College Representatives

Ranim Albarkawi

Vice president

Ranim Albarkawi is a senior studying Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and is from Philadelphia, PA. Creating positive change and empowering community members has been the driving force behind her involvement in student government over the last two years. Being in the UA has given her the opportunity to collaborate with students and administrators to improve campus life and address student issues. Beyond the UA, she was the President of PASS and is a member of Kite and Key. Ranim is always somewhere on Locust and looking for a new coffee place. Feel free to contact her with any questions or concerns at vp@pennua.org!

ria ellendulla

speaker

Ria Ellendula (she/her) is a junior from Northville, Michigan, majoring in PPE and minoring in Legal Studies. Ria is the current UA Speaker of the 51st Session and previously served as Equity and Inclusion Director during the 50th Session. During her time at Penn, Ria has spearheaded projects related to period product accessibility. She has facilitated a successful pilot program for free menstrual products in Hill College House and is collaborating with stakeholders to make menstrual products free across campus. Ria has also served as a student representative on the Committee on Open Expression. This session, Ria is excited to continue amplifying student voices and advocate for diversity and inclusion on campus. Outside of the UA, Ria is on the Penn Masti Competitive Dance Team, Class Board, and Perry World House Fellow Cohort. In her free time, you may find her in a campus dance studio or frequenting Dim Sum House. You can reach out to her at speaker@pennua.org with any questions!

mackenzie sleeman

academic initiatives committee director

Mackenzie Sleeman is a junior studying PPE; having come to Penn as a transfer student from Villanova University his sophomore year. Mackenzie was the New Transfer Representative of the 50th Session, accomplishing the creation of the Sophomore Transfer Critical Writing Seminar, for which he plans to oversee its pilot program during the 51st Session. Following his passion for academic change at Penn, Mackenzie has taken on the role as Director of the Academic Initiatives Committee in the 51st Session, and is eager to continue representing the transfer community through establishing a transfer-specific advisor and launching an XCAT Advisory Board. Mackenzie’s passion for bettering the experience of the transfer community transcends to his other commitments, such as being Vice President of Student Life/Admissions & Academic Initiatives of the Transfer Student Organization and member of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. Mackenzie also is a podcast host for The Daily Pennsylvanian. In his free time, Mackenzie enjoys hiking with his little sister and playing basketball with friends. Feel free to reach out to Mackenzie at mackslee@sas.upenn.edu with questions and more!

shikhar gupta

dining, housing, and transit committee director

Shikhar Gupta (he/him) is a sophomore in the College from Palatine, Illinois. He is currently studying Biochemistry in the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. Shikhar is a College Representative for the 51st Session, serving as the director of the Dining, Housing, and Transit committee, a member of UA cabinet, the undergraduate student representative for the Penn Transit Committee, and a member of the Airport Shuttles Committee. In his time on the UA, he has worked towards standardizing course codes across the university, improving the airport shuttle program, making Penn traditions more sustainable, and educating the student body on Penn Transit. Beyond the UA he is a writer and executive editor for the Penn Healthcare Review, a vocalist in the Penn Chorale, and member of Camp KESEM. Outside of extracurriculars, he loves to watch soccer (Go Chelsea!), sing Bollywood songs with his friends, and explore center city! If you have any questions, feel free to contact him at shikharg@sas.upenn.edu!

xandro xu

equity and inclusion committee director

Xandro Xu is a junior in the College and is currently pursuing a major in Neuroscience. Currently, he is the Equity & Inclusion Committee Director for the 51st Session, and has been passionately involved in serving and advocating for minorities at Penn. Last session, Xandro worked with SHAC to better understand the student experience from a diversity and representation standpoint. Outside of the UA, Xandro is involved with the Penn Symphony Orchestra as a clarinetist and serves as the Vice-Chair of Education for Lambda Alliance. Outside of those commitments, Xandro can be seen exploring the food landscape of Philly and hanging out with friends. If any questions arise, Xandro can be contacted at ei@pennua.org.

hannah liu

Community engagement and sustainability Committee Director

Hannah Liu (she/her) is a junior from Lincolnshire, Illinois. She is in the College studying Cognitive Science and minoring in Chinese and Computer Science (agh). Hannah is currently the Committee Director for the Community Engagement and Sustainability committee, and she was previously the UA Secretary for the 50th Session and a New Student Representative for the 49th Session. This year, Hannah wants to continue working on expanding the Airport Shuttles program, a project she spearheaded as UA Secretary. She also wants to continue her advocacy work for student athletes, such as implementing early class registration for student athletes. Outside of the UA, Hannah is a member of the Penn varsity Swim team, a CIS 1100 TA, a member of Intercol (Penn's competitive Model UN team), and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. In her free time, Hannah loves to crochet, create videos, bake, listen to Bad Bunny, and wander around Center City. If you would like to reach out, you can email her at ces@pennua.org or hmliu@sas.upenn.edu!

yash mahajan

communications director

Yash (he/him) is a junior from Singapore and London majoring in Economics and Cognitive Science and minoring in Philosophy. Yash is the current Communications Director of the 51st session. During the 50th session, Yash worked on campus recycling initiatives in dining halls and ways to mitigate issues of inequity in course registration. This year, he is looking forward to working further on DEI and sustainability, specifically increasing the representation of minority group voices in campus administration and emphasising the need for an academic focus on climate change. Outside of the UA, Yash is the Deputy Director of Intercol (Penn's Model UN team), Vice President of External Affairs on Class Board 2025 and Vice President of Social, Philanthropy & DEI of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He is also an international student mentor, member of Wharton Alliance and researcher in Wharton's Business of Emotions Lab. In his free time, Yash loves exploring the Philly food scene, exercising at Pottruck and complaining about his major — his personal goal this year is to compete at the NAIGC with Penn Club Gymnastics! Feel free to reach out to Yash with any questions at communications@pennua.org

juan lopez

speaker pro tempore

Juan Lopez (he/him) is a sophomore from Oakland, California, studying Political Science and Sociology and minoring in Survey Research and Data Analytics. Juan is the current UA Speaker Pro Tempore of the 51st Session, and was previously a New Student Representative on the Equity and Inclusion committee in the 50th Session. Last session, Juan worked with various faculty and Bridge to Math to create a better learning for those who do not have a strong background in Calculus. This year, Juan is excited to continue to be an advocate for his peers and the FGLI community. Outside of UA, Juan is the Executive Vice President on Class Board 2026, College Peer Advisor, PennQuest Leader, and a part of PennTraditions. In his free time, Juan loves to binge watch Anime and Sci-Fi movies, play board/video games, and eat lots of free food! You can contact him at jrlopezj@sas.upenn.edu with any questions!

koustav datta

Koustav Datta (he/him) is a sophomore from Nashua, New Hampshire, currently studying Biochemistry and Neuroscience as part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. Koustav is currently an elected member of the College in the UA's 51st Session, after being a New Student Representative on the Dining, Housing, and Transit Committee during the 50th Session. Last session, Koustav worked on attempting to make the move-out process more feasible through the bulk ordering and distribution of sustainable reusable bags, which is hoping to be carried out during the 51st Session. This year, he is looking forward to expand Penn Dining by making it more interactive. Outside of the UA, Koustav dances as a member of Penn Raas, works with Special Olympics of Philadelphia, and competes with Penn Chess. In his free time, Koustav loves to play soccer, the piano, chess, and to spend time with his friends exploring the city of Philadelphia! You can contact him at koustavd@sas.upenn.edu if you have any questions/concerns!

cody eskandarian

Cody Eskandarian is a senior from Westchester, New York, majoring in Physics, Biophysics, and Biochemistry, and submatriculating in Chemistry in the MLS program. In his third year on the UA, Cody is very excited to continue developing a shuttle program that takes students to home goods stores during NSO. Cody is a pre-med that is currently engaged in pancreatic cancer research at Perelman, in addition to volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. On campus, Cody is Executive VP of Class Board 2024, President of the Armenian Students Association, a Matriculate advisor, a Camp Kesem counsellor, VP of the Pickup Soccer Club, and a KDSAP volunteer. Cody's favorite things in life are playing soccer, playing classical piano pieces, playing heavy metal on the guitar, distance running, and going to the gym. Fun fact: Cody is a professional church organist!

Charlie schumer

Charlie “Chuck” Schumer is a senior in the College studying Political Science and Economics with minors in Math, Data Analytics, and Japanese. As a UA Representative, Charlie sits on the Academic Initiatives Committee and is focused on civic engagement and student wellness. Chuck hails from Minneapolis, MN so he cooks up a mean tater tot hot dish and wears shorts in February. When he’s not in UA meetings, he loves singing with the most magical group on campus--Disney A Cappella! A fun fact is that Charlie is legally an honorary Pennsylvanian. What does that mean? Ask him to find out! Please reach out to Charlie at cschumer@sas.upenn.edu or 651-900-5061 if you have questions, need to voice concerns, or simply want a new friend.

leo solga

Leo Solga (he/him) is a sophomore from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, studying Political Science at The College and is pursing a minor in Statistics and a certificate in Spanish Language Studies. Leo is the current UA Legal Services Coordinator of the 51st Session, and was previously a New Student Representative on the Dining, Housing, and Transit Committee (DHT) and a member of the Airport Shuttles Committee. Last session Leo had an excellent time working to improve the dining and housing experience and helping run the airport shuttles. This year, Leo is looking forward to learn a lot about dining and printing at Penn and keep working uphill to improve them. Outside of the UA, Leo is an RA in Hill House, a Ben Franklin Scholar, and Perry World House Fellow. In his free time, Leo enjoys boardgames, bowties, and canned fish. You can contact him at solgaleo@sas.upenn.edu with any question!

isaac tang

Isaac Tang (he/him) is a sophomore from Weston, Florida, studying Mathematics and Statistics at the College and Wharton. Isaac is a current CAS Representative of the 51st Session and is excited to advocate for his peers and expanding on educational reforms interacting with the local West Philadelphia community. Outside of the UA, Isaac sings with Counterparts A Capella, is a board member of the Math Society, and the Director of Education for the Quant Trading Club. In his free time, Isaac enjoys spending time with his fraternity, Sigma Nu, and working on his passion project, Future Classmates, that seeks to make college accessible and equitable for public high school students. You can contact him at itang707@sas.upenn.edu with any questions!

Nicole muravsky

Nicole Muravsky (she/her) is a sophomore from Brooklyn, NY triple majoring in Biophysics, Biochemistry, and PPE (Philosophy, Politics, & Economics). Nicole is currently an Associate Member of the 51st session, and was previously a New Student Representative on the Equity and Inclusion committee in the 50th session. Last session, Nicole built rapport with administrators and faculty focusing on DEI work and worked on getting an official endorsement of the Lenapehoking Land Acknowledgement. This year, Nicole is connecting students and faculty mentors through the Penn Mentor Meals Program and will serve on the Student Advisory Group for the Environment's External Board. Outside of UA, Nicole is an administration beat reporter for the The Daily Pennsylvanian, a Student Ambassador for the Red and Blue Engagement Center, volunteer at the VA Medical Center, student researcher at the Shorter Lab, and Chemistry tutor. You can contact her with any questions at nmurav@sas.upenn.edu.

hita mohan

bio coming soon