ASCSU Elections: Meet speaker of senate candidate Enock Monanti

Allie Seibel and Aubree Miller

March 24, 2024

Associated Students of Colorado State University speaker of the senate candidate Enock Monanti poses for a photo March 22.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of The Collegian’s 2024 ASCSU elections coverage. Search 2024 ASCSU elections on collegian.com to see complete coverage of all other candidates.

With campaigns for the Associated Students of Colorado State University elections for the 2024-25 academic year fully underway, The Collegian sat down with speaker of the senate candidate Enock Monanti to discuss his background, campaign platforms and future plans if elected.

Monanti is a sophomore studying biology and currently serves as the chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Affairs Committee and a senator for the Black/African American Cultural Center.

Background, ASCSU experience, qualifications

Monanti: I have helped work on writing legislation such as the Lavender Cabinet bill, … and I sponsored and endorsed a fair bit of bills that have come my way in that organization as well.

When it comes to being in the senate, I’ve known a lot of the people there. I’ve worked a lot with individuals, generally just giving the advice, looking over to the bills … (and) pointing out, like, “Hey, maybe you want to do this; maybe you might want to talk to these people as well.” When it comes to that sort of stuff, as well as running my own committee — which, while not nearly as grand, it is running — senate is decently a lot of leadership experience within that space, as I basically have to make sure that decorum is held, that conversation is germane, that the agenda that is created for that committee is accurate, up to date, all that stuff, which is a part of the speaker’s job.

Outside of the space, when it comes to leadership positions, I know that I typically never play the main leader, but I am good at supporting. In (the Pride Resource Center), I work as an Amplify mentor. So when it comes to that situation, … that work experience, … it has definitely taught me how to interact and basically run things.

Campaign platform, campus issues, priorities

Monanti: I wouldn’t say that I’m running on an issue — more so that I am running on three ideals: just, fair and fun, which (are) mostly the three things that I’m upholding.

So just and fair: Obviously, I want legislation to be seen with (as) much impartiality as possible so that students can actually see (that) the bills that are being written for students (are) actually equitable and … that all voices and all sides and concerns are addressed when the bill is in senate.

(For) fair, … everything is being seen as equitable. (Making) us fun (was) the more interesting of the three — … making the space a lot more comfortable, making it a lot more inviting for students outside of ASCSU (so) you could just… come and sit and watch and even have a side conversation while (senate is) going on (with) legislation that could potentially impact them. I wanted (it) to be a space where people feel OK to express (their) opinions.

My top two concerns would be generally student engagement and communications. I feel like communication can definitely be done better between all three branches … as well as communication throughout our student population about what we actually do and, like, where we are, where we exist, what things are being seen. … I want to see a lot more students involved in the organization. Like, even if they’re not like a senator or associated senator or hold a position within the organization, I would love to hear a lot more (about) their involvement, a lot more of their voice, have a lot more of just them in the space.

ASCSU/student relationship, ASCSU future goals

Monanti: From what I understand of that organization, … I can tell you there are senators who’ve been there far longer than I in my one-year tenure. ASCSU (is) a slow-changing organization, but … I foresee it changing for the better, to be more open, to be more inviting. I foresee … a future of a lot more student engagement from outside of people who are just naturally a part of the association and the organization. And I hope my goals can further that along. I really want to make massive strides. But I also understand that strides come with baby steps.

I want to make senate a better place. I want it to be a more open place. I want students there. I want people to know that senate exists and that it’s a part of campus that gives students a say on how their fees are spent and gives students a voice in the administration.

And at the end of the day, no matter how elections go, there’s someone who’s going to be there for you, and you should make your voice heard.

Reach Allie Seibel and Aubree Miller at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.

ASCSU2024

About the Contributors

Allie Seibel, Editor in Chief

Returning for her second year as editor-in-chief, Allie Seibel could not be more proud of the experience The Collegian has given her over her tenure at Colorado State University thus far. Seibel is a junior in the Honors program and on the prelaw track, studying journalism and media communication with minors in legal studies and business administration. She is also an Honors ambassador and an Honors peer mentor as well as a satellite imagery writer for the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at CSU and a member of the Center for Public Deliberation. Seibel started at The Collegian the summer before her first semester of college, getting involved through her orientation session and beginning her first year as news editor. She got the position before ever setting foot on campus as a student, which was one of the most formative experiences of her collegiate journalism career. She then began her current role her sophomore year, becoming the youngest editor-in-chief in Collegian history. Under Seibel's leadership, The Collegian was awarded an all-around best in show fifth place award at the College Media Association's national convention. Seibel is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and spends her free time reading, cooking, cross-stitching, paddleboarding and taking photos. She is a huge traveler and seizes any opportunity she can to see the world. As she begins her second year at the helm of The Collegian, Seibel is excited to continue the immense legacy of the newspaper both in print and online by expanding investigative coverage and pushing readers to discover more about their surroundings on campus. She looks forward to maintaining The Collegian's reputation as a trustworthy news source both on campus and in the community.

Aubree Miller, News Editor

Aubree Miller is a news editor for The Rocky Mountain Collegian and could not be more thrilled to take on the role. Miller started as a reporter for the news; arts and entertainment; and life and culture desks in fall 2023 and has nurtured a love for news and keeping up with what is going on in the community, no matter how small or large the occasion. Going into their sophomore year, Miller is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in journalism along with two minors in women’s studies and ethnic studies. They are incredibly excited to keep the CSU and Fort Collins community up to date on news while keeping a focus on ethical and fair journalism and social justice, giving a voice to each and every person The Collegian interacts with. Miller is originally from rural northern Wisconsin and has lived in Aurora, Colorado, for the past eight years. Passions for reading, writing and music have flourished during their time at CSU thus far. That passion for writing translated into journalism, where writing is combined with being able to help others and to tell the stories that may not always be told. When not working at The Collegian, Miller can be found attempting to bring back '80s fashion trends, crocheting, listening to Taylor Swift and hanging out with their cat. Miller is immensely proud of their work with The Collegian thus far and is thrilled to continue learning and growing as an editor.

Cait Mckinzie, Photo Director

Cait Mckinzie is a second-year student double majoring in art and journalism and media communication. She is one of two photo directors for the 2024-25 school year. Despite growing up in Renton, Washington, Mckinzie knew she wanted to go to Colorado State University since middle school. She had only ever been to Colorado twice, but she visited campus once, and that was all it took. At first, there wasn’t much in Fort Collins that Mckinzie was familiar with. But in high school, she was the co-head of visuals for her school newspaper, so she applied to The Collegian as a photographer to get back into a similar environment. Mckinzie was first introduced to photography by her grandfather, who has been a photographer most of his life. After he gifted Mckinzie her first camera in her junior year of high school, she began to take any assignment she could for her high school paper to improve her skills. Of all the memories made in her first year at CSU, most of the interesting ones came from The Collegian. One Halloween drag show assignment, a lot of mentorship and a few months of practice later, Mckinzie found herself being offered the position of photo director for the next academic school year. Mckinzie is excited for another year at The Collegian and aims to continue learning and growing during her time as one of the photo directors.

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