Meet your new USUSA president: Clara Alder

Clara Alder was announced as the Utah State University Student Association president-elect on the morning of Feb. 16.

Alder received 1,875 votes, which was 51.72% of votes cast, surpassing the 50% required to avoid a runoff election. 

Competitors Niyonta Chowdhury-Magaña received 23.37% and Mikey Henderson received 24.91% of the votes.

“I’m shocked and just ecstatic,” Alder said following the announcement. “I’m just so excited.”

Alder is a junior at USU studying psychology and sociology with a minor in mental health awareness and advocacy. She’s studying on the USU’s Logan campus and is from Salt Lake City.

Prior to running for president, Alder was involved with the USU A-Team, a group of students who help incoming freshmen and their families adjust to USU. She has also worked as a USU Connections peer mentor.

Alder is also the current USUSA Traditions director, in charge of events such as High Stakes Bingo and Traditions Week. She was also crowned as Miss USU in April.

She said she hasn’t always been involved in leadership, but during her freshman year at USU, Alder said she applied to more than 10 committees.

“I wasn’t able to get on any of them,” she said. “But I kept pushing. For the last year, I’ve been preparing for this run.”

Alder also said there were times when she didn’t believe she’d be successful in her run.

“It’s something that I haven’t always believed that I’d be able to do,” she said. “But within the last year, I decided that this is something I am going to do, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to make it happen.”

Ultimately, Alder said all of these things have prepared her.

“Those things have really taught me the importance of being an authentic leader, and also just a genuine friend to people,” she said.

Alder will only be the fifth woman to hold the title of USUSA president. She said she hopes her presidency will encourage other women at USU to take on leadership roles.

“It means a lot that we will support a leader like me,” she said. “I hope that this is a beacon of hope for people to see. Anyone can be president and women can also take on these roles.”

Alder also said that she’s ready to get to work in this new role following the inauguration.

“This is the time to get started,” she said. “The things that I’ve been planning on and am really excited about, we can start working on them.”

Alder is the first USUSA president to represent all of USU’s campuses and centers statewide, but only 185 students residing away from the Logan main campus participated in the Executive Leadership Board election.

As the president, Alder said she hopes to unify USU statewide through statewide events, cohesive USUSA policies, strengthened relationships and campus visits.

“One thing I’m really excited for in this position is the chance to advocate for students across the state,” Alder said. “This is the first year that this position will embody and represent all of the statewide campuses, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Alder also hopes to improve the accessibility of resources regarding sexual assault and on-campus safety.

“I think that a lot of times it’s hard to understand what those resources are, how they can impact us and how they can help us,” Alder told the Statesman during her campaign.

Alder also previously served as a certified  CAPSA advocate and on the Board of Higher Education Safety and Equity Commission.

Additionally, Alder said she wants to prioritize the promotion of scholarships and student support and advocate for affordable tuition during her time as president.

Lucas Stevens, the current USUSA president, said Alder worked hard to achieve the role of president-elect.

“The decisiveness of this election’s results show her capacity to unify our student body,” Stevens said. “I’m excited to see how she leads USUSA and all she’ll accomplish in office.”

Ben Swan, a USU freshman and current member of Alder’s Traditions Committee, said Alder is a great fit for the role.

“Clara is not only amazing in that sense that she does so much, but she genuinely does care,” Swan said. “I can’t wait to watch her kill it just like she does in everything else she’s involved in.”

Abe Rodriguez, the USUSA executive vice president-elect, said he’s excited to work with Alder in the coming year.

“I admire the drive, passion and dedication she has for USU,” Rodriguez said. “I had the opportunity to work with her last year on the A-Team, and I am excited to work with her again in serving Aggies across the state.”

Madeleine Alder, Clara’s sister and the current USUSA chief of staff, also thinks Clara will be a great leader.

“Her genuine love for all members of the USU family, her passion and her work ethic will help her continue to build a caring community at USU,” she said.

Madeleine also reflected on her experience with Clara both as her sister, and during her time helping with Clara’s campaign. 

“I love that Clara is an inclusive leader,” Madeleine said. “As her sister, I’ve always known her as someone who genuinely cares about everyone around her. As someone who has watched her in many leadership capacities at USU, I’ve seen the way she makes room at the table for everyone.”

Clara reaffirmed that she’s excited to be able to serve in this position.

“I really love election week, and just getting to know the culture, it’s really awesome here,” she said.

Clara also said that feels a ton of support going into the position.

“My phone keeps buzzing with new texts, I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said. “I just feel grateful, a lot of people showed up for me this week, and it means a lot to have that support.”

-Jared.Adams@usu.edu