In first grade, Matt Spring introduced a new school curriculum to the school board.
As Tricia Spring watched her son speak, she said she noticed how totally comfortable he was speaking to the members of the school board at only 6 years old.
“He didn’t have to read his notes, he was so passionate about what he was presenting,” she said.
At that moment, his mother knew he would be a lifelong activist.
Spring, now a third-year political science student, is the Students First! candidate for president.
Spring obtained an internship in USAC his first year, and in his second year he worked in three different offices: those of the president, the external vice president and the internal vice president.
Throughout Spring’s USAC career, he worked on several programs, including the Bruin Lobby Corps and BruIntent, an event addressing student homelessness.
Currently a general representative in USAC, Spring has extended the CSO Evening Van Service south of Wilshire Boulevard. He also organized diversity dinners, advocacy campaigns protesting student fee increases and John Wooden Day last October.
Spring said his involvement in a wide array of programs and offices has made him a stronger candidate.
“I really have a firm understanding of all the USAC offices and what they are capable of doing,” Spring said. “I don’t see USAC as compartmentalized offices but as a unit, and I really want a council unified around the issues that are important to students.”
Spring’s platform this year focuses on maintaining affordability while preserving the quality of facilities and programs at UCLA, increasing USAC’s visibility, and creating a welcoming and accepting climate.
“Feeling comfortable on campus has been something that has allowed me to be who I am and embrace my identity,” said Spring, who is also involved with the UCLA Rally Committee, Samahang Pilipino and Bruin Leaders Project.
After his early exposure to public speaking, Spring carried his dedication to public service and activism to high school, where his leadership caught the eye of his hometown’s mayor, a teacher at the local high school.
“(Spring) instantly caught my attention because his particular class, under his leadership, was one of the most successful classes we had in terms of fundraisers and unity,” said Tim Sbranti, the mayor of Dublin, Calif.
As a sophomore, Spring organized a student-run flea market to be held in Dublin, with all the items coming from members of his high school class. Not only did the event become a large success, but it was also held in the middle of the summer independent of help from parents and the school’s administration.
Spring also took out advertisements on local radio stations and in the local newspaper.
Spring continued his involvement with student government throughout high school and served as student body president his senior year. He also served as the student representative on the school board and actively participated in school board meetings.
The ability to see the big picture and pay attention to details like advertising make Spring a strong leader, Sbranti said.
With deep budget cuts on the horizon for UCLA, Spring said he hopes to unify both the council and students around the issue of affordability because this problem, more than any other, concerns everyone.
The incentive in running for office does not lie with the title, Spring said, but rather with the work on issues affecting UCLA students.