Who’s running for USG?

Student government candidates in their own words

April 6, 2026

Editor’s Note: The Mass Media invited all candidates for student trustee and Undergraduate Student Government president, vice president and senator to submit bios and photographs for this publication. Candidates’ words appear exactly as submitted.

President and Vice President

Grayson Pelletier

Candidate for President

Hey Yall! I wanted to thank everyone for the opportunity to run for USG President and talk about the experience I have in Civic engagement and leadership. I have been involved in government for half my life and pursued that in high school becoming the president of our local Youth & Government Program working on civic engagement for high schoolers. I was chosen to represent Massachusetts 3 years in a row in CONA. This program was part of the YMCA and I represented students and lobbied on Beacon hill and in Washington DC for affordable child care and civic bridge building. I was invited to represent my school in Boy’s States where we simulated state government and I have advocated and gotten affordable housing legislation through town meetings. I have been on the Model UN team, elected treasurer, accepted into FLI, an Event Lead for SAEC, and a USG senator representing freshmen.

Pelletier will also appear on the ballot for senator.

Diana Reynoso

Candidate for Vice President

Hi Beacons! I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to run for your USG Vice President. At UMass Boston I have been deeply involved in roles that support students. I am the President of the Dominican Student Union, Lead Administrative Coordinator for SAEC, a 2nd year Orientation Leader, and a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Leadership Council. I’ve worked directly with budgeting, event planning, and campus operations, navigating the same systems that many student organizations struggle with every day. I’ve collaborated with many organizations and offices on campus, while building connections across campus. As both a mentee and mentor in the First-Year Leadership Institute, I’ve gained insight into student needs. I’ve learnt the issue is a lack of student voices, but a lack of effective systems to support them. That’s why I’m running for Vice President: to bridge students and administration, ensuring real results, not just representation.

Sarah Velez

Candidate for President

My name is Sarah Velez and I am running to be your president because I believe your voices deserve to be heard and your needs deserve to be met. The students of UMass Boston deserve equitable access to security, opportunities, and wellness. To become president means turning this statement into action and to bridge the gap between a student’s needs and the resources that can support them. As USG Secretary, I’ve contributed to the UACCESS x USG Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, the Music 104 Resolution and the Health Insurance Resolution. Moving forward, Simone and I will work to restore funding for AARO and LSAMP, reduce parking costs, and advocate for performing arts resources. My promise to the undergraduate student body is to make an impact through visibility, commitment and kindness to #BeTheChange you want to see. Vote Sarah Velez and Simone Trainor for USG President and Vice-president April 13th-16th!

Simone Trainor

Candidate for Vice President

My name is Simone Trainor, and I’m running for USG Vice President. #BeTheChange reflects my dedication to UMass Boston students. Leadership is more than a title; it’s about being a committed advocate for my peers. As a biology and psychology honors student, researcher, and performing arts student, I understand the importance of fighting for every program that matters to students. As USG Secretary, I’ve contributed to the UACCESS x USG Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, free menstrual products through UHS, expanded Aunt Flow dispensers, counseling services, the Health Insurance Resolution, and the Music 104 Resolution. Looking ahead, Sarah and I aim to restore funding for AARO and LSAMP, reduce parking costs, and advocate for performing arts resources. My leadership is defined by empathy, communication, and consistency, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Vote Sarah Velez and Simone Trainor for USG President and Vice-President to BeTheChange you want to see.

Eli Hochkeppel

Candidate for President

I didn’t see myself as a leader before I came to UMass Boston. I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where the woods and the city intertwined, influencing me to major in Environmental Studies. My family joked I would “save the world” with my degree, but that wasn’t right. I just wanted to make it a better place. Here at UMass Boston, I realized that making small, beneficial change is leadership. Last year, for my work as a past president of MASSPIRG and a Beacon Voyages for Service volunteer, I earned the Undergraduate Student Leadership award. This year, my greatest accomplishment is the East Hall emergency clothing drive. After the flood, we collected and distributed clothes, toiletries, pillows and blankets to students in need. This is what leadership should be, and that is the type of leader I will be for our students.

Shreevats Pandey

Candidate for President

Greetings! I am Shreevats Pandey, a junior at the University of Massachusetts Boston, pursuing Entrepreneurship and Marketing. I am driven by a commitment to leadership, innovation, and cultivating a more engaged and cohesive student community. In my capacity as Secretary of the Hindu YUVA Club, I lead outreach, collaboration, and operational initiatives that strengthen student engagement and foster meaningful connections across campus. Beyond campus involvement, I am the Co-Founder of Vettor, an early-stage venture reimagining early-career recruitment by shifting from traditional résumé-based evaluation to demonstrable, skill-based assessment. Through this work, I aim to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. My leadership journey began as School Cultural Captain and Secretary General of Model United Nations, where I developed strengths in strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and large-scale execution. As a candidate for Undergraduate Student Government President, I am committed to strengthening representation and building a more inclusive, opportunity-driven campus.

Netri Faldu

Candidate for Vice President

Hi! I’m Netri Faldu, a psychology undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts Boston, passionate about mental health, student connection, and building a more inclusive campus community. Through my roles as a Beacon Ambassador and CLA Peer Mentor, I’ve worked closely with students from diverse backgrounds, supporting them in navigating campus life and fostering a sense of belonging. On campus, I’m actively involved with the Desi Student Association, where I contribute to organizing events that bring people together and strengthen community engagement. With a background in the IB program, I bring strong skills in leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking to everything I do. As a candidate for Undergraduate Student Government Vice President, I am committed to amplifying student voices, strengthening collaboration across organizations, and creating a campus environment where every student feels heard, supported, and empowered.

Student Trustee

Travis Emerson

Candidate for Student Trustee

My name is Travis Emerson, and I’m running for student trustee. I have become very attached to the UMass campus during my time here. The values of the faculty and staff, as well as the community among students, are unlike anything I’ve seen or heard of anywhere else. If I were elected as student trustee, I would work to ensure the undergraduate and graduate students within the UMass Boston community feel supported and represented. I personally believe success doesn’t have a finish line, and I would work to continuously accomplish goals oriented toward those of the student body. I want to provide an emphasis on how important the voices of all students are, especially when it comes to making change. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have for me at my email [email protected].

Student trustee candidates Sadikshya Khanal and Adonai Baptista did not respond to The Mass Media’s invitation to appear in this publication.

Senator

Yairamar Oropeza

Candidate for Senator

Hi everyone! My name is Yairamar Oropeza, I am a freshman majoring in Leadership and Management. I believe in the power of community, which is why as senator I will make it my goal to support fun and meaningful school events. When students come together, they can grow their social and occupational network. I want to help make that possible. Having moved to Massachusetts from Venezuela in 2016, I had many moments throughout my childhood where I felt out of place, overwhelmed, and lost. I understand the impact third spaces can have on someone, and I want to be a part of creating them. At my core, I know my passion lies in community. I love helping people connect with each other. My promise as senator is that I will promote a strong, welcoming community throughout UMass Boston.

Stephanie Aboagye

Candidate for Senator

I am a dedicated student leader who is committed to building a stronger and more connected community. I am passionate about equity, student representation and building inclusive spaces where all voices are heard. Over the past several months, I have been attending general assemblies and weekly meetings of the undergraduate student government making sure I am well informed on what is happening around and on campus and my contributions represent the interests of the student community. Through these and several other opportunities, I have gained inspiration from leaders and mentors and developed my communication and interpersonal skills. My priorities are always set by the needs and wellbeing of students, faculty and staff and I hope to strengthen the communication between students and administration, expand student involvement, and contribute to policies that support academic success and community wellbeing.

Prisha Shah

Candidate for Senator

Hi! I’m Prisha, a business student at UMass Boston who is passionate about building a more connected and student-focused campus. I’m running for Senator because I want to make sure student voices are actually heard and represented. Through my roles as future President of Global Business Brigades, Social Media Coordinator at Mass Media, and Social Media Coordinator for the Women’s Center, I’ve worked on creating content, engaging students, and bringing people together across campus. At UMass, I’ve seen how important communication, accessibility, and involvement are in shaping student experience. I want to help improve how things run behind the scenes while also making campus life more engaging and inclusive. I’m organized, proactive, and genuinely committed to making real, practical changes that benefit students.

Senate candidates Shahed Ananzeh, Meakaela Disanka, Adonai Baptista, Annie Kebadze and Anna-Maria Chelidze did not respond to The Mass Media’s invitation to appear in this publication.