MEET OUR 2022-23 STAFF
PRESIDENTIAL & CHIEF OF STAFF TEAM
Flora Yang (she/her) is a fourth year majoring in Human Physiology. Her advocacy centers on ensuring basic needs for all students, such as campus safety, sexual assault prevention, and fighting food and housing insecurity. In her free time, Flora enjoys figure skating, running, travelling, trying out new restaurants, and learning how to play instruments from YouTube. Her favorite spots on campus include the USG office, the Toaster, and HSEC.
usgpres@umn.edu
Flora Yang
PRESIDENT
Zeke Jackson (he/him) is going into his final year studying Political Science and Entrepreneurship. Zeke is passionate about changing the University’s Liberal Education requirements, such as altering attendance policies and graduation requirements. When he isn't advocating for others, you can find him playing video and strategy games, reading, and playing the guitar. His favorite on-campus spots include the USG office and the West Bank walking path.
jack1379@umn.edu
Zeke Jackson
VICE PRESIDENT
Shashank Murali (he/him) is a third-year Carlson student, double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain and Operations Management. He is committed to improving USG internally and supporting staff members in reaching their various advocacy goals. In his free time, Shashank enjoys listening to music, watching TV, and hanging out with friends. You can find him chilling and studying at the USG office.
mural091@umn.edu
Shashank Murali
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
Maddie Beglinger (she/her) is a fourth year majoring in Psychology and Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice, as well as minoring in Spanish and Political Science. She is most passionate about sexual assault prevention and protecting Title IX, an amendment that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities. Maddie’s hobbies and interests include pilates, True Crime, and airplanes. She enjoys studying at Walter Library or the Caribou in Moos Tower.
begli006@umn.edu
Maddie Beglinger
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE VICE PRESIDENT
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS TEAM
Carter Yost (he/him) is a third year triple majoring in Communications, Political Science, and History. A significant advocacy initiative he’s working on this year is the Row the Vote Campaign for the 2022 Midterm Elections. Carter’s hobbies include working and checking his Google Calendar.
yost0056@umn.edu
Carter Yost
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Yusra Hassan (she/her) is going into her sophomore year studying Political Science. She is passionate about racial justice, campus safety, and equity in education. Outside of advocacy and school, Yusra enjoys spending time with family, swimming, and traveling. You can often find her hanging at the USG office.
hassa699@umn.edu
Yusra Hassan
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FEDERAL COORDINATOR
Siya Sakhardande (she/her) is a second-year pursuing a Psychology and English double major and Leadership minor. She’s interested in academic affairs and sexual assault advocacy. When she has down time, she enjoys reading mystery novels and watching baseball and football with her friends. For Siya, the best place on campus is the Toaster!
sakha016@umn.edu
Siya Sakhardande
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS STATE COORDINATOR
Katie Smithberg (she/her) is a second year majoring in Strategic Communications and Political Science. She’s passionate in advocating for access to affordable housing and food on campus, as well as sexual assault prevention. Katie enjoys ice skating, playing volleyball, camping, and hanging out with friends and family during her free time. Find her hammocking at the Knoll and studying at Murphy Hall.
smi01960@umn.edu
Katie Smithberg
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS LOCAL COORDINATOR
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS
Sara Davis (she/her) is a second-year studying elementary education and political science. She is most passionate about the Rename Reclaim Initiative, which ensures the the campus reflects the values stated by the University. Outside of USG, she enjoys reading and bullet journaling, as well as participates in ballroom dancing and Model UN. Her top on-campus spot is Wise Owl Cafe.
davi4254@umn.edu
Sara Davis
RANKING REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS
Niko Vasilopoulos (he/him) is a second year studying International Business and Marketing, as well as minoring in Strategic Management and Spanish. Campus safety has been at the forefront of his advocacy work, but he is also committed to increasing student accessibility to affordable, healthy foods. Outside of school, Niko loves to DJ (he’s been doing it for 10 years!), attend Timberwolves games, and explore West Bank.
vasil071@umn.edu
Niko Vasilopoulos
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS
FORUM BOARD
Alexander Wimmer (he/him) is a third-year student studying Political Science, German and East Asian Studies. He is passionate about issues surrounding sustainability, campus safety, and privacy. Hiking, martial arts, running, and climbing are some of his favorite hobbies. his favorite place on campus is the USG office.
wimme062@umn.edu
Alexander Wimmer
SPEAKER OF FORUM
Emma Lookner (she/her) is a third year majoring in Sociology of Law, Crime, and Justice, and minoring in Political Science. In terms of advocacy, she’s interested in issues such as basic needs, environmental accountability, and campus safety. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, working out, spending time outside, painting, and reading. Her favorite building on campus is the Memorial Union.
lookn001@umn.edu
Emma Lookner
RANKING AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE
Rahma Ali (she/her) is in her second year at UMN pursuing a Biology, Society and Environment major with a double minor in Leadership and Public Health. This year she is looking forward to working with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee on projects such as expanding the MLK Program and increasing prayer rooms on campus. She also wants to work more on changing building names on campus. In her down time, Rahma likes to get boba, spend time with family, watch the sunrise/set, and get homework done. Her favorite on-campus spots include the Health Sciences Center and Kung Fu Tea
ali00360@umn.edu
Rahma Ali
RANKING VOTING MEMBER
Gwen Vu (she/her) is a fourth year studying nursing. She’s interested in improving safety on campus and students’ mental health. In her free time, Gwen enjoys reading, finding new coffee shops and restaurants, making new soup recipes, and hanging with friends and family. Her favorite study spot is Walter Library.
vu000075@umn.edu
Gwen Vu
USG REPRESENTATIVE TO THE STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
FINANCE
Sanjana Pattanaik (she/her) is a third-year pursuing a Finance major and MIS and Business Analytics double minor. Her favorite advocacy initiative is increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the classroom. Sanjana is an oatmeal and matcha enthusiast and enjoys working out in her free time. Her favorite spot on campus is the Graduate.
usgfin@umn.edu
Sanjana Pattanaik
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Mina Zhang (she/her) is a third year student majoring in Marketing and a minor in Leadership. Her top advocacy initiatives include resource accessibility, diversity and inclusion, and food and housing insecurity. Outside of school, Mina enjoys singing, performing, playing Nintendo Switch, and fantasizing about her future cats. She also enjoys hanging out at the USG office and the Toaster.
zhan7326@umn.edu
Mina Zhang
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Justin Erickson (he/him) is a second-year studying marketing. This year, he is excited about the Row the Vote campaign and engaging with students and hearing what they want to have changed. His hobbies include hiking, reading, socializing, Spikeball, and ice cream. His favorite spots on campus are the Washington Avenue Bridge and the Graduate hotel.
eric4638@umn.edu
Justin Erickson
SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Gloria Lee (she/her) is a fourth-year pursuing an Individualized Studies Degree in Communication Studies, Media and Information, and Studies in Cinema and Media Culture. Her top advocacy initiatives are sustainability and mental health awareness. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, scrolling through TikTok, hanging with friends, and editing this webpage. You can frequently find her at the USG office (AKA where she’s writing this now) and Wilson Library on West Bank.
lee02386@umn.edu
Gloria Lee
EXTERNAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Annika Prickett (she/her) is a second year studying psychology, Spanish, and political science. This year she is focused on increasing student engagement and activism. In her spare time, she likes to learn languages, go rock climbing, longboard, and listen to music. Her favorite places on campus include the Graduate, HSEC, and Bordertowns.
prick025@umn.edu
Annika Prickett
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Jason Nimpoeno is a fourth year majoring in Food Science. He hopes to help make education more accessible and stop food insecurity. His interests include cooking, baking, the container store, and video games. Catch him hanging at the Meat and Dairy market every Wednesday at CFANS.
nimpo001@umn.edu
Jason Nimpoeno
RESEARCH & DATA COORDINATOR
TASK FORCE CHAIRS
Emily Zhi (she/her) is a third-year majoring in Human Physiology. She is focused on combating food and housing insecurity. Her hobbies include reading, painting, and sculpting, and her favorite spot at the U is the Breakerspace in Walter!
zhi00006@umn.edu
Emily Zhi
BASIC NEEDS TASK FORCE CHAIR
Sameen Faisal (she/her) is a third year student majoring in Neuroscience. She is passionate in advocacy work for mental health and sexual assault victims, with an emphasis on empathetic and sensitive patient care. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, hanging with friends, lifting, and playing sports. You can catch her studying at the Cube in Memorial Union.
faisa017@umn.edu
Sameen Faisal
SEXUAL ASSAULT TASK FORCE CHAIR
Leah Zhu (she/her) is a third-year majoring in Human Physiology. She is committed to working on concerns surrounding campus safety and mental health, as well as creating an inclusive environment for all students to flourish in. When she’s not advocating for students, Leah enjoys collecting agates, weightlifting, and writing. Her favorite spots on campus are the path by the Mississippi River and the always empty/maybe haunted auditorium room in Mayo.
zhu00431@umn.edu
Leah Zhu
CAMPUS SAFETY TASK FORCE CHAIR
COMMITTEE DIRECTORS
Anders Abbott (they/them) is a second year majoring in Chemistry. The advocacy initiatives they’re most passionate about include increasing the installation of bird glass, improving waste management, fossil fuel divestment, and ensuring climate justice is included in liberal education requirements, to name a few. Anders’ favorite hobbies and interests are fencing, playing the violin, and guitar, and video games. Their favorite place at the U is Walter Library.
abbot348@umn.edu
Anders Abbott
ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE DIRECTOR
Athira Nair (she/her) is in her second year at the U studying psychology and sociology. In terms of student advocacy, Athira is most interested in expanding academic programs for underrepresented groups, drawing more attention to human crises outside of America, and increasing access to menstrual and reproductive products. Her hobbies and interests include dance (she’s been dancing for 13+ years!), politics, history, and learning languages. Her favorite place to study is at the Starbucks in the Graduate.
nair0089@umn.edu
Athira Nair
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE DIRECTOR
Erin Vos (she/her) is a second-year Psychology and Sociology of Law and Deviance major. This year, she’s excited to work on expanding busing routes for efficiency and better addressing dorm and housing concerns. She enjoys dancing, drawing, photography, watching movies, hiking, camping, and going to concerts. Her favorite spot on campus is the Health Sciences Library.
vos00024@umn.edu
Erin Vos
CAMPUS LIFE COMMITTEE DIRECTOR
Ava Jax (any pronouns) is a second-year majoring in Entrepreneurship and Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature, with a minor in philosophy. Their advocacy work mainly centers on improving the Core Curriculum, and they’re excited that students can provide input into what future LibEd requirements will look like. In her free time, Ava enjoys running, going to concerts, reading, and writing. The Weisman Art Museum is her favorite place at the U!
jax00008@umn.edu
Ava Jax
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE DIRECTOR
Daniel Tobias (he/him) is a second-year studying Political Science and Statistics. As Infrastructure CD, he is passionate about advocating for transportation access and improvements, as well as campus building security and safety. His interests include baseball, politics, watching television, and his favorite place on campus is Wilson Library.
tobia081@umn.edu
Daniel Tobias
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DIRECTOR