AAS Candidate Statements for Transfer Students

The students below have announced their candidacies for these elections. All candidates are listed by position, then alphabetically by last name. If a statement ends in ellipses, it is because it has been cut off to fit the 100 word limit.

Four Candidates, One Seat:

Nell Dwyer ’28

I'm running for Transfer Student Representative to help transfer students find academic and extracurricular footing at Amherst and to build connections between transfer athletes and non-athletes. I'm a junior psychology major on the women's soccer team; I work in Student Affairs; and I volunteer weekly at Not Bread Alone, a local soup kitchen. At boarding school, as junior class president, I supported the 15% of our class who joined as new juniors, many international, integrating into an already-established community. Transfers face a similar challenge at Amherst, and I want to help us find support and spaces to feel at home. 

Abhi Hadal ’29

Hello, my fellow Homo sapiens! I’m Abhi, an international and transfer student from Hampshire College. At Hampshire, I served on the Board of Trustees for Faculty Reappointment and Promotion and Academic Affairs & Policy, and lead for the International Student Association. My job is to serve as your representative and amplify your voices – whether it be more spoons in Betty’s, more trash cans on campus or policies regarding transfer & veteran students. As your senator, I will always be approachable and available for you. I’m hoping I can be your friendly neighborhood transfer senator and guarantee your voices are Herd.

Best,

Abhi 

Mike Hannigan ’29

I'm running for Transfer Senator because I have the skills to listen to the issues transfer students face and communicate them directly to my fellow senators, college administrators, and board members. I have served as a student trustee and as a student voting member of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. I was upset to learn about the recent treatment of veteran students' financial aid, and I commend the student advocates who worked to right this injustice. Issues like this are exactly what the AAS should address, and if elected, that's what I'll do.

Marcos Silva ’29

Fellow transfers,

My name is Marcos, and I am running for the transfer seat on the AAS. Although this is my first semester at Amherst, I represented over 5,000 students as Student Government Vice President at my community college last year. There, I learned the importance of student advocacy and the strength we carry when we work together. At Amherst, I hope to bring that experience to our community and advocate for the unique challenges we face as we find our place at an institution not initially designed for transfers. Help me get “in the room where it happens.”