Candidates

President and Vice President Candidates:

Noah Rosenberger

President

I am excited to announce my candidacy for President of the UW-Stout Student Senate. As a dedicated advocate for student voices, I am committed to fostering a campus environment that prioritizes inclusivity, transparency, and meaningful change. With experience in student leadership, I understand the importance of collaboration in addressing key issues like affordability, academic support, and campus life improvements. My goal is to ensure every student feels heard and empowered to shape our university’s future. Together, we can build a stronger, more responsive Student Senate that truly represents the needs of our student body. I appreciate your support!

Chris Sander

Vice President

I am excited to announce my candidacy for SSA Vice President, as a dedicated student leader and passionate advocate for our campus community. I am dedicated to amplifying student voices and enhancing our campus resources by addressing key concerns and making a commitment to positive change. Working alongside SSA, I will ensure every student feels heard, valued, and empowered. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you and work together to build a brighter future for our university. Together, we can build a more connected and dynamic community for UW-Stout. Thank you and I'd be honored to earn your support!

Director Candidates:

Raja Jalla

Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

As a dedicated advocate for student voices, I am committed to fostering an inclusive, transparent, and student-centered environment. With experience in quality assurance and problem-solving, I bring a detail-oriented and solutions-driven approach to addressing student concerns. My goal is to enhance communication, advocate for student needs, and drive meaningful change to improve campus life. I am running to ensure that all students have a strong voice in decision-making and to create policies that reflect the diverse needs of our community.

Aydren Beebe

Director of Legislative Affairs

Before Stout hired my dad, my family and I lived in a camper. Those first pay stubs pulled us from homelessness and gave our family what we needed to survive. It was Stout that trained the educators I’ve learned from all my life. The community I’ve always loved wouldn’t be here without UW-Stout. As a senator, I’ve already fought for Stout—lobbying in the state legislature, meeting with other student governments, and working with Congress. Now, I’m ready to fight even harder as Director of Legislative Affairs, standing up for Stout’s students, staff, and faculty, because I won’t back down.

Akshaya Thirugnanasambandam Valliappan

Director of Academic Affairs

Hey everyone! I’m a Food Science grad student who’s passionate about making academics more accessible and student-friendly. I know how challenging it can be to balance coursework, find the right resources, or obtain internships and co-ops, and I want to make sure students have the right support, resources, and opportunities to succeed. If elected, I’ll work to improve academic affairs, enhance student support, and ensure your concerns are heard. Let’s make academics at Stout better together!

Chris Sander

Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

I am honored to declare my candidacy for the Director of Equity Diversity and Inclusion. As a student leader and an advocate for student voices, I am committed to fostering collaboration, implementing effective solutions, and supporting the student body's accessibility to resources. I believe in the power of collective effort and the importance of Stout's community in shaping the future of our initiatives. My mission in this role is to bring together diverse voices, inclusivity, and transparency to serve the whole of UW-Stout's student body. Thank you for your consideration and I'd be honored to earn your support.

Bergen Haag

Director of Sustainability

My name is Bergen Haag, and I have served as the Sustainability Director for the past two years. I will be a senior next year studying Industrial and Product Design. During my time as director, I have been involved in purchasing items like Green Fee bike tire inflators, implementing LED retrofit projects, and installing trash compactors on campus. Additionally, I have organized several events, including the Annual Thrift Swap, Trash Clean ups, Tabling, brought in Speakers, and Bingo.

Elijah Turany

Director of Information Technology

Hi, I'm Elijah Turany. I am majoring in Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and I will be graduating May of 2026. This will be my third year serving on the SSA if elected, and I have loved my time on this body. I am running for Director of Student Tech Committee because I feel my experience and passion will enable me to address students’ concerns regarding technology on campus. I am excited to see how the Student Tech Fee can be allocated to best serve the student body.

Nicholas Taylor-Schaus

Director of Organizational Affairs

Hello! My name is Nicholas Taylor-Schaus, and I’m excited to become the next Director of Organizational Affairs! I am serving as the Vice-Chair of this committee, I handled a code of conduct review, and I am helping to lead the ongoing constitution audit. I am currently serving as an officer of four separate organizations, and I am deeply familiar with the struggles of keeping a club alive. I have the knowledge, expertise, and passion to keep our clubs running smoothly and support the creation of new organizations. I am the logical choice for the next Director of Organizational Affairs.

Graciela Espinoza

Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

I am excited to be a candidate for this position as EDI Director. I currently serve on this committee as a Senator and tend to voice my opinions and ideas at our weekly meetings. I want to be able to communicate, connect, and collaborate with different groups on campus while making everyone feel like they have a seat at the table where they can freely voice their opinions and ideas. My goal is to be a funnel for diverse events and communities.

Senator Candidates:

Blake Beier

Senator At Large

My intent to running is to have every single student of every background to be heard. UW-Stout is a diverse campus with many different and unique voices to be heard. And I will make sure all of these voices are heard.

Raja Jalla

Senator At Large

I am passionate about fostering an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable campus. With a background in implementing standards and optimizing processes, I understand the importance of accountability and continuous improvement. My goal is to advocate for policies that promote diversity, ensure equal opportunities, and integrate sustainability into campus initiatives. I am committed to creating a more just and environmentally responsible community where all voices are heard and valued.

Akshaya Thirugnanasambandam Valliappan

Senator At Large

Hey Stout students! I’m running for Senator because I want to be the strong voice for you. As a grad student at stout, I understand the challenges students face. I want to make sure your concerns, whether about academics, campus life, or student resources, are brought to the light and acted on. If elected, I’ll listen, advocate, and work to make Stout a better place for all of us. Let’s make a difference together!

sowmya kotha

Senator At Large

I am passionate about serving our community with integrity, dedication, and a clear vision for improvement. My focus has been on being a voice and developing policy to include everyone's voice and address every issue. My commitment to the community, strong leadership and problem-solving skills are my strongest asset in the job. I will create positive growth, clear communication, and support our people. Together we can create a wonderful future for everyone.

Manisha.Sidda

Senator At Large

My dedication to students combined with my enthusiasm propels me to seek student senate representation so I can execute advocacy work for campus change. I believe in the voice of students because I will dedicate all my effort to listen and resolve their concerns. Through my leadership background combined with my dedication to inclusivity and capacity to solve problems I will establish connections between students and administrative officials. Through active listening and leadership I plan to act for the betterment of all students at our school. To represent you would be a privilege.

Premanvitha Salla

Senator At Large

As a graduate student in Food Science and Technology, my goal is to positively impact students. I want students to feel that they have a voice and feel supported in the school community, both academically and personally. If elected as a Senator, I will be listening, communicating with other Senators, and advocating on behalf of the students to ensure student's voices are valued through any decision making process impacting the school. I truly believe that leadership and collaboration can positively impact the student experience and I am excited to draw on my strengths of communication and problem-solving through service to ...

Sri Varshini Yadav K

Senator At Large

I’m a graduate student in Food Science and Technology, and I’m running for Senator to help make student voices a driving force in campus decisions. Through volunteering at university events and working with diverse teams, I’ve gained the skills to listen, collaborate, and advocate effectively. I believe in building an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone feels heard. As Senator, I’ll work to ensure your concerns are represented and real progress is made for our campus community.

Elijah Turany

Senator At Large

Hi, I'm Elijah Turany. I am majoring in Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and I will be graduating May of 2026. This will be my third year serving on the SSA if elected, and I have loved my time on this body. I enjoy serving on standing committees, like STC and FAC, as well as shared governance committees. Educational Activities Committee is one of my favorites; I like giving student perspective on important decisions like the academic calendar. Parking Advisory Committee is another favorite, but I wish it met more often.

Nicholas Taylor-Schaus

Senator At Large

I would love to continue my work with SSA. I've served on the Financial Affairs and Organizational Affairs committees, participated with the Voter Help Desk and other Senate initiatives, and actively participated in discussions in the Senate this year. I would love your support to continue my work as a Senator-at-Large.

Samikshya Bogati

Senator At Large

Hi, I’m Samikshya Bogati, an international student currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Psychology. Serving on the Student Senate for the 2024–2025 year has shown me just how powerful the voice of a single student can be. It’s been a meaningful experience, and I would be honored to continue representing the student body in the upcoming year if elected. During my term, I actively contributed to the Sustainability Committee, the Organizational Affairs Committee, and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. With your support, I would be more than happy to continue serving and advocating for the needs and voices of our diverse student body. Thank you!

Graciela Espinoza

Senator At Large

Hello! My name is Graciela Espinoza, and I have been serving as a Senator this past year. I have really enjoyed my time as a Senator and have served on the Financial Affairs Committee as well as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. I am also involved on the Graduate speaker shared governance committee for graduation each semester. I am determined to hear the voices and opinions of students in order to grow as a more inclusive and progressive campus. I am excited to branch out more and explore different committees and opportunities as a Senator at Large.

Victoria Higgins

Senator At Large

In my first year as a senator, I've gained valuable insights that have shaped my understanding of this role’s challenges. Every day has been a learning opportunity, and I’m eager to continue growing. My goal is to drive meaningful change, especially for college students who deserve more support. I’m committed to advocating for the causes that matter most and advancing my career to better serve others. Together, we can create a future where every voice is heard, respected, and acted upon. As I always say, every voice matters, even the smaller ones. That is the foundation of true progress.

Saisree Reddy Kothamale

Senator At Large

As a dedicated graduate student in Food Science and Technology, I am passionate about representing student voices and promoting inclusivity, innovation, and academic excellence. My diverse background in agriculture and food science, combined with leadership experience and a strong commitment to community, equips me to advocate effectively for student needs. I aim to foster collaboration, enhance student engagement, and support initiatives that improve our campus experience. As Senator, I will work diligently to ensure all students feel heard, valued, and empowered to succeed at UW-Stout.

Keahna Littlejohn

Senator At Large

I’ve been serving as a Senator for the past year, and it’s been a really rewarding experience. I’ve been on the Academic Affairs Committee and Collaborative Impact Council, formerly known as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. I’ve really enjoyed participating in senate meetings and helping with related things. So, I would really like the opportunity to represent students once more as a Senator.