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Spring 2026 Election: Candidates for HUA Team Officer Positions

Anonymous - Tuesday, April 14
 General 

Candidates for HUA Team Officer Positions!

The HUA Spring Election begins at midnight on April 15 and will run until 11:59pm on April 17. Students will be able to cast their vote through the Voting Booth on SOCO. 

Please find more information about the Candidates running for HUA Officer positions by clicking on their picture or the Platform links.

Ranked-Choice Voting is used to determine all election results.

Academic Team Officer Candidates 

Jordan McCloughan

Jordan's Platform

Hi, I’m Jordan! I’m probably not in the top 20%, which means I’m in the majority of students here. I come from a small town in rural Kentucky; my high school had fewer than 300 students, and it didn’t even offer AP or honors classes. My transition here has been difficult, but worthwhile. I have seen the tremendous impact that a Harvard education can have, even in my first two semesters.

I am running to be the next HUA Academic Team Officer because I want to meaningfully serve the student body, not be a puppet for an administration. Policies like the current proposed grading cap on A’s only serve to make our competitive lives more competitive, damage our mental health, and weaken our trust in each other and the administration. I ask that you vote for me to be your advocate and make your concerns known.

Maritella Petsa

Maritella's Platform 

Hey! My name is Maritella Petsa and I am member of the class of 2029, planning to concentrate in MCB on the pre-med track. After having served as the social media manager of the HUA Academic Team for the past year, I realized how our Undergraduate Association is able to have a tangible impact on all of our lives, even if we do not realize it. Being a member of the Academic Team gave me opportunities I never thought I would have access to, and introduced me to people that I will cherish forever. That said, it would be my utmost honor to be able to give back to my own community and ensure that we will all continue to have the same, no, an even better Harvard experience!

Fruszina Roka


Fruszina's Platform

Hey everyone! I’m Fruzsina Roka, the current HUA Academic Team Secretary.

Remember all those surveys and emails you got spammed with? That was me—sorry. I’ve pubbed events, represented the student body at CUE meetings, and kept the Academic Team on schedule. And now, I want to continue championing your voices.

Item number one: the new grading policy. Our team has put in the hours, advocating for you and collecting valuable student data to show during faculty meetings. I will gladly pull another all-nighter drafting Qualtrics surveys if it makes students’ voices heard.

My vision doesn’t stop there. I will expand the textbook subsidy program, so the 20 textbooks your Gov teacher assigns won’t break the bank. My biggest goal, however, is to celebrate YOU. Expanding Concentration Declaration Day celebrations and CA employment are only the beginning. When Harvard feels against you, count on me to be in your corner.

Extracurricular Team Officer Candidate

Picture of Adam in a suit with a blue tie

Adam Han

Adam's Platform

Like many of you, my academic journey has been characterized by deep involvement in extracurriculars.

We cannot deny that extracurricular activities at Harvard face changing circumstances in light of shifting academic expectations. I’m running for the position of extracurriculars team officer precisely because I am certain of the importance the role will hold in shaping the future of this college.

Having spent the previous year as a member of the extracurricular team, I’ve familiarized myself with the needs of students and organizations. My mission is to use this knowledge to construct an ever-more-robust extracurricular system.

I will use the full force of the resources at the disposal of the HUA to protect Harvard’s thriving extracurricular landscape, securing growing offerings to the student body. Endorsed by the current officer, my platform explores my approach to this goal while keeping in mind a realistic understanding of the powers granted to the position.

Residential Life Team Officer Candidates

Picture of Finn in a crimson H sweater

Finn Berard

Finn's Platform

The Harvard Residential system is one of the most distinct parts of our undergraduateexperience. As such, it deserves an equally unique advocate. After leading the First-Year Team, my job’s not done.
 
I’m running for ResLife Officer because we all deserve a cohesive campus that works for every student at the College, whether in the dining hall, on the shuttle, or in the common room.
 
I’m committed to improving campus, to where houses feel more like home: stronger interhouse relationships, upperclass Enhanced Brain Breaks, and strengthening advising networks. Where transportation works with you: MBTA passes, Blue Bikes vouchers, and expanding SEC/Quad shuttles on weekends. Where dining works better for the modern Harvardian: overall extended hours, extended Annenberg access for Frosh, and ensuring everyone can get lunch. Where students can make an impact on campus technology and spaces through re-establishing committees.

Harvard’s residential experience makes Harvard, Harvard. Let’s make it better.

Social Life Team Officer Candidates 

Picture of Smar with Memorial Church in the background

Smar Dayoub
Smar's Platform

Hi everyone, my name is Smar Dayoub (you might also know me as “Summer,” like the season). I’m a sophomore in the best house #Quincy studying Neuroscience and Economics on the pre-med track. I’m from Syria, and coming to Harvard has been both an exciting and challenging transition that has shaped how I think about community and belonging. I speak Arabic, along with some French and some ASL knowledge, because connecting across cultures and languages has always been an important part of who I am.

Since arriving, I’ve been deeply involved in student life: as Co-President of the Woodbridge International Society, on the board of Harvard UNICEF, and as a Peer Advising Fellow mentoring first-year students and many other roles centered around bringing people together and building meaningful connections. Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how much the
spaces we create outside the classroom matter.

Some of the most meaningful parts of my time here have come from moments
of connection, where people feel comfortable, included, and genuinely part of something. Those experiences are what drive me, and they’re the reason I care so much about building a stronger, more connected social life on campus.

Picture of Meley standing in a gray suit

Meley Ghermay 
Meley's Platform


Hi everyone! I’m Meley Ghermay, current Co-Chair of the HUA First-Year Team, and I’m excited to be running for Social Life Officer.

This year, I’ve worked closely on and with the Social Life team to plan events like the Super Bowl Watch Party, Brain Breaks, and Trivia Nights, experiences that showed me how intentional and well-executed events can bring people together on a campus as busy as Harvard. Beyond HUA, I’m involved across student organizations and serve on the Dean of Students Survey Advisory Group, giving me direct insight into what students want and what’s missing.

I’ve spent years in student leadership, serving as Class President for three years in HS and leading community-focused initiatives, and I bring that same energy, creativity, and follow-through here. I’m excited to scale what works, introduce new ideas like multicultural events, and build a more connected, inclusive, and genuinely fun social experience for everyone.

Picture of Asante in a suit in front of a green door

Asante Kiio


Asante's Platform

Hi, I’m Asante Kiio, and I’m excited to be running for Social Life Officer.
Over the past year, I have served on the Social Life Team within the Harvard Undergraduate Association, helping organize events such as midterm Cookies & Coffee and the Super Bowl watch party. These events have helped me see how meaningful small moments of connection can be on campus.

I launched HarvardSmiles, an initiative highlighting moments of joy and connection across campus. These photos and messages serve as reminders to pause, appreciate where we are, and celebrate the experiences that shape our time here.

As Social Life Officer, I will build on this by securing funding for outings around Boston, partnering with affinity organizations for cultural nights, and growing initiatives like HarvardSmiles. I want to both ensure that students can always find something fun to do and take a moment to enjoy where they are.

Kiio cares!

Sports Team Officer Candidates

Ella with dark curly hair in front of a whiteboard

Ella McRitchie

Ella's Platform

Hi! I’m Ella. As a student-athlete on the track team and a Biomedical Engineering pre-med, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenge of balancing academics and competition. I’ve seen teammates stress over missed classes, not because they didn’t care, but because they were representing our school and still being penalized for it in the classroom. That doesn’t sit right
with me.

I’m running to make this process smoother and fairer for everyone involved. I want to create a more standardized, clearly defined system across classes so no one has to guess what is fair, while also strengthening communication between students, professors, and the athletic department. By helping facilitate open dialogue between student athletes and the athletic director, I want to ensure athletes’ voices are heard and reflected in real solutions.

We can value both academic excellence and athletic commitment without unnecessary stress. Let’s make that the standard.
Jack in a gray suit with a teal door behind him

Jack Smith

Jack's Platform

Throughout my whole life, I’ve loved sports not just for the fun you can have while playing them, but for the community, teamwork, and shared experiences they create. I’ve seen and experienced the transformative impact of sports in building community. Whether it’s being on the field, organizing a game, or cheering from the stands, sports have an incredible ability to bring people together and build lasting connections. I’ve seen firsthand how athletics can teach leadership, discipline, and perseverance.

As Sports Officer, I want to help make sure everyone can experience that same sense of excitement and belonging. By making sports more inclusive, spirited, and accessible for all students we can create a thriving school community. Sports have done so much for me, and I want to share that opportunity and passion with everyone.

Co-Treasurer Candidates

Polina Krumkachev

Polina's Platform

Hi everyone! I'm Polina, a freshman from Florida and a member of the Women's Varsity Tennis Team.
 
I'm also a Project Lead on the HUA Finance Team, where I've worked on funding initiatives and helped organize large-scale events like Echoes of Crimson, supporting underfunded student organizations. I've seen firsthand where the system works—and where it falls short.
 
I'm running for Co-Treasurer because student organizations shouldn't have to fight through a slow, confusing process just to access resources they need. My goal: create a system where funding is clear, fast, and impactful, plus new fundraising initiatives and events that expand what's possible for the organizations that shape this amazing campus.
 
Balancing D1 athletics and academics has taught me discipline, organization, communication, and how to deliver under pressure. If you want someone who will not just represent ideas, but actually deliver on them, vote for me. I’d really appreciate your support!
Picture of Jake in a suit with a red & black tie in Annenberg

Jake Marino

Jake's Platform

Hello everyone! My name is Jake Marino. I am a freshman from CT and a Project Leader for the HUA Finance Team. Outside of the HUA, I am involved in the Harvard Boxing Club, the Harvard Men’s Volleyball Club, and the Y2Y youth homeless shelter.

As part of the HUA Finance Team for the past two semesters, I have worked on funding initiatives and helped organize large-scale events like Echoes of Crimson, supporting underfunded student organizations. I am running for HUA Co-Treasurer with two goals in mind.

First, to be a representative for the students at Harvard and ensure their voices are heard. The past few months have shown that the concerns of students are taken in vain. We have asked for increased security, we have asked for non-implementation of the new grading, and yet our voices are still unheard.

Second, the HUA Finance Team, and ultimately the HUA as a whole, needs massive overhauls to combat inefficiencies, bureaucracy, and limited budgets. I will bring about these changes upon being elected.
 

Well-Being Team Officer Candidate

Maanya in a graduation cap and gown from a 2025 graduation

Maanya Arora


Maanya's Platform

Hey Harvard, I’m Maanya, a freshman (from SoCal!) living in Thayer and studying CS/Econ.

I’ve spent the past year as a dedicated member of the HUA Social Life team and serving as the HUA First-Year Team’s Co-PR Chair. From designing countless graphics to passing out cookies and hot chocolate in the Science Center, I’ve loved getting to know the student body and am thrilled to be running for Well-Being officer this upcoming term.

As students, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected, even when surrounded by a world of opportunities. As an officer, I look forward to building support spaces for mental, physical, and social health so that you can make the most of your college experience—because thriving at Harvard should not come at the cost of your well-being.

Keep your well-being in mind, and vote Maanya for Well-Being Officer. Thank you!
Tess on an apple-picking trip holding a green and red apple

Tess Sumner 


Tess's Platform

Hi everyone, I’m Tess Sumner, a first-year student who’s been involved with the HUA since before arriving on campus through the comping summer process. Since then, I’ve helped plan and support multiple events focused on student connection and well-being, and I’ve seen how much the little things, like feeling included, having spaces to breathe, and knowing someone
cares, actually matter here.

I’m running for Well-Being Team Officer because I care deeply about making Harvard feel more human. Well-being isn’t just about resources; it’s about community and making sure students don’t feel like they’re navigating this overwhelming place alone.

I want to expand low-pressure events, improve awareness of mental health resources, and create spaces where students can show up as they are with no expectations and no pressure.

If you have questions, please contact the HUA Election Commission at electioncommission@thehua.org.

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