ASUO President-elect Amelie Rousseau hired her chief of staff Monday, announcing the appointment of ASUO Programs Administrator Conrad Hulen to the position.
Hulen, a sophomore, has been involved on campus since he came to the University, having been a member of the Coalition Against Environmental Racism and OSPIRG during his freshman year. This year, Hulen has been widely praised for his performance as programs administrator. A Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet, he has also been visible in helping push for the creation of a military science minor at the University.
“He’s fantastic with people, hardworking and a team player,” Rousseau said of her new hire. “I think he’ll bring those qualities to our staff.”
Many outside her administration had expected Rousseau to appoint someone from within her own campaign for the presidency, such as campaign managers Sinjin Carey or Ben Eckstein, who both applied for the position. However, Rousseau went instead with Hulen, who had donated money and volunteered for the Campus Change Coalition, a slate that ran candidates for president against Rousseau.
“There were great candidates, well-qualified candidates,” Hulen said. “Mr. Eckstein and Mr. Carey … I really admire all they’ve done.”
Hulen said he brings administrative experience and conflict-resolution expertise to the position.
“Maybe I bring a more well-rounded perspective to exec staff,” he said.
However, he said receiving the appointment was still “a little bit of a surprise.”
Rousseau said Hulen’s experience in the ASUO was a persuasive factor.
“He really knows the ASUO,” Rousseau said. “We think he’s somebody who will be taken seriously by the student body and the (University) administration.”
Rousseau said the hiring committee for the chief of staff position consisted of five people to conduct the interviews: herself, Vice President-elect Maneesh Arora, current President Emma Kallaway and ASUO professional staff members Consuela Perez-Jefferis and Kelli Horvath.
Eckstein and Carey both had kind words for Hulen.
“I really think Conrad will do an amazing job,” Carey said.
Hulen outlined his goals for the position in bullet-point form: “Hire right, hire fair, low turnover, build off the success of the current administration,” he said.
Rousseau, Arora and Hulen will now begin the process for hiring other members of Kallaway’s staff.
There are 22 positions for Rousseau to fill on the staff.
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