Spring 2026 ASWU Senate candidates

The Willamette University Mill Stream. Photo by Iris McClure.

This information was provided by ASWU Director of Communications Katelyn Beissel Rosales and compiled by Alma Snortum-Phelps, publication editor for The Collegian.

Here are the candidates for the Spring 2026 ASWU Senate elections, organized by graduating class.

Voting begins Friday, April 11 at 8 a.m. and will end Monday, April 13 at 5 p.m.

Class of 2027

Claire Warthen

Hey Bearcats! My name is Claire Warthen (she/her) and I am running to be one of your senators for the class of 2027. Throughout my time at Willamette, one of my greatest joys has been getting to know all the wonderful people we have on campus. From working as an RA in Baxter, to handing out t-shirts at Midnight Breakfast, I’ve been involved at Willamette like most other Bearcats (probably a bit too much). As a result, I understand the importance of balance and accountability, two things I plan to maintain and uphold in my role as senator. My role in ASWU thus far has been shaped by my experiences living the Willamette motto, “not unto ourselves alone are we born”. Serving as Director of Communications and as a senator, I’ve learned first hand the administrative side of ASWU, gained a strong understanding of the funding process, the endowment, and how we as senators can have a positive impact on campus culture and community. I hope to continue using these experiences to support and grow the Willamette community as a senator again next year. Go Bearcats!

Ella McComas

Hi Bearcats! My name is Ella McComas (she/her), and I am running to be one of your class of 2027 ASWU senators. As a double major in Civic Communication and Media & Public Health, I am committed to strengthening communication between students and administration. My current campus involvement includes being a member of the women’s soccer team, an ASWU Senator, and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. During this past semester in ASWU, I've helped organize a self-defense class to educate and empower the broader Willamette community. I intend to continue bringing resources and events to campus in the future that strengthen our community. Through my classroom and extracurricular experiences, I’ve seen how student input can shape programs and opportunities offered at Willamette. I am committed to representing diverse perspectives through listening, supporting, and uplifting students to create a more engaged campus experience. As a senator, I want you to feel heard in campus decision-making, and my priority is to ensure your ideas are reflected and accomplished. This role is about student voice, and I intend to amplify it! 

Maddee Reid

Hey Bearcats! My name is Maddee Reid (she/her), and I’m running to be one of your Class of 2027 senators! I’m a junior majoring in PPLE and Sociology (with a minor in History) and a member of the women’s soccer team. Through my experiences, I’ve learned how to collaborate across differences and advocate for community needs. What I value most about our campus is its close-knit environment! I’m committed to strengthening connections between students and faculty while ensuring all students across backgrounds and identities feel heard and valued. Honest, productive conversations about improving our campus should always be taken seriously. I previously served as a senator in Fall 2025, where I worked with Facilities to install period product disposal containers in dorm bathrooms, improving accessibility and inclusivity. I  also listened to student concerns about TPUSA becoming an affiliated club and voted against their affiliation. While I support diverse perspectives, I believe campus spaces must prioritize inclusivity and ensure every student feels safe and respected. As your senator, I promise to listen, amplify your voices, and turn your ideas into meaningful change.

Class of 2028

Jack Crone

Hello, my name is Jack Crone (He/Him). I’m a PPLE Major, and I’ve spent my last two years at Willamette working in and around the Salem community and environment. In 2024, a close friend and I started CastawayWU, an environmental and civic engagement-focused club. During the past two years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to getting Willamette students off campus and into places around Salem that often need the most help. We’ve acquired CAFES grants and conducted research to better understand the health of the waterways

running directly through our campus, and removed 11.5 thousand pounds of trash from Salem parks with the help of WU volunteers. I believe one of WU’s clearest shortcomings is the “Willamette bubble,” a local idea that students exist isolated and disconnected from the Salem community. Breaking this “bubble” is something I want to push for as your senator. In the last two years, as we’ve worked with the City of Salem and local nonprofits, we constantly hear the same thing: volunteers are aging out, and they can’t keep up with helping those most in need. With your vote, I want to provide more opportunities for student engagement and connection with the Salem community.

Ernest Jones

Ernest (he/him) is a trusted campus leader. He is the current treasurer of Willamette’s Black Student Union and has been an ASWU Senator since his freshman year, and is seeking reelection to serve in fall of 2026 as he will study abroad in Granada, Spain in spring of 2027. Ernest is a voice for transparency and accountability within ASWU. He is an outspoken advocate against the affiliation of hate groups, which endangers students of color, queer students, and other marginalized groups. He helped lead the charge to divest ASWU’s endowment from the larger university endowment and believes that student funds should serve the entire student body, not only a few special interests. Ernest is not afraid of doing what’s right for the student body even if it means having tough conversations. Now, more than ever, the student body cannot afford to have representatives who sit idly and serve as a rubber stamp for the campus administration. If reelected, he promises to fight for you in the Senate. And when we fight, we win. Let’s win together by voting for Ernest.

Robin Gonzales

Hi y’all I’m Robin(she/they)! This is my Second year running for Senate, I’m currently a sophomore Majoring in creative writing in Spanish! I wanna be able to continue using my voice To advocate for the Students of Willamette and create a stronger connection between them and ASWU! 

Ella Ross

Hi Willamette! Through my work with Willamette EMS, campus research projects, and regular involvement in our student and greater community, I’ve seen how much we can achieve together. For a long time, I’ve attended ASWU meetings to stay informed. But I have realized that I want to do more than just listen from the sidelines; I want to actively collaborate and represent you. As a passionate, outgoing student advisor with an award-winning history in student advocacy, holding my tongue is hard! I know what it takes to be a dedicated voice for those who feel unheard, and I am ready to put that experience to work for our student body. My vision is to make ASWU transparent. Student government shouldn't feel like a mystery. I want to clarify its internal workings so you understand exactly what ASWU is responsible for and how it serves you. I will bridge the gap between students and the Senate, ensuring your voices lead the conversation. I am running to be your advocate, partner, and voice. Let’s make our student government truly yours! Want an Ella-quent student body representative? Vote Ella Ross!

Class of 2029

Matthew Stout

Hi, I'm Matthew Stout and an upcoming Sophomore, I’m double majoring in Environmental Science and play for our lacrosse team on campus. I’ve been involved with ASWU this past year and work as an A/V technician on campus so you may see me around at a couple events. Through my time here, I’ve worked closely with the student body and stand by relationships and communication as a key part of my campaign and personal standings. I volunteer frequently in my community and work closely with youth in tutoring and after school programs to create a relationship with my peers. Growing up in Texas showed me firsthand the importance of having a community you can depend on. During my teenage years I moved to California where I became familiar with a multitude of economic and social injustices in my city. I have participated in multiple protests and debates regarding LAUSD school policing, LGBTQ+ representation, and academic funding. I'm a firm believer in my ability to ensure that the 2026-27 academic year consists of effective communication and honesty across the board. I want to be able to create a community on campus that pushes a supportive and positive environment.

Alex Berry

My name is Alexander (Alex he/him) and I am running for one of the Senate Class of 2029 seats. I have served on the senate this academic year and want to continue my efforts on campus and organizational improvement. Before coming to Willamette I received my AAS in Business Management and I believe that experience has allowed me to become a productive representative of the class of ’29. This year I have connected to campus through my involvement with ASWU, The Collegian, BSU, Sigma Tau Delta, and look forward to being a Colloquium Associate next semester. These efforts have been done through my strive for community building and efforts to maintain a well rounded nature on campus. As a senate nominee I hope to hear community voices and listen to the best interests of the entire student body. In addition I want to embrace diverse backgrounds and represent communities that might worry about having their voices heard; and those who have been historically underrepresented.

Teddy Wachtler

Hello! I’m Teddy, and I’m confident in my ability to serve you best on the ASWU Senate. Particularly, I’m committed to dramatically increasing the transparency and legitimacy of ASWU’s logistics. With a tumultuous year of financial and political controversy in ASWU, it is increasingly important to ensure that ASWU’s decisions are based purely on the genuine interests of the student body in a democratic manner. This looks like increasing the accessibility of ASWU publications (why is accessing the meeting minutes so convoluted?), serving on the funding committee to ensure equitable distribution (why is the funding distribution so extraordinarily lopsided between clubs?), and decreasing censorship (why do the Collegian’s articles almost never include any hints of anti-ASWU sentiments?). There are immensely important questions orbiting ASWU and the school administration that deserve answers. As a Senator for the class of 2029, I hope to provide those—applying my experience as the Treasurer of three distinct student organizations, my academic and collaborative skills, and my extensive volunteer background advocating for queer justice in my local community. More information regarding me can be found at my website: https://thwamster.github.io/. I’m ready, willing, and excited to advocate on your behalf. Go vote!

Gabi Klarr

Hi Bearcats! My name is Gabi Klarr (she/her), and I’m running for ASWU Senate. I believe a good leader is dedicated, responsive, transparent, present, and a vocal advocate for their communities needs. In high school I served as my school’s school board representative, which included attending site council meetings where I worked closely with parents, students, teachers and members of the community to improve the functioning of my school. After listening and working with my community I would go to the school board and advocate for my peers. This experience taught me how to be a leader that took into consideration the views of a diverse group of people and then doing justice to their voices so that they were heard and understood by the people who can initiate institutional change. My additional experience includes: student council all of high school, president of Spanish club, and social media manager for NHS. As your Willamette representative I will continue to be involved and responsive to my community. I will show up as the leader I would want representing me, one that is dedicated, listens, and is not afraid to say difficult things to the people who need to hear it.