Meet the Candidates!
The Elections and Selections process for the 2024-2025 TUA Body has begun! Meet your First Years Candidates here (scroll below!) or stop by the LBC Main Hallway from 10AM – 3PM from August 19th, 20th, and 21st.
Voting will open via WaveSync on 8/21 at 11:59PM and close 8/22 at 11:59PM. (Only open to current first years)
If you have any questions about the Elections and Selections process, please contact TUA@tulane.edu.
First Year Candidates
Morgan Arbour
She/Her
I want to be a part of TUA because I am a first-generation student with a passion for helping others. From being in this position, I feel that it has instilled a unique point of view and way of thinking. From navigating the complexities of higher education to finding the right support networks, I have first-hand experience with the challenges and barriers faced by first generation students. This struggle has encouraged me to reach out to others so that they do not have to go through the same hardship as I once did. This passion has stemmed from my high school years. I was able to participate in an array of groups that focus on the needs of the many, in which I learned more about the importance of leadership and selflessness. During that time, I was also able to start a local pageant in my hometown. Even though it was a small program, it made a large impact on many children in the community. This program helped strengthen leadership skills, encouraged them to be more outgoing, and helped them gain more confidence in themselves. Now that I am going to be a part of a new community, I would like to continue to make an impact on those around me and pursue my passion of helping others by participating in the TUA and making the campus of Tulane even better.
Benjamin AshShahid
He/Him
As an intrepid leader in my community, I know what it means to be a self-assured, autonomous, and stand up for the rights of others. I was a student council president, where I worked with school leadership to implement new policies that built students’ confidence and boosted morale. Advocacy has been one of my greatest strengths, and I look forward to carrying that skill into my first year at Tulane. Others have described me as approachable and outgoing, so talking to me about issues that need attention can be done with a simple “Hi!” and working with others comes naturally to me as well. Do you want someone who is proud to represent you? Do you want someone who puts your needs above their own? Do you want someone who has the ability to be a comprehensive problem solver? Do you want a leader? I am your voice, and I won’t let you down. Not as a delegate, friend, or acquaintance.
Caroline Cunningham
She/Her
I am running for the Tulane University Assembly because I want to continue Tulane’s legacy of a community united by service to others. Using skills of problem solving, public speaking, and mediation that I learned during my time as my high school’s student council president, I will work diligently to represent the needs of my classmates and school community. Committees such as student experience; community and accountability; and civic engagement are of great interest and importance to me, especially because of my experiences on student council and the Social Justice Committee in high school, where we determined areas that the school could improve and focused our efforts on finding solutions. In order to bring motivation to students to connect with community service, we planned and were working towards implementing a full day field trip to various parts of our community, where the work that they completed was work that they had input into (and therefore more passion towards). Working to build a stronger, more caring community in that capacity was one of the best experiences I have had, and I believe that the TUA experience would also give me the opportunity to serve others and build upon my skills of interpersonal relationships and problem solving that would make me both a more effective delegate and leader in the future!
Rosario Elmudesi
She/Her
I want to join the wave. I want to join the wave of change, of advocacy, the wave that represents the entire community and collaboratively works towards building a better Tulane, making sure every voice in the university is heard. From the moment I learned about TUA, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. Running for TUA Delegate is an incredible opportunity to utilize and enhance my leadership skills while benefiting the Tulane community.
As a competitive tennis player since childhood, I have developed a strong sense of organization, determination, and passion. I am eager to share my energetic and positive spirit in ways that benefit us all. My love for organizing and managing events drives my desire to create fun, new, and creative activities for Tulanians, ensuring everyone feels at home.
I am also deeply passionate about sustainability, having served as president of my high school’s eco-club. I admire Tulane’s commitment to sustainability and would love to join that wave. As a proud Dominican, I look forward to bringing my unique perspective and enthusiasm to the team.
I am committed to working collaboratively on initiatives larger than myself, striving to make Tulane the wave in which everyone feels safe and at home. Tulane is already amazing, but together we can make it even better for everyone. Roll Wave!
Lexi Jessie
She/Her
With six years of experience in student councils during my middle and high school years, I have cultivated a strong foundation in leadership, teamwork, and effective communication. These experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to represent and advocate for my peers. My passion for promoting equity, inclusion, and community has been a driving force behind my dedication to student governance. I am committed to creating an environment where every student feels valued and heard, regardless of their background. To further this mission, I have recently taken the initiative to bridge communities by creating a group chat consisting of over 75 incoming freshmen who identify as Black or African American. This platform serves as a safe space for students to ask questions, seek support, and build meaningful connections with their future classmates. Through this initiative, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of fostering inclusive communities and the importance of providing spaces where students can share their experiences and support one another. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills, experience, and passion for equity and inclusion to Tulane’s Undergraduate Association. I am eager to contribute to the vibrant Tulane community and serve my peers with dedication and enthusiasm.
Nimmer Johl
She/Her
Public speaking, creativity, and leadership drive my desire to join TUA. I aim to positively influence students’ Tulane experience by offering innovative solutions to challenges through creative thinking and collaboration. Ensuring diverse representation is crucial; I will amplify the voices of underrepresented groups on campus to provide multifaceted opinions on decisions. As the co-founder of The Sikh Health Network, a growing nonprofit providing healthcare nationwide, I possess the leadership and experience necessary to advocate for educational advancements. I will push for additional electives, extracurriculars, and enhanced learning opportunities. A key initiative I’m passionate about is increasing healthcare awareness on campus. I plan to organize seminars and educational events with medical professionals, and even introduce relevant electives. My dedication to volunteer work and community involvement drives me to strengthen the bond between Tulane and the local community. By diversifying volunteer opportunities, I aim to enable Tulane students to make a significant impact on the world around us. Lastly, I want to enhance the student experience by contributing fun, engaging ideas for events that foster student togetherness and forge unforgettable friendships throughout the year!
Dieu Anh Pham
She/Her
Ryleigh Shullaw
She/Her
My purpose behind running for a TUA delegate is because I find that my place in Tulane could really make a difference for my peers as well as Tulane as a whole. I have seen people who have come from so many different places in their lives, my reason to run is to help educate others and bring awareness to what we can all be doing to help. Growing up I was quiet, but quickly found that I had a voice when it came to others. I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community and grew up in Louisiana my entire life. I was shown what it’s like to speak up for others in a way that doesn’t put others down or speak negatively about anybody’s experiences. I am not the most confident or loudest person, but that’s not what really matters. What matters is that I have found my voice and TUA is a place that I wish to channel my beliefs and motives to help others.
Will Tutwiler
He/Him
I would like to be a TUA Delegate because I feel that it presents a great opportunity to be of service to the student body at Tulane. As a first-year student, I believe there would be no better place to learn about the different issues and difficulties facing Tulane while also being a part of the solution. If elected I’d passionately embrace the responsibility of listening and communicating with both the student body and the other TUA delegates. More specifically I’d enjoy being part of any effort or initiative that focuses on the growing political and social polarization on college campuses whether that is by working to foster a more inclusive and open-minded community, or by encouraging and even facilitating healthy conversations between those of differing viewpoints. All things considered, I firmly believe in the importance of proper representation and the results that come with it, and if elected I would leverage my past experiences in similar positions to serve the Tulane community to the best of my ability.