Why are you running in the ASUO Election?
Hey Everyone!! My name is Lamar Al Naeb (she/her), I’m a first-year Human Physiology student with a minor in Chemistry. I’m a board member of the Muslim Student Association, an active member of the Arab Student Association, and involved in organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Asklepiads. I’m running for ASUO Senate Seat 14 (Arts and Science) because I want students to feel supported in ways that truly matter. As a STEM student on the pre-med track, my connection to this work is personal, I’m working toward becoming a doctor, which shapes how I approach both my education and advocacy. I’ve experienced how frustrating it can be when students can’t access required lab sections or feel uncertain about their next steps. As someone from a diverse background at a PWI, I also understand how important it is for students to feel represented without having to defend who they are. If elected, I strive to make systems more transparent, accessible, and responsive to student needs. I will work to strengthen connections between UO and healthcare institutions beyond Eugene to expand opportunities, while advocating for a campus where students feel heard, supported, and able to focus on their goals.
How are you connected to the academic programs you represent? How will you utilize these connections to best represent students?
As a Human Physiology major on the pre-med track, my connection to the academic programs I represent is deeply personal. This path matters to me because I want to become a doctor and help people, and that purpose shapes how I approach my education every day. While the University of Oregon is a PWI, my major brings together a more diverse and international group of students. As someone from a diverse background, I want to represent students who may feel like they have to defend their identity in academic spaces, because students should be able to focus on learning without that added pressure. Through the Muslim Student Association and the Arab Student Association, I have been able to meet many students in my major outside of the classroom who have given me different perspectives and insights. Along with my interest in Doctors Without Borders and Asklepiads, I am constantly hearing from peers about stress, academic pressure, and uncertainty about what comes next. I want to use these connections to listen and advocate for students, helping create a more supportive and less stressful academic environment where everyone feels valued and able to succeed.