Meet the candidates running for the 2026-2027 Equity and Inclusion Senator position. Voting for this position begins at 8 a.m. on April 8 and ends at 8 p.m. on April 9. The results will be announced on April 9 at 8:05 p.m. in the Johansen Student Center Ballroom. 

If no candidate wins over 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held from April 13 at 8 a.m. to April 14 at 8 p.m., and the runoff election results will be announced on April 14 at 8:05 p.m.

Responses have been edited for clarity and style.

Betzy Sandoval (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in international relations and law, politics and society.

What made you decide to run for this position?

Over the past year, as the Equity and Inclusion Senator, I’ve seen how advocacy can create meaningful campus impact. Representing multicultural student organizations on the Student Senate, while also serving as President of the Unity Roundtable, has allowed me to elevate voices, bring forward concerns, and champion initiatives that promote visibility and inclusion. I’m seeking re-election to continue building connections, fostering understanding, and ensuring every student feels valued and supported at Drake.

What are your goals for this position? Are there specific issues you hope to address through initiatives or projects in this position?

I have three main goals I hope to continue growing and expanding:

1. Increase visibility and recognition of multicultural student organizations to celebrate their contributions and ensure they have equitable representation across campus.
2. Expand campus-wide DEI efforts by supporting initiatives like the Johansen Bathroom Takeover — a Unity Roundtable project that provides essential hygiene and personal care items in Johansen Hall restrooms to promote dignity and accessibility.
3. Strengthen collaboration between multicultural and non-cultural organizations to build a more unified and inclusive campus community. I hope to encourage cross-cultural engagement, dialogue, and participation in DEI programming.

What experience has prepared you for this position?

Serving as the current Equity and Inclusion Senator has given me firsthand experience with the responsibilities and impact of this role. My two years on the Unity Roundtable, first as Secretary and now as President, have strengthened my advocacy skills and deepened my understanding of representation. Beyond that, my leadership as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the Panhellenic Council and PR/Marketing Chair for La Fuerza Latina has taught me the importance of collaboration, communication, and turning student feedback into real action. These leadership experiences have prepared me to continue advocating effectively for all students.

How would you make sure you are aware of the needs of students?

I plan to continue building relationships with student leaders and organizations through the Unity Roundtable, helping create more spaces for dialogue and growth. Listening directly to student feedback to make sure that more voices are heard! 

How do you plan to balance this role with your other commitments?

Because this role is shared between two senators, collaboration and communication are key. Through my experience balancing academics, leadership roles, and community involvement, I’ve built strong time-management skills that allow me to stay organized and responsive. This position remains a top priority for me, and I’m fully committed to dedicating the time and energy it requires to serve students effectively.

Why should the student body vote for you?

Students should vote for me because of my commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and student advocacy. I bring experience, creativity, and compassion to this role, and I am dedicated to continuing the progress we’ve made together. Re-electing me means continuing to push for a more inclusive, connected, and empowered Drake community where every student feels seen and supported.

Kiera Ruiz-Genovese (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in digital media production and sports media and communication. 

What made you decide to run for this position?

I wanted to run for this position because I want to advocate for safe spaces for every student on this campus. I also think the work that the UNITY Roundtable does in representing multicultural organizations is so important because every student deserves to have a space where they feel represented and heard.

What are your goals for this position? Are there specific issues you hope to address through initiatives or projects in this position?

The value that these organizations hold in our Drake community is so significant. I want to keep supporting these organizations in any way possible. Fostering connections with these organizations across campus is the best way to do that. Personally, one of my goals is to give back to the community. Additionally, as a kid who aged out of the foster care system in Iowa, I also wanted to represent another smaller demographic of students on campus and bring awareness to the issues these students can face and connect them with support systems. In turn, if elected, I’d love to collaborate with the community engagement senator and find a way to bring support to youth who are also currently in the system as well. Whether that’s through angel trees, clothing drives, etc. 

What experience has prepared you for this position?

I believe that through my leadership in RHA (Residence Hall Association), I have developed a thorough understanding of what it means to build community and help advocate for student equity by ensuring that the programs that were approved were accessible and inclusive to everyone in the residence halls. Serving as President for two different residence halls has allowed me to be a bridge between the students and the Residence Life Administration. As President of Carpenter and as the current President of GK, I have prioritized helping make the halls a space for students to connect, as well as make it a space where students can thrive academically and socially. 

How would you make sure you are aware of the needs of students?

To be aware of the needs of students, I’d like to use online surveys. I believe this would allow people to be more comfortable to speak up about what their needs are, as sometimes speaking to someone with a type of authority can be intimidating. With this, along with regular office hours, I believe it would allow me to be aware of as much student needs as possible. 

How do you plan to balance this role with your other commitments?

I have very flexible campus job positions, which thankfully would understand the change in my schedules. I will not be involved with RHA next year, as I will no longer be living in the dorms, so there will be no conflict there either. So, I believe that being involved in Senate would be a good balance for me!

Why should the student body vote for you?

I care about representation so much. It’s so important to me that other people have a safe space to go to at the end of the day, because no one deserves to be alone or feel like they are alone. I want to be a person on campus that people can recognize and go and talk to about their needs without any pressure.