Student Senate Candidates

Ava Mears

Communications Major

"As a Communication major with a Marketing minor, I enjoy connecting with others and helping improve student life on campus. In my role as a Student Life Photography Intern with UND's Marketing & Creative Services, I attend a wide range of events and have seen what gets students engaged and how events can be made more inclusive and well attended. I have also consistently earned Dean's List and President's Honor Roll, showing my strong work ethic and commitment. If elected, I want to focus on improving communication between students and leadership, increasing awareness of campus opportunities, helping create events that students actually want to attend, and making sure every student feels heard and encouraged to get involved."

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Meris Lindsay

Music Education Major

"Meris Lindsay is a sophomore Music Education major at UND with a passion for leadership, creativity, and building community. She serves on the collegiate board for NAFME (National Association for Music Education), is a board member of Music Students of UND, and treasurer of the Low Brass Club. Meris is also a member of the UND Wind Ensemble and Vivo Chamber Choir. Her dedication to academics is reflected in her placement on both the President’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s List. As a resident assistant, she fosters connection, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all students. Meris is running for Student Government Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences to ensure every student’s voice is represented and supported on campus."

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Danica Klabunde

Criminal Justice Major

"I am a 3+3 Accelerated Law student, majoring in both Criminal Justice and Political Science. I am proud to run for and represent my community of the arts, humanities, social sciences, pre-health majors, and more!"

Allan Martinez

Finance Major

"I'm from Grand Forks and am pursuing a Finance degree at the Nistler CoBPA where I serve as President of the UND Pre-Law Society.

In preparation for serving as senator, I have met with multiple college organization presidents to discuss opportunities for collaboration between students, organizations, and Student Government. I have also drafted legislation focused on increasing student involvement through academic incentives, improving civic engagement through midterm election candidate forums, and establishing college leadership councils to strengthen communication between senators and their constituencies.

My goal is straightforward: students should know who represents them and see tangible results from that representation."

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Jake Ring

Marketing Major

"Hello! My name is Jake Ring, and I am honored to be running for the Nistler College of Business Senator position. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Marketing and minoring in Professional Sales and Sports Business.

On campus, I am involved in Dakota Venture Group as a Managing Analyst, Communications Chairman for the UND Sales Team, a member of the UND Marketing Club, and on the executive board for the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

I’m running because I am passionate about supporting students and being a strong voice for our college. I’m committed to creating opportunities, representing student needs, and making a lasting impact."

Bryce Philpot

Kinesiology Major

Kayce Fix

Elementary Education Major

"My goal is to help students within the Education and Human Development field feel more supported, informed, and prepared for their futures. I am passionate about strengthening communication, increasing awareness of opportunities, and creating a sense of community with students pursuing careers in education.

As a senator, I will actively listen to student needs and advocate for resources and opportunities that help everyone feel confident and ready to succeed during and beyond college."

Dawson Beck

Mechanical Engineering & Aerospace Engineering Major

Jackson Minor

Chemical Engineering Major

Logan Laier

Commercial Aviation Major

Margaret Fitzgerald

Commercial Aviation & UAS Major

Komal Mangle

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Major

"Komal Mangle is a third-year PhD student transitioning to candidacy in Education, Health, & Behavior Studies. She is a Doctoral Researcher studying human performance and the effectiveness of health monitoring and countermeasures in extreme environments for NASA. Her time at UND has been marked by principled action at the highest levels of governance. She currently serves as the inaugural President of the CEHD Student Advisory Council, a graduate student representative on the School of Graduate Studies Dean Search Committee appointed by the provost, and a strategist for UND's 10-year Campus Planning Initiative.
These roles stem from her dedication to social justice, integrity, empathy, and righteousness. Komal doesn't just represent student interests on paper; she applies strategic thinking and leverages institutional connections to ensure every decision truly benefits students. As your SGS Senator, she will advocate for structural security, professional support, and academic fairness that all graduate students deserve. Currently partnering with the School of Graduate Studies and the Provost's office to create global opportunities for students, Komal believes that true leadership requires the courage to do what's right for people, even when it's uncomfortable."

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Makayla Schwichtenberg

Communication Sciences & Disorders Major

"Hi everyone! My name is Makayla Schwichtenberg, and I am a senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I will be continuing my journey at UND next year as a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology master’s program.

Throughout my time at UND, I have been deeply committed to leadership and student involvement. I’ve had the privilege of serving as President and Vice President of Membership for Delta Gamma, Secretary of UND Mortar Board, and Vice President of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. In these roles, I’ve led teams, supported peers, and worked to create meaningful experiences that bring people together and drive results.

Additionally, my work at the UND Student Involvement Office has allowed me to connect with students across campus, helping them find their place and creating accessible programs and events that enhance student life. These experiences have shaped my passion for building community and advocating for student needs.

As a candidate for Graduate Studies Student Senator, I am committed to amplifying the voices of graduate students. I understand the challenges that come with graduate school and the transition into graduate school. I will work to support students by promoting community, increasing access to resources, and creating opportunities for professional growth, research, and involvement. Most importantly, I will actively listen and ensure your feedback directly shapes the initiatives we pursue.

UND has given me so much, and I am excited for the opportunity to give back in this new role. I would be honored to represent the School of Graduate Studies and advocate for you."

Cullen Murphy

Law Major

"I am running for the School of Law Senator position because I believe I can bring new ideas and proposals that will help all law students succeed. Because law school is demanding, providing additional support to students throughout their academic journey and beyond will help foster a stronger, more vibrant community. Additionally, ensuring that students are equipped with essential professional foundations will allow everyone to feel more confident about the future ahead!"

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Quinn Wrigley

Law Major

Alexander Samardzic

Medicine (MD) Major

Megan Lee

Occupational Therapy Major

Kenadee Gray

Nursing Major

 

Phoebe Wiken-Drescher

Nursing Major

Ishir Agarwal

Commercial Aviation Major

Sarah Kempel

Atmospheric Sciences Major

"Hello! I am a junior, majoring in Atmospheric Sciences and Spanish, passionate about leading and setting a great example for students at UND, now, and for generations to come. I currently serve as a Resident Manager in the Carleton Court apartments for UND Housing, where I advocate for a strong sense and encouragement of resident community and morale. I have served in this position for 2 years, previously in the Berkeley apartments community. Outside of my work and studies, I have had the fortune to serve as the North Dakota Student Association President this year, representing over 45,000 students across the state of North Dakota. With this opportunity, I've had the fortune to speak on topics of Mental Health, Campus Housing, and Institution Funding to legislators, campus presidents, and students at each of the 11 institutions in ND! With prior experience serving in this role of On-Campus Apartments Senator in the Spring 2025 semester, I believe I can implement innovative ideas and events for the further integration of, and strength for the on-campus apartment community at UND."

Craig Hartman

Civil Engineering Major

Daniel Masterson

Commercial Aviation & Airport Management Major

"My name is Daniel Masterson and I am from Annapolis, MD. I am a sophomore majoring in Aviation Management and Commercial Aviation. I currently serve in Student Government where I have worked on impactful legislation such as changes to the athletic ticketing process, University Counseling Center (UCC) reform, and Living Learning Community (LLC) reform.

Looking ahead to the next school year, I plan to pass legislation to fund a bus system that transports students to/from the Fargo airport over breaks. I look forward to using my experience in Student Government to continue making meaningful improvements for the student body."

 Jack Leff

Biology/Pre-Med Major

Aiden Schafer

Finance Major

"I’m running for Off-Campus Housing Senator under the Thingvold/Martin slate because I want to represent students who live off campus and make sure their voices are actually heard. As President of Lambda Chi Alpha, along with serving as Vice President and Risk Manager in the past, I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of students and understand the real issues that come with off-campus living." 

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Anneka Dahlberg

Criminal Justice & Forensic Science Major

"Hi everyone! My name is Anneka, and I am excited to be running for Off-Campus Senator. I am currently a Sophomore studying Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, and I’m passionate about making sure every student, especially those living off campus, feels heard, supported, and connected to our campus community.

Living off campus comes with unique challenges, from transportation and parking to staying informed and involved in campus life. As your Off-Campus Senator, I will work to bridge the gap between off-campus students and the university by advocating for better communication, accessible resources, and opportunities that make it easier to stay engaged.

I am actively involved on campus as a Resident Assistant and a member of organizations like Norsk Club and Kappa Delta, which have given me experience listening to student concerns, planning events, and building community. These roles have strengthened my leadership skills and shown me how important it is to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels they belong." 

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Bennett Eriksrud

Commercial Aviation Major

"I support the Thingvold/Martin ticket because, as a freshman, they have already proven to me that they are not going to make promises they can’t keep. They have a clear, achievable vision, which this campus needs. Their slogan, "Be Bold—build community, create opportunity for all, lead with integrity, and deliver results,” truly reflects the kind of leadership they bring. They both come from strong leadership backgrounds that they won’t need to acclimate to the workload; they can get straight to work and make campus a better place, not only for upperclassmen but also for new students, as they recognize how valuable we are as well. Through strong ideas such as streamlining our online presence and app profile, proposing a winter dome, and even small ideas that make everyday life easier, like a fingerprint reader at the Welly, I know my fellow students and I are in good hands with Mason and Kaleb." 

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Berno Beja-Finjap

Commercial Aviation Major

Brody Rohrich

Biology Major

Brooklyn Brouse

Law & MBA Major

Brylie Peterson

Communications Major

Cody Carroll

Commercial Aviation Major 

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Edison Lunski

Communications Major

"I have lived in Grand Forks my entire life and have a good understand of the community and how it operates. As Well as being involved on campus through Deca and Greek Life." 

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Elise Foell

Medical Lab Science Major

"My goal is to help build a community on campus that is supportive for all students. I want to be a voice for students in the university’s decision making processes." 

John Schulzetenberg

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Major 

Kaeden Maki

Accounting Major 

Katelynn Berg

Elementary Education Major

 

Kylie Kulasingham

Biology/Pre-Med Major

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Omar Jozlian

Commercial Aviation Major

"I’m a junior commercial aviation major, serving as vice president of public relations for Student Health in Aviation and Wellness (SHAW), a mentor for the Student Aerospace Advisory Council (SAAC), and an active member in Greek life. Through these roles, I’ve worked closely with students across campus, building connections and staying engaged with the issues that impact our daily lives.

I’m running for Off-Campus Housing Senator to take a new approach to one of the greatest challenges students face: parking. While past efforts have focused primarily on working with university parking services, I believe there is an opportunity to expand that approach. I plan to work with the city to improve parking availability around campus, both during the day and overnight, to help reduce reliance on limited on-campus parking and create more flexibility for students living nearby. Off-campus students deserve thoughtful, effective representation, and I’m ready to bring a fresh perspective that focuses on practical solutions." 

Paige Schumacher

Communication Science & Disorders Major

 

Rebecca Mathison

Operations & supply Chain Management Major

 

Sam Strandell

Masters Business Administration Major

 

Sydnee Spivey

Law Major

"My name is Sydnee Spivey, and I am a second-year law student here at UND. I am running for the off-campus housing senator to ensure that all students' voices are heard and included in discussions that lead to better outcomes and enjoyment for all here on campus. As a second-year law student, I am confident I have gained the tools and skills necessary to turn student concerns into actionable solutions. I am incredibly excited for this opportunity." 

Tanushri Tallimani

Commercial Aviation Major