Former BLAZE2024 Representative Denise Lauren Uses ‘Inclusive’ Leadership and Student Experience in OSEC Candidacy – The LaSallian

All eyes are on Denise Lauren after her previous affiliation with Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (Tapat) and her response during The LaSallianFast Talk’s interview both infiltrated conversations during the campaign period. Along with a number of relatively familiar names in student politics, these moments could be her ticket to standing out. However, her credentials stand on their own: she has held numerous leadership roles, including team leader for various projects and positions such as committee chair and director in the University Student Government (USG), particularly in public relations and outreach the information.

The LaSallian: You have served in various capacities in various branches of the USG. How did this help prepare you for the role of Executive Secretary?

Lauren: I worked in the (Student Organization Council), USG… I learned how to be adaptable. Coming from the biggest batch in the biggest college, we meet different people from different backgrounds (and) walks of life. This is something that I want to carry with me in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OSEC) as we do not only deal with the social media aspect but also deal with different batches, units and colleges. To ensure that each student is well cared for, we should be adaptable not only to their interests but also to their status and position in life.

The LaSallian: One of your previous experiences was serving under OSEC as the Executive Director of Advertising and Promotion. What information about the role you are applying for did you gain from this experience?

Lauren: In fact, I was the chairman of BLAZE2024 before working in OSEC in advertising and promotion. I learned how to be more adaptable to information. So first, I want to be more inclusive. For example, to mga LEGENDS natin at mga pubs, I want to make sure it is inclusive for the PWD community. And not only that, I want it to be digestible, especially when it comes to student concerns and services (because)”yung mga pubs natinit can be quite difficult to digest, so I want students to look at the pubs and digest the information (well).

The LaSallian: The executive secretary is arguably the lowest profile and least understood of the executive board seats. How would you explain the importance of this service to the Lasallian community?

Lauren: I want to eradicate the idea that OSEC only works behind the scenes. Lahat ng project natin napualas because the pubs go through OSEC. Not only that, OSEC handles various batches…yung mga officer welfare and development. By approaching this with more efficiency and reliability, we can ensure that we have a more transformative student body, not only USG executive board offices, but also batches and colleges.

The LaSallian: What would you say are your most important action plans? once you take office? How will you make sure you deliver on these campaign promises?

Lauren: We have a project called “Veritas La Salle.” It is an information dissemination initiative. (The first part of this is bringing back the USG website. We want to update it to make sure everything is centralized, especially “yung resources andyung links. (The second project within this project is that we will have an AnimoSpace mobilization: important announcements will also be made to ensure that information is streamlined for the student body. Third, we have Animo News.’Yung The TVs on campus, we will use it(s) to broadcast pertinent information not only about university announcements, but also about national announcements, especially with the upcoming national elections (2025).

The LaSallian: Are there plans or programs that you would like to continue from your future. predecessor? What about the systems you would like to change?

Lauren: For the first draft, (it would be) “The pulse of Lasallian research.” Alam naman natin na almost all courses, (regardless of) faculty, more research really and it is very difficult to gain respondents. So, I want to continue this and help students not only with their theses but also with “yung mga group work nila with different GE or ‘yung mga ibang TOPICS nila.

Internally, I want to improve the USG archive, especially when it comes to the Legislative Assembly and the other internal meetings of the USG and the various offices, so that the next administration can use this for better projects.

The LaSallian: During the open forum hosted by the DLSU Comelec, you said you found your values ​​more aligned with Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon than with your previous party affiliation, Tapat. Can you elaborate on the difference in values ​​you saw between the two sides?

Lauren: I want to first show my appreciation to my previous party as they also provided me with guidance and growth during my time there. In the current position I’m in, I want to have a more consultative approach—more consultative about the people I’m with. I see myself growing in Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon despite my short stay in the party, so it’s something I want to continue to bring with me as I serve the student body.

The LaSallian: Can you explain what your campaign vision, “Lasallian Purpose Realized” means?

Lauren: Okay, so for Lasallian Purpose Realized, we recognize that all students go through different stages in their college life. More ma-org, more Hindi ma-organd there are people who are late, like me. Actually, I’ve been late ever since May minor yes. We want everyone to feel at home saddle University. We want them to bring a piece of themselves. From “Your Authentic Lasallian Experience,“ where they have truly seen what the Lasallan community can bring them, now we want them to find their purpose at the University.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

With interviews from Ibrianna Raven Madriaga and Carmen Maitem

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