Day in the life of USUSA President Clara Alder

“It’s not about the leader. It’s about everyone around that person,” said Clara Alder, Utah State University student body president, as she gestured to the many photos covering the walls of her office.  

Among them are dozens of Polaroids, each with a face of a fellow student who has entered her office.

“Every time someone stopped by, they could leave something behind,” Alder said.

This collage was inspired by something her father used to tell her.  

“My dad has this really cool saying that he’d always tell us growing up which was, ‘Everyone has a name and everyone has a story,'” Alder said. 

Alder said being a psychology major and having mental health advocacy and awareness experience aids her in her day-to-day duties.  

“Ninety-five percent of my day is interacting and communicating with people,” Alder said.  

Her office hours begin at 1:30 p.m. every day. During this time, she conducts meetings with students, other officers, and faculty members.  

“Once the clock hits 5 p.m. though, I try to go home,” Alder said.  

She goes home to work on her eight credits of online classes. Alder was a first-year student in the fall of 2019 — the pandemic introduced her to online learning.  

“I’ve learned with this position, I do like to have classes online, that way I can really prioritize this throughout the whole day,” Alder said. 

Last year, when Alder was the USUSA Traditions director, she would stay at the TSC until it closed, working on homework and projects. As president, she wanted to set boundaries to prioritize herself as well.  

Alder gives herself time every morning to “putter.” She takes the time to work out, do a skincare routine, make breakfast, or clean. She calls this her “protected Clara time.” 

When Alder is not working, she also loves to cook meals from scratch with her boyfriend, roller-skate, or hang out with her roommates, who she calls her best friends.  

According to Alder, the most useful piece of advice she has been given is, “Choose one thing to see thoroughly to the finish line. Then focus on the next.”  

Alder said there are three projects she is most proud of seeing through to the end. The first was creating a strong connection between students and campus police by working with the police chief.  

“I really wanted to humanize the police,” Alder said.

She also fought against a bill meant to downsize Utah’s Board of Higher Education. According to Alder, “the first person to go was the student representative.” She was able to fight this bill, and a student now remains as an advocate on the board.  

Finally, on Feb. 14, USU President Noelle Cockett announced to Alder and accompanying officers that tuition for the 2023-24 school year will not be rising. This feat is one Alder plans to “keep working on.”  

“I believe in my fellow students, officers, and the university,” Alder said.

An outstanding team has surrounded and aided Alder throughout her presidency

“A lot of people have believed in me,” Alder said. “It’s made me a more confident leader — I feel empowered.” 

-Andie.Allen@usu.edu

Featured photo by Claire Ott