Leading Eastern, listening first: Meet the newly elected USUSA Officers

As Utah State University Eastern moves into a new term of student leadership, newly elected officers within the Eastern Service Region of the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) are preparing to step into roles focused on advocacy, inclusion, and connection.

USUSA serves as the official student government for Utah State University, representing students across the Logan campus and its statewide locations. At USU Eastern, the Eastern Service Region operates as the local branch of USUSA, addressing campus-specific concerns while also ensuring Eastern students are represented in university-wide student government conversations.

What is the Eastern Service Region of the USUSA?

The Eastern Service Region is the branch of the Utah State University Student Association that represents students at USU Eastern. Officers advocate for student concerns, plan events, support cultural engagement, and serve as a bridge between students, campus administration, and statewide USUSA leadership. The region ensures Eastern students are represented in university-wide conversations while remaining focused on campus-specific needs. In the week leading up to voting, students were invited to hear from candidates during a meet-the-candidates event. While the event offered insight into each candidate’s priorities and leadership style, it was clear that the candidates viewed it as only a fraction of a much broader election outreach effort.

Throughout the process, multiple candidates, including those who were not elected, shared ideas, asked new questions, and contributed to discussions about the future of student life at Eastern, underscoring a shared commitment to student leadership and service.

Junior, Criminal Justice and Pre-Law
Instagram: @alyssa_chamberlain_
Fun Fact: “I can drive a manual!”

Elected Vice President Alyssa Chamberlain ran on the platform “LyssaListens,” emphasizing listening to students and strengthening the overall student experience at USU Eastern.

Chamberlain said, “I want to hear directly from students, so their voices help shape campus resources to be visible, easy to find, and easy to use. Keeping the close-knit, student-focused culture that makes Eastern unique, while making sure resources truly fit student life, matters to me,” Chamberlain said. Her vision for the role centers on accessibility, communication, and consistent follow-through, rooted in Eastern’s tight-knit community.

During the meet-the-candidates event held prior to voting, Chamberlain spoke about the importance of being present and approachable, particularly on a campus where personal connection plays a defining role in student experience.

One goal for the position: “My goal is to build on the close-knit Eastern experience by taking action to make support more accessible, improve campus resources, and ensure student voices shape the decisions that affect them.”

Campaigning: “The most challenging part of campaigning has honestly been putting myself out there and asking people to trust me with their vote. I care deeply about Eastern, so I don’t take that lightly. It can feel vulnerable asking people to believe in your vision. The most rewarding part has been the conversations. Getting to talk with students in the hallway, at games, and in classes, and hearing what they actually care about has reminded me why I’m doing this.

Campaigning hasn’t just been about votes; it’s been about listening. That has meant the most to me.”

Why Eastern: “I love Eastern because it feels personal. Professors know your name, and students support each other. There is something really special about the close-knit culture we have. I want to represent Eastern because I believe in protecting that while also helping it grow. I want students to feel supported, heard, and confident that their concerns are being brought directly into conversations with campus leadership. Eastern has given me so many opportunities, and I want to give back by serving the students who make this campus what it is.”

What she hopes to achieve: “I want to make it easier for students to use the resources available to them and bring in additional support when it would benefit our campus. Eastern has strong systems in place, but there is always room to improve how aware students are of them and how accessible they feel. Students should know exactly where to go and feel comfortable reaching out when they need help. Most importantly, I am committed to taking action on student feedback.

LyssaListens is about listening, showing up, and following through in ways that truly make a difference.”

Role model: “My role model is Craig Bunnell. He has been such an important person in my life over the past couple of years, and I truly do not think I would be where I am today without his pep talks and support. He has helped me believe in myself more than I ever thought I could. He leads with so much care and compassion, and being able to watch that has had a big impact on me.” “Thank you to those who believed in me,” Chamberlain said.

Freshman, Social Work
Instagram: @lanieandersonnn
Fun Fact: “My brother, sister, and I all have the same birthday!”

Elected Director of Student Events Lanie Anderson ran on the platform “For Students. By Students. With Purpose.” She said she believes student events are more than just something to attend. They are experiences that build connections, reduce stress, and create lasting memories. “I plan to focus on events that are well-organized and reflective of what students actually want to see on campus. I’ll implement student ideas, provide guidance and support to the team, and help ensure activities are executed confidently. By listening to students and supporting the team, I aim to create events that are fun, engaging, and inclusive, giving every student a reason to participate. I will collaborate with other student leaders and campus groups to expand opportunities for all, enhancing campus life and building connections across our community.” Anderson said.

Speaking during the event held before voting, Anderson said events should reflect student voices and adapt to the diversity of Eastern’s range of schedules, interests, and identities.

One goal for the position: “I aim to continue moving forward with events and traditions that are already successful, as well as welcome new events that are inviting to a more diverse student body.”

Campaigning: “The most challenging part of my campaign was being able to reach all of the student body on the eastern campus. Working through this obstacle was rewarding; it enabled me to meet new people and hear a variety of voices on campus.”

Why Eastern: “I chose USU Eastern because it is a close community, and it is a community that welcomes all types of students. This is unique to the state, and it makes our campus feel like home to so many students.”

What she hopes to achieve: “I hope to help create a campus environment that is inclusive to all types of students. I am a firm believer that this university is for everyone, and our events should reflect that!”

Role model: “My role model is my sister, Landrie. She perseveres through all that is thrown her way, and she does so with a smile on her face and a determined attitude! She inspires me to keep working for what I believe is right, even if it takes a few extra steps.”

“I would like to thank my parents for having faith in me in all of my endeavors, Landrie for pushing me harder than I push myself, Landen for inspiring me to work hard, Easton for helping me accomplish the goals I have set, my friends and family for continually wanting the best for me, and everyone who has supported me in this journey,” Anderson said.

Junior, Social Work
Fun Fact: “My favorite soda is Root Beer!”

Elected Director of Cultural Engagement Mabel Suarez ran on the platform “ABLE with Mabel,” representing Access, Belonging, Listening, and Empowerment. Suarez said she focuses on planning and supporting events and initiatives that celebrate student identities and encourage meaningful connections across campus. “Through an ABLE with Mabel approach, I will work alongside students to create experiences that honor cultural backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives. I am committed to creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered.

My goal is to strengthen belonging through accessible, inclusive, and student-centered cultural engagement,” Suarez said. “That means creating opportunities that are easy for all students to participate in, committing to a campus community where every student feels valued, actively listening to student feedback, and supporting students in creating positive change so they can share their stories and realize their potential.”

During the pre-election event, Suarez spoke about the importance of cultural engagement as both a part of her responsibilities and an everyday practice.

One goal for the position: “I want to support students in creating positive change on campus, so that they can feel confident and capable of sharing their stories to actively shape campus culture, helping them realize their potential.”

Why Eastern: “I love this campus because of how close-knit and small the community is. It creates opportunities for stronger connections among students, while still allowing everyone to have fun and stay focused on their goals.”

What she hopes to achieve: “My goal is to collaborate with students to organize more engaging events and foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and connected.”

Role models: “My role models are my mom and my advisor. My mom has always been my biggest supporter, teaching me to follow my dreams no matter how big they are. She has shown me the importance of perseverance, hard work, and believing in myself, always encouraging me to reach higher and never give up. My advisor, Liz, has also guided me, showing me that I have the power within myself and that trusting in my own abilities is essential. Together, they have taught me that with dedication, effort, and self-belief, anything is possible.”

“Thank you to those who provided encouragement,” Suarez said.

Sophomore, Biology/Animal Science
Instagram: @ellanore.faith
Fun Fact: “I like sardines, and I’m on the archery team!”

Elected Student Advocate Ellanore McDonald ran on the platform “The Face That’ll Advocate Your Case.” She said her goal is to create an environment where every student knows where to go, who to trust, and how to make their voice heard. “I want students to feel comfortable bringing their concerns, conflicts, and ideas to me, confident they will be met with respect and genuine action. I am especially committed to supporting students who feel overlooked or unheard and addressing the issues that impact our students. By creating an environment of effective communication and consistency, I hope to strengthen Student Advocacy as a lasting, trusted resource on campus,” McDonald said.

At the meet-the-candidates event held the week before voting, McDonald emphasized the value of one-on-one connection on a small campus.

One goal for the position: “One thing I would like to do while I serve as Student Advocate is make it a priority to meet with the leaders from each organization on campus routinely. I want to implement their direct concerns into plans of action.”

Why Eastern: “What I love most about Eastern is the small and friendly campus community. The environment at USU Eastern makes for a comfortable opportunity to get to know people and make connections! USU Eastern is in complement to my campaign and ideas because it is specifically designed for the dynamic of our campus, in a small community setting, it is absolutely possible to build one-on-one connections as a Student Advocate!”

What she hopes to achieve: McDonald said she is especially committed to supporting students who feel overlooked or unheard and strengthening Student Advocacy as a trusted campus resource.

“I am beyond grateful for my friends and family. My kind parents and grandparents have given me such a wonderful opportunity to thrive! Even in my doubt, they encourage and build me up,” McDonald said.

While only a select number of candidates were elected, the election cycle reflected a broader culture of student involvement. Candidates who were not elected remained active in conversations, campus improvement, student engagement, and leadership, contributing ideas and energy that helped shape the discussion for all students throughout the process.

Elected officers emphasized that student government relies on continued participation beyond voting, from attending meetings to sharing feedback and staying engaged with campus initiatives.

As the new term begins, Eastern’s USUSA officers’ priorities remain consistent: listening to students, protecting the close-knit culture that defines the campus, and ensuring student voices continue to influence decisions that shape campus life.