2026 - 2027 RCSA Presidential Election
The RCSA Presidential Elections are happening now and voting is open from Wednesday, January 28 until 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 11. Please learn about our candidates below and cast your vote for the next RCSA President. The President Elect from this year’s election will begin their term on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Meet the Candidates
Meet Teddie!
Teddie is a junior and Marine Biology major running for UW RCSA President with a clear vision grounded in four core values: Safety, Sustainability, Spending, and Students. Drawing inspiration from the tradition of the Sylvan Grove Columns while adding their own unique perspective, Teddie (they/them) is committed to creating a campus community that prioritizes student well-being, environmental responsibility, and thoughtful resource management. Teddie strives to lead with these guiding principles at the heart of their campaign.
An introduction from Teddie!:
Something about UW that grabbed my attention when I first got admitted was the four columns in Sylvan Grove. Coming from another university, I was interested in the traditions associated with UW and these pillars intrigued me; the idea that you touch one and hold its meaning with you through your education and beyond graduation. When thinking through what I wanted to platform for this election, I thought back on these columns and their meanings: Loyalty, Industry, Faith, and Efficiency. These encapsulate the student’s experience here at the UW. I tailored the idea slightly and ended up with four values I wish to hold true to if I am elected: Students, Spending, Safety, and Sustainability.
Students represent loyalty, as they are the center of RCSA. This is the pillar I chose when I learned about the tradition. I want to be a bridge between HFS and the student body, working with both to implement ideas brought about. Spending represents industry. Housing costs are the hardest part of the tuition bill for on campus students. I aim to work with HFS to see what can be done to remove some of that burden from the students. Safety represents faith. In an unstable time, being able to take comfort in being protected is important. I intend to work with HFS to make sure every student is safe on campus, which means the placement of Narcan in dorm RLOs, an improvement to the red backpacks, and the residence halls to be a safe place for students from ICE. Sustainability represents efficiency. UW has been moving towards being more environmentally friendly and I will continue with that progress by adding compost bins into dorm rooms and hosting events that educate on sustainability and being environmentally conscious.
Teddie Schmitt, they/them
Meet Shuchita!
Shuchita is a sophomore and Applied Mathematics major running for UW RCSA President with a vision to strengthen student representation. Shuchita (she/her) is passionate about making RCSA a visible, responsive organization where every resident voice is heard and acted upon. With a commitment to meaningful follow-through and genuine engagement, she's ready to build a more connected and accountable community. Shuchita is dedicated to turning ideas into action and delivering results.
An introduction from Shuchita!:
I've always loved trekking. There's something about being on a trail that makes everything clearer- you know exactly where you're going, you can see the views ahead, and when something goes wrong, there are people who will help you find your way back. On every trek I've done, there's an unspoken rule: you don't leave anyone behind. If someone's struggling, you slow down. If someone's hurt, you stop. You take care of each other because that's what it means to be part of the group.
When I first came to UW, I hoped living in the residence halls would feel like that: a community where people looked out for each other, and help was easy to find. And while there are amazing people here, I've noticed gaps. Friends are unsure who to contact when issues arise. Concerns that feel unheard. Students navigating challenges alone when they shouldn't have to. I realised that the sense of community I love from trekking, where everyone knows the path and no one gets left behind, is exactly what our residence halls need more of.
That's why I'm running for RCSA President.
I'm running for RCSA President because every student deserves to know where to go when something's wrong, who will actually help them, and that someone has their back. I want to create a public "Resident Issues Tracker" so you can see your concerns being addressed rather than disappearing into silence. I also want to tackle the everyday frustrations that add up: making our halls feel safe, pushing for reasonable District Market prices, ensuring late-night food options for students who study past 10 PM, and fixing basic issues like hallway lighting that shouldn't be an issue in the first place. Most importantly, I want monthly open forums where every voice is heard, and you're kept in the loop as we find solutions together, not just told after decisions are made.
You deserve leadership that won't let you get lost in the system. You deserve someone who will stop, turn around, and make sure you're okay. You deserve a community that takes care of its own.
Let's build that together.
