Austin Winters
College of Social Science

Major: Political Science - Pre-law

Class Standing: Freshman

We all should do something to right the wrongs that we see and not just complain about them”. These are the words of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and although she spoke them long before I was born, they have guided me in many choices I have made in life. These choices include the choice to announce my candidacy for General Assembly as the representative for the College of Social Science. For those of you who do not know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Austin Winters, and I am running for General Assembly on three campaign promises: no person shall feel excluded at Michigan State University, no person shall feel threatened at Michigan State University, and no person shall feel forgotten at Michigan State University. As a member of the LBGT+ community, I understand the calls for inclusion and diversity within Michigan State, and I promise to echo those into the Government with the utmost ferocity. No person will feel left out, unwanted, or attacked when I am leading for all of you. I must be honest, as a Freshman, I do not have the connections of some of my competition. I am not the President of any clubs, and yes, sometimes I still get lost on campus. It is exactly these reasons that I can not do this election alone. I need your help- to ring the bells of justice on campus..together. Thank you.
Biography
Brian Hanton
College of Engineering

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Class Standing: Junior

I am the current president of the Engineering Student Council and the undergraduate representative for the Engineering College Advisory Council. I am concerned with and practiced at representing students within the college of engineering and I want to continue advocating in their best interest as an ASMSU rep for the college. As an ASMSU representative of engineering students, I will use my position in the engineering student council to listen closely to what undergraduate students and organizations are feeling and desiring, and then advocate on their behalf with my voice at ASMSU. As engineers we number over 6000 students in the university, and we need to support policies and changes that are in our best interest. I will fight to ensure that our voices are heard and engineers are represented accurately, powerfully, and effectively.
Biography
Devin Woodruff
College of Social Science

Major: Political Science

Class Standing: Freshman

My name is Devin W. Woodruff. I'm Currently a freshman studying Political Science. I plan on joining organizations like BSA, Rising Black men, MSU RHA and many more organizations. I’m running for a General Assembly seat, to represent the Social Science college at MSU. I’m running on 3 issues that I believe will make Michigan State a better place. Transparency, Increaseing Mental Health & Sexual Assault Services and Diversity and Inclusion. I’m running because I want to see true change here at MSU. I want to speak up for marginalised groups and bring forth real solutions. There's over 2,800 Black students on campus, but not even 10% are represented in the General Assembly. I'm running to bring diversity and to show that my LIFE MATTERS. You should vote for me because I am someone who is going to listen to the concerns of Social Science students and students in general. I have an agenda and on day one, if elected I will be ready to introduce my plans to the GA. I’m no stranger to politics as at 17 I was the youngest to ever-present and get a purchase sale agreement done in front of the City Council of Southfield. I’ve worked on many local and state campaigns and I’ve learned on all of them the importance of having a plan. Also, being able to listen to the people you represent and bring action. That's exactly what I will do. Listen and bring action.
Biography
Daniyal Dar
College of Engineering

Major: Computer Science

Class Standing: Sophomore

Representation to me means being an extension of the people you stand for. I believe I am fit for this role because I am a people's person today but haven't always been one. This allows me the ability to understand perspectives and people, both outspoken and in-spoken. I know in-spoken is not a word, but the point I am making is this -- right or wrong, you have a voice. And I'm here to be the amplifier-cum-modulator to that voice. The causes I promise to work on include greater synergy and interaction between domestic and international students. This is because tolerance is not enough. What we need is mutual acceptance and linkages, where we learn from and grown with each other. MSU is microcosm of the world, and I intend to be an aside in making it a community that is synergetic, energetic, and culturally fluid. Peace out!
Biography
Lee Ackerson
College of Veterinary Medicine

Major: Pre-Vet

Class Standing: Senior

My name is Lee Ackerson IV, I served on the 56th General Assembly and I would like to represent the College of Veterinary Medicine on the 57th General Assembly. Along with my involvement in ASMSU, I am a member of the MSU Honors College, the Preveterinary Medical Association (PVMA), Honors College Service Club, and MSU Club Golf. I am a Supplemental Instructor at the College of Veterinary Medicine where I tutor Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry. Furthermore, I worked New Student Orientation this summer specifically with incoming vet nursing and pre-veterinary students. Due to these involvements I believe I can augment communications and transparency between ASMSU and the students they represent. I hold a direct line of communication to students within my college, even in this virtual era through D2L and online tutoring, furthermore I have prior experience with the way the General Assembly and Academic Committee runs and operates. I am returning for my senior year here at MSU, and I would like to vocalize the concerns that my fellow students share with me, as well as the concerns I have obtained first hand in my time in East Lansing. I would like to leave MSU better than the way I found it, allow me to represent you once again!
Biography
Alex Sills
Lyman Briggs College

Major: Zoology

Class Standing: Sophomore

My name is Alex Sills and I will be a sophomore in Lyman Briggs this fall, majoring in Zoology, on track to apply to Vet School next summer. I am involved currently in Briggs Ambassadors, showing prospective and accepted students around Holmes Hall and sharing my experiences with them. I am also a part of the Club Swim team, as well as the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association. I would love to be an ASMSU Representative to make campus an inclusive and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, races, religions and beliefs. If I were to be elected as a representative, I would take the many opinions around me, and be a listening ear to what everyone thinks would make MSU the best it can be. I would have a goal to show up and show people how hard ASMSU works on all of the projects and events they are involved in. I would want to make sure that all voices are heard and if the thoughts provided were not able to be followed through with, the people would get a sound reason as to why those opinions could not be followed. Overall, I want to make MSU the best campus that it can be for the thousands of people who call it home, and through my peers and myself, I could do that for ASMSU.
Biography
Erich Hairston
College of Engineering

Major: Computer Science

Class Standing: Senior

My name is Erich Hairston. I am a senior Computer Science and Engineering major with a minor in Math. I have been a TA for CSE 231 since 2019 and a Solar Car Team member since 2018. Being a TA for the past year has allowed me to better understand student issues within the college. If I become an ASMSU representative I will work to get students better access to the resources they need to succeed while pursuing their degree. I would work with support organizations on campus like MSU CAPS to educate the students about various resources available to deal with mental health problems. I would also like to see more support for organizations like Women in Computing, so they can continue to host quality events and bring more diversity and equality to the engineering field as a whole. The students in the College of Engineering will find a voice if I am elected as a representative and I will use that voice to help create a better college experience for everyone. I am excited to apply for this position and serve my fellow Engineering students.
Biography
Ishaan Modi
Lyman Briggs College

Major: History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science

Class Standing: Senior

Hello! My name is Ishaan Modi. I am a second-year student running to be a representative to the General Assembly from Lyman Briggs College. I am running because we need representatives in our student government that are ready to respond to the deep challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic injustice. With this in mind, and as an aspiring physician and policy advocate, I am centering my campaign around the concept of health - mental, physical, and economic. If elected, I hope to increase financial support to the Spartans that most need it while advocating for prioritizing resources on sustainability, student mental health, and advancing institutional racial equity. However, I am not running just for the vision. I have the experience and character to be an empathetic, constituent focused representative. As an active member of MSU’s competitive Model United Nations travel team, I have participated in conferences where I have respectfully but passionately debated world issues with other students and have collaborated to draft detailed policy solutions. As Co-Vice President of the Honors Students of Color Coalition and member of Tower Guard, I have committed myself to service, dialogue, and advocacy in a leadership capacity. We need someone in the General Assembly who will always stand by their beliefs but is never afraid to engage in civil discussion with those who disagree. So today, I am humbly asking for your vote to be your voice - to be a tireless advocate for the building of a more just University. Thank you.
Biography
Tirstan Walters
College of Social Science

Major: Economic and Environmental Geography

Class Standing: Senior

Hello fellow students and MSU community members, I am a Senior here at Michigan State, majoring in Economic and Environmental Geography while pursuing a minor in Environment and Health. I have experience within a governing body as I was appointed as an alternate on the College of Social Sciences DSAC (Dean’s Student Advisory Council) to represent my department, and through my professional experience working for the State of Michigan as a member of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. I have also been active in the community around campus as a volunteer, most often at the Constellation Cat Cafe in East Lansing. I also believe that I could provide a unique insight as I am a transfer student who has experienced multiple perspectives on campus environments and inclusivity. I am interested in representing you and your interests in the ASMSU General Assembly because I want to work towards providing a voice both within and outside of our University community to every student. I will work tirelessly to represent the very best of each community member and will strive toward ensuring an equal opportunity for all of us to succeed.
Biography
Jyoti Prasad
Lyman Briggs College

Major: Biomedical Laboratory Science

Class Standing: Junior

Hello! My name is Jyoti Prasad, and I am a junior majoring in Biomedical Laboratory Science and Human Biology. I am involved on-campus through several organizations including Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Student Association (BLDSA), MSU Circle K, and Universities Activities Board (UAB). Through these organizations, I have volunteered and planned events on and off-campus, networked with fellow students and healthcare professionals, served in several leadership positions to build my skills, and more. I want to be an ASMSU representative because I want to support and advocate current and new initiatives while focusing on Lyman Briggs constituents. If elected, I have several goals I would like to accomplish. My first goal is to make non-biohazard labs on campus eco-friendly. In biology and chemistry labs, gloves, weigh boats, and other recyclable items are thrown in the trash and taken to landfills. I want to advocate to redirect these items to be recycled or to switch to biodegradable versions if available. My second goal is to continue advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. MSU has a diverse group of students with different identities. Discrimination and hate have no place here. My third goal is to get feedback and input from Lyman Briggs students to bring your voice to the General Assembly. In the end, if I am elected, I am one student representing hundreds of students of Lyman Briggs. Your voice matters, and it deserves to be heard. If you support any of my goals, I hope you will vote for me! Thank you!
Biography
Nishtha Kakar
Lyman Briggs College

Major: Nutritional Sciences

Class Standing: Freshman

Have you been feeling anxious or overwhelmed since the start of the semester? Don't worry; you are not alone. The beginning of the school year has been a tough one, but it is essential to remind ourselves why we chose MSU. The moment I set foot on campus as a high school senior, I was fascinated by the strong sense of community and the 'Spartan Will' attitude of all the staff and students. Hi! I'm Nishtha Kakar, and I am a Briggsie freshman, Nutritional Science Major, and a member of the Osteopathic Medical Scholars program. I am running as the Lyman Briggs Representative because of my passion for mental health service. My experience as the Novi High School Student Mental Health Committee ambassador and the Board of Director of an aspiring non-profit SWL Movement will help me lead us towards improved health and wellness. As a representative for Lyman Briggs, I would work to provide innovative solutions to my fellow Spartans' concerns, focusing on raising awareness and removing the stigma around mental health by expanding the MHAW initiative. By partnering with services on campus such as CAPS and utilizing my association with SWL Movement, my goal would be to bring awareness on mental health issues and make everyone an advocate for themselves and their peers' well-being. I am thrilled to work with my Spartan family for a continued healthy and resolute community at MSU! For more information about me, feel free to connect with me on my Linkedin @NishthaKakar.
Biography
Julian Trevino
College of Social Science

Major: Political Science-Pre Law 

Class Standing: Junior

Hi everyone! My name is Julian Carlos Trevino. I’m a second-year junior majoring in political science prelaw with minors in international development and French. I’m a first generation Mexican American and college student. I’m fluent in Spanish, English, and I’ve been learning French for 6 years now. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Though I have spent every summer in Guanajuato, Mexico visiting family and helping my grandparent’s business. I’ve joined several orgs like the United Nations Association, Culturas de las Razas Unidas, and the James Madison Latinx Unidos e-board as a public relations officer. I’ve seen the country and the university increase in polarity- full of dire problems needing to be addressed and tackled. I say tackled as, realistically; problems the university might face may not be resolved right away. It takes time and persistency. I promise to stay persistent and fight for the needs of the students. My ideas/goals for ASMSU. Push to make the university safer yet accessible during pandemic. To make the university a more inclusive and welcoming place. Transcribe university documents into multiple languages to help international student feel more welcomed and national students feel more comfortable by using their native languages. Produce more diverse art all over campus. Create an app that has student music, artwork, podcasts, photography, and writings. A place to discover what students have created. Create an app that listens and resolves student’s regards to discomfort or problems with professors.
Biography
Caitlin Finerty
College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Major: Public Relations

Class Standing: Junior

Hi everyone! My name is Caitlin Finerty and I am a second year with a major in Public Relations and also one in James Madison College! I would love to be your ASMSU Representative because I represent a brand new major, and we need to get our opinions out to the college and to the University. I also have experience in classes across the entire college because of my varied interests in communication in general. I have the experience to be part of ASMSU because I have been on the James Madison Student Senate and I hold an Executive Board position in one of the student organizations I am involved in. If I were to be elected, I would work with the current ASMSU representatives to co-sponsor bills such as parking efficiency and printing accessibility, two important things for College of Communications Students! I am hoping for your support!
Biography
Lockie Woods
College of Social Science

Major: History

Class Standing: Senior

I have decided to run to become an ASMSU Representative because I believe I can be a strong advocate for students during these complex and demanding times. My work with the Lansing City Clerk and the East Lansing City Manager have shown me the importance of local government, and I want to make sure that the students of MSU and the College of Social Science have a passionate and responsive voice in their government. This upcoming year presents a number of unique issues that will require communication and cooperation between the administration and students, and I want to be a part of making sure our school navigates these challenges to ensure a safe and successful year. I hope to use my experience administering elections and my professional connections to make sure every MSU student has the opportunity to vote this November. I believe we must push for transparency on behalf of the administration as they continue to make decisions about the operation of the fall semester and plan for the spring. The decisions they make will have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students and it is imperative that these students have ample time to make the necessary accommodations to their living and learning situations. As an ASMSU Representative, I will work to make sure that the concerns of students are at the forefront of the administration's decision making process.
Biography
Macken Keefe
College of Social Science

Major: Political Science-PreLaw

Class Standing: Sophomore

My lifelong involvement with service organizations has given me a service-based mindset. As an Eagle Scout, I've learned that the strongest solutions to problems come from decisive, hands-on leaders who hold uncompromising morals and open minds. Our representatives in ASMSU, by holding these values, have the potential to make a positive difference for us all. On campus, I am the vice president of Rotaract, a student leader of Honors Students Actively Recruiting, and a member of the Social Science Scholars program. I have also been involved with the Honors College Service Club, Refugee Outreach Collective, Spartan Christian Fellowship, and MSU Tours Office. As your General Assembly representative, I will diligently work on your behalf, advocating for the resources and culture you require to thrive. I will coordinate with my fellow representatives to increase student safety on and off-campus, champion diversity initiatives, and seek other ways to give students a more stable foundation for their lifelong success. I believe that the strength of our Assembly hinges upon the strength of its representatives' links to the community. With this in mind, I will keep in touch with the community by maintaining an Instagram page and regular office hours, where you can come to voice your opinions and ideas for how ASMSU can better work for you. For me, serving in this position won't be just another resumé entry. I will make this office, with its authority and potential, a personal priority of mine for you all.
Biography
Carl Grondin
College of Arts and Letters

Major: Philosophy 

Class Standing: Junior

Spartans have come from all walks of life and need representatives that will fight for them unapologetically. I am wholeheartedly prepared to serve my fellow Spartans. Together, we as a Student Body can change the trajectory of our University. Since becoming a student at Michigan State University, I have been involved in MRULE through James Madison College, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, MSU Cold Case Unit, the Rise Free Michigan Organization, and many other MSU student groups. To be a representative for the College of Arts and Letters in ASMSU, would mean I would fight for full transparency from Michigan State and to have better communication from our University with their students. For too long we have seen our demands towards the University go ignored. My goal as a representative this upcoming school year is to embrace our many differences and use them to our advantage. We must adequately address the atrocious acts of hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and transphobia that we have seen occur on our campus in recent years. We are in a time where our society sees our differences as a way to divide us, whereas I do not. I see our diverse student body as an asset as to what we can accomplish together. Unity is what defines us as Spartans. Spartans support one another, and we cannot let hate or bigotry win.I promise, from one Spartan to another, I will never stop fighting for you.
Biography