Going up to the second floor of the Student Experience Center and into the student government offices, you may notice two advising desks instead of one. This is no trick of the eye, but instead a reflection of the work being done at the student government.

Whereas in years past the Associated Students of Oregon State University has had only one advisor, this year there are two. Gabi Ulate is the newest student government advisor, working under the Senior Student Government Advisor Keri Simonet. In her first year with ASOSU, Ulate is focusing her work on the executive staff.

“I do one-on-ones with them (and) I support them in any way that I can … I am there with committee meetings, making sure they’re good and … (conducting) admin tasks in general,” Ulate said.

Though she focuses her duties on helping the executive staff accomplish their goals, Ulate tries to step in where she can by attending senate meetings and keeping a pulse on the Student Fee Committee and Judicial Council.

Ulate’s journey to the ASOSU is one that is rooted in the passion she has for education and leadership. Ulate began her journey at Virginia Tech where she studied human development and sociology. “I just knew I wanted to help people, I went into college being like, ‘I love volunteering, (and) I was the president of a volunteer club — Circle K International,” Ulate said.

During her freshman year, Ulate quickly discovered what it felt like to be unsupported by those who are meant to lead. “When I was a freshman, I had a Resident Advisor who was a fifth-year chemical engineer. She just had no time for anybody in her hall and I remember feeling like I wanted support … I think I transitioned well into undergrad but just not having a support system (within the place I was living), not having someone who cared about me at all, that was kind of tough,” Ulate said.

This experience inspired Ulate to take on an RA position herself, where for three years she became deeply involved in her work and housing. “Was glad to finally be in that role… in a positional place to give that ability of helping students and being there for them because that’s what I wanted,” Ulate said.

Eventually, with the help of mentors, Ulate found herself exploring a career in student affairs. After getting her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech, Ulate began her masters program at Florida State University, this time focusing on higher education rather than housing. In May of 2024, Ulate graduated with her masters and started her work at Oregon State in September, just as the fall term was beginning.

Since the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Ulate has made it her goal to center students. “When I have one-on-ones, I focus on (the fact that) you are a person first, and then you’re a student, and then you’re (a member of the) ASOSU,” Ulate said. Ulate believes that student affairs should include the prioritization of student well-being, seeing that mental well-being and academic well-being, in-turn, contribute to the well-being of the student government.

“When I (first) got here, the conversation would jump straight to, ‘okay so this is what I’m working on and here’s what we’re going to talk about,’ and I’m like, ‘let’s close the notebook… how was your weekend?’,” Ulate said.

Though her professional goal may be to focus on students and staff of the ASOSU and treating them like people first, Ulate’s personal goal is to try and learn as much as she can. “This is a new group of students, this is a new state to me so I’m trying to come at everything with an open mind,” Ulate said.

On any given day, Ulate can be found meeting with ASOSU students and staff to discuss policy initiatives, facilitating communication, or simply providing an ear to bend to a student grappling with the challenges of leadership. She said her office is a ‘welcoming space’ where students can come to brainstorm ideas, seek advice, or take a moment to recharge.

“A lot of what I approach student affairs with is a leadership focused lens… centering leadership theories… to build a toolkit of ‘how do I approach this situation as the best leader that I can be? And how do I encourage students to grow themselves as leaders?” Ulate said.

Though her work is still in its early days, Ulate said her ultimate reward lies in the success of the students she serves and she looks forward to further establishing connections with the students, staff and community of Oregon State.