Your vote, your voice, your impact

"Because of your leadership role, you grow more in community and help people who otherwise felt unseen feel valued and heard.”

Khouri Evans ’27 began her tenure with Redlands Student Government (RSG) with a playful conversation outside of the Irvine Commons. While talking with a former teammate who was encouraging her to run for student government, Khouri joked about entering the race for president. 

“After taking things a bit more seriously, I realized that RSG could give me the chance to get better connected with my community,” Evans said. “I ran for Public Relations Officer because I knew I was good at speaking with people, and I felt like it would be an easy role for me to fill in my first year.”

In her elected position, Evans had the opportunity to communicate with the public, discuss relevant campus issues, and manage committees and social media. With RSG elections taking place between April 9 – 11, Evans and other student leaders are encouraging fellow Bulldogs to step up, speak out, and vote, emphasizing purpose over politics.

“You don’t need to do everything perfectly — as long as you show that you’re making a dedicated effort to better the lives of others, people will appreciate you for your efforts,” Evans said. “When people see that you’re working toward improving their lives, they speak with you much more candidly and try connecting you with people and organizations that need visibility on campus. Because of your leadership role, you grow more in community and help people who otherwise felt unseen feel valued and heard.”

Behind the scenes, RSG is guided by Assistant Director of Student Involvement Heaven Rivera ’21, ’24, and Dean of Student Campus Life Alfredo Barcenas, both from the Office of Student Involvement and Success (SIS). Through SIS, the duo helps students find their voices and create lasting change.

“My role in RSG is to provide guidance, support, and mentorship to student leaders as they navigate decision-making, advocacy, and governance,” Rivera said. “My goals as their advisor are to facilitate leadership development, ensure smooth operations, and serve as a bridge between students and university administration.”

Like Rivera, Barcenas is in a similar position, emphasizing RSG as a platform to elevate student’s input on campus.

“RSG serves as the voice for students at Redlands,” Barcenas said. “This governing body is committed to listening to the needs of its peers, putting on great programming, and providing leadership opportunities that extend beyond graduation. The goal for RSG is to build community, enhance engagement, and improve the student experience at the University of Redlands.”

For Breanna Naylor ’25, who is currently serving as RSG Vice President, leadership is both personal and practical.

“RSG is the student representation and advocacy, serving as the vital bridge between the student body and the administration,” Naylor said.

“Through collaboration, vision, and dedication, student government fosters meaningful change, ensuring that student voices are not only heard but also translated into action. It is not just an extracurricular activity; it is a commitment to the collective progress and well-being of the student body.” 

RSG is ready to hear your voice at the polls. Online voting is now open and will close at noon, on Friday, April 11.

Learn more about the candidates and cast your vote today.