Candidate List

Kaitlyn Cheatham

Hello, I am Kaitlyn Cheatham, and I plan to represent your voice as Class President through the 3 C's: community, connection, and compensation! As class representative, my goal is to create a thriving community at William and Mary that gives back and supports each other. I will work to empower my peers by creating more opportunities to foster connections within and outside our class, through new networking and collaboration opportunities, and entertaining class events, while also advocating for much-needed funding for clubs, internships, and outreach. Through monthly meetings and surveys, I plan to listen to your concerns for our community, so I can fight for our class and help solve and resolve problems on our campus. Your voice matters, and I know that as your president, we can develop a stronger community together! Vote for Kaitlyn Cheatham! 

Instagram: @kaitlyn_for_the_peeps 

TikTok: @kaitlyn_forthepeeps 

Website

Bobby Kartychak 

Hello, I'm Bobby, and I'm running to be your Class President! I'm an out-of-state student from Pittsburgh, a Monroe Scholar, and hopeful Government major. I have a great amount of prior experience with government, including door-to-door canvassing for the 2024 presidential elections, and internships with my Congressman, as well as Congressman Jamie Raskin. I’m acclimated to the job, and I’ll bring that familiarity with me. As president, I would make accountability and transparency a key facet of my tenure, and hold monthly town halls where I would answer questions and hear all of your opinions, considering them with each decision I make. With the class budget I would oversee, I’ll ensure that your money goes back to you. With finals week care packages and themed mixers throughout the semester, I’ll make sure that you feel your money going to use. Vote for me, and you’ll be better with Bobby! 

Instagram: @betterwithbobbywm 

Daria Lesmerises 

Hi! My name is Daria Lesmerises, and I'm hoping to be your class president for the class of 2029! As an avid member of student leadership groups in high school, including being student council president, I have experience planning events for the student body, and it's truly what I love. Bringing everyone together through events and educational opportunities outside of the classroom is so important to ensuring a complete college experience and forming new friendships, especially for an out-of-state student like me. If elected to Student Assembly, I'm hoping to push for more sustainability initiatives and more events to bring the student body together, especially between the different classes and dorms across campus. My favorite way to lead is through servant leadership, and I truly hope I'm able to serve and listen to every person in the class of 2029 to the best of my ability! 

 TikTok: darialesmerises2029 

Insta: daria4prez 

Carl Waller 

My name is Carl Waller, and I am running to be your Freshman Class President. I believe in a community where every voice matters, and I will work to ensure that William & Mary is a place where all freshmen feel included, supported, and empowered. Socially, I value openness, respect, and building bridges across different backgrounds. Fiscally, I believe in using our resources wisely, supporting initiatives that have the greatest impact for students while keeping things efficient and practical. If elected, I will focus on connecting our class through events, strengthening inclusion for all students, and making sure our efforts create a lasting value. I want to ensure that the Class of 2029 starts strong and united so that we can make a difference in the world. Together, we can build a class identity we will be proud of. Together, we can do it for the well of it. 

Instagram: @weareteamwaller 

TikTok: @weareteamwaller 

Gmail: carlwallercampaign@gmail.com 

Gabrielle Allen

Hi! I am Gabrielle Allen, and I am running for senator for the class of 2029. Our community is strongest when everyone feels heard and included, and that is why I am running for student assembly. I want to foster a supportive and vibrant community by amplifying student voices and finding solutions to the issues that you care about most. I’m committed to listening and responding to your concerns, and working cooperatively with others to find the best solutions. I also want to strengthen connections on campus by supporting organizations, initiatives, and opportunities that build community. My goal is to make sure every student feels represented and valued. Together, we can build a student assembly that serves you. 

Instagram: @allen_for_senate 

Pranavi Ancha 

Hi! I’m Pranavi Ancha and I’m hoping to represent you as one of your class senators. By building upon our community, encouraging environments where everyone can have fun, and creating spaces where everyone’s voices will be heard I hope to ensure an amazing year. 

I hope to foster a place where everyone feels comfortable contributing their ideals for the school as well as for themselves and our peers. In order to do so I believe it’s important for each of us to have the ability to achieve the things we want out of university life- from academics to extracurriculars to social connections. It’s important to continue our legacy as a school with big ideas, part of which is making sure that those ideas can be pu into action through a strong connection between the student body and the administration. Let’s do it together! 

Instagram: pranavis_party

Neha Baskar 

Hi! I’m Neha, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as one of your class senators. I like to consider myself an adaptable, collaborative, and innovative person–attributes that would serve me well in fighting hard for our class’ priorities and beliefs. In addition, I’m a prospective economics major, so I’m ready to make sure that our class’ resources are allocated wisely and transparently to best benefit us, the students. In the past, I’ve led groups everywhere from my basketball team to county-wide advocacy organizations, practicing creative problem-solving and working with people from a diverse variety of backgrounds. I’m eager to apply those same skills at William & Mary as your senator. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better so we can work toward a brighter future together! 

 Instagram: vote.rhys.neha.senate 

Riya Budhrani 

Dear Class of 2029, My name is Riya Budhrani, and I am running to be your Class of 2029 Senator. As your Senator, I will hold Town Halls and weekly office hours ensuring direct ways to share concerns and ideas. As President of my high school and Intern on Capitol Hill, I learned true leadership grows from service to others, uniting voices, and acting with purpose. My goals are ambitious and focused… -I will expand academic exploration through an “open-door academics” approach, where students can view syllabi and office hours across departments, making it easier to discover fields and professors. -I will ensure smooth transitions such as housing and construction moves through transparent communication and stronger community spaces. -I will advance Wellness of the Body & Mind through innovative initiatives addressing transparent nutrition and mental health resources. Vote Riya Budhrani for your Class Senator. One Tribe, One Voice, Riya’s the Choice. 

 Instagram: @riyaforsenator2029 

Website 

Charlie Gates 

TRIBE! My name is Charlie and I’m super excited to run for a Class Senator position for the INCREDIBLE Class of 2029. I’ve always been passionate about leadership and I hope to continue that here at William & Mary. Back in my home state of South Carolina, I was involved in student government, serving as class president and council secretary, in addition to holding an office on a county-wide youth board where I learned about the power of philanthropy. As it is the Year of the Environment, I plan to work with my peers on the Student Assembly to promote and regulate awareness efforts around campus, and potentially host activities centered on environmental education. I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn, but I’m prepared to devote time and energy towards the class and ensure that our voices as freshmen are HEARD. #CharlieForWM 

 Instagram: charlieforwm 

Sorel Kennedy 

My name is Sorel Kennedy (she/her) and I am hoping to represent freshmen here at W&M as a Class Senator for the 2025-2026 school year. I’m a government major from Westport, Connecticut, with two years of student assembly experience from high school. There, I pushed for initiatives regarding student access to school resources, an endeavor I look forward to continuing this year. With leadership positions in theater, tennis, and service groups in high school, I found myself able to connect with people from a variety of disciplines, giving me insight into what they struggled with and wanted to see reflected by the school. Asking for help is challenging, but doesn’t need to be, and that’s why I hope to be a friendly face around campus that will advocate on students’ behalf. I look forward to seeing you around, especially at the Candidate Fair on 9/23! 

 Instagram: sorel.for.senate 

Rachna Mohan 

As we approach nearly 250 years of America’s independence, I continue to reflect on the political climate surrounding institutions of higher education. Considering the profound impact university policies can have on its student population, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Senator of the William & Mary Class of 2029 to advance class of ‘29 interests. As a woman, international student and immersed member in the Williamsburg community, I am ready to lend myself as an ally to anyone at W&M who needs me as both a friend and advocate. Unlike most campaigns, I pride myself on keeping promises from increasing administrative transparency to expanding dining hall options to increasing accessibility as we reconstruct W&M’s campus. I’ll focus on approachability, accessibility, and curating opportunities. For more info, visit @rachnaforwmsenate on instagram. 

 Instagram: @rachnaforwmsenate 

Website 

Rhys Runnels 

Hello! My name is Rhys (like Reese) Runnels, and I would be honored to represent you in Student Assembly! I’m from Fargo, North Dakota (he/him), and I’ve also lived in Utah, England, Germany, Rwanda, and Guinea. Moving so often taught me how to adapt quickly, connect across cultures, and work with people from a multitude of backgrounds—even when we didn’t share a language! I bring three years of student assembly experience from high school, along with leadership as captain of three sports teams. I know how to listen, collaborate, and act to make our tribe stronger. At the end of the day, I’m not just here to represent you, I’m here to know you! So stop me in the dining hall, on Sunken, or in line for coffee in Swem and say hi! I’d love to get to know you! 

Instagram: @vote.rhys.neha.senate 

Juliana Villafana 

My name is Juliana Villafana '29 and I'm running to be one of your senators this year. I am passionate about student advocacy and ensuring that everyone feels their voice is heard and represented. I will work towards fostering class unity by helping to organize activities that we can do together. This could be anything from barbecues to town halls, which could be ways for school leadership to hear from students directly about ways to improve student life at William and Mary. I will advocate towards practical changes that improve student life by amplifying feedback and improving transparency. Together, we can work towards producing a better flow of communication and a positive relationship between the administration and students. 

 Instagram: @juli4senator

Jenny Wang 

Hi, I’m Jenny Wang, and I’m running to represent the Class of 2029 on the Student Assembly. I believe every student deserves to have nutritious and delicious dining hall food in addition to an exciting campus life. In high school, I gained leadership experience serving on executive boards, leading clubs, and tutoring small children (I think that’s the most impressive). I also founded the Helix Foundation, an environmental stewardship nonprofit, where I learned how to plan out events and turn those plans into action. As your senator, I will focus on strengthening communication between students and the College of William and Mary, ensuring concerns are heard and acted upon. Most importantly, I want to help build a connected community where every member of our class feels represented Let’s get things done 

Instagram: jen.4.office 

Matthew Williamson 

Class of 2029, My name is Matthew Williamson, and I would love to have the honor of serving as a Senator for the Class of 2029. I’ll advocate for your interests, help plan community events, but my most important priority is to listen to you. The truth is I can’t do this without you. As a Senator I will go out and advocate for you each day, but I won’t be able to do it alone and that goes beyond voting. That means listening to your input and acting on your ideas. My biggest focus will be to improve communication between the Student Assembly and the people, clubs and organizations that make up the student body so that your ideas can be better represented. I would be honored to have your vote 

Instagram: @mwsenate_2029 

Elie Bide

After my nearing four years in campus getting to know people of all differing backgrounds I hope to bring a fresh and well rounded outlook to our wonderful campus! 

Nick DeSante

Hey, it's Nick, and I’m running to be one of your class of ‘26 senators to put students’ needs first, be an advocate, and get results. Over the past few years, as an undersecretary of sustainability, I've been committed to advocating for initiatives linking student quality of life and sustainability. I've worked on challenges ranging from improving the local bus system to reintroducing special waste collection on campus. As a senator, I will prioritize quality of life and student experience to ensure that our last year at William & Mary is unforgettable. That means funding the events that bring our campus together, coordinating with the city to ensure they hear students’ voices, and quickly acting on initiatives that will see immediate concrete benefits. I invite you to learn more about my platform, and I hope you choose me as one of your senators! 

Instagram: nickforwm 

Website

Isha Alaina Tubera 

Hi everyone! My name is Isha Alaina Tubera–Isha (ee-sha) for short. For the past few years, I’ve been part of different areas of our campus. I’m a senior majoring in Kinesiology with a Public Health concentration and minoring in Film and Media Studies, so I’m bringing a new perspective to Senate that differs from the type of person you would usually imagine running for this position. As the current Co-Editor in Chief of Underground Magazine, I’m bringing experiences from an organization that fulfills an important purpose of showcasing and uplifting marginalized voices and creatives on the campus. As Class Senator, I intend to carry out these same actions by increasing awareness and advocating for underrepresented students within the Student Assembly and campus-wide. I hope to be a voice for those who want change, and I plan to be a voice to create change.