Elizabeth Ghartey is campaigning for an Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate seat, with a platform focused on research initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Ghartey, who would be representing the College of Science in the ASUA Senate, would like to be a voice for her constituents. Ghartey said her goal in running for the position is “to help students succeed and thrive, especially underrepresented students and science students who don’t have the same level of support.”

The mission of Ghartey’s campaign is to have the opportunity to talk with higher administration at the university. 

“A large part of my longing to be a senator is to look for funding opportunities and supporting students who are looking for research initiatives,” Ghartey said. She hopes to leverage her position to look for public funding and private donors.

Another large goal of Ghartey’s platform is to act as a voice for underrepresented students. 

“Black students are having a lot of trouble right now with the MLK building, like whether or not they are going to have it as a resource, and that’s something that is very, very concerning to a lot of students,” Ghartey said. 

Elisha Davis, a sophomore at the UA who often goes to the African American Student Affairs center for resources, said DEI adds to the university because “it’s important to be around people that look like you and have similarities, so it makes you feel less isolated.”

“Community is something that everyone benefits from within and beyond the College of Science,” Ghartey said. Although DEI is often seen as a deeply political issue, Ghartey views it as nonpartisan and not something that should be co-opted on either side. 

Ghartey said that an integral part of her platform is “being seen, both within the College of Science and the university as a whole, especially for Black students at a predominantly white institution.” 

She reflected on her time spent at AASA as a place to find solace in the community and to be committed to a purpose. 

Ashley Mentor attended AASA’s Black History Month block party to represent her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta — a historically Black Greek organization. Cultural centers like AASA “provide a space for Black students to come together in places where they might not typically have a community. It helps us to feel important and connected to our culture,” Mentor said.

Ghartey noted that a lot of the student body is not aware of the ASUA elections or  a lot of issues that surround  campus. She wants to become very involved in her college and be a medium to relay problems or concerns to the administration. 

“I’m really excited to increase communication with the College of Science. I plan on sending emails and being a big part of clubs. I plan on showing up to their meetings, at least a couple of times each semester, so that I can stay in touch with their members and recognize anything they want me to implement or advocate for,” Ghartey said. 

Additionally, one issue Ghartey is incredibly excited to present to ASUA is a call to allow College of Science students to have 24/7 access to the Health Sciences Library, which is currently only awarded to students at the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing. 

As the ASUA election approaches, Ghartey wants to increase student awareness and get a better sense of the opinions and needs of her peers.

ASUA’s general election will run March 25-26.

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