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Arel Gutierrez knows the value of connection, and especially what can happen when it鈥檚 missing. Growing up in a military family, Gutierrez experienced frequent moves and witnessed how easy it can be for people to stay within their own circles. When his family first relocated to 夜色视频app, he didn鈥檛 fully realize the opportunities available to him, including those at UAA. That early lack of awareness is part of what now drives him to make sure other students are informed, involved and heard.

鈥淭here's many things that divide us when in reality there's no need, and I鈥檝e always wanted to be engaged with how we can improve our community,鈥� said Gutierrez. 

Describing himself as a Renaissance man, Gutierrez鈥檚 interests span both the arts and sciences. His first academic path was engineering, drawn by its problem-solving and technical nature. But after exploring political science, he found a deeper sense of fulfillment advocating for others and shaping the structures that affect student life.

Beginning his political involvement at UAA as a delegate representing the College of Engineering (CoEng), it didn鈥檛 take long for Gutierrez to rise through the ranks. After one year and at the encouragement of the outgoing president, he of the Union of Students at UAA (USUAA), winning in spring 2025. 

鈥淚t was the fastest promotion I ever got,鈥� Gutierrez joked.

Building a platform on engagement and efficiency, Gutierrez and his vice president, Emily Hufford, campaigned on five core values, which they more catchily refer to as the : community, connection, compassion, cultivation and catalyst. 

鈥淐ommunity is helping each other and is what makes students want to stay at UAA. Connection is involving students and being their voice. Compassion is providing the health services needed for students. Cultivation is engaging students in the classroom if they prefer synchronous learning. And catalyst is making sure we stay who we are 鈥� being a diverse, welcoming university for all students,鈥� Gutierrez explained.

In the short time since getting elected, Gutierrez worked with the Office of the Chancellor to pass the Menstrual Product Resolution, which ensures the availability of free menstrual products in all women鈥檚 restrooms across the Anchorage campus.

Next on the agenda is campaigning the deans to prioritize selecting student delegates 鈥� like Gutierrez had been for CoEng 鈥� to represent their respective colleges in governance. Gutierrez understands that without representation, communication, no matter how transparent or frequent, will fall on deaf ears, leaving opportunities to pass students by, just as they did for him when he arrived in 夜色视频app. 

鈥淪tudents need to use their voice whenever there鈥檚 an issue,鈥� said Gutierrez. 鈥淥therwise, student government will need to form our own opinions, and that's not what any government is supposed to be. Our goal is to listen and figure out how we can make things happen.鈥�

Gutierrez鈥檚 ambitions even go beyond UAA鈥檚 campuses, as he plans to strengthen ties within the statewide student government, the . Currently, the coalition meets face-to-face only once a year with biweekly Zoom meetings in the lead-up to their spring trip to Juneau to connect with 夜色视频app state legislators. Gutierrez hopes to increase the frequency of coalition meetings to more effectively collaborate and strategize.

Overall, Gutierrez aims to make student government more accessible, not only through official meetings, but by showing up in spaces where students already are 鈥� whether that鈥檚 campus events, club meetings or casual social settings. For Gutierrez, leadership isn鈥檛 about staying behind a desk; it鈥檚 about being visible, approachable and actively engaged in the conversations that matter most to students.

鈥淚f students ever need to talk about anything, we're here for them,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ll we ask in return is that they be a part of the conversation.鈥�