My freshman year J-term abroad in [Prague]. I spent an amazing three weeks there. It was also my last major experience in the "normal" world before Covid-19 started, so I look back on it very fondly and can't wait to visit again one day.

I have been a member of multiple committees, [as a former] Arts and Humanities academic representative and [a current] Chief of Staff. In these roles, I have worked on a range of important projects: replacing the previous overpriced and understocked convenience store vendor, increasing Capstone flexibility during the pandemic, implementing new foreign language courses, helping manage student arrivals and quarantine during Covid-19, finding solutions for the loss of the traditional stipend and more.

I decided to run for President because I have worked closely with [former and current] Presidents and have learned so much and been so inspired by them. I have observed firsthand — and even participated in — what has been successful and what needs to improve, and I hope to continue to improve StuGov and the NYUAD student experience [given such opportunity].

I grew up on a corn and soybean farm in the American midwest that has been in my family for seven generations.

Salted caramel! …It's the perfect mix of salty and sweet!

When the weather isn’t brutally hot, I love going to the amphitheater or lawn above D1. They're great for relaxation [as] they're usually quiet and empty, and I always prefer being outside. Otherwise, you’ll find me in some odd corner of the Arts Center enjoying the intense AC and fiddling around in a music room or dance studio.

These are some of the most contested StuGov elections in the history of NYUAD. I'm glad to see so many people running for positions in Council and hope that we can treat each other with respect and kindness in all StuGov and community conversations moving forward.

Late night chats with friends on the Highline hammocks.

I’ve served as an Alternate NYC Senator in Spring 2022. In this role I learned about how Student Government functions across the NYU Global Network, and that inspired me to run for Vice-President. I have always been a vocal critic of Student Government, but instead of criticizing from the sidelines I want to catalyze change from within.

I’m a huge fan of stand-up comedy and will watch hours upon hours of it with rapt attention.

Butterscotch or dulce de leche.

I was a big fan of the Unix lab but that space was shut down due to Covid last year. Now I like to take walks behind C2 — really helps clear my mind. The Student Life suite is another good space.

In the past week we’ve seen some fierce resistance to my candidacy, particularly from the incumbent council members. However, the student body rallied in my support and if I am elected, they will see visible change in the form of a Student Government that is accountable, swift, transparent and inclusive. The days of generic ROR responses and “We’ll bring this up with the Deans” are coming to an end — that is my promise to you.

I went on a trip to Ras Al Khaimah organized by the Community Outreach Sufara'a office, and it was absolutely amazing! We had a wonderful cultural tour of the RAK Fine Arts Festival and the Suwaidi Pearl Farm, as well as a heart-warming Emirati gathering from our Dean of Students Dr. Aisha Al Naqbi and her family.

I've been part of the Class Experience Committees both in freshman and sophomore year, where we planned exciting events and advocated for class-specific needs. I'm also indirectly involved with the Domestic Students Advisory Board through my class representative to suggest ideas specifically for UAE-based students. I've always felt a sense of duty and responsibility towards my peers. Since many students are going to or are interacting with the New York campus, I felt that running for NYC Senator would be a great way to serve my fellow Falcons.

Though I'm very calm and peaceful of character, I'm also a second level black belt in karate! [Besides its] usefulness for self-defense, martial arts enrich the self through teachings of focus and discipline.

I've always been a fan of caramel, so something like dulce de leche would make me smile.

I usually hang out by the Baraha with friends, but if the Arts Center is open you'll find me drumming in the music practice rooms! Jamming to music really helps me relieve stress and get my mind off work.

Going to EXPO 2020 with Sufara’a! It was so fun because we got to shoot content for Student Affairs and Sufara’a and were able to bond as a small group.

I’ve never been involved with Student Government previously, but this year I was motivated to apply because of my own personal experience and opinion with communication in the university. During my LOA, I’ve been thinking of ways to reshape communication between students and administrators so running for this role seemed like a perfect way to start implementing some changes.

I love hosting! My dorm in the fall was specifically curated with snacks, tea and coffee so that any guest can feel like they’re at home.

Definitely vegan vanilla!

Under the palms (when the weather is nice of course). There, friends and I talk for hours and love to feel the warm breeze on us after being in the AC all day.

First year fall. Supercharged with impostor syndrome, I was doing everything I could fit in my calendar. It was fun for a while and I learned a lot but it was definitely one of the unhealthiest work-life balances I have ever had.

I have been a member of multiple committees but my most prominent work was as the Sophomore Class Representative. Liaising with Student Finance to work on solutions like CDC Graduate School Funding via Falcon Dirhams in the aftermath of the stipend fiasco was a big win. Merch was another. Beyond this, I pushed the boundaries of confidentiality and information-hoarding at council, spearheaded changes in the StuGov application process to make it more inclusive and was perhaps most importantly, always one of the most vocal critics of the work that we did as Council.

I am running this time because I want to show that Student Government can operate in a radically different style, for the better. Over the last three years, we have dealt with major policy changes that have deeply affected our NYUAD experience. And while council members have always stepped up — I say as one myself — the current structure and culture restrict the sort of influential and political style of advocacy that I believe is needed, and possible. I want to show that advocacy looks different from mere communication. The institution is young and with that comes the privilege and responsibility to shape its culture and policies. And that's why I am running. The window is narrow, but I think we stand a chance.

I have little to no "weather intelligence." You will find me wearing sweaters and corduroy jackets during June in Abu Dhabi.

Bubble gum! Because I like it, and so will you, once you try it.

I love to take walks at the ramp behind the Campus Center. It's quiet, calm, and always a great space for self-inventory.

Vote! Get your friends to vote. As a senior member of the mission once said, your vote is both a privilege and responsibility.

Marhaba will always be a surreal experience that I doubt I will ever experience again. It represented our transition from who we were at home, and who we could be at university. It quite literally felt like a new chapter.

Last fall I took on the role of being both being the psychology representative and [a part of] the University Curriculum Committee. My favorite contribution was scouting as psych alumni to pool their experiences into a panel discussion on campus to allow their advice, thoughts and regrets about their careers be accessible to the student body.

I learnt so much about the different dimensions there was to being a student outside of my own experience here at NYUAD. Getting involved gives me a whole other drive that no other activity seems to give me.

I hate texting people. Sending micro vlogs to my friends is my ideal form of communication. :)

The reading room is always pin-drop silent so it’s a great place to read or nap. Pro tip: put all the blinds up in the room to get a 180 view of Abu Dhabi’s skyline.

Seeing campus experiences slowly return to in-person programming again has already elevated this semester for me to a whole new level compared to the past two years; imagine what we could do this upcoming fall?

The Sophomore Feud Night that I got to organize for my class. The energy was truly unmatched!

I was the Library and IT Chair during Fall 2021 and I loved the impact that I made by advocating for technology at the bookstore. I then decided to be the Sophomore Rep to advocate for my class' needs and plan fun events for them. Both these roles taught me so much about leadership and made me want to apply to be Senator.

I share my birthday with Harry Potter!

Strawberry for sure.

My friends' rooms. If the weather is good enough, you'll also find me at the hammocks.

I don't think there are any wrong choices for this year's election and I can't wait to see how the results come out!