trust, teamwork and community.
Ben Campos emphasized prioritizing campus safety and transparent decisions. Campos wants to increase student involvement and representation in SGA decisions by making outreach simple and accessible through polls and surveys.
“My goal is to make sure every student feels represented and knows they have someone who will listen and act on their concerns,” Campos said.
Keira McWilliams, a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class and the Student Health Advisory Board, wants to improve communication between clubs and campus entities. She emphasized taking measurable action to address problems, which will ensure goals are accomplished.
Hunter Roren, a current student‑at‑large, wants to make the club‑funding process more accessible. According to Roren, he also thinks SGA should unite students during times of budget uncertainty. He’s advocating against program cuts, specifically for the German minor.
Senator of Multicultural Affairs
Candidates for the Senator of Multicultural Affairs, Adonis Leach, Gift Faleru and Sofia Voicu, spoke about belonging, equity and community.
Leach said she is focused on advocating for students who feel overlooked and disconnected in order to build a more inclusive and culturally aware campus environment.
“As a disabled student who uses a wheelchair, a military dependent, a transfer student and someone engaged in a same‑sex relationship, I understand firsthand how identity, culture and lived experience shape a student’s sense of belonging,” Leach said.
Faleru, vice president of the African Student Association, emphasized community, collaboration and clear communication. If elected, he plans to revive the multicultural coalition, strengthen support for multicultural organizations, improve funding guidance and help students find belonging through better outreach events.
“Being involved in multicultural organizations has shown me how important it is to have spaces where students feel safe, heard, and included,” Faleru said.
Voicu focused on ensuring all cultural communities are visible and plans to engage with students through in‑person conversations, surveys and visible presence across campus to advocate for authentic representation.
“Leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room — it’s about being consistent, dependable and solution‑oriented,” Voicu said.
Senator of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Engineering candidates Shivani Sharma and Lerry Lara spoke about communication and awareness of SGA across campus.
Sharma, the incumbent, highlighted her experience in SGA, including her continued efforts to improve how engineering students receive information and support.
Sharma discussed several initiatives she has already launched, such as the free breakfast initiative for engineering students and a safety initiative that provided faster and more reliable access to first aid in labs.
Lara, an engineering student, spoke about how disconnected many students feel from SGA. He discussed the need for direct, accessible outreach that is designed to meet engineering students where they are.
Senator of Clubs, Organizations, & Greek Life
Candidates Olivia Abeyta and Maraya Tejeda spoke about the importance of clubs and organizations on campus, communication, collaboration and access to resources.
Abeyta is running for re-election and has served on the Mountain Lion Leadership Council, the University Center Advisory Board and chair of the winter formal committee. Abeyta emphasized the importance of fostering student connection and is focused on inclusivity, collaboration and providing accessible resources for clubs and organizations.
Tejeda is serving as the vice president, treasurer and community service chair for the Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority, Inc. and said that her background in leadership, budgeting, event planning and organization will help her improve communication between SGA and student organizations while advocating for accessibility to resources and collaboration.
Uncontested candidates
Teri Kear is running for re‑election as senator for the College of Education. She emphasized her involvement in committees and projects designed to improve student experiences. Kear also addressed her role on the campus fee board, stressing her commitment to affordability.
Savannah Storms is running for senator of commuter students. She is focused on increasing accessibility for commuter and low‑income students. Storms’ priorities include supporting students who struggle to stay enrolled due to financial hardship and advocating for transfer, working and non‑traditional students.
Bri Maddox, previously a student-at-large, is running for the senator of business. Maddox’s goal is to strengthen student voices and help improve the campus experience to be more inclusive and impactful, and to ensure business students feel represented.
Jae Brown is running for senator of LAS in hopes of improving communication, expanding student research opportunities and increasing visibility for LAS events.
If elected, Brown said she plans to host an open forum on budget cuts for students to speak with administration, create a google form that allows students to submit feedback any point and open a new interdisciplinary research journal.
BreAnna Fraker is running for re-election as the senator of nursing. She spoke about her involvement in pre‑health organizations and student health initiatives and goals to engage with students directly.
“I remain in constant communication with the peers I represent to ensure their voices are heard both within and outside of SGA,” Fraker said.
Ben Moses is running for the senator of public service. He previously served as the senator of multicultural affairs for two years and participated in the university center advisory board, the rules and orders committee and the budget advisory committee as well as working as a CSPD victim advocate and mental health technician.
Moses said he intends to use his SGA experience to increase transparency, engage with students directly and expand resources and opportunities for public service majors.
“I want the students of the College of Public Service — and every student in general — to understand that I am here for you. I am here to represent you,” Moses said.
Jordan West is running for the senator of the arts, bringing student government experience from high school and over five years of teaching experience, along with other leadership roles. West is passionate about the arts community at UCCS and plans to support the VAPA program while growing as a leader.
Keison Morales is running for re-election as the senator of innovation. He serves as the experience interfraternity council president and the sigma alpha epsilon vice president. Morales is focused on advocating for students across all programs and strengthening student representation.
SGA voting began March 9 and will close March 13 at 4 p.m. Polling stations are located near Big Cat Coffee in University Center, and online voting links were sent via email.
Students who vote can bring proof to the Student Life Lounge to receive a deck of UCCS playing cards and/or an election sticker, while supplies last.
Benjamin Moses campaigning for Senator CPS. Photo by Anysia Hovel.
Gift Faleru applying for Senator of Multicultural Affairs. Photo by Anysia Hovel.
Logan Smith running for Senator-at-Large. Photo by Anysia Hovel.
Maraya Tejeda running for senator of Clubs, Orgs, and FSL. Photo by Anysia Hovel.