Jennifer Onuska

Jennifer Onuska is a freshman at UNM and is running for ASUNM Senator with The Connection slate.

Onuska, a political science major, said she joined the slate because she felt the group was diverse, yet had common goals and ideals.

"The reason I got into the election is because I would like to contribute to the University and help make it better," she said.

Onuska, who grew up in Farmington, N.M., has two years of high school senatorial experience and said she is familiar with the role a senator must play.

"The first thing that a senator needs to do is listen to his or her fellow students," Onuska said.

She also said it is important to meet with student groups and give them the information needed to apply for funding. In addition to her previous experience with student government, Onuska said she is easy to talk to and approachable.

"I am easy to work with, dedicated to anything I get involved in, I'm dependable and responsible and will get the job done if I am elected," Onuska said.

Some of Onuska's goals for UNM include building a relationship between ASUNM and the student body, strengthening diversity at UNM and initiating a listserv that would inform students about what ASUNM is doing.

"I believe that communication between ASUNM and the students needs to be strengthened," Onuska said.

She said building better communication between ASUNM and the student body will probably be the Senate's toughest challenge next year.

"The biggest thing that needs to get done is letting people know what ASUNM is and filling that communication gap so students can take part," she said.

When asked to name three members of the Board of Regents, the president of the University and three student groups, the candidate named Larry Willard, Jack Fortner and Eric Anaya as regents; Bill Gordon as president; and the Pre-Law Association, Pre-Medical Association and Residence Hall Association as student groups.