Jason Williams and Alexis First Raised are officially running for the positions of president and vice president in the Oregon State University student government election.
According to their Elections Committee profile, if elected, Williams and First Raised will be the first Black and Indigenous duo to serve as president and vice president of Associated Students of OSU.
The presidential ticket is running as a part of the DAM Unity slate, which includes Student Fee Committee chair candidate Claudia Juarez and ASOSU Senate candidates Delma Ann, Harlie Endicott and Niema Hussein.
According to Williams, his ticket and slate prioritize collaboration, visibility of campus resources and ensuring students understand and utilize the services they already pay for through student fees.
Williams, a third-year mechanical engineering student with an aerospace option, said his leadership experience as president of the National Society of Black Engineers has helped him prepare for the role of ASOSU president.
“Being president (of the NSBE), I do try to delegate tasks,” Williams said. “I handle money, we got to two conferences a year, so I have to handle buying things, making sure that’s all organized. Make sure everyone’s good and prepared.”
Williams has also started a club at OSU for Caribbean students and is a mentor for first-year STEM students.
First Raised, a first-generation education student with an option for teaching language arts, currently serves as vice president of the Native American Student Association, as well as the Philanthropy chair for Alpha Omega Sorority Incorporated, according to her profile on the ASOSU Elections Committee page.
On top of this, she also currently represents OSU as Miss łatwa ina Pow Wow royalty.
“As an enrolled member of the Burns Paiute Tribe in Eastern Oregon, navigating my way through OSU, I have found community within these organizations and clubs I am a part of,” First Raised said in her profile. “Through community service with my sorority, I plan annual events such as the pow wow and peer mentoring, and I expand my knowledge within my classes.”
Williams said he and First Raised know each other through their work with clubs and leadership programs.
“I work at the Black Cultural Center and (First Raised) works at the Griggs Center in the (Memorial Union) for Black and Indigenous students,” Williams said. “We both hold leadership positions already within clubs and work environments we’re a part of. We build so many communities that we feel like we know enough about what students want. And we just thought it would be good if we just went for President and Vice President together.”
According to Williams, accessibility to food and finances are the most pressing issue that OSU students face.
“I know many first-years running out of dining plans every term, (especially) week eight of every term,” Williams said. “So they have to figure out what to do for the last three weeks of (the) term.”
Williams and First Raised are also looking into more ways to advertise the Basic Needs Center and other resources to students to let them know about available programs where they can get help.
Those looking for more information about Williams and First Raised and their platform can find more in the 2026 ASOSU Elections Voter’s Guide and the ticket’s profile on the Elections Committee webpage.
Voting will be open until March 6 at noon. Students can vote using this link.