What to know about the 10 Associated Student Government body president and vice president candidates

The Associated Student Government (ASG) president and vice president elections begin Monday, March 16. Here’s what to know about each ticket on the ballot after the March 10 debate.

Katherine Allison and Ife Araba

Katherine Allison, a junior human capital management and leadership and psychology double major and ASG secretary for Campus Affairs, is running for student body president. Ife Araba, a junior computer engineering major and ASG senator for the College of Engineering and Computing, is running as vice president. 

The candidates’ slogan is “change begins with you; accountability begins with us.”

Allison said their campaign pillars are safety, equity, sustainable relationships, advocacy and accessibility. Araba said they want students, faculty and administrators to hold each other accountable to work toward common goals. 

“Beyond my leadership capabilities and my ability to listen and advocate for everyone, is also my ability to be empathetic and understanding,” Allison said. “I think we’ve really shown how genuine we are in improving Miami in the roles we have now.”

Allison said she would increase ASG’s visibility to help students learn about what the organization does by canvassing in student buildings. 

Aubrey Crish and Quin Ahler

Aubrey Crish, a junior individualized studies and philosophy double major, parliamentarian of ASG and student senator for the University Senate, is running for student body president. Quin Ahler, a sophomore political science and anthropology double major, ASG Interfraternity Council representative and Armstrong Student Center board member, is running as vice president. 

Their slogan is “see every student. Hear every voice.”

Ahler said their campaign pillars are safety, recognition and support, personal branding and spirit tradition because those are the things students told them were priorities. Crish said she and Ahler are committed to listening to student voices.  

“I’ve found my place in Miami, and I want to help people find their place too,” Crish said. “Being able to take on roles and having the passion to do so is a big testament [to] why me and Quin are running.” 

Ahler said he comes from a family of humanities teachers and heard complaints from teachers and students about the loss of majors and academic opportunities during Board of Trustees meetings. He said students' voices are the most important step to facilitate change.

“Administrators and faculty at this school don’t know what it’s like to be a student here, and we need to hear each other's voices more,” Ahler said during the debate. “If you want a dog who’s going to fight for you against administration, I’m absolutely your guy.”

Crish said she and Ahler will look to bring back resources that have been taken away by the state of Ohio in Senate Bill 1.. She said it’s important for students to have the resources to feel like they’re included.

Carson Ebbrecht and Harshini Ramesh

Carson Ebbrecht, a junior psychology and philosophy double major and president of Active Minds —, a student organization centered on mental health advocacy —, is running for student body president. Harshini Ramesh, a junior psychology and neuroscience double major, is running as vice president. 

Their slogan is “a future with your voice.”

Ramesh said their pillars are wellness, student inclusion, financial literacy and intellectual literacy. She said these pillars allow students to be the most educated they can be and benefit from a transparent administration. 

Ebberecht said they want to give students a platform for their voices to be heard, rather than speak in their place. 

“A lot of people like to say college will be the best four years of your life, [but] that puts a lot of pressure on people,” Ebbrecht said. “I want students to understand that your experience might look different, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.”

Ebbrecht and Ramesh would work to prepare students for their future after college. Ebbrecht mentioned changes to UNV 101, a course that’s required for all students, and working with administration to teach students life skills. 

Ebberecht and Ramesh are the only candidates not currently in ASG.

James Li and Ava Fort

James Li, a junior business analytics and entrepreneurship double major, member of ASG sanator for the Farmer School of Business (FSB) and a co-leader of Bridges International at Miami, is running for student body president. Ava Fort, a junior political science and entrepreneurship double major, is running as vice president.

Their slogan is “building your vision together.”

Li said their primary campaign pillars are impact through real action and leading with empathy and resilience. Fort said their secondary pillars are empowering student voices and transportation.

Li said a problem with ASG is that they transfer problems onto the administration instead of working together toward a solution. With this in mind, he and Fort would work with students and administrators to find solutions to common problems. 

Fort asked the audience to raise their hands during the debate if they had ever received a parking ticket, been unable to find parking, or had ever nearly been hit by an electric scooter. Almost everybody raised their hands. Fort went on to saysaid communication needs to improve between students and administrators regarding parking guidelines. 

“We are not here to campaign; we want to invite you to our journey of redefining student leadership and building a better future for the Miami University community at this pivotal moment,” Li said. “Actions speak louder than words.”

Fort said they would hold informal tabling sessions for students to voice their concerns. 

Charlie Merrill and Susanne Morrissey

Charlie Merrill, a junior human capital management and leadership major, president of the Society for Human Resource Management and FSB senator for ASG, is running for student body president. Susanne Morrissey, a sophomore marketing major and Speaker of the Student Senate for ASG, is running as vice president. 

Their slogan is “next starts now.”

Merrill said their campaign pillars are mental health, life development and love and honor. He said their focus is to preparinge students for life after graduation and mentioned implementing workshops to learn skills such as cooking or how to change a tire.

He saidadded that the student body president is the bridge between students and the administration. 

“There needs to be more people on this campus [who] know what the student government is capable of doing,” Merrill said. “My entire passion is about giving back to the communities that have helped and shaped me so much.”

Morrissey said during the debate that she and Merrill will advocate for what students actually want, give them a better education and a happier experience.

“Being a RedHawk means that you’re reaching the goals you have set forth for yourself,” Merrill said. “I love being a RedHawk.”

Elections will be held March 16 - 18. You can vote on the HUB.

Clarkelt@miamioh.edu