Why are you running in the ASUO Election?
Hello, my name is Kento Mano (he/him). I am from Tokyo, Japan, a first year student studying business administration at the University of Oregon. I am running in the ASUO Election because I want to take on an active role in improving the student experience and building a stronger community at UO. When I first arrived at UO, I did not know what I wanted to be involved in. That changed when I joined a cultural club International Student Association (ISA). Through ISA I was able to find passion in working with a team, organizing events and interacting with many people from diverse backgrounds. This experience showed me how important community is and how communities can help students that feel disconnected or lost at UO especially as a first year international student. I hope I can help new students that come to UO feel more included and supported. I also would like to represent as an international student at University of Oregon since currently there are no seats and representative on the board. I can bring a global perspective to the committee’s decision that affects the student body. I am motivated to bring positive change to the UO community.
Is there a particular ASUO funded service or organization (or multiple) that you are passionate about and hope to work with? Why?
I am passionate about working with many cultural clubs. I come from a background where I interacted with many people all around the globe and I can bring a unique, global perspective that can affect the community in a positive way. Through my experience working at ISA, I noticed how clubs operate differently especially when it comes to funding and event engagement. I think that clubs with a lot of funding tend to have less motivation to advertise their events since they are not desperate with attendance which directly leads to their funding amount. On the other hand I think that clubs with less funding such as Thai Student Association are more eager about growing their club which can be seen from their instagram page and their advertising in different clubs. I really hope I can work with small cultural clubs at University of Oregon by helping access ASUO resources and encouraging growth in the community. By creating more opportunities for eager clubs, I think that we can build a stronger and inclusive community at UO. My goal is to make an inclusive community for not only people of the culture but domestic students as well.