With a burgeoning grassroots campaign that garnered almost 170 Facebook likes in three days, a last-minute write-in candidate emerged in the few days before voting closed on Friday in the Associated Students of Portland State University presidential race.
Heber Miguel, a junior in business administration and economics, wants to restructure Student Activities and Leadership Programs in an effort to reduce both bureaucratic red tape and funding cuts to student groups.
Miguel says ASPSU should work toward funding student activities using outside charitable donations rather than student fees. “There will come a time when the government can’t support us,” Miguel said.
Miguel is running with Landru Parker, a junior in marketing. The pair would also like to focus on sustainability, especially environmental and energy policies.
Miguel hasn’t been involved in ASPSU before, but he believes that’s a good thing. “If we want to see change on our campus…we need someone who comes from without, not within, ASPSU—someone with a new perspective.”
Miguel has held leaderships roles in several organizations. He has served as an executive officer in PSU’s Entrepreneurship Club, the vice president of administration in the PSU chapter of the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi and the president of the International Business and Economics Association.
Miguel also has real-world business management experience. In his sophomore year, Miguel invested in a local towing company and played an active role in the company’s operations. He used the proceeds from the sale of the company to support his family while his father, who was uninsured, battled cancer.
When asked about the controversial student leadership awards given to ASPSU members as monetary recognition for their service, Miguel said he would put the money into a charity fund for students who are supporting their families in times of crisis.
“I’m more about change and good influence [than money],” he said.