Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts is about to see a new face advocating for its student body as Lily Takemoto steps in as their 2025-2026 USUSA Art Senator. According to USU Today, Takemoto, a senior vocal performance major hailing from Northern Virginia, originally came to USU with no intentions of diving into politics. However, involvement with the Arts Council and the influence of the previous art senator were the unexpected muses nudging her to embrace the role.
When discussing her decision to run, Takemoto revealed, "I’d never really thought about running before. But I realized how much I care about the Caine College of the Arts and the students here. I felt like I could be a good advocate." Unchallenged in the election, she was able to more thoroughly prepare to help bridge the gaps within the college's departments. "There’s rarely a chance for students across those areas to connect. One of my goals is to change that and to help students build support systems across disciplines," as per USU Today. She plans to achieve this through various initiatives such as a college-wide service project and continuing the tradition of events like “Concert for a Cause,” which raises funds for student needs.
Alongside collaboration within the arts, Takemoto is also tasked with navigating an institutional restructuring. USU leadership has recently announced a merger involving the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Science, and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. "It’s all very fast-paced," she acknowledged, but she remains poised to work closely with her fellow senators to ensure a smooth transition that honors the voices of the student body they represent.
This isn't Takemoto's first brush with campus life at USU. Her grandfather taught as a professor of microbiology, and her parents, having met on campus, share a legacy marked by academia and the arts. "I grew up watching her teach and perform, and that definitely led me to where I am today," as obtained by USU Today. Takemoto recalled her mother’s influence on her choice to pursue vocal performance. Now, as she steps into the role of art senator, she carries a familial as well as a professional connection to the institution she's set to serve, ready to implement ambitious plans for fostering unity and support among her peers.
