Second-year Ph.D Student, International Relations, Department of Government

My priorities for the Board of Trustees:

As your student-elected trustee, I aim to foster belonging and an equitable environment that benefits Cornell, its students, and the broader Ithaca community. 

1. Campus-Community Partnership: I’ll work to expand and strengthen Cornell’s contribution to the Ithaca community. I aim to champion measures that expand and provide free TCAT services, subsidize housing, child care, and parking for graduate students, invest in the Ithaca City School District, and support Ithaca’s Community Housing Development Fund. 

2. Equity and Justice: I’ll advocate and seek funding for graduate students and workers' improved access to community building, well-being, mental health, and financial resources. By petitioning the Board to reinvest and expand their support of the Tenants Advocacy Practicum, I will continue to protect our necessity for adequate housing. This goes from providing support to low-income students to covering litigation fees. Furthermore, I am dedicated to safeguarding the rights of international students and workers to engage in public discourse without fear of retaliation. I’ll work with relevant offices to establish fair policies supporting diverse dialogues. 

3. Access and Transparency: I am committed to greater graduate student and worker representation in university decision-making. Specifically, I will petition the Board to recognize and hear “shadow reports” on Cornell’s policies and investments and their reflection on Cornell’s Corporate and Social Responsibility.

My Experience:

My current and former experiences include serving in the relevant capacities: Graduate Research Assistant (2024-present), Government Department’s Graduate Student Representative (2024-present), Graduate Resident Fellow (2024-present), Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies Director’s Fellow (2024-Cornell), Black Professionals in International Affairs Campus Coordinator (2024- present), University of Pittsburgh President of the Resident Students Association (2020-2022), Global Ties (international student) Mentor (2020-2023), and European Studies Center Ambassador (2020-2023), University of Pittsburgh committees on Exchange Students Representative at Sciences Po- Reims (2022), Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County (2021-2022), University of Pittsburgh Health and Housing Subcommittee (2020); Diversity Training for Student Affairs (2020); Student Leadership Remuneration Task Force (2020-2021).

My Interests:

As a poet, public speaker, and scholar, I believe our stories matter in fostering community, building bridges of belonging, and a sense of shared responsibility. Cornell is only as strong the community it surrounds and the students it serves. As key contributors to this university, we must expect Cornell to hear us and act when we raise challenges regarding prejudice within our work environment, inequitable access to housing, limitations on health care, and inaccessible financial and community-building resources. Our work, diverse experiences, and commitment to asking transformative questions drive Cornell forward, so our voices deserve to be empowered at the highest levels.