AUSA Candidate Interviews

03.03.2021

Taylor Biek

(senior, exercise science)
Desired Position: Social Vice President

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

I guess it really depends on my mood for the day, whether I'm feeling like something hot or something more fresh. I usually go for pizza (always cheese, olives, pineapple and onion) for hot food or a sub for something more fresh. I also really love the hummus and pretzel containers but I've been deprived of those lately.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

I love going to the beach, but not so much right now because it's so cold. I also really enjoy just driving around or going up north to see the more mountainous side of Michigan. I recently went snowboarding for the first time so that could be a favorite thing soon enough, when I stop falling every five seconds.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

I just think that the social interaction atmosphere is lacking, of course that's not our fault. Students are becoming more prone to depression and just overall stress because our campus has so many restrictions on gatherings, which is also not entirely controlled by the university. I think we need to find "outside of the box" ideas on how to engage our student body more so that we can inhibit more students from this issue.

Alyssa Henriquez
(senior, English and biochemistry)
Desired Position: Student Movement Editor

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

I usually get a Beyond Burger or a vegan quesadilla from the gazebo. I'm not vegan, but I happen to like that version better than the normal one. As for the cafeteria, my favorite meal is pretty much anything involving pasta.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

I like going to Saint Joseph beach. When the weather was warm at the beginning of this semester, my favorite thing ever was to spend time outside in the evenings. I love being outdoors when it's breezy at night, and the sunsets here are beautiful. Pre-COVID, another one of my favorite activities was just going out to get food with friends. Some of my favorite places to eat around here are Bowl of Pho and India Garden in Mishawaka.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

During this time, I think our most pressing issue as a university is forming meaningful connections with one another. More than any sort of administrative or infrastructure-related issue on this campus, I think that our biggest challenge has been connecting as a campus during COVID-19. I hope to change this next year with meaningful events, up-to-date social media platforms for AUSA, and an engaging university paper that keeps everyone informed about campus life.

Karenna Lee
(sophomore, business administration and English)
Desired Position: Senator-at-Large

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

A honey mustard turkey sub with provolone and veggies and a mango smoothie.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

Grabbing a bite to eat with my friends.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

I understand and support the university's effort in working towards acceptance and diversity. My goal is to continue to expedite those efforts and lift everyone's voices in regard to both the little things to the big things. I'm also interested in improving Lamson by looking into increasing the WiFi speed and remodeling the rooms themselves. Overall, I'd love to hear what you all have to say.

Abraham Bravo
(junior, political science)
Desired Position: Senator-at-Large

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

A breakfast burrito.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

Sledding.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

The lack of representation that students have to make a real change around the college. There are many individual problems occurring here on campus which students work together to fix, but it is not enough. Many students have major problems with building accessibility for the handicapped, problems with the café prices and food quality, problems with the overall WiFi, and just a lack of transparency that the college has had with handling the COVID-19 pandemic. These are the most pressing issues that I believe that need to be changed.

Torrey Joo
(freshman, psychology)
Desired Position: Executive Vice President

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

Breakfast burrito, no chipotle.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

Being around friends. I specifically have a Korean small group that is always fun to be with and that has my back 24/7.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

I don't like to think that Andrews has a lot of problems: current AUSA officers and senators have been doing a great job at that. But with COVID-19 and the limited opportunities it brings, I think the highest priority is to connect students with each other and give them the opportunities to enjoy themselves and all that Andrews has to offer.

T (Mathias) Willem Crombie Bruggemann
(sophomore, computer science, physics)
Desired Position: Executive Vice President

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

Breakfast: strawberry overnight oats. Lunch: mango smoothie, apple, clif bar. Supper: haystacks.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

Skating and snowboarding during winter; hiking and the beach during summer. I’m looking forward to seeing some sporting events and things in Chicago and Notre Dame once COVID-19 is over.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

I’ve spoken to a number of Andrews students for perspective and ideas. One issue I hear continually surfacing is focused on inclusion and interconnectedness, and this is an issue that has weighed on my own mind recently. Even after freshman year, it can be difficult to break out of a single social circle and make new connections. While our school already makes a prominent effort to keep students connected, there’s always more that can be done, especially to counter the additional challenge of COVID-19 restrictions.

Andrews is pretty great, all things considered. That being said, there are always ways to make the student experience even better. Andrews can only benefit from an increase in school spirit and identity. No one wants their experience at Andrews to feel flat. We all want Andrews to be a place we enjoy living and working, a school we’re proud to attend, a community united. Currently, we’re united by a shared faith, and that’s amazing, but we should also be connected by shared memories and loyalties.

As Executive Vice President, I would look forward to working with the AUSA Executive team and the Senate to initiate creative opportunities for students to get even more connected and involved, social activities that will increase our shared communal bonds to each other and our school.

Andrew Rappette
(junior, computer science)
Desired Position: Executive Vice President

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

Flatbread pizza.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

I love going to Silver Beach.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

AUSA needs to be more accountable to the student body. Students should be able to see where their money is going and how it’s being spent. AUSA should also be doing a better job at voicing the student body’s needs and wants to the administration.

Dongchan Kim
(senior, religion)
Desired Position: President

What is your go-to Gazebo order or your favorite meal at the cafeteria?

Breakfast burrito.

What is your favorite thing to do for fun around Michigan?

Going to the beach and enjoying the nice weather, playing soccer or basketball, and playing musical instruments.

What are the most pressing issues on the Andrews campus that you believe need to be changed?

I believe current and past AUSA teams have been doing a great job of listening and being the voice of the student body. However, since there can always be improvement, I believe reflecting more on the student body's ideas and being the voice of the students can be enhanced. By making this change, I am confident that Andrews University will become even a better school, that educates students to be World Changers, and continues to offer a lot of meaningful and enjoyable experience to not only students but also faculty and community members.