Nearly triple-digit heat couldn’t melt the passion Kelli Horvath conveyed while speaking Thursday about her newly elected position in the SOU student government.

Horvath, a second-year international studies major participating in the SOU three-year accelerated baccalaureate program, was sworn in Tuesday as the 2008-2009 Associated Students of Southern Oregon University student president.

"I want nothing more than to be able to take advantage of the opportunities I’ve been given through my involvement and use them to work for and represent students next year," Horvath said.

Horvath and running mate Jackson McCormack, who will be a junior in the fall, ran unopposed in the student election held at the end of April.

"I believe in democracy," she said, explaining she was actually disappointed that nobody ran against her, but she also viewed it as a compliment to her ability to fulfill the presidential position.

This school year Horvath served as director of governmental affairs for ASSOU and as a senator her freshman year. She hopes to have the new cabinet hired by this week. In the mean time, she is still completing mostly cabinet duties as she transitions into the presidency with the help of Monique Teal, the 2007-2008 ASSOU president.

The current ASSOU officers are assembling transition notebooks on what happened during the term, what went well and what didn’t, Horvath explained.

In preparation for the work in the coming year, Horvath will be at SOU this summer.

"2008-09 is going to be huge because we have a presidential election coming up, one in which candidates are focusing more than ever on the youth vote, and we have a legislative session around the corner in Oregon," Horvath said.

Horvath decided to run for president to address campus and statewide issues.

"First and foremost, I want to make student government more visible and more accessible to SOU students," Horvath said.

She also wants ASSOU members to be held accountable to students. For example, making sure student government members stay for an entire group or organization meeting when they attend.

Another goal for Horvath is to continue the student fee renovation. She wants to continue to develop the conversations that students have begun about the overhaul and start the process to change the Oregon Administrative Rules, which dictates how the student fee process is run.

Horvath would like to find some sort of oil relief for student commuters. Ideas include working with the city of Ashland about transportation, organizing carpooling and working with ECOS and its bike rental.

Horvath would also like to see access to affordable and quality childcare for student parents at SOU and statewide.

"I believe in working for positive change if you have the ability to do so," said Horvath. "I’ve been privileged enough to have the opportunity to be a student and student leader at SOU."

Horvath came to SOU from Durango, Colo.

Family vacations introduced Horvath to the Northwest. The people she met and Oregon’s weather were factors in her desire to pursue her education in the Northwest.

"It’s kind of like a home away from home," Horvath said. "The size of Ashland and SOU, plus the scholarships and the three-year schooling program culminated to make a perfect college experience," she said.

"It was a really perfect time for me to come to Oregon and get involved with politics as well," Horvath said. "Oregon is fairly progressive when it comes to political issues."

After graduation, Horvath’s dream is to work for some organization for political or social change.

"Any little positive change in the world is my goal after college," she said.