ASI BOARD DIRECTOR CANDIDATE:
PRESIDENT CANDIDATE: BRITTANY FUERTE
Major: Business & Economics
Minor: Pre-Law | Class Standing in Fall 2026: Sophomore
CANDIDATE STATEMENT:
Dear Channel Islands University Students,
As a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a minor in Pre‑Law, my academic journey has been guided by both ambition as well as a deep commitment to passion. I believe the ASI Board of Directors plays a vital role in shaping the student experience, and I am eager to contribute my voice, leadership, and dedication to ensuring that every student at our university feels represented, heard, and supported.
My long‑term aspirations include building a dual career as both a corporate attorney and a licensed realtor, two professions grounded in strategy, integrity, and advocacy. Through corporate law, I hope to advise organizations on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance, while through real estate I aim to help families and entrepreneurs build sustainable wealth and opportunity. These goals will help me empower individuals to navigate complex systems that can often feel inaccessible or overwhelming. I firmly believe that when knowledge is paired with empathy and ethical leadership, it can transform not only singular lives but entire communities.
My current role as a Student Union Building Service Assistant at CSUCI has provided me with valuable experience that directly fuels my desire to serve on the ASI Board of Directors. In this position, I have developed stronger leadership skills, adaptability, and the ability to remain composed and focused in dynamic environments. I have helped organize campus events, facilitated group discussions, and collaborated with diverse teams. These experiences have strengthened my communication abilities and reinforced the importance of attentive listening, thoughtful advocacy, and responsible decision‑making.
Serving on the ASI Board of Directors would allow me to expand this commitment to student engagement and representation. My primary goal is to foster a more inclusive and connected campus environment where every student, whether they live on campus or commute, feels valued to participate in university life. Many students balance demanding academic schedules, employment, and personal responsibilities; it is essential that ASI continues to develop resources and initiatives that support both their academic success and their social well being. If elected, my priorities would include expanding opportunities for meaningful campus engagement and advocating for initiatives that support student success throughout the academic year. I am particularly committed to ensuring that student voices are actively included in conversations that shape campus policies, programming, and community initiatives.
I am drawn to the ASI Board of Directors because I believe in the power of student leadership to create meaningful change. I aim to advocate for my peers while upholding integrity, inclusivity, and service, ensuring every student feels heard, represented, and respected.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I would be truly honored to serve the students of California State University Channel Islands and to contribute to building a campus community where every voice matters.
CANDIDATE PLATFORM:
Lack of transparency in spending
- Develop clear, accessible financial reports that provide semester summaries of income derived from student fees and corresponding expenditures, presented in plain language and supported by infographics or charts. Maintaining an up-to-date online document showing the current budget status, with concise explanations alongside numerical data so that students do not need specialized financial knowledge to understand it. Clearly disaggregating major budget categories enhances transparency for both students and faculty, offering a clear view of how the program is managed responsibly and effectively.
- Implement an FAQ mechanism that invites students to submit questions regarding the budget and overall finances, and publish responses in a format visible to all students. This approach reduces widespread confusion, addresses recurring concerns efficiently, and supports those who may be hesitant to ask such questions individually.
Limited budget and competing priorities
- Conduct a "priority-setting" survey to identify students' top needs, such as mental health resources, major events, relaxation activities, basic necessities, and commuter support. Link each priority to the responding student's basic information (anonymized where appropriate) to better understand specific engagement needs or required items for targeted outreach.
Low student engagement in campus life
- Distribute campus-wide forms via mass email to gather student input on preferred event times, formats, and themes that genuinely resonate with them. This enables the design of diverse programming including academic, career, cultural, wellness, and social events; ensuring engagement extends beyond specific student groups.
- Not implement a centralized digital platform to consolidate all event information, preventing fragmentation that limits awareness. Complement this with robust physical outreach across campus such as flyers, posters, table tents, and staffed info booths; as many students lack or avoid social media, making multi-channel promotion essential for broad participation.
Social climate conflicts and polarizing issues
- Launch a social media series addressing difficult topics and current community issues, structured as moderated dialogues. This provides students a platform to express perspectives under agreed upon norms of respect and constructive engagement, fostering awareness rather than conflict whether on campus, in the community, or globally.
- Train student leaders (senators, board members, club officers, etc.) in de-escalation and mediation skills, equipping them to manage tense meetings constructively and with greater ease. This can take place in the form of digital videos, conferences or group exercises in and out of campus.