Meet Giovanni

Speaker Giovanni Vaz is the 13th Speaker of the ASUP Senate and an ASUP Senator proudly serving the Junior Class. On March 30th, 2026, he was elected by his colleagues to a historic second term as Speaker, becoming the first Speaker in ASUP history to be elected to serve two terms. Giovanni was first elected to ASUP on September 18th, 2024, and is currently serving in his third term.

Prior to representing the Junior Class, Giovanni served as both a First Year and Sophomore Senator. Throughout his time in ASUP, he has worked to strengthen institutional continuity, improve transparency, and expand opportunities for student involvement. As a Senator, Giovanni voted to approve hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for clubs and organizations on campus, helping support the vibrant campus life that defines the UP community.

Giovanni has co-sponsored legislation aimed at streamlining club funding requests and to lowering barriers to participation in ASUP. In addition, he authored legislation to enhance and formalize the structure of the ASUP Senate, reflecting his belief that an effective student government should be principled, accountable, and built to serve future generations of students.

Born and raised in Portland, Giovanni carries with him the spirit, resilience, and values of his hometown. As the son of immigrant parents who proudly worked blue-collar jobs, he brings a personal understanding of the sacrifices and challenges faced by working families. His approach to leadership is rooted in stewardship, service, and a deep commitment to the University of Portland community and its Holy Cross mission.

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