Lewiston Native Seyi Arogundade Makes History as University of Idaho ASUI President in Moscow
MOSCOW, Idaho — A Lewiston High School graduate who grew up reading newspapers and watching the evening news has risen to one of the most visible student leadership positions at the University of Idaho, making history along the way.
Seyi Arogundade, a senior double-majoring in journalism and political science, currently serves as president of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho — becoming the first Black woman elected to the role. Her path to the ASUI presidency reflects years of deliberate effort, personal resilience, and a deep-rooted commitment to giving fellow Vandals a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their campus lives.
From Lewiston Newsroom to Moscow Student Government
Arogundade grew up in Lewiston, just a half hour from the U of I Moscow campus, where she developed an early interest in both journalism and politics. She contributed to the Lewiston High School newspaper and co-anchored a morning on-camera student broadcast, building the public speaking and news-gathering skills that would serve her well in the years ahead.
“I think I was always interested in what journalists do and how it shapes the political world,” Arogundade said. “I learned public speaking skills doing the morning announcements and being on the student council in high school.”
Choosing the University of Idaho was an easy call for the second-generation Vandal. Her father earned an agricultural engineering degree at U of I and later pursued doctoral studies there, giving Arogundade fond childhood memories of the Moscow campus. The university also offered both degree programs she intended to pursue.
A pivotal moment came during a high school visit to campus as part of the UIdaho Bound program, where she heard then-ASUI President Tanner McClain deliver a presentation to prospective students. “His speech was inspirational,” she said. “I wanted to be able to command the room like that, to inspire other people. I made it my goal; I really wanted his job someday.”
Once enrolled, Arogundade joined several executive leadership boards and worked her way up through student government, eventually serving as chief of staff to former ASUI President Martha Smith — a role that gave her an inside understanding of what the presidency demands.
Health Setback and a Historic Win
Arogundade’s path to the ASUI presidency was not without serious obstacles. Shortly after winning her election last spring, she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation, fatigue, joint pain, and can lead to organ damage. She spent a week in the hospital before recovering over the summer at her parents’ home in North Dakota, where her father now serves as a college dean.
“Right after the presidential election my body felt like it was breaking down, and I didn’t know what was going on,” she said. The diagnosis, she acknowledged, came as an emotional shock on top of an already demanding campaign season. “Part of me had so much anxiety and self-doubt to even run. But people kept telling me you can do it; you can be one of the first. I had to really push myself just to put myself out there.”
She returned to campus determined to lead. Alongside Vice President Bryant Sitts, Arogundade has pushed her administration to be accessible and accountable to all U of I students. “We want to make sure all our students know we’re here to work for them and serve them,” she said.
One of her administration’s concrete accomplishments has been reforming the funding process for Vandal student clubs. Previously, clubs could be denied funding requests without any explanation. Under a new plan developed by Arogundade’s team and ASUI senators, funding amounts and their purposes will be publicly discussed, senators will be assigned to specific club requests, and a director of finance will oversee disbursements openly. The reform reflects the kind of transparent, accountable governance that students and taxpayers alike can appreciate.
Her journalism skills have also drawn national attention. Arogundade was selected by NOTUS — a nonprofit Washington, D.C.-based publication covering national politics and government — as one of 22 journalism students from across the country to contribute an essay on what Washington fails to understand about young Americans. For more on University of Idaho student and campus developments, see our recent coverage of the Vandals entering spring football camp with new coordinators in Moscow and an NPR media correspondent set to deliver a keynote at the University of Idaho Ethics Symposium.
“If you want your voice to be heard, you need to be in these rooms,” Arogundade said. “You need to be in these spaces, and you need to be in these positions.”
What Comes Next
Arogundade is on track to graduate in Spring 2026 with her dual degrees in journalism and political science. Following graduation, she plans to prepare for law school, adding a legal dimension to a career already defined by communication, leadership, and civic engagement. Her story — from Lewiston High School hallways to the ASUI president’s office — stands as a testament to what focused effort and personal determination can produce at Idaho’s flagship university. For broader coverage of Idaho education and university affairs, visit Idaho News.