Candidates

Our class doesn’t need more events just to say we had events. We need things people actually want to show up for. That’s why I’m running for Class Council. We’ve only been here for a few weeks. A lot of us are still meeting people, finding our groups, and figuring out what we actually like doing here. And you can put hundreds of people in the same room without anybody really connecting. I want us to have a better mix. Big events people get excited about, smaller things where you can actually meet people, reasons to get off campus, and ideas that come from what our class actually wants to do. I also want us to create things that are ours. Four years from now, I don’t want the Class of 2030 to just be the year printed under our names. I want there to be events, traditions, and memories that started with us. And if something isn’t working, we change it. There’s no reason to keep doing something just because it was already on the calendar. I want to help make our class something people actually feel part of

Hi everyone, my name is Angela Dong, and I’m a freshman running for class council. Inserting yourself into an established friend group is one of the hardest things to do especially when you’re trying something new that you’re not good at. (like me and dancing) Most of us end up sticking with the people we meet on the first day due to the comfort that comes with familiarity. However, I want to be able to build a class where no one has to feel the discomfort of walking into a room alone. A class year where showing up alone to meet people is comfortable and trying new passions and hobbies is fun rather than intimidating or embarrassing. I’ve planned a lot of events in high school and I’d love to apply those skills to our class too. I’m excited to plan creative yet competitive events that make it easy for anyone to participate in. I already have a couple event ideas that I’d love to collaborate on. Some of which may include reality show spinoffs (family feud, masked singers, etc), karaoke night, and possible events that bridge the faculty and the student body. My goal is for our freshmen year is to be one of fun, class spirit, and one where everyone is supported and able to try new things without fear. A class year not divided by groups, but one where making new friends is commonplace. Vote Angela for Class Council!

Bonjour, Class of 2030, My name is Brandon, and I’m an Electrical Engineer Major with a planned minor in the Chinese Language. I am running for a position in the Class Council of 2030. And if you want someone who has experience, and can handle in the creation making of fun events, you’re looking at the right Candidate. My goal is to bring people together, and make them realize there’s many more things to look forward to then just studying. Although many seem to stress about what’s next, you can come enjoy what is going on now, with the generation that will be our next future. I plan to become a leader that will appreciate the support of you and others to keep making fun events and make everyone feel included. Although it may seem many others are qualified for the positions, I give my word to be a person who’ll listen and take action. I get things done, no excuses, no questions, just get it done. I’m like what they say in Home Depot “How Doers Get More Done”, Yeah that’s me. Anyways, make sure to respect your fellow classmates, my class used to be Eagles, but now I am glad to be with you all in Rochester. I am now a Proud YellowJacket. Meliora! Vote Brandon Rodriguez, For Class Council of 2030

Hello, my name is Cyrus Damani, and I am running for the c/o 2030 class council. My primary goals will be to see that all class events are planned and carried out properly in a manner that benefits the most people. For my platform, I wish to expand the number of professional and academic related events and opportunities across all disciplines of study by partnering with the many organizations across campus. My hope is that this pursuit will make it easier for all students on campus (especially in the class of 2030) to get access to jobs, research positions, and fellowships early on into college so that an early experience into these fields can compound into greater future opportunities. Outside of this, I also aim to expand the number of ways students can socially get involved on campus by implementing events designed for many different types of student groups. If you wish to see these things implemented, vote Cyrus Damani for class council.

Hey! Some of you may know me as the guy who spoke up during welcome week. I want to do everything in my power to make our college experience as fun and memorable as possible. Specifically, I’d love to tap into Rochester’s vibrant music scene and organize live concerts for our class. Additionally, I am always open to have a sit down and talk about what you’d like to see for events this school. Let’s make the class of 2030 the most fun graduating year on campus.

My main goal is cultivating a familiar and positive class culture for the class of 2030, while allowing us to get best settled in our new home away from home. This involves participating in existing campus traditions and creating some of our own, organizing lively events that allow students to engage with peers outside of their majors and residence halls (That do not include ice breakers, I know we’re all done with those for quite some time), and allowing Class Council to be an open streamline of communication between the student body as your representatives. Back at home, I worked with my city’s local government as a mental wellness advocate and speaker. My platform during the fall semester of 2025 was making public schools a healthier place. I would look forward to utilizing those skills and materials, not only to keep us sane during exam season, but to prioritize our class’s needs throughout the oncoming school year. I am deeply excited to take on undergraduate journey at URochester, and I hope you will all consider me to make yours a little brighter!

Making History. Making Memories. Class of 2030. My name is Helen, and my interest is in making our time at the University of Rochester as unforgettable as can be. You ask and I deliver.

Hey there! My name is Kai Sierra, and I’m running for Class Council. If elected, I will serve with the Class of 2030 in mind. It is fiercely important to me that this year marks the beginning of a genuinely connected and tight-knit community, as opposed to just the transition into college. As a member of the Class Council, I will push for winter-friendly programming in the freezing Rochester winters, campus social events, and ways for people in the class to meet each other naturally. My goal is to foster a place for everyone, by creating both big class traditions or just excuses for people to get out of their dorms. In addition, I would like to establish a feedback line, so that we are fostering spirit and programming in ways that are supported by our peers. I’m so excited to meet more of the Class of 2030 and help make our experience at UR memorable. Vote for me! Kai’s your guy!

The University of Rochester is a beautiful campus, community, and school. To uphold its beauty, URochester needs voices from every corner of its population sharing their wants, needs, and expectations for the years ahead. Every voice is important, even the most odd and far-fetched. Diversity is a staple of URochester, and what better way to protect it than by giving the university’s “oddballs” real representation on council? Luxi Liston-Hayes is a unique, fun-loving freshman looking to shake up class council by representing the quieter cliques of university life. By going out of his way to consider the wants of underrepresented clubs, organizations, and individuals around campus, Luxi covers the corners the rest of class council can’t reach. Have an out-there request? Luxi’s fighting for it. Amp-up your voice with this simple choice: Luxi! @voteluxi on instagram

Hi everyone! My name is Mavis, and I’m running for Class Council 2030. This is our first year at URochester and more importantly, our chance to define our year. We aren’t just inheriting the years of traditions before us, we have the opportunity to create new ones. My goal is to make our year full of unforgettable memories that last a lifetime and can immediately be recognized as special. It isn’t simply about having more events, but to create events that people genuinely want to show up to and enjoy. I want to give my class a reason to be here outside of academics and to enjoy our social scene to the fullest. I hope to create new traditions that our class looks forward to every year. Most importantly, I want the Class of 2030 to have an active voice in shaping our year. I want to hear your ideas, turn them into reality, and create unique experiences together. Let’s make this year ours. Vote Mavis for Class Council!

Hello everyone! My name is Maylea Harris, and I’m running for 2030 Class Council. In my short time here, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many of my peers. I want to be on Class Council to make our time together more enjoyable with events specifically catered to you. I’ve served my community before as a class president and leader of three clubs, and I’m very excited for the chance to contribute to my new student body. Even though I have many events I’d love to make a reality for us (like Karaoke Nights, Field Day, and Off-Campus Excursions), your ideas come first. You can easily reach me at mharr46@u.rochester.edu or scan the QR code on my flyer. Suggestions or questions welcome! If you find me walking around campus, tell me what you’d like to see! Or, just say hello. I’d be very grateful for your support. Vote Maylea for Class Council!

Ni-howdy! I’m Olivia Jin, a Brain & Cognitive Science and Psychology major on the pre-med track, a First-Year EcoRep, and I’m running to serve you on the Class of 2030 Class Council! Starting college in a completely new environment can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. As a member of the Class Council, I hope to make that transition easier by creating more opportunities for us to meet, connect, enjoy being part of the Class of 2030, and contribute to the vitality of our beautiful campus. I want to focus on the balance between our academic and social lives. Whether it’s during a busy exam week, a holiday when you can’t make it home, or just a random Friday night, I want to help create events that give us a reason to step away from studying and spend time together. As someone who moved from Houston to Rochester for college, I know how different it can feel to build a new community far from home. Most importantly, I want Class Council to be approachable and responsive to what our class actually wants. I am excited to hear your voices and hope to create events that are inclusive, low-pressure, and give everyone a place to belong and find their people. Let’s make our first year one we actually remember! Vote Olivia, Build URtopia!

Hi everyone! My name is Prislyn, and I’m running to represent you, the Class of 2030, on Class Council! I understand that freshman year, especially the first semester, can be difficult. We’re all adjusting to a completely new lifestyle, and with so many of us coming from different places and backgrounds, finding your people can sometimes be challenging. That’s why I want to help create more opportunities for us to connect in smaller, more inclusive settings. I want to work with cultural clubs to organize fun, low-pressure events throughout the year for us to enjoy activites from various cultures. These event could include things like a crafts, tradition events, or even food from the specified culture. I believe this would give us a chance to meet people we might not otherwise interact with, experience cultures we may be unfamiliar with, and discover clubs that we might not have had the time to explore. I am hoping this will make it easier to connect with people in a vast new enviroment. I also want to make sure that your voices are heard. I would push for regular polls where you can vote on upcoming events and share your own ideas. While the council will have ideas of their own, I want you to have a say in what our class eventually does too. Ultimately, I want to help make our freshman year more cohesive, and memorable. So, I hope you’ll consider my initiative and vote for me, Prislyn Joe Anand, for Class Council! Thank you!

Hi, I am William, and I am running for 2030 Class Council. Welcome Week was an amazing experience for me. I had so much fun participating in the activities hosted, felt the energy of the staff, and made amazing friends and memories that I will never forget. This made me feel like I should do something to make sure everyone feels included and has the chance to find closure in college. I have so many fun ideas for events that I am looking forward to sharing with the council, such as a Halloween Haunted House, Class Competitions, International Day, and Christmas Parties. If elected, I would collect everyone’s ideas, collaborate with other student organizations, and push for big and fun activities so that, through these events, people can make connections and memories that will last forever. Vote William Jen for Class Council!

Hello! My name is Zyair Kent. I am a first-generation student majoring in both Clinical and Translational Sciences + Health, Behavior, and Society on a pre-optometry track. As one of the largest first-generation classes URochester has welcomed, I am running for the 2030 Class Council to improve class cohesion, shine a light on resources students may not know about, and make the adjustment to college life smoother for all of us. From middle school to high school, I was elected student government president for five consecutive years, 8th through 12th grade.
My three pillars: First, raising awareness of resources our class doesn’t know exist by pointing students toward existing mentorship and support programs on campus and pushing to bring resource sessions covering things like financial aid, work-study, and registration to our class throughout the year. Second, building class cohesion through events that get people out of their dorms and connected. Third, creating a tradition specific to Co ’30, an event of our own held semesterly or yearly and built with your input.
Together we can shape the culture of our class and make UofR ever better, one day at a time. This is just the start; I’m running with your voice as my foundation.

Student government should actually be useful. I’m running for Senate because if students bring up a problem, something should actually happen after that. A lot of the issues we deal with aren’t huge, dramatic problems. They’re things like dining, transportation, study spaces, academic resources, student organizations, or just trying to figure out what opportunities are actually available here. But those things affect us every day, and when something isn’t working, students should know who they can go to and what happens next. That’s what I care about most: follow-through. If you bring something to me, I’ll figure out who needs to hear it, bring it to them, and keep up with it until I can give you an actual answer. Not every answer is going to be yes, and I’m not going to pretend I can personally fix everything. But I will tell you where things stand instead of letting an issue disappear. I want Senate to feel less distant from the students it represents. If I’m elected, you’ll know what I’m working on and you’ll be able to hold me to it.

Hey everyone, my name is Jack Catten, and I’m standing to represent the Class of 2030 in SA Senate. In my time here, I’ve noticed a commonality amongst problems on campus: miscommunication. Many of the barriers posed to both new and returning students, whether it be in their academic, social, or extracurricular lives, stem from a lack of information on or understanding of available resources. No matter how cohesive the infrastructure created by our governing bodies is, it’s nothing if it cannot be reliably implemented and relayed to the student body. As a national-level congressional debater, I know how to work with policy, not only to evaluate and shape it, but to communicate it’s impacts. As a student officer, I’m well aware of what it takes to work on a team to actualize goals for a community at-large. As a dedicated student and artist, I know how to think creatively and introduce new ideas to long-standing conflicts. I’m so excited to get to hear about the barriers you experience in your life here and help bring them to light, and to introduce you to the opportunities you didn’t know you had.

Hi! My name is Jade and I’m a biochemistry and political science double major. As much as college is a place to learn, to attend classes, and to study, college is also a place to feel connected and supported. I believe every student should have a voice and feel represented. Everyone should feel heard, welcomed, and have the peace of mind that their issues aren’t going unnoticed. It’s important to pay attention to the little things, as it can be the reason or idea that sparks a positive change in the community. I strive to be an individual who not only listens, but advocates against wrongdoings. As a senator, I hope to be the voice of the students. I wish to be the person who fights for the inclusivity of others and ensures no one feels overlooked. I want to do more than advocate for change, I want to put it into action, and that has to start at the root. From broken laundry machines, to concerns about shuttles, to even dining issues, problems grow larger because of one main reason: the lack of voice. Being approachable is something I strive for, and this would allow me to bring the problems of the student body to an area where change can happen. Sometimes, the difference between feeling like a student at the University of Rochester is feeling like you have a voice, no matter where your voice comes from. I want to fight for the solutions, because every issue has one. Vote Jade for Senator!

Confusion. One of the first issues I’ve noticed and experienced in becoming a first-year student at Rochester was the lack of clear communication, whether it be with dining hall hours, shuttle schedules, tunnel systems, and even with having to hunt down which courses to take for a specific major through overwhelming websites, etc. Having to navigate through these resources can sometimes feel unnecessarily complicated.
All these concerns were brought to my attention as I found not only myself, but even others voicing these types of frustrations. I believe information as such should be easily accessible for all students, especially as we transition into this brand-new chapter of our lives [and even for those who may still find themselves lacking clarity with their resources through their time at UofR]. Making resources more available, accessible, updated, and organized can allow the transition to be smoother and make things at URoch a lot easier.

In that sense, I would love to be the friendly face that people can feel comfortable approaching, such as to voice their concerns on things around campus! One of the things I can always promise is being an active listener for you guys, and trying my best to advocate for action!

My name is Joanna Lee, double majoring in PPE [Politics, Philosophy, Economics] and BCS [Brain Cognitive Sciences]. Let’s make UofR a welcoming, accessible place for all!
UniofRochester: Made Easier

I am running for Senate because I believe that the systems in this school should be both equitable and easily available for you. There are too many cases where students cannot access vital textbooks, course materials, and software without paying hefty fees because they are either not covered under tuition, or because there are issues behind the scenes that cause problems with what should be easy availability. Likewise, some students struggle with accessing coursework because it is distributed across a wide and confusing set of platforms that each give a different user experience: and is thus, inequitable across the student body as a whole. As a Senator, I seek to resolve these issues by facilitating extended dialogue between U of R students and faculty/staff that is geared toward streamlining the student experience to make it consistent, optimal, and above all fair for everyone. I will also advocate for more transparency surrounding administrative changes made to systems that directly affect students, so we can respond accordingly. With your vote, we can create a campus where everyone, no matter their major, teacher, or personal situation, knows they can count on their university to get them the help they need to do the best they can.

Hi! My name is Kai Sierra, a PPE major running for Senate. I’m running because I believe it’s extremely important that the concerns that you and I have everyday make their way into SA policy. More specifically, I’m running to make sure that practical improvements that affect the day-to-day lives of students stays at the forefront of the Senate’s mind. I envision doing this in a multitude of ways whether its through trying to expand dining flexibility, increasing weekend shuttle reliability (because who has time to shuttle during the week?), and expanding academic support resources and making sure people are informed. Through legislation like this, I aim to make sure the transition to college is as smooth as possible for first-years and the experience continues to get better for students. I bring experience in communication and community leadership, and I’ve always been one to advocate for people while finding practical solutions. To make sure voices are heard, I will create an open feedback line, where my peers can state their concerns. As your senator, I will be accessible, responsive, and willing to follow through. I’d be honored to bring the perspective of my peers to the Senate. Kai’s your guy!

Hello, my name is Mara! Although I have only been at UR for a couple of weeks, I quickly noticed how difficult it can be to navigate daily campus life. This motivated me to run for Senate and help address some of those daily frustrations. I plan to focus on improving communication and accessibility to essential campus information. Often we are given a ton of crucial details all at once, making it hard to retain everything when we actually need it. On top of that, essential tools like the shuttle app and dining hall menu screens are often inaccurate or incomplete, creating unnecessarily stressful experiences. As a senator, I promise to be an active listener, and advocate for practical changes that help all of us navigate campus with less stress. Vote Mara for smoother days!

Hello! My name is Noah Adams, I’m running for the Senate and here is a list of policies I intend to work on.

1. I will push for longer dining hours. The current dining hours at Douglass & Danforth are too limited, contributing to crowded spaces and making it hard for students with busy schedules to get a meal. As senator, I will advocate for extended dining hours & bring student demand for food options directly to dining/university administration for more flexible hours and convenience.

2. Studying is hard, especially when there is no space for it. As senator, I plan to expand access and awareness to study spaces and academic resources, especially during high-demand seasons such as Finals week.

3. SA funding should be accessible to organizations of all sizes, not just established groups with resources and connections. I will pursue greater transparency around how student organizations receive funding.

4. Rochester has numerous resources available to students, but many are difficult to discover. A more centralized way of communicating about these resources can help students to find support and opportunities that they may have been unaware of. I am always open to suggestions for new policies or amendments to current policies.

Thank you for reading and I hope to get your vote.

Ni-howdy! I’m Olivia Jin, a Brain & Cognitive Science and Psychology major on the pre-med track, a First-Year EcoRep, and I’m running for Student Association Government Senate! I’m running because I want to be someone students can actually approach when something on campus isn’t working. Through my leadership experiences and my work as a First Year EcoRep here on campus, I’ve learned that good leadership is about listening, finding solutions, bringing people together, and following through. Living in another country for 15 years, then moving from Houston to Rochester for college, has also given me a unique perspective on entering a completely new environment. I know what it feels like to be far from home and figure out where you belong. I want to bring that perspective to Senate while representing the many different experiences within our student body. Those casual little complaints you voice to friends during daily conversations can actually be resolved! As a senator, I want to be approachable and willing to tackle the issues that affect our everyday lives. Whether a concern involves campus policies, student resources, sustainability, or simply something that makes student life harder than it needs to be, I want to listen, understand the problem, and work toward a practical solution. I also want to think about what it means to make Rochester feel like a home away from home. For students who cannot travel home during holidays, campus can feel especially quiet and disconnected. I hope to explore ways to create more opportunities for students to stay connected and build community during those times. I can’t promise an immediate answer to every problem. But I can promise that I’ll listen, ask questions, work through the right channels, and advocate for action. So… Vote Olivia, Build URtopia!

Vote for me if you want a senator who loves progress and will always push for legislation that supports that!

For freshmen, the University of Rochester will become our home for the next four years. For upperclassmen, it already has been. I’m Suhani Gupta, and I’m running for Senate to help make that home better for all students. Before Rochester, I served as Class Vice President for more than 1,000 students, helped create a wellness center at my high school, and worked with our district superintendent to launch anti-cyberbullying training that reached over 40,000 students, parents, and staff. I also served as Mental Health Lead on a local mayor’s youth council, working with public officials on youth policy and town halls. These experiences taught me how to turn student concerns into action. At Rochester, students shouldn’t have to take significantly longer routes across campus or search for an accessible entrance. I’d like to work with disabled students and those already focused on accessibility to walk commonly used routes, document barriers, and follow up on reported concerns. Rochester also offers sensory pop-up spaces during parts of the year. Having helped create a permanent wellness center before college, I’d like to push for a quiet, low-stimulation space students can rely on throughout the semester… somewhere to step away without needing an appointment or waiting until finals week. Naturally, student organizations matter a lot to me too. After years of planning large events and running more than 50 fundraisers, I know how frustrating it is when a good idea gets slowed down by confusing logistics. I want to hear directly from organizations about where SA funding and event processes become difficult to navigate and work toward making those systems clearer. Most importantly, I want to be easy to reach. If you see me around campus, come talk to me! Tell me what’s working, what isn’t, or what Senate should be paying more attention to. Vote Suhani Gupta for Senate!!

Hi everyone! My name is William, and I am running for the Student Association Senate. To me, Meliora means constantly asking ourselves how we can make our community better. As a candidate for Student Association Senate, I want to create a campus where students’ ideas and feelings are heard, connected, and supported. I will focus on the improvements we can make to our everyday lives, including dining, transportation, study spaces, and access to campus resources. I want to strengthen the connection between students and the school to ensure that every idea is not left hanging and can move beyond simple discussion to make meaningful improvements to our community. I will also prioritize transparency by keeping students informed about the issues Senate is working on and the progress of different ongoing plans. Together, we make Rochester Meliora. Vote William Jen.

Hello! My name is Zyair Kent. I am a first-generation student and HEOP scholar majoring in both Clinical and Translation Sciences + Health, Behavior, and Society on a pre-optometry track, currently on pace for the Media, Culture, and Communications cluster. From middle school through high school, I was elected student government president for five consecutive years, 8th through 12th grade.

As a senator, I want to make sure first-generation, low-income, and minority students are genuinely represented in how URochester makes decisions, not just included in name. One example: OMSA, the office supporting MAPS, MMLA, Douglass Leadership House, several other minority organizations, and HEOP scholars, currently runs with just two staff members. I’d like to see that change, and I want students to have a real voice in that process, including hiring, so more minority students know OMSA and its resources exist and actually use it. I’m pursuing a seat on the DEI Committee to push for that kind of real, practical investment.

I’m living the first-year adjustment right now, and I want to use that perspective to push for real, lasting change for the whole student body, not just my own class. This is just the start. I’m running with your voice as my foundation.