USAC 2025-2026 candidate debates: Cultural Affairs commissioner
Divine Trewick (left) and Mitchell Stevens II (right) speak at a student government debate Thursday evening. Both candidates are running for the position of Cultural Affairs commissioner.
By Lilly Wellons
May 1, 2025 9:44 p.m.
Both candidates to be the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s Cultural Affairs commissioner said they would promote diversity and inclusion for multiple student groups Thursday.
The USA Elections Board and the Daily Bruin co-hosted a series of debates between candidates in the upcoming USAC election Wednesday and Thursday. Two candidates are running for the position of Cultural Affairs commissioner.
[Related: LIVE – USAC 2025 debates: Night 2]
Divine Trewick, a second-year sociology student, said she hopes to create spaces for people of color and ignite conversations across these groups. Trewick added that, as the commission’s current chief of staff, she has found art to be a helpful tool for social change.
Trewick also said she believes that expanding cultural galleries to represent smaller communities will help make cultural programming more inclusive. She added that it is crucial to talk to student groups and organizations across UCLA’s over 30,000-student undergraduate population.
Trewick said she hopes to unite marginalized groups despite obstacles put in place by the Trump administration, including heightened systems of discrimination.
“The history of student activism at UCLA shows that when we unite and fight against institutional oppression, real change happens,” she said. “I’m committed as your Cultural Affairs commissioner to fight against institutional oppression.”
Mitchell Stevens II, a third-year human biology and society student, said he wants to make campus a “sanctuary” for all students, and implement diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Stevens added that he hopes to promote equitable opportunities across campus for all students. He said he believes it is important to recognize UCLA’s diverse student population and work toward uniting these groups.
Stevens said if he is commissioner, his office will listen to students’ voices.
“The diversity of thought amongst these diverse communities are important and should be recognized, “ Stevens said. “I believe that through CAC, we can continue to unite these cultural organizations and what they hope to continue to bring to UCLA.”
Students can vote in the election on MyUCLA from 8 a.m. May 9 until noon May 16.
