Undergraduate Elections HQ
Fall 2024 Freshman Representative Elections
Voting opens on September 16th at 9:00 AM EST.
Elections Timeline (*all times in EST*):
September 2nd, 2024 – Application opens 12:01 am
September 6th, 2024 – Application closes at 11:59 pm
September 9th, 2024 – Campaigning begins at 12:01 am
September 16th, 2024 – Voting begins at 9:00 am
September 19th, 2024 – Voting and campaigning ends at 11:59 pm
September 20th, 2024 – Results announced at Harrison Square at 12:00 pm
Runoff Timeline:
September 21st, 2024 – Runoff campaigning begins at 12:01 am
September 23rd, 2024 – Runoff voting begins at 9:00 am
September 26th, 2024 – Runoff voting and campaigning ends at 11:59 pm
September 27th, 2024 – Runoff results announced at Harrison Square at 12pm
UHR Representatives are directly elected to represent every significantly-populous portion of the student body. Representatives enrich the student experience for every Georgia Tech student by passing resolutions and voicing students’ issues and desires through the Legislative Branch of the Student Government Association. For more information about the Legislative Branch, click here.
Meet the Candidates
Freshman Representative Elections Candidates
Kaspar Pajo
Hey! My name is Kaspar Pajo and I am the first-ever undergraduate student at Georgia Tech from Estonia (a small country in Northern Europe). This year I am running to be one of the freshman representatives in Student Government. I am interested in student life (especially in organizing events), sports, science, and various cultures. My work experience: Internships at Coop Bank and The Government Office of Estonia. Sales Specialist at Chocolala (a chocolate store in Estonia). Fun fact about me: I am tall (6 ft 3, 190cm) which helps me to see the wider picture. Overall, I am a very enthusiastic, sociable, and cheerful person and I believe these factors help me greatly when working in a team. I believe that only when people work together, do we have the power to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
With 3 years of experience in my high school student council, including serving last year as its president, I am equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to help improve Georgia Tech’s student life and organize a wide variety of events for everyone. If I am elected as one of the freshman representatives in the Student Government, I will focus on the following topics: 1) More health-related events – sports, mental health, etc. – I believe that it is only possible to be successful academically when you allow your mind and soul to relax. 2) 2) Uniting international and local students – diversity is the key to success at Georgia Tech as difficult problems are met with the most innovative solutions when they are viewed from a myriad of perspectives. 3) 3) Communication – Making sure students are well-informed should be one of the top priorities of The Student Government. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (kpajo3@gatech.edu) or Instagram (kaspar_pajo). Thank you for your time and consideration. Together, we have the power to make a change!
Charlie Pannell
Howdy! My name is Charlie Pannell and I am a first year Neuroscience major here at Georgia Tech. I was raised on a farm in North Georgia, so first things first, I love the outdoors. Having the mountains in my backyard really shaped who I am today, and has led me all around the country be it canoeing across the boundary waters, or being a ranger in New Mexico. I am always open to new opportunities, exploring passions outside my major like restoring cars, playing cello, and woodworking. This is part of the reason why I chose to go into such an expanding and exciting field like neuroscience. After Georgia Tech, I plan to further my education with medical school and through residency to become a Neurosurgeon. There are a lot of steps between today and my future, so I hope I get to meet y’all along the way!
When coming to school in Atlanta, I knew I would have the opportunity to do great things, the opportunity to meet great people, and the opportunity to pursue a dream as crazy as becoming a neurosurgeon. Not everyone gets this opportunity, however, and this is most evident in rural communities. I remember leaving class one day of my sophomore year, when a teacher was faintly talking about a summer program that students could apply for, and that the deadline was a few hours away. I ended up applying for this program on a whim, and ended up getting into the Governor’s Honors Program, which changed the trajectory of my life as a student forever. This opportunity would have never been brought up to me if I didn’t just stumble upon it by chance; by pure luck. Students in rural areas should not have to just “get lucky,” and that is what I want to fix. Through student government, I wish to represent students from rural areas, and provide outreach into these communities. Be it through connecting with students directly, or working closely with school boards, I want to make sure students in areas like Crandall, Georgia know that Georgia Tech has a place for them. One opportunity can change someone’s life, so let’s spread the good word and cast a vote for our future Jackets this fall by voting Charlie Pannell as your freshman class representative!
Prisha Umashankar
My name is Prisha Umashankar and I’m an industrial engineering major from Dunwoody, GA! Throughout high school, I was an active SGA officer and I had the honor of serving as Student Body Vice President. My experience as a leader, coupled with my proactive approach and problem-solving skills, drives me to seek innovative solutions that address our unique needs as freshmen. I am dedicated to listening, advocating, and working collaboratively to ensure that every student feels valued and supported throughout their college journey. One thing that defines me as a person, but also as a leader is my social and empathetic personality. My social nature allows me to effectively collaborate with diverse groups of people while also building strong connections to communicate openly, so that everyone feels heard and valued. Additionally, I am able to relate to the challenges and experiences we endure, which helps in addressing the needs of the freshman body more effectively. This combination of sociability and empathy not only builds trust and morale within a team but also promotes collaboration and a positive atmosphere, making me a leader who can inspire and support others while driving collective success.
As a freshman, I bring a unique and current perspective to the SGA community, while also understanding the challenges and opportunities we face as first year students. During this pivotal time of adapting to newfound independence, intense academic rigor, and navigating a new social landscape, it is important that we as freshmen are supported and guided through this journey. My platform is built on the idea that our transition to college should be smoother and more inclusive, and that your opinions are voiced so we can take action to make changes on campus. My fresh viewpoint allows me to advocate effectively for initiatives that directly impact our daily lives, such as social integration activities and mental health support. Your vote for me means choosing someone who is dedicated to making our first year as smooth and enriching as possible and fostering a strong sense of community, ensuring that we not only survive but thrive in our new college environment.
Romil Mehta
Hi everyone! My name is Romil Mehta, and I’m a first-year Computer Engineering major from Marietta, Georgia. I’m excited to be running for the position of Freshman Representative for the Georgia Tech SGA Undergraduate House of Representatives.
I’m thrilled to share why I believe I would be the right fit for the role of Freshman Representative. In today’s dynamic and active college environment, all students must be represented, and this is my primary objective. During high school, I was the Sophomore Class President and a representative of student council, and I facilitated various exciting events. These experiences taught me the importance of having a vision, proper organization, effective communication, and teamwork. As Freshman Representative, my vision is to make sure that your voices are heard and that bills incorporating your ideas are proposed. Having diversity is paramount for me, and my goal is to encourage the input and involvement of all Georgia Tech students throughout our campus community. Additionally, I will represent each of you all in all areas of campus life, whether its improving academics, hosting socials and fun events, empowering various student organizations, streamlining communication regarding events, and more. I will dedicate myself to representing each of you, thereby making our freshman year enjoyable with memories that will last forever. With your support, I am confident that we can achieve this together. Please vote for Romil Mehta as the SGA Freshman Representative. Feel free to reach out to me at rmehta326@gatech.edu or through Instagram @romilm123 if you have any questions. I look forward to working with each of you to make our freshman year and campus experience better than ever. Thank you!
Victoria Jones
I am a first-year environmental science student with a minor in economics, planning on pursuing a career in public policy. I am passionate about the environment and sports. I am a member of the Georgia Tech Women’s Rugby team, and I have been known to run the occasional marathon. In high school, I captained my school’s varsity soccer and flag football teams in addition to being the Student Body President. As Student Body President, I fought to restore the integrity of our elections and return decision-making power to the general student population.
I believe that representatives should serve the will of the people and not their own political agendas. The only political platform I’m running on is the platform of fairly and accurately representing my constituents. I will achieve this by hosting weekly ‘town halls’ to discuss upcoming ballot measures and allow people to bring any issues they deem important to my attention. I plan to involve the people I represent in all of my legislative decision-making.
Henri Miller
Hi! Thank you for reading this. I’ve been serving in student government since I was in middle school, when I was our student council treasurer for 6th grade and represented my homeroom in 7th grade. In high school I took a short break, but returned to Student Council my junior year as the class president, before serving my senior year as the Vice President of the entire student body. I like to relax, play video games, and chill with my friends, but one of my passions is working to do what’s right and lift up those around me. I’m motivated, dependable, here for YOU, and ready to lead and to serve.
My life motto is to leave wherever I go a little better than I found it. I’ve brought this mindset with me through middle and high school, and now I aim to also utilize it in college here at GT. If elected, I will touch base with different members of our class every week to see what our concerns are and how we feel they should be addressed, in order to more accurately represent all of us at once. I pledge to be a representative not for my own interests, but for the interests of ALL of us.
Jonathan Feldman
Hey guys! My name is Jonathan Feldman, and I am a first-year CS student from Fort Worth, TX. I love to eat, travel, hang out with friends, go on hikes/long walks, play every NYT game, and yap at midnight. I am also Buzz’s #1 fan (as my picture indicates) and am obsessed with all our campus cats. I am always out and about on campus, so feel free to say hi, but you’ll have to catch me first because I am a professional speed walker. I look forward to continue getting to know y’all and to representing you as a freshman rep!
I am well equipped to handle the responsibilities of being a freshman rep, as, in the past, I have engaged actively with public policy work. I was a student representative on my school district superintendent’s advisory board, representing the ~80,000 students of FWISD. I was also part of the state directorate for the international, AI-focused nonprofit Enode Justice. In that capacity, I worked directly with state legislators to enact meaningful policies to ensure equitable AI use in Texas. My singular aim as a freshman rep would be to voice and actualize the desires of the first-year class. As freshman rep, I would represent you, the first-year class, and no other interests. To that end, I would institute biweekly virtual drop-in sessions during which any first-year could speak to me directly about their concerns so that I could then address them during the next legislative session. I would also post weekly reports on social media summarizing the past week’s occurrences in the GaTech house, keeping you apprised of key legislation and events.
Tyler Hope
At face value, I am a first generation American, born in New Jersey, surrounded by Jamaican culture. Beyond this, I was raised to be a hard working and resilient, yet compassionate and loving at the same time. I am a person who knows that there is always room for improvement, and strives for the betterment of myself for not just me, but also for those around me that I can affect. Making other people happy os the greatest joy that I can receive, because being able to uplift others is a trait that I am most proud to possess.
I stand for hearing out the voices of all, whether it pertain to suggestions or concerns. As a part of the board, I will make sure that the people we represent will see their visions into fruition. I should be elected because ensure the commitment to my duty and promises, and creating a fun and enjoyable environment for the board itself.
Jeanne Yoon
My name is Jeanne Yoon, and I am a first year International Affairs and Modern Languages student from Sugar Hill, Georgia. I am the oldest child of my family with two younger brothers and a dog named Coco. Some of my hobbies and interests include baking, listening to music, playing the violin, thrifting and spending time with my friends! If I were to describe myself in a few words, I would say that I am driven, organized and a people-person. Some of the clubs I was involved with in high school were Beta Club, Interact Club, and a non profit organization called Fine Arts for All. Last but not least, I have been involved with Student Council/Government since 8th grade and would like to continue my engagement throughout college. I hope to find a community of people at Tech who are equally passionate about school spirit, leadership, and student body well-being through SGA.
As freshman representative, I will strive to promote diversity, inclusion and connectivity among our student body. In order to achieve this, I will advocate for more freshman-oriented events during the school year that give everyone an opportunity to network and are not exclusive to any one group. An example of an initiative I could propose is organized gatherings for all first years to meet upperclassmen of the same major and gain insight on classes they have taken or internships/job opportunities they received. In addition, it is important to me that all first years have a voice in what goes on around campus and that their opinions are not only heard regularly, but also executed when necessary. I know the potential influence that student government officers and representatives hold, and I plan to harness that responsibility to make sure that our freshman body has a successful, immersive and impactful first school year here at Tech.
Briamber Jarvis
Hi! My name is Briamber Jarvis, and I’m a first-year biomedical engineering major from Newnan, GA. I’m excited to be here at Tech, where I believe I’ll find the perfect balance between academic growth and social engagement over the next four years. I enjoy traveling, swimming, and spending quality time with my friends and family. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and becoming a familiar face around campus.
As a class officer throughout high school, I developed a deep passion for creating meaningful change and enhancing our school community. I am committed to fostering an environment where everyone’s passions are recognized and valued, as I believe that discovering and pursuing your passions is essential to personal growth. Together, we can create a space where our collective interests are not only heard but celebrated, making our community stronger and more inclusive.
Mitch Savalli
My name is Mitch Savalli, and I am a Civil Engineering major from Merrick, NY (Long Island). I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing lacrosse (I’m playing club here), and spending time outdoors (Hiking, going to the beach). My family comes from Puerto Rico and Italy, so I love lasagna and mofongo.
I stand for advocacy, inclusivity, and strong leadership that prioritizes the needs of all students. My focus is on organizing events that bring everyone together and fostering an environment where every voice matters. With a commitment to support and collaboration, I aim to effectively address our community’s concerns and drive positive change. Vote for me, and let’s work together to create a more connected and supportive campus.
Aidan Looman
Hello everyone, my name is Aidan Looman and I am a first year civil engineering student. I chose Georgia Tech because I love the location and challenging yet rewarding course load. Additionally, I understand that Tech offers many leadership opportunities for all students. I’ve always enjoyed being involved and holding leadership positions in school. For me, this was what made school so enjoyable. It helps that I am a very social person and love to meet as many people as possible. However, not only do I strive to constantly meet new people, but I also try to get to know their stories. Additionally, I love to hangout with my friends and listen to music. I am a heavy SZA and Frank Ocean fan. I am also a very active person, and my favorite sports to play with friends are tennis, volleyball , and pickleball.
I stand for inclusivity and a stronger community. College is a place to meet as much people as possible and I want exactly that. For people to find their best friends without even having to try. This is why I am for more campus wide events that allows for people to talk to new people all through our time at Georgia Tech. Not only to meet people in your year but people above to establish connections that might have future benefits that people would not think about. I feel like I am the best fit for this role as I was Class Representative my junior year of high school and in charge of all of SGA my senior making sure all the grades were connected throughout. I feel like I an well prepared to represent my class and make sure that we have everything we need to succeed.
Aksanti Salumu
Hi, my name is Aksanti Salumu and I’m 18 years old. I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Georgia about 8 years ago. Ethnically, I am a first-generation Congolese American. I enjoy streetwear, sneakers, eating and listening to afrobeats. Finally I am a proud Christian and I’m grateful for the support and strength my faith gives me.
I stand for fair and inclusive representation for all students. My goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and valued, and that our diverse perspectives shape the decisions affecting our school community. By voting for me, you choose a representative who is committed to listening, advocating for your needs, and working to create an environment where everyone feels included and supported.
Logan Smith
Hi everyone! My name is Logan Smith and I’m a first-year chemical engineering major minoring in environmental chemistry. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and my absolute favorite food of all time is cheesecake (I will tear up a Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl from The Cheesecake Factory). I have a passion for environmentalism and hope to do research on biodegradable polymers during and after my undergrad experience. On campus, I’m an active member of the GT swim club as well as a lifeguard at the CRC, and hope to join Trailblazers and Student Affiliates for the American Chemistry Institute. I love to bake (cookies, brownies, cake pops), am an avid concert goer, and you can almost always find me locked in at the Kendeda building. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can and please feel free to reach out and introduce yourself!
I’ve had an amazing first few weeks at Tech, meeting some fantastic people, getting to know my professors, and finding the best study spots on campus, but I know that my experience can be vastly different from other students. I want to hear from my fellow first-years and hopefully act as a voice between them and the schools faculty and administration. Now that we’ve all had a chance to settle in, what do you wish was different? Whether it’s about welcome week, your class schedule or housing situation, or anything Tech related, I want to know what you would change and act as a vessel for that change. If I’m elected, I promise to act as your voice. Throughout high school, I was on student government all four years acting as my school body vice president my senior year, so I know what it takes to be a representative of your class. And although this may not affect everyone directly, I hope to join the sustainability committee on student government and apply my love for environmentalism and past knowledge to make your campus experience as enjoyable and sustainable as possible. If you would like to learn more about what I plan on doing if elected or if you would like to voice your opinion on what you wish would change, please don’t hesitate to reach out: lsmith439@gatech.edu As 9th grade me said when first campaigning, my slogan is vote for Logan!
Charles Suazo
Hi! My name is Charlie and I’m a first-year student in IE at Georgia Tech! I’m from here in Atlanta and, despite not being an INTA major, I’ve had a passion for government and domestic/international affairs my whole life. In my high school SGA, I was the 11th-grade VP and Student Body secretary, as well as the captain of our Public Forum debate team, where I competed at nationals last summer. In my free time, I play guitar and love listening to and making music with my friends. Some of my favorite artists are Pink Floyd, Blood Orange, Young Nudy, The Marias, and Zeppelin. I like to spend my time outside playing sports (soccer, volleyball, pickleball, frisbee, etc.) and hiking. I’m excited to be here at Tech and can’t wait to meet all of you!
My goal at Georgia Tech is to ensure first and foremost that the voices of the student body are heard. I want to ensure that every student feels their voice is heard by the SGA and they know who to contact when something in the school needs a change. Because of this reason, I’ve also applied to join the Joint Finance Committee, to ensure SGA allocates the Student Activity Fee in coordination with the wants and needs of the student body. Furthermore, one of my main priorities (that also aligns with my career aspirations) is making sure sustainability here at GT is always a top priority. It’s all of our jobs to strive for a future that prioritizes keeping our Earth healthy, and I want to make sure that every student and administrator knows exactly how we can do that. As a freshman at Tech, I want to help the school become its best these next four years, and I hope you’ll help me get there along the way.
Keziah Nimo
Hi I’m Keziah. I’m genuinely a very outgoing person. I’m someone who thrives on engaging with people and embracing new ideas, always ready to tackle challenges. I enjoy braiding hair, dancing, and reading books!
I stand for fairness, progress, and a strong sense of community. My focus is on improving student resources, supporting mental health, and encouraging active participation in school activities. I am committed to listening to everyone’s concerns and working together to create a better environment for all students. By prioritizing these values, we can make our school a more inclusive and dynamic place to learn and grow.
Vedika Singh
Hi! My name is Vedika Singh, and I’m so excited to be running as one of our Freshman Class Representatives! Originally from Monroe Township, NJ, I am a Business Administration major concentrating in Information Technology Management. I’m super interested in sustainability, and would love to pursue a career in Corporate Sustainability one day. Throughout high school, I was actively involved in Student Government, the Environmental Action Club, and the Spanish Honors Society, all with a focus on community improvement. One of my proudest achievements was securing $12,000 in grants for clean-water infrastructure, a project that taught me invaluable experience about effective leadership and the importance of collaboration. At Tech, I’m involved in Startup Exchange as a Marketing Head, Girls Who Code, and SGA! I consider myself an extremely family and friend oriented individual, and I’m excited to bring this mentality to our freshman class family. Outside of school, I love to read non-fiction memoirs, journal, and run a vlog account on Instagram! Being at Tech is a dream and I can’t wait to work together to make our freshman year exceptional!
In every leadership experience I’ve had, advocating for others has been my guiding principle. If elected as your freshman representative, I will be committed to listening to my classmates, understanding that my most important responsibility is to serve. I am dedicated to listening to your concerns, addressing your ideas, and making sure your interests are at the forefront of SGA’s initiatives. I’m particularly excited about advocating for two key initiatives: implementing red and blue Stinger bus routes on weekends to improve campus accessibility and extending the North Avenue Dining Hall hours to 24/7 on weekends to better accommodate our schedules. However, these are just starting points. I am committed to supporting any ideas that represent our collective wishes. Your vote will empower me to represent our class with utmost dedication, I’m looking forward to a successful year! Freshman year is the start of our future, ensure an amazing year with a vote for Vedika!
Rodes Foster
As a metro-Atlanta native, I’ve grown up on Hawks games, Sundays with the Falcons, lunches at the Big Chicken and The Varsity, as well as Atlanta’s extremely diverse culture. Naturally, the diverse experiences that outer city living provided me have developed me into the athlete, student , and son that I am today. Initially being a shy kid, high school provided a space for me to come out of my shell. Throughout my high school career I became progressively more involved, playing 5 sports, and being apart of numerous student clubs/organizations. Of these, my proudest and most influential involvements include basketball and the whisper club. Basketball enabled me to become a leader and problem solver. Being apart of a team is one of the most important experiences I’ve had. I’ve learned to work to others strengths, how to motivate others based on their personality, and most importantly how to bring people together to form a common goal. Due to this experience, I believe myself to be a leader, who is skilled in working with anyone in order to achieve a common goal. Additionally, my involvements in the whisper club developed my communication skills. I am a strong believer in the importance of listening, responding, and respect. Through these skills that were taught to me through this involvement, I believe myself to be a diverse communicator and someone who is able to connect with others at a deeper level.
If I learned anything from my experience in high school, and even now as a freshman at Georgia Tech, it is that as a human race, we are more isolated than ever from each other. Especially due to the events of COVID-19, many of my peers, and even older adults struggle greatly with the ability to connect with others on a deeper level. Today’s conversations are damaged by phone/social media use, and the lack of conversational skills that drive our relationships with others. I strongly believe that connection and conversation is neccesary with others. Those who wish to mitigate social isolation, and to promote deeper connection among students who otherwise don’t have the opportunity, or have been damaged by events such as COVID-19, would side greatly with me. Additionally, I wish to heavily stress the issue of voter absence among students. Especially in today’s political space many students remain apolitical, even though the voting decisions we make as students now, impact us in the future.
Siyona Mishra
My name is Siyona Mishra, and I am thrilled to be running to serve as your Freshman Representative in the Student Government Association. I am a biochemistry major on the pre-health track, originally from Johns Creek. Outside the classroom, I enjoy living life to the fullest by playing pickleball, going on scenic hikes, attending concerts, and always being on the lookout for new and exciting food spots.
What truly excites me about being part of Georgia Tech is the opportunity to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. I’m incredibly passionate about fostering a sense of belonging, advocating for mental health, and promoting diversity across campus. These values have shaped much of my past leadership work. In high school, I served on the student council and founded my school’s American Cancer Society Club, as well as my city’s chapter of Letters for Rose. Through these experiences, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams, organizing meaningful community events, and honing my skills in effective communication and collaboration.
I believe the role of Freshman Representative is about more than just holding a position—it’s about amplifying your voices, ensuring that your concerns are heard, and working together to create solutions that will make Georgia Tech a better place for all of us. I am committed to representing YOU, advocating for the issues that matter most, and making our freshman year one that we’ll never forget.
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant Georgia Tech community. I can’t wait to get started, and I hope to earn your vote!