USSA Board of Directors

The United States Student Association is a student run, student led organization.  The Board of Directors operates as the student leadership and decision-making body of the organization.

National Officers | Regional Chairs | Affiliates | Caucuses and Coalitions | Board Officers 

National Officers 

President

Víctor Sánchez

Vice President
Tiffany Dena Loftin

Regional Chairs

Atlantic

VACANT

Empire/ Garden
Dong Gu (Jack) Yoon, Rutgers University 

Great Lakes

Seth Hoffmeister, United Council of Wisconsin Students 

Golden Pacific is Terrific

Ernesto Zumaya, University of California, Los Angeles

Pacific Northwest

Khashayar Attaran, University of Oregon

Khashayar Attaran was born and raised in Germany, from immigrating Persian parents. He immigrated to Oregon in 2001, and is currently working on his B.A in Political Science as well as a minor in Economics, at the University of Oregon. As Executive Federal Affairs Coordinator for the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, Khasha is working on advocating, organizing and amplifying student voice for federal level issues. Khasha has an enormous passion for politics and believes that education should be a right! He is excited to work with students across the nation to collaborate on issues affecting access to higher education!

New England

Tracy Gebhart, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Southeast

Natalie Amore, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Greetings to all, I am Natalie Amore, a second year Pre-Medical Biology student from Miami Florida.  I currently serve as the Southeastern chair for the Southeastern region of the United States Student Association. The Southeastern region consists of the following states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina. For the 2011-2012 academic school year the region is planning on expanding to two community colleges, two HBCU’s and four State Universities in each state. During this expansion process we will provide video web cam chats, phone conferences/calls and monthly updates. I look forward to work with you all in order to build, define and strengthen the Southeastern Region.
Quote~ “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Rocky Mountain

Corey Wiggins, University of Colorado, Boulder

Affiliates

National People of Color Student Coalition

DT Amajoyi, University of California, Santa Cruz

Hi everyone! My name is Nwadiuto (DT) Amajoyi and I am the 2011-2012 Chair of the National People of Color Student Coalition (NPCSC). Words cannot express just how excited and humbled I am to hold this position. Not just because I get to serve the wonderful students of USSA but also because this is a space that is very near and dear to my heart. I am originally from Nigeria, born and raised, and came to the United States to pursue my education during a time of civil unrest and government corruption in my home country. So it's quite astounding that I now have the opportunity to advocate for the very reasons that brought me to this country! As a current undergraduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Literature. I have also been elected to serve as the Commissioner of Diversity for my Student Government. My organizing experience exemplifies the passion I have regarding issues that directly affect the student of color communities and our ability to organize, collaborate, and retain ourselves within the institution of higher education. So for me and other students like myself we realize that organizing is not just a way of getting our voices heard, but also a means of survival and securing a future.
Again, I am extremely excited for this year and all the fun we will have together. So, to memories and wonderful times let our work be unforgettable!

National Women's Student Coalition

Tiffany Strong, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 

Tiffany has been very active in politics and activism since she was born.  Was raised by a feminist activist and left wing enthusiast who got her involved in youth.   Making her favorite childhood game “protesting”, where she would make a sign and tape it to stick, then walk around the house saying, “What do I want? When do I want it? Now!”  As a child she was aware of her surroundings and what was truly going on and yearned to help. Since the age of 14 she has always answered questions with, “after my revolution has begun….”The first political campaign she worked on was at age 16 for Howard Dean for president.  From there she worked in organizations concerning issues from Sustainability, Women’s Rights, Left Wing Issues, LGBTQ, and various others (always in leadership positions). Volunteer work helping animals and people with mental disabilities has been also a huge part of her life.  Her current two majors are Literary and Women studies and is considering taking on a minor in Sociology.  She plans on someday starting a Women’s movement and working with Animal Rights groups.  The career path she hopes to take on is becoming a Women’s Studies Professor, emphasizing in literature, media, and culture. 

National Queer Student Coalition

Rebecca Pero, Rutgers University

Caucuses and Coalitions

Community College Caucus

Merriam Weatherhead, Lane Community College

Graduate and Professional Student Caucus

Hailee Koehler, University of Colorado, Boulder

Hailee Koehler is a graduate student at the University of Colorado getting her M.A. in Higher Education Policy.  She has worked with various non-profits as a campaign organizer, devoted to fighting for everyone's right to an education that is equitable, accessible and of a high quality.  When not in class or doing research, Hailee spends her time watching hours of Food Network and is a self-declared "foodie" who loves to host dinner parties for her friends.  Hailee plans on devoting the rest of her life to organizing around higher education and to working one on one with students who always prove that they can change the world.

International Student

VACANT 

La Coalicion

Lucero Castañeda, University of Oregon

National Coalition of Students with Disabilities

VACANT

Non Traditional/First Generation

Katie Taylor, University of Oregon

Katie is currently the USSA Non Traditional/First Generation Caucus Chair. She is originally from a small town Maryland but moved to Oregon on her own five years ago. She began her life in Oregon by working to save up money to attend community college. Now along with her position at USSA she is currently the Vice President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. Katie is the first person in her family to go to college and she is extremely passionate around mobilizing and empowering other non traditional and first generation students to make fundamental social change. She values the voice of students who share similar stories as her own. She wants to work with USSA to recruit and retain these and other underrepresented students on campuses throughout the nation, while fighting to make education more affordable and accessible for these communities. Katie firmly believes that EDUCATION IS A RIGHT! "Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” -Cesar Chavez

Students of the Jewish Community

VACANT

National Queer Students of Color Coalition

Marlene Moreno, University of California, Santa Barbara

Hi, I'm Marlene. I am currently a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I'm majoring in English and minoring in LGBTQ Studies. I like tea and naps. I longboard everywhere I can. I enjoy spending time with friends and going on adventures. I have a healthy sense of competition- I love to play sports and games. I'm up for pretty much anything, I like to talk, and love making new friends. Here's the business side of my life: I'm the Outreach Coordinator for UCSB's Queer Commission and an Off Campus Representative on our Associated Students Legislative Council. I am also a proofreading and editing volunteer for our LGBT Resources and Research Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. I also have an amazing job at our campus library cataloguing musical records and cylinders that are over one hundred years old. Feel free to email me, add me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter!

Multi Bi-Racial Student Coalition

Matt Cordeiro, Rutgers University

Matt is a senior in the Bloustein School majoring in Planning and Public Policy with a minor in Social Justice. Matt is the President of the Rutgers University Student Assembly, the student government at Rutgers University. During his tenure as President, he hopes to be an advocate for the student body and work on issues concerning college affordability and civic engagement, and seeks to ensure a rich campus life for Rutgers students. He is a founding organizer of New Jersey United Students, the state-wide student association of New Jersey which lobbies state legislators regarding higher education. Spending time off-campus in the city of New Brunswick, Matt has worked on three student led, city-wide campaigns fighting for students. This year, coordinating the Save Education Campaign, he has been engaging students to stand up for their public education. Civic Engagement is important to Matt. He has helped over 6,000 students to vote and mobilized over 3,000 students to vote. He is also a plaintiff in a case being put forth by the Rutgers Constitutional Law Clinic concerning Election Day registration. Matt is an Eagle Scout, former drum major and stage manage 

People of African Descent

Brandon Anderson, Bellevue College

Brandon Anderson is a second year college student and U.S. Army veteran from Oklahoma pursuing a degree in philosophy and ethnic studies with award winning communication and leadership skills. After the September 11 attacks, he served the American people as a communication specialist in the military for nearly five years before being discharged because of his sexual orientation. Once denied the right to serve, he understood the lack of moral clarity that dwells within our country. For that reason, his every effort has been to revive the spirit of justice. In addition to serving on the USSA Board as the Chair of People of African Descent, he is also the Vice-Chair of the Pacific Northwest Region and the Associated Student Government President at Bellevue College, the second largest college in Washington. He has become an expert in connecting with youth to execute a plan to launch a re-creation of global citizens dedicated to changing the world’s educational atmosphere. His critical thinking and motivational approach has proven to uplift large crowds and defend the arts of freedom by encouraging “the people” to aim for profit of a different kind, knowledge.

People of Middle Eastern and South Asian Descent

Lana El-Farra, University of California, Los Angeles

First Peoples Caucus

Dominic Calhoun, University of California, Santa Cruz

Greetings to you all. My name is Dominic Calhoun and I am the First People's Chair. I represent the self-identifying Native American students in the Nation. I am a Los Angeles native, raised in the heart of Downtown, Los Angeles. I graduated from Alexander Hamilton Acadamy of Music in June, 2010 majoring in Violin Performance. I have studied the violin for 10 years and have played with many incredible musicians, entertainers, producers and celebrities such as Joshua Bell, Quincie Jones, Cedric the Entertainer and our very own First Lady, Mrs. Michele Obama. I am currently a Second Year at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I am studying French Language Studies and Cultural Anthropology. I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors of the USSA in order to make sure that our collective student voice is heard.

Veterans

VACANT
 

Women of Color

Sana Khan, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

 
Working Class

Sean O'Conner, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Minority Serving Institutions Caucus

Genesis Robinson, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

DREAM Student Caucus
Carlos Juarez, University of California, Los Angeles

State and System Student Associations

Associated Students of Colorado
Andrea Miranda

Oregon Student Association
Jessica Mease (Interim Rep)

Student Association of Michigan
TBD

United Council of University of Wisconsin Students
Dylan Jambrek

Dylan was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, also living in Milwaukee. After high school, he went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Go Blugolds!) where he majors in Political Science (Legal Studies). There, he served as a multi-year Student Senator, as Finance Commission Director, and Student Body President. He also served as Treasurer and President of the Eau Claire College Democrats, Competitor and Coach of the nationally-ranked Forensics program, and Events Chair of Forward Momentum, an organization dedicated to LGBTQ equality. In April, Dylan was elected Vice President and Chair of the Board of Directors of United Council of UW Students, Wisconsin's statewide student association. Dylan enjoys a good pickup game of wiffleball, is an ardent advocate of the space program, and can’t get the beat to ‘show me what democracy looks like’ out of his head.

University of California Student Association
TBD

Washington Student Association
TBD

Board Officers

Community and Labor Liaison

Rhiannon Springall, University of Oregon

Corporate Secretary

Robin Pryor, Adams State College

My name is Robin Pryor, I am a recent graduate of Adams State College in sunny Alamosa, CO. I got my BA in Theatre and I am now pursuing my masters in Higher Education Administration. I got my passion for the college community after serving on our board of trustees for 2 years. I am a active member in my SSA as i serve as secretary. I love being able to unite students from rural communities over the issues we all share as students. With the free time I find, I love to spend my time with my husband to be going hiking and playing video games.

Development and Finance Officer

VACANT

Grassroots Legislative Liaison

Joanna Stewart, University of Oregon

My name is Joanna Stewart and I am a second-year at the University of Oregon. I am originally from the South Florida area. I moved to San Diego when I was 13. Oregon is my second home now. Go Ducks! Along with my position as Grassroots Legislative Liaison in USSA, I am also the Volunteer Coordinator at the Associated Students of the University of Oregon this coming year. As the USSA Grassroots Legislative Liaison, I plan to help educate students on what is happening in Washington D.C. and mobilize them to influence those decisions. Students have power in numbers and I want to help bring that force to Washington D.C. I pride myself in being a community organizer and I look forward to bringing my experience and drive to USSA to grow and strengthen the organization.

Outreach Officer

Marquise McMiller, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Outreach Officer, United States Student Association

“Excuses are the tools the incompetent use to build for themselves, GREAT monuments of nothing, and those who use them seldom accomplish anything else.” SO LET IT BE WRITTEN; SO LET IT BE DONE. McMiller, as he is commonly referred to, is a 2nd year Social Science Education student at the premier Florida Agricultural and Mecahnical University(FAMU). Marquise is in his second year as a Senator having served in the 40th and presently as the A&S Liaison for the 41st Student Senate at FAMU. He is a more conservative representative analyizing all perspectives of situationsbefore making decisions. McMiller is known for his somewhat abrasive yet compassionate leadership tendencies. He is a person who believes that anything can be accomplished with some sacrifise, work, dedication and commitment. “How much are you willing to put in, to get your expected outcome?” Marquise identifies as a Republican, African-American Heterosexual Male, hailing from Gary, Indiana, who thinks with an independent mindset based on the facts presented to him, and not soley on ideologies. As Outreach Officer, McMiller believes in increasing membership amongst those areas that lack efficient representation. He plans to work to recruit member schools that can benfit from the Action Agenda of USSA and can benefit USSA making it an organization reflective of the diverse compostion of the United States of America. His philosophy is...“Taking On Grassroots Efforts To Help Everyone Represent – USSA-TOGETHER (T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. USSA TOGETHER)