Meet your Fall 2026 Candidates

Candidates represent both the academic college they study in and their community constituency listed below.

College of social sciences and humanities (CSSH)

Kevin Almanzar - Latin American Student Organization

My name is Kevin Almanzar and I am running for Student Senate because I believe every student, especially our Latino students deserve to understand the power they already have. Too many of us arrived at Northeastern confused on how to navigate its systems, which makes it impossible to shape them on an institutional level and as someone who lived through that confusion it can feel deeply isolating at times. As your senator, my first priority is transparency and widespread knowledge regarding the ways in which legislation is crafted in student government. When students understand how a proposal becomes policy, they understand how it can transform campus life and become more active members in legislation. For our Latino community specifically, I plan to become the bridge between where we are and where we deserve to be. No more feeling locked out of the rooms where decisions are made. No more assuming that the system was not built for us to change it, Because it was. And we will.

Sarah Omobogie - Northeastern African Student Organization

As a candidate for Senate, my goal is to strengthen belonging, connection, and representation for all students. I want every student to feel seen, heard, and valued within their academic and social spaces. I will focus on increasing transparency, improving communication, and creating more opportunities for students to share their voices. By building stronger relationships between students and Senate, I hope to make leadership more accessible and responsive. I am committed to advocating for inclusive spaces that reflect the diversity of our campus. Through collaboration and active listening, I will work to ensure that no student feels overlooked. My goal is to help create a campus environment where all students feel connected and supported throughout their time at the university.

Sofia Rutman - College Democrats of Northeastern University

My name is Sofia Rutman, and I am a third-year International Affairs and History major. As a senator over the past year, I have been able to learn from my fellow senators about the issues affecting their constituencies, develop referenda questions to assess student sentiment and provide support for future legislation, and help draft legislation addressing these issues, and I am seeking the opportunity to continue to represent the student body in Senate. As a Senator next year, I hope to develop legislation that provides more protections for students most affected by current events, as well as students who wish to express disagreement with decisions made by the University. These include building off of the referenda that passed this spring to introduce a more specific demonstration policy that aligns with other Boston-area colleges, information for international students on what to do if ICE comes to campus and what resources the University can provide them, alignment with other Boston-area colleges to produce more transparency in how the University operates, and increased student involvement in decision-making processes. Additionally, I want to ensure that students who are disproportionately affected by particular issues are made aware of when legislation addressing these issues comes up in Senate and invited to testify to their experiences.

Gabriella Shafman - Hillel Club

As a current Senator, I am excited to run for re-election and continue the work I’ve already begun. During my time in Senate, I’ve seen both the impact we can have and the areas where we can do better. I am committed to increasing transparency between students and university administration so that decisions that affect students are more clearly communicated and understood. I also aim to advocate for greater access to resources within CSSH, ensuring that students have the academic, professional, and personal support they need to succeed. Above all, I will continue to represent student voices with intention, push for meaningful change, and work to create a more equitable and accessible Northeastern experience for everyone.

D’Amore McKim School of business (DMSB)

Danielle Litvan - Chabad at Northeastern University

Hi, I’m Danielle Litvan, and I’m running for Senate because I want Northeastern to feel like a place where everyone can find where they belong. Coming to Northeastern and the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, I saw how many incredible opportunities there are, but also how hard it can be to break in or figure out where you fit. I want to help make involvement more accessible, strengthen communication between students and organizations, and make sure every student feels supported, not just academically, but personally. I care about listening, representing all voices (not just the loudest ones) and turning student concerns into real action.

Clare Murray - WRBB 104.9FM Campus Radio

I am a second year student originally from Apple Valley, Minnesota, majoring in International Business with a concentration in Supply Chain Management and a minor in History. Currently, I am doing my first co-op at Bose Corporation in a supply chain role, and this summer, I will be participating in a Dialogue of Civilizations program in Copenhagen focused on sustainable architecture and design. I spent two years trying to find my community at Northeastern. I represent the Electronic Music Club, a new organization on campus focused on creating a community for students to learn about and practice DJing. I am also a part of WRBB, the student radio station, and have been a part of the history and vinyl library groups within WRBB, connecting with alumni and organizing our physical music collection. I also work in the ticketing office, supporting our hockey and basketball teams! I was inspired to run for Senate through my experience tabling for the Huskies Unleashed campaign and having honest conversations with students who have previously felt unheard or alone at Northeastern. Those conversations, combined with my own time on campus, drive my focus on advocating for a Northeastern that pairs career preparation with a real sense of belonging and fun. I want to leave a legacy at Northeastern and use my own experience to make others' better.

Anna Claire Salvato - NU Sexual Health Advocacy, Resources and Education

I am choosing to become a part of senate because I want to advocate for students on campus and ensure that everyone has access to the resources and care that they need and deserve. Northeastern has a lot of resources at their students disposal, whether that be academic, mental health, disability, etc, but they are often not well advertised and difficult to access and use; This is something I am looking to change. I have worked with the SGA for student advocacy and club affairs in the past and am excited to continue to do work with them in the future as a senator. Specific aspects of the SGA that I am looking to work with include: DEI and student success. I will strive to listen to and uplift the voices of my constituents and of all Northeastern students as a senator, with a special focus on advacacy for sexual health resources and education on campus as the external advocacy coordinator of NUSHARE. I am excited to serve in the SGA and hope to be given the opportunity to engage with my campus community and help serve their needs.

Filip Sarkic - Young Democratic Socialists of America at Northeastern University

The students and workers of Northeastern University are a vibrant community. We come from all over the world seeking an education, each with our own unique talents, interests, aspirations, needs, and concerns. But the university administration does not see it this way. They are running a business, and they value us only as much as we generate profit. They will never support any of us out of the goodness of their hearts. They will neglect us if they find it to be too costly or inconvenient to do otherwise. They prove this constantly, for example by failing to enact a policy protecting students from ICE kidnapping and imprisonment, or by keeping us in the dark about potential threats to our safety on campus for the sake of their public image. This leaves us with two options. We can accept the way things are, and allow our friends, coworkers, and neighbors to live in fear while nothing is done to support them. Or we can come together to pressure the university for the support we need. In order to achieve this, as an SGA senator I will ensure that the voices of all members of our community are heard by the administration. I will advocate for international students and workers, who are particularly under attack in today's political climate. I will push for administrative transparency so that no decisions are made behind our backs. I will facilitate open communication between campus organizations, SGA, and admin to ensure that our collective power is used in the most effective way possible. I will do everything in my power to be a representative of our entire community, no matter how hard it might seem.

College of science (COS)

Bennet Fisher - NU Stage Musical Theater Company

My name is Bennet Fisher, a sophomore in the College of Science. I believe in representative and participatory government. Government can solve problems and provide services, but only if the governed are actively involved. Natives of Washington, D.C., like me, know firsthand what it is like to be subject to rules and regulations that we have no say in. The opportunity to participate fully in student government at Northeastern is one that should not go to waste. The College of Science did not have senators for all possible seats last year. I will do my best to make sure that the voices of my fellow COS students are heard. An issue that is important to me, and one that should be important to all students, is the transparency of the administration and the way they communicate with students. I hope to further relations with the people who control our educational experience in order to create a better space for students that feels safer and more fulfilling. Another goal of mine is to help clubs get more funding and help them allocate their funds better. Through my own experiences and those told to me by other students last year, it is clear that a major issue for every club is its funding. Our clubs are meant as places for people to connect and grow, and this should not be limited by funding. If elected, I look forward to serving my fellow Northeastern undergraduate students from all parts of this university in order to make our space a better one for all.

Kate Larimer - Boston Health Initiative at Northeastern University

As a Senator, I want to focus on improving access to academic and wellness resources in ways that realistically fit into students’ lives. I hope to strengthen communication between students and administration by giving students access to voice their struggles. I will advocate for the needs of College of Science students navigating rigorous coursework and bring a public health perspective into Senate by listening to the needs of my community constituency, Boston Health Initiative, in their mission of learning how inclusion, wellness, and access to resources impact our community.

Khoury college of computer sciences

Zayna Dilawar - Islamic Society of Northeastern University

Looking at the 2026 Referenda Results, it’s clear: students are tired of feeling unheard in university-wise decisions. As a Data Science and Behavioral Neuroscience student, I understand the feeling of being confused while trying to understand Northeastern and recent changes. I’m running for Senate to continue the push for transparency and make sure student voices cannot be ignored.

Arsema Gebreyesus - Black Student Association

My name is Arsema, and I am running for Senate because I believe every student at Northeastern deserves to be seen, heard, and represented — especially those of us who are too often overlooked. As one of the few 1st generation Black African American women at Northeastern and in cybersecurity, I know what it feels like to walk into a room and not see yourself reflected. That experience did not discourage me, it motivated me. It opened my eyes to the responsibility I have to show up not just for myself, but for every student who shares that same feeling. If elected, my focus will be on addressing the real issues that impact our community — from the disproportionate dropout rate of students in Computer Science at Khoury College, to addressing the needs of the minorities attending Northeastern. I want to bring a fresh perspective to legislation, challenge decisions that only offer surface-level solutions, and make sure that the voices of Black students and minorities in tech are not just present in the conversation, but central to it.

BouvÉ College of health sciences

Neil Jin - Asian Student Union

Having been on the executive board for Asian Student Union and the American Medical Student Association for the past two years, I have recognized the need for student advocacy and representation on the Student Government Association Senate. I will advocate on behalf of two crucial parts of the college experience given my background. The first is student life. In just 1 week in April 2026, there were multiple instances of safety concerns that happened on or adjacent to campus. Many students have spoken of a lack of communication from both the NUPD and Northeastern administrators, despite these incidents happening steps outside of where students are living. I hope to establish a more transparent and timely way of providing updates to students to ensure that everyone feels safe on the campus that they call home. Another major part of student life is the vast number of student organizations. I know that many student organizations struggle to provide enough materials or plan big events due to a lack of funding. I would work with Northeastern administrators to help provide more funding for student organizations to have more impact on students and to provide strong, lasting communities within northeastern. The second part is academics. Course registration is one of the most stressful times of Northeastern, and each course is taught differently depending on what professor is teaching it. However, students must rely on trace evaluations or word of mouth which are simply unable to adequately capture how the course is structured and what the teaching style of the professor is like. I would work with faculty and administrators to provide a central database where professors would upload their syllabi for students to understand which professors best suit their learning styles. Additionally, I believe that the disability access services need to be available on weekends, especially during finals season, to provide students with the adequate resources needed to succeed.