ASU Future Leaders Prioritize Community Ties and Spotlight for Smaller Groups

SAN ANGELO, TX - Jacob Kenelly and Jaden Hollinshed, the Future Student Body President and Vice President candidates for Angelo State University, recently visited the San Angelo LIVE! Studio to discuss their upcoming campaign.

In an interview, Kenelly disclosed that their official campaign kick-off is slated for March, with the election set to commence in the first week of April. 

Both candidates strongly desired to bridge the gap between the university and the local community, particularly by involving small businesses more actively with Angelo State University.

Hollinshed emphasized the need to break free from the university "bubble" and foster collaboration with local enterprises to infuse their unique perspectives into the ASU environment. 

"So that they can bring their ‘light’ to our university instead of us kind of being in the bubble of ASU,” he said. 

Kenelly, an international business student who joined ASU in 2022, highlighted the importance of integrating local businesses with the university. 

Drawing from his experience in the Air Force and relocation from Germany, he realized the disconnection between the university and the broader city.

“I’m so used to being able to just walk around the campuses that I was used to,” Kenelly said. “Coming from the Air Force, I actually came back from Germany and moved to San Angelo and released how disconnected the university was from the rest of the city.”

Hollinshed, majoring in cybersecurity, outlined their plan to raise awareness for smaller organizations and teams, including golf, tennis, and clay shooting. He emphasized their commitment to providing support and recognition for these lesser-known entities within the university community.

“We want to explore the option of small businesses potentially having some kind of sponsorship or some kind of donation process, some way to get their name out there,” Kenelly said. “While also supporting these little enclaves that ASU hasn’t had the opportunity to put in the spotlight.”

Adding to Kenelly's sentiments, Hollinshed stressed their intention to spotlight underrecognized organizations like women in computer science and other smaller clubs at ASU. 

They expressed their determination to bring as much recognition as possible to these groups, often overshadowed by larger entities.

“Other than the teams, we want to bring some focus towards organizations like women in computer science and the other smaller clubs and organizations at ASU that don’t get as much recognition,” Hollinshed said. “We want to bring as much recognition and the spotlight to them as possible.”