The Executive Branch of the Student Senate consists of the Executive Board and the Cabinet, which collectively organize, coordinate, and oversee all actions and activities of the Pitzer College Student Senate. The Executive Board consists of the President of Student Senate, as well as five Vice Presidents. Each member of the Executive Board is independently elected to their respective office, and each has a number of unique duties and responsibilities. All members of the Executive Board serve on a variety of different college and student committees, often in leadership capacities. They meet privately at least once a week in addition to all regularly scheduled Student Senate meetings, and they work closely with both the Legislature and the Cabinet to ensure all branches of government-run smoothly and effectively. The Cabinet, which supports the Executive Board, consists of a Presiding Officer, Treasurer, Internal Secretary, Secretary of Student Organization, Public Relations Director, and Events Board Chair.
Executive Board Members
President
Sanya Dhama ‘24
[email protected]
The President of the Student Senate is the official representative and spokesperson for the students of Pitzer College and helps guide Senate in implementing its priorities and objectives. The President oversees the operations of the Executive Branch and Senate as a whole.
Vice President of External Affairs
Richard Julian Ampah ‘25
[email protected]
The Vice President of External Affairs (VPex) is responsible for managing and overseeing Student Senate’s interactions with the college, and joint projects with staff, faculty, and administration. VPex provides coordination and guidance to student representatives on standing committees of Pitzer College and students in those positions. While every member of the Executive Branch must engage with staff, faculty, administration, and trustees, it is the responsibility of the VPex to ensure that Senate is a vigorous participant in the shared governance process.
Vice President of Internal Affairs
Jasmine Ali ‘26
[email protected]
The Vice President of Internal Affairs (VPin) is responsible for coordinating the internal operations of Student Senate. It’s the VP’s role to guide and advise the Internal Secretary, helping members of Senate draft legislation, helping students get involved on task forces, and stepping in wherever Senate needs additional support.
Hey Pitzer! My name is Jasmine Ali (she/her) and I’m from New Jersey. This is my second year on senate (I previously served as the Events Board Chair), and I’m so excited to be on the Executive Board! Besides working on Senate, I am also one of the Pitzer Student Garden Managers. I am an environmental science major and biology minor.
Talk to me about:
– Writing legislation and submitting items for the general meeting agenda
– Anything garden related
– Whatever else I can assist you with!
Vice President of Finance
Lila Feldmann ‘24
[email protected]
The Vice President of Finance (VPf) manages the budget of Student Senate. It is the VP’s role to plan and track the annual budget of Student Senate and implement long-term changes to the system. This involves several major duties including chairing Budget Committee, club and organization budget hearings, preparing the annual budget, reporting the finances of Student Senate, and managing the credit cards.
Vice President of Student Engagement
Siya Bhola ‘24
[email protected]
The Vice President of Student Engagement (VPse) coordinates Senate’s efforts to enrich student life at Pitzer College. It’s the VP’s role to oversee all clubs and student organizations at the college and work closely with the Secretary of Student Organizations, Secretary of Diversity, and Secretary of Events.
Vice President of Diversity
Lola Latan ‘25
[email protected]
The Vice President of Diversity (VPd) provides guidance to all identity groups. It is the VP’s role to coordinate between identity groups and other parts of Student Senate and emphasize the interests and needs of historically marginalized communities on campus.
Cabinet
Treasurer
Ella Hale ‘26
[email protected]
The Treasurer’s primary duty is to manage reimbursements for Student Senate, as well as assisting the Vice President of Finance with running Budget Committee meetings.
Hi! My name is Ella Hale, I am the treasurer of the Pitzer College Student Senate. Currently in my second year, I am pursuing a major in economics and a minor in political studies. My hometown is Palo Alto, California and I love to dance in my free time.
Talk to me about:
– Proposals with a financial focus
– Proposals wanting a feminist perspective
– Or anything you would like more insight on!
Public Relations Director
Megha Madhabhushi’ 27
[email protected]
The Public Relations Director facilitates public communications by regularly updating the Senate’s website and uploading on social media pages to spread awareness to the student body of agenda items. The Director also works closely with the Vice President of External Affairs and student journalists to ensure all written reports and news articles are accurate and contain factual information only.
Hi everyone! My name is Megha Madhabhushi and I’m the Public Relations Director. I’m from Palo Alto, California. I’m a First Year at Pitzer so while my major is undeclared, I’m an intended Sociology Major at Pitzer and a Philosophy, Politics, and Economies Major at Pomona.
Talk to me about:
– How to improve freshmen dorm/living space
– Earrings
– Game Pigeon (especially 8ball pool!)
– Indian food and music!
Events Board Chair
Kaitlyn O’Connor ‘25
[email protected]
The Secretary of Events serves as the chair of the Pitzer College Events Board, which is Pitzer’s primary programming board for student-organized events. The Events Board oversees an annual programming fund and works closely with events staff, student organizations, and the Vice President of Student Engagement to create a wide variety of successful events every year.
My name is Kaitlyn O’Connor (she/her). I’m a junior studying psychology and Spanish. I’m from San Carlos, CA. At Pitzer I am involved in many different organizations. On Senate, I serve as the secretary of events. Meaning I plan Pitzer’s big 5C party and hand out wristbands (lol). I also have been involved with helping admin to plan on campus events. Outside of senate I am on the exec-board for two affinity groups. On MIXED I serve as the social media & outreach coordinator. I also serve as co-president of CIDSA. I am also a Strive2Thrive Ambassador and love to educate others about mental health & wellness.
Talk to me about:
– Parties/events
– Psychology
– Sports, particularity basketball & baseball
– Activism (in particular, disability rights activism)
– Music
Secretary of Student Organizations
Alison Unruh’ 27
[email protected]
The Secretary of Student Organizations oversees student organizations and ensures that they adhere to the rules and regulations of the Student Senate bylaws. The Secretary conducts a semesterly review of all student organizations chartered by the Student Senate in order to verify their active status as a standing organization.
Presiding Officer
Unfilled
The Presiding Officer chairs the Student Senate meetings and the Adjudication Board. The Officer has a full understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure the meetings are constitutional.
Internal Secretary
Mae Tranquilla ’26
[email protected]
The Internal Secretary is responsible for keeping the proceedings of Student Senate well-documented and organized. The Secretary record minutes, track attendance, and ensure that documents are properly distributed. The Secretary also informs the student body of updates in Senate.
