On August 20th, 2026, two officers were sworn into the Executive Board of Western Academic Workers United. We are pleased to announce the uncontested election of Kaitlyn Minnote as Vice President and Aaliyah Rydahl as Head Steward!
Kaitlyn and Aaliyah were sworn in at the August Monthly Membership Meeting and shall serve in their positions until Spring of 2027, when Western Academic Workers United will hold it’s first Triennial Election. Congratulations to our newly elected Vice President and Head Steward!
Vice President: Kaitlyn Minnotte (They/She)
Hey y’all! I’m Kaitlyn, I’m a senior majoring in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Community Organizing, and since joining WAWU I’ve served on both your 2025 OSE Bargaining Committee and 2026 Joint Bargaining Committee, and as a part of elected OSE Leadership. Having been on the bargaining committee for the past two years, I’ve experienced firsthand the hypocrisy and austerity our administration brings to every interaction with students and workers on our campus. Having worked as a Program Support Staff for the Urban Planning department for two years, and now as an Alt Text Assistant in the DAC, I’ve experienced a consistent devaluation of our labor and lived experience as both students and workers. As an incredibly essential and widespread workforce, we have the power to push back against these exploitative practices and make change to our broader working and living conditions. WAWU can bring together revolutionary labor power through coalitional organizing and proactive contract enforcement, which is my biggest focus going into our first year as one big, powerful union. I’d be honored to continue empowering our union to push for a just and worker-centered future as your next VP.
Head Steward: Aaliyah Rydahl
My name is Aaliyah Rydahl and I am proud to be a member of our union. I joined this past year and being part of this union has changed my life for the better.From a young age, I’ve always wanted to make a difference, and our union has given me the opportunity to do that. I’ve experienced the frustration and uncertainty during bargaining, but I’ve also experienced the beautiful community that comes from coming together and growing our collective power. When I first joined, I felt afraid and unsure of what I didn’t know, but I soon quickly was able to build my knowledge and confidence by attending organization meetings, getting involved, and helping grow our new CATS program. Through those experiences, I’ve learned how important it is for members to feel heard and supported.
As a Head Steward, I want to help make sure members know that their voices matter. I want to help spread the word about our union and make both current and potential members feel welcomed. I also believe it is important for our ideas and concerns to move effectively from our committees to the Executive Board, so that members’ needs can be represented.My experience as a co-coordinator of a summer camp, my work as a photographer, and my experience as a newer member of the union have all taught me different ways to communicate, organize, and bring people together. I believe I can use these skills to support our union in new ways.
Overall, I’m running for Head Steward because I hope to bring energy and willingness to help strengthen the connection between our members, committees, and Executive Board.
Thank you for considering me for Head Steward. I would be honored to serve our union and continue growing with one another.
As of August 20th, 2026, the WAWU Executive Board is composed as follows:
| President | Anika Erickson |
| Vice President | Kaitlyn Minnotte |
| Financial Secretary | Lily Eilebrecht |
| Recording Secretary | Connor Haines |
| Sergeant at Arms | Haley Meerdink |
| Guide | Mclean Bowers |
| Trustee | Jase Kaeberlein |
| Trustee | VACANT |
| Trustee | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Quin Marston |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Grace Rodriguez |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Heather Curfman |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Nico F C Pen |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Becca Brock |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Willow Giorgini |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Frances Wankowski |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Aaliyah Rydahl |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |