For most students, school is a chance to better themselves and prepare for the real world. But for Mark Andrews, he said it’s a chance to serve the student body and to make the school as fun and memorable an experience as it can be.
The 22-year-old political science major is running for ASI president so he can help people. His main goal is to make ASI more accessible to the students and most importantly, more known.
According to Andrews, most students either don’t know or don’t care about ASI enough to vote or pay attention to student activities and events.
“One of the most common questions I get is ‘What is ASI?’ That is something that I want to change if I am elected as president,” Andrews said.
When students vote next week in the ASI elections, they will vote on a number of categories. What Andrews wants to happen is not so much for them to vote for him but to just vote and be heard.
“Students don’t get involved and that’s something we should change,” he said. “I want to open up communication more.”
Andrews began his political career by chance when running into an old friend on campus one day. His friend convinced him to help out with a campus event. Soon enough, one thing led to another and he was on the ASI Senate.
Looking at his family history, his work with ASI only seems logical. Four members of his family, that he could recall, have a history in politics. His grandfather, Gordon Hahn, was a state assemblyman for California. Kenneth Hahn, his late uncle, was also involved in public service, but perhaps the most well-known names on his list were Los Angeles Councilwoman, Janice Hahn and her brother, former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn.
James is Andrews’ second cousin, as is his sister Janice. Although he has not spoken to James about politics, Andrews said his family history has definitely inspired him to move forward in a political career.
“I want to bring back the idea of public service, not politics,” said Andrews regarding his political philosophy. “It’s not about having power, it’s about what you can do for people.”
Regarding some of the changes Andrews wants to see on campus, he shared a story about an incident that happened to him.
“Last semester, my car was broken into,” Andrews said. “We’re No.2 in the West with auto thefts next to Arizona State. I’ll work on this problem whether I’m elected or not.”
Andrews continued by explaining that ASI needs to be more organized and campus savvy. To truly reach the students is to be out there talking with them and dealing with the problems first hand, rather than being an afterthought, he said.
“I want to be out there with students. I want people to know I’ll be there for them.”
