Home

10%

Meet SGA President Alondra Barrera-Hernandez

By UNC Asheville

September 13^th, 2023

Listen while you read

Check out some of music major Alondra's favorite tracks to listen to and perform while you learn more about them.

Alondra Barrera-Hernandez is committed to making the 55th Student Government Association one that prioritizes creating community on campus. And they are in a unique position to do so.

In addition to being the newly elected SGA President, Barrera-Hernandez is part of the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, where they will represent the voice of the student body as UNC Asheville begins the process of selecting its next leader.

“It is very exciting. We had our first meeting last week. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous because of how serious it was. But I think this will be such a great opportunity, as a representative of the student body, for voices to be heard,” they said. “I want the student body to be heard throughout this process. I feel like the Chancellor search is so important for students to be a part of.”

Barrera-Hernandez said they are hoping the next chancellor will share their values of community, transparency and supporting students. They want the student body to feel heard, and will be hosting student listening sessions to give students a chance to voice their thoughts regarding the search for a new chancellor.

“I enjoy being part of a community where everybody supports and cares. And I just want them to know that we are here to hear their voices. We are here to be for them,” Barrera-Hernandez said.

But that's not the only way Barrera-Hernandez is showing up for their fellow students; they are also a resident assistant in Founders Hall this year.

“I like helping people, being an RA will help me to help people and get to know them,” they said. “I want to help new students feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.”

Meet SGA President Alondra Barrera-Hernandez

“I just want them to know that we are here to hear their voices. We are here to be for them."

Creating Community Post-COVID

A rising junior originally from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Barrera-Hernandez was a freshman senator at Mars Hill University, where they transferred from their sophomore year. They were a first-year mentor there as well.

Being welcoming and forming community is important to them because, having graduated from high school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they said they felt the loss of support that can come with social isolation in virtual learning.

“I felt like there was a lack of support for me or there wasn't as much support because it was all through screens. Because we are opening to a new time when we are more face to face, we are more in person, I feel like we should push that more,” Barrera-Hernandez said. “Lack of student support doesn't motivate a student to do what they want to do. Doesn't give them hope. I want to see what the chancellor can do, or anybody can do, to provide support.”

This forms the backbone of Barrera-Hernandez’s platform, alongside Vice President Liv Barefoot.

“Liv and I are striving to build a more inclusive and respectful and equitable campus. So that includes building communities, creating campus resources, focusing on mental and physical health, environmental impact and even school spirit,” they said.

“During COVID I felt like there was a decline of school spirit because we weren't able to go out. But last year I went to sporting events, concerts and things going on around campus and saw there was more school spirit and wanted to incorporate that more because it also brings us together as a community.”

A Future in Music

With such an emphasis on fostering community, it's no wonder they were drawn to some of humanity's greatest forms of connection: music and language.

Barrera-Hernandez is majoring in music with a focus on classical vocal performance, such as opera, which is often performed in other languages. They also participate in a wind symphony as a clarinet player and in a vocal jazz ensemble.

Even though they love classical music, they pull inspiration from many genres. In their playlist right now you might find Tame Impala, Yebba and some Buena Vista Social Club.

“My music is kind of crazy right now, it's all over the place. I still listen to classical music but I like expanding my musical knowledge,” they said. “Every year I'm a music major, I keep expanding my knowledge toward other music because classical music can incorporate so much; there is classical music with jazz, with hip hop. I learn more pieces every year, I'm still learning more artists.”

Barrera-Hernandez plans to get their master’s in vocal performance or conducting and, someday, travel to perform in classically minded cities, hopefully in Europe.

In the meantime though, you may find them in Lipinsky Hall or tucked into a corner of the Highsmith Student Union, listening to some 70’s rock or Vicente Fernandez.

© 2026 UNC Asheville

Finding Her Place in the Big Cheese

How UNC Asheville helped Shannon Herlihy transform a passion for food systems, health, and justice into a career supporting small-scale cheesemakers around the world

MAHEC Internship Prepares UNC Asheville Students for Careers in Medicine

January 26^th, 2026

UNC Asheville McCullough Fellow Lights the Way Toward a Greener Future

Senior Chemistry Student Adam Wold Powers Meaningful Change in Sustainability Research

Building Community Through Sound: The Impact of UNC Asheville and Drop of Sun Studios

December 2^nd, 2025

UNC Asheville Alum and Medical Pioneer Sam Shepard

An epic journey from UNC Asheville to the prestigious Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program

Supporting Bulldog Holiday Spirit

2025 Alumni-Owned Holiday Gift Guide

Loading, please hold on.