Ryan Rushton

Position: Honors College (2 Senate Seats)
Email: ryanrushton2007@gmail.com
Academic College: College of Liberal Arts
Expected Date of Graduation: 05/06/2028
Bio and Platform: Ryan Rushton is a first-generation, first-year student from Elko, Nevada studying Political Science, Gender, Race, and Identity, and Pre-Business, with a minor in Political Communications and Advocacy who is running for election as a Senator for the Honors College to increase inclusivity and transparency in the Honors College, ASUN, and beyond. Through his core values of equity, justice, and service, Ryan aims to make the Honors College, and the whole university a place where ALL students feel like their student government is for the students and by the students.

Throughout his time at UNR, Ryan has engaged with the on-campus community that being a part of the Wolf Pack provides as an active member of UNR People Power and Mock Trial, participating in social justice initiatives to support UNR’s immigrant community. For his entire life, Ryan has focused on advocacy work for marginalized communities so that everyone has a fairer chance at upward mobility. He is dedicated to bringing that mindset to every part of campus by advocating for marginalized students’ voices at the Senate table. It is this commitment to social justice that will inform Ryan’s outreach to students in the Honors College and beyond.

During his time as an intern in the ASUN Department of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, Ryan has worked tirelessly to ensure that students feel represented by the events the University puts on for students. He closely collaborated with the department to plan the Pack Without Borders event so that immigrant students on campus had greater access to support resources. He is also currently planning an event called Fusion, which celebrates the multiracial identity of many students on campus. Ryan has aimed to make sure that students from underrepresented backgrounds have their voices not only heard, but celebrated. Ryan plans to make sure that the Senate is a body that recognizes equity as a core value of this campus.

Ryan is running on 5 key goals that exemplify how he believes our university should to support its students, within and outside of academics.
Increasing diversity within the Honors College, so that our college is representative of the bright minds that deserve our support to reach their academic goals.
Fighting unnecessary tuition increases, so that students don’t disproportionately face the brunt of struggling to pay for tuition that doesn’t benefit their interests.
Ensuring equal access to accommodations, so that disabled students like Ryan have the same opportunities to access a quality education without fear of discrimination.
Advocacy for student-led interests, so that students’ voices can reach the Senate table and advocate in a meaningful way, instead of students' messages being heard, but never acted on.
Increasing student participation in leadership, so that underrepresented communities, like international, immigrant, and disabled students have an impact in how our university is run.

Ryan’s interdisciplinary education as a member of 3 different academic colleges has allowed him to make the most of the versatile education that UNR offers. Ryan represents Honors because of the deep connections he has across diverse portions of the Wolf Pack community. Through his well-rounded education, Ryan exemplifies the Honors pillars of resilience, ingenuity, stewardship, and equity. He is dedicated to making sure that all students have the support and opportunity to practice the Honors pillars effectively through legislation and outreach that puts students first. Ryan’s mission inherently aligns with the core values of the Honors College so that all students can R.I.S.E.

Ryan Rushton is rushing to get the job done!