AAS Candidate Statements for 2025-2026 Senators

The students below have announced their candidacies for these elections. All candidates are listed by position, then alphabetically by last name.

Class of 2026 (7 candidates, 8 seats):

Daniel Fleer ’26

Hi everyone, I’m Daniel! Though I’ve only been on the Senate a short time, as a member of the Committee on Educational Policy, I’ve worked hard to empower every student to take full advantage of our Open Curriculum. This has involved developing next year's new, more flexible course schedule, working to clarify our Pass/Fail policy, and, most importantly, enhancing the First Year Seminar experience—a cornerstone of every Amherst student’s intellectual journey. I’d be honored to have your vote again, and please come to Speech Night to learn how I intend to build on this progress in the coming year!

Shreya Hegde ’26

As a senator, I founded a website, Amherst Connect: all campus events on maps, calendars, and a stats dashboard to show hotspots.

What’s next?

Expand it to help you better connect with others, swap items, share rides, and communicate with the Senate.

Launch a comprehensive Access Amherst guide: info on clubs, finances, deadlines, resources, social life.

Better accountability: video/poster highlights of AAS meetings, long-term vision updates, and quick recaps of AAS-funded events.

Connect with the administration by frequently inviting staff/faculty to AAS and having Q&A sessions.

Vote Shreya. Vote for Access and Connect. Vote AC.

Rachel Howell ’26

Hello everyone! I have been so grateful to serve as a senator on AAS this semester. During the semester, I worked on the college council and the college review board and created a new initiative called Amherst Dress Swap to promote sustainability and accessibility to formal dresses, but my work is not done yet! I am excited and hopeful to represent you all again next year. I want to help make our senior year our best year yet, with more senior-specific programming and class bonding opportunities that allow us to cherish Amherst to the fullest extent.

Hedley Lawrence-Apfelbaum ’26

Having had the pleasure to serve as senator, secretary, and now, your vice president, I am running for Senate to work on creating a memorable Senior year and smoothly functioning Senate. I hope to contribute to Senate by serving on the Elections Committee and planning new events, while promoting effective accountability among Senators and the E-Board. I have seen what Senate can be at its best and will work tirelessly to foster this. Given our turbulent time, I will be a capable and strong voice for our class. Use your head, vote for Hedley!

Kaili Maurice ’26

Hi, I’m Kaili, a chemistry major on the pre-medical track! This upcoming year, I hope to work with the Arts Committee to create a closer bond between Amherst students and the local community, specifically with the installation of a mural that would foster collaboration and communication between the two communities. I am also on the women’s crew team and helped bring a StairMaster to campus this past spring and intend to continue applying feedback from the student body to development of the athletic facilities.

Neftalem Tesfaye ’26

Hi everyone, I’m Neftalem Tesfaye and I’m running for Class of 2026 Senate! As a transfer international student, I recognize the untapped potential within Amherst’s diverse community. I truly believe that enhancing cultural exchange is absolutely essential, and I am dedicated to bridging the gap between domestic and international students. I plan to host engaging events and organize activities that foster meaningful connections. I am also determined to improve communication between campus organizations and the student body. Let’s face it: scrolling the Daily Mammoth email or using the hub to find campus happenings is not fun. Let’s make some changes.

Ayres Warren ’26

I am running for Senate to continue the work I left off at the end of the fall semester. I want to continue improving Senate culture, ensure the senators are actively engaged in the Amherst community, and have us think about how we can bring community service and volunteer initiatives to the town of Amherst by reviving the Volunteer Committee. I hope I can count on your vote, and I look forward to serving you for a fourth year!

Class of 2027 (8 candidates, 8 seats)

Jeb Allen ’27

I’m running to continue my pursuit of intellectual diversity at Amherst College.

Angelina Flores ’27

Hello! I’m Angelina Flores, and I would love to spend another year representing you again. Community building has always been a big part of my platform, having piloted a mentorship program for first-years that I would like to bring back. While we are in college for a short time, I plan to support more exciting projects that bring vibrancy to the campus. Additionally, I want to continue workshops that can help us all become better adults, like the personal finance workshop. Most of all, I am eager to continue to be a voice for you on the Senate floor.

Lia Miller ’27

I would love to be reelected to serve the Class of ’27. In two months on Senate, I brought whiteboard marker bins to the Science Center to increase study supplies, launched a dress swap platform for your formal needs, and began developing a Major Celebration Day with George Daniel that we hope to debut next spring, only possible with your vote. I’ve served on the Budgetary Committee and College Council and had perfect attendance this semester. Next year, I’d love to help plan more fun community events and continue advocating for your needs and concerns. It would be an honor to serve you again!

Noah Gilman-Morgan ’27

Hello,

I am running for Senate to fight for you!

Sofia Salazar ’27

Hi everyone! My name is Sofia Salazar, and I am eager to keep working with Senate to create meaningful change on campus. If re-elected, I will continue improving the student experience by planning more electric raves, promoting campus mental health resources like the CCMH and group therapy, and organizing campus-wide craft fairs to highlight our creative entrepreneurs. I want to advocate for YOU, so please reach out with any questions, concerns, or comments about current initiatives or the change you want to see. VOTE SOF!

Joey Supik ’27

Hello again! This first semester has properly introduced me to the role’s processes and limitations, and, if re-elected, I would like to hit the ground running in the fall. My goals are to continue being an active member on campus, relaying to y’all the important details surrounding the Senate, advocating for your ideas and actualizing them, and creating projects you want to see. Current ideas are free CanvaPro, subsidized fridges, communal speakers for borrowing, a permanent pet room, more trash cans around campus, etc. Look online and at posters to see my full goals and mission. Vote Supik for Senate!

Noah Turbes ’27

I am Noah Turbes, a rising junior from Atlanta, Georgia. I have served on Senate since freshman year, and I am excited to represent my classmates in the Association of Amherst Students again! This past year, I served on the executive board as the Judiciary Council Chair, leading the RSO approval process each semester, reviewing the constitution and bylaws, and holding Senate accountable during meetings.

I’m looking forward to bringing back the 3v3 basketball tournament that I helped implement my first year, and I'm excited to bring other amateur sports tournaments to campus as well! I am excited to serve as your senator again!

Mikka Wolff ’27

I am stingy. Incredibly stingy. I’ve hosted free dinners that pay back double. I am in meetings every week with the Amherst’s executives to evaluate whether our executives strategic decisions  On my last year in budgetary contributions really pay off their million-dollar salaries. This past year in Budgetary Committee (BC), I have fought tirelessly in the sheets to weed out b******t purchases, research cost-efficient solutions, and cut the costs of the most expensive clubs so that every club can have banger events and we still have money by the end of the year. I’ve saved thousands on scissors, glue, stages, and extra gas miles clubs really don’t need. But as much as I love spreading a dollar, 8$ a person can’t fill a plate in this economy. The time has come to adjust BC caps to inflation, even though our budget will remain about the same. To raise caps, we will have to decrease the number of events we agree to fund. I think we can all agree that we would rather have lavish events a few times a month than a quarter slice of cold cheese pizza at every single club. But making this transition requires people with incredible discretion, dedication, and knowledge of how to get events done efficiently and efficiently. In other words, we need someone stingy.

Class of 2028 (12 candidates, 8 seats)

Liliana D’Aguiar ’28

As your senator, I’ll focus on improving two aspects of Amherst life: the social scene, and excessive academic pressures. If I’m elected, I’ll bring your ideas to life and deliver engaging events similar to Casino Night and the Egg Hunt. After each event, I’ll collect feedback to improve my future plans and stay in touch with your needs. To ease the stress we face due to heavy workloads, I’ll fight to implement student-first policies, like regularly giving professors anonymous feedback on course pacing and assignments, and limiting the amount of work that can be assigned over breaks.

Max Froomkin ’28

Amherst has so many cool people, but sometimes it feels like we’re all in our own bubbles. I’m Max, and I’m running to pop a few.

Here are some of my ideas:

• Full-college prom (live music, lights, food—not a high-school gym kind of night)
• Sports “Game of the Week” with free food + merch
• A weekly open table at Val: open to anyone who wants to talk to anyone. Go meet people!
• FriendPact (think Marriage Pact, but friends—I can build this!) once a month to match you with a classmate. Lucky pairs win coffee on AAS

Jiahuai Kang ’28

Over the past year, I’ve spent my time with VP Phuong Doan and Treasurer Chloe Yim, fighting for free menstrual products in the First-Year Quad (and succeeding). As a member of the transportation committee, I planned shuttles, created the forms, and fought to reduce shuttle prices (and succeeded). And during budgetary committee recommendations, I fight for every club to receive their requested amount for the week (and sometimes succeed). I’ve shown my dedication to fighting for all students. By voting for me, we can wage a relentless fight towards a more equitable and inclusive campus, together.

Ben Kasen ’28

Over the past year as a senator, I’ve helped plan numerous campus-wide events, including the recent Bunny-day hunt and pickleball tournament, served on the budgetary and first-year experience committees, and built relationships with the faculty. I’ve learned the ropes and gotten my foot in the door. If reelected, I will prioritize serving my community. To hear more of your voices, I will put a weekly Instagram question on my public account for the student body to ask questions on and work to make your complaints and suggestions heard. I will also have some cool projects in the works, including getting students free dryer balls to use for a year. I have loved serving you all this past year and would love to continue. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this past year, and we can do so much more!

Nathaniel Kolker ’28

Hey! I’m Nate, and I’m running to be your senator. I loved my freshman experience, but at times I’ve been disappointed with the lack of school spirit here. Events like casino night are a great start, but we can go even further. AAS can help sponsor even more events like WAMH’s Hello Mary concert, the rave, and Food Truck Fridays. I would also work to boost informal traditions, like the snowball fight on the first snow, through more outreach and school-provided amenities. As a senator, I would focus on bringing new excitement and connection to Amherst.

Pablo Moreira ’28

I’m Pablo, class of 2028, and I’m running to be your senator again!

This past year, thanks to your support, I organized the Cupid’s Courier and Leprechaun Lucky-Charms events, distributing roses, messages, and candy to over 800 students! Currently, I’m working with the Social-Engagement-Committee planning the next campus rave (coming soon, yay!!!) And as an E-Board member for our International Students Association, I’ve advocated for Amherst’s international students, successfully securing emergency housing over long breaks.

If re-elected, I’ll continue to host engaging programming, expand the SEC’s on-campus influence, and enhance Amherst’s social life, hopefully with new events and nightlife at the Powerhouse!

Joanne Opoku ’28

Hi everyone! I’m Joanne Opoku, and I'm excited to be running for the Sophomore Senate for the class of 2028. Thank you for trusting me the first time — I promised to amplify our class’s voice through vlogging and responsibly manage budgets, and I delivered. As your current Communications Outreach for AAS, and a member of the Budgetary Committee and First-Year Life Committee, I’ve grown in advocating for student needs and building connections. I’m ready to expand beyond vlogs to foster real community through intentional events and representation. Re-elect me, and let’s make this next year meaningful, connected, and reflective of us.

Olivia Salai ’28

Hi everyone! I’m Liv Salai, and I’m excited to run for AAS this semester! In high school, I was class vice president, and though I’ve taken time off from student government, I’m eager to jump back in at Amherst. I hope to create an internal course rating system (similar to Rate My Professor, but exclusively for Amherst students!) so students don’t have to rely on word-of-mouth for course selection. I intend to work with the administration] to expand merch selection, revive the J-term musical, and introduce recipe cards for alternative meal ideas. This election, vote for leadership you can LIV with!

Tetsuya Tanaka ’28

Hi, I’m Tetsuya Tanaka, and I’m running for Senate to turn ideas into action:

• Create a centralized Lost & Found platform (in progress)
• Lead digitalization of Bike Share and Tread Shed (in progress)
• Build a real-time dining hall crowd tracker
• Launch an AAS anonymous feedback form for student voices
• Add a Senate section to my website (tetsuya-t.com) to share updates and get your input—coming soon as my first promise in action

Why me?
I’ve co-led a 20+ member sustainability team for 3+ years — revived a compost system, hosted a 300+ person event, and delivered real results. For more, check out: tetsuya-t.com.

I don’t just talk — I act. Vote Tetsuya Tanaka.

Andy Weisberg ’28

Transparency, Transparency, Transparency. Hello everyone — my name is Andy Weisberg, and I’m a freshman at Amherst. Let me ask you a question, do you know what the Judiciary Council does? You can probably guess from the name that it is supposed to interpret the Amherst constitution, but what does that really mean?  I want to create an Instagram account where I'd post once a week to discuss what the Judiciary Council has been up to, and announce any decisions that have been made. I would greatly appreciate your support, and a vote for me is a vote for greater transparency.

Julia Wolf ’28

Hi everyone! I’m Julia Wolf, I’m a freshman, and I’m running for a position on the AAS Senate because I believe in the values of our student body: cooperation, inclusivity, and open-mindedness. As an AAS Senator, I will work towards facilitating more open discussion between the administration and the student body; establishing an effective communication system between Senators and students; and expanding the College community by further connecting with the town of Amherst. You can count on me to put effort and creativity into my Senate projects, and to directly address your concerns and advocate for you. Vote Julia!

Dania Younies ’28

Hi! My name is Dania, and I’m running to be your senator! I serve on Dean Angie’s Advisory Council and have built considerable relationships with the administration. I will bring my strong connections with administration to Senate to deliver on projects such as getting ice machines in all dorms and hosting a Five College free clothing and donation drive here on campus. Additionally, I will expand the career database to allow for better networking opportunities for students and help them navigate possible future careers. Remember to vote Dania Younies to be your Senator!

Budgetary At-Large (2 seats)

Nathan Lee ’26

Over the past three years, I’ve gotten familiar with every aspect of the budgeting process. As a senator and BC member for two years, I’ve become knowledgeable about BC policy and the funding sought by our 150+ clubs. As a treasurer for three clubs myself, I’m aware of the experience of club financing as well. As an at-large member, I’ll work to do much I planned in my treasurer campaign. I’ll help push for improvements to transportation policy, design an insurance policy, and be an accommodating BC rep available to respond to club questions around the clock.

Amory Maxey ’28

Hey, I’m Amory and I’m running to serve as an at-large member of the Budgetary Committee. Currently I’m a member of the crew team, and a history and economics major. If serving as the Budgetary Committee representative for your club I promise to prioritize availability and accountability, to provide your club with the funding it needs. I will pursue close relationships with club treasurers and AAS senators alike to ensure that funds reach student organizations with minimum complications, while responsibly managing the budget. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions feel free to reach out to me!

Arshdeep Singh ’26

I’ve served on several RSO e-boards and am currently President of the Asian Student Association. I’ve requested money from the Budgetary Committee before and know how tricky it can be to navigate funding rules and budget limits. After going through the various paths to secure funding, I bring a strong familiarity with the existing policies and procedures. I understand both the needs of student orgs and the importance of fair, transparent allocation. I’d bring a balanced perspective to the BC — supporting creative events while ensuring the student activities fund is used responsibly and equitably.

Judiciary Council At-Large (4 seats)

Kaia Benedetti ’28

My name is Kaia Benedetti, and I am running for a seat on the Judiciary Council. In a close-knit community like ours, every student deserves not only a voice but also a clear understanding of how our Constitution shapes campus life. If elected, I will approach every case with impartiality and ensure constitutional interpretations and decisions are shared in clear, accessible language. When Judiciary Council and RSO decisions are explained in plain terms, more students can engage with—and trust—our processes. Our community is strongest when everyone, not just those already involved in AAS, can understand and participate in student government.

Audren Hedges Duroy ’28

I always prioritize academic integrity, student safety, and transparency in government. As a member of the JC, I will work tirelessly to help create a fair and inclusive environment. A passionate understanding of the bylaws, constitution, and regulations is necessary for every student, not to mention the Judiciary Council, as such, I have combed the Constitution and Community Standards closely. JC plays an important role in ensuring that all members of the community have their voices heard. When chosen, I will take the Judiciary Council seriously; I will help foster a vibrant intellectual and cooperative environment at Amherst.

Correction, April 23, 2025: A previous version of this piece misspelled Joanne Opoku’s name as “Joanne Opaku,” Nathaniel Kolker as “Nathaniel Kolder,” and Andy Weisberg as “Andy Weisburg.” These have been fixed.

Correction, April 24, 2025: Fixed spelling of Liliana D’Aguiar, from “Liliana Adaguiar.” A brief introduction was added, as was the number of candidate seats available for each position. Candidates were also reordered, now sorted by last name alphabetically. No discernible order existed in the previous version of this article.