Class of 2028 Senator (7 Seats)
Gunnar Ivarsson
After my Senate work for two years, the body has grown my love for serving the Tufts community. Having much of my work been with educational policy, academic affairs, and professional development, I have had the privilege of bringing tangible change to our campus in policy, courses, and events. I hope to continue the important work our student government does, focusing on internal efficiency and ensuring we deliver on what our school truly needs. I hope to foster new resolution implementation under work of performance groups getting eligibility for academic credit, voicing student input on the changing bookstore merchandise, and much more.
Shefali Bakre
I am running for TCU Senate because I genuinely care about improving the everyday student experience and making sure student voices are turned into real, tangible change. Over my time on Senate, I have learned that meaningful impact comes from both listening closely to student concerns and following through with action, and that is something I am committed to continuing.
As Chair of the Services Committee, I have worked to lead a team in developing initiatives that address student needs, from improving access to resources to organizing programs that bring value to campus life. This role has taught me how to collaborate effectively, navigate challenges, and turn ideas into implemented projects that students can actually see and benefit from.
If reelected, I want to build on this work by continuing to advocate for student needs, expanding initiatives that improve accessibility and campus resources, and strengthening communication between students and Senate.
Spencer Kluger
I have been on the TCU Senate for my entire time at Tufts. I wrote that I wanted to join in my application to the school, and it has been an honor to serve my community over the past four semesters. This year, I had the privilege of serving as the Administration and Policy Committee Chair. During my tenure I have accomplished and supported an enormous number of projects, including dining improvements, a textbook drive, a clothing drive, a school-wide survey, and many more. I have also assisted in faculty reviews and serve on the University Budget and Priorities Committee. I am excited to continue advocating for all Tufts students and have big plans for the year to come.
Tanya Dev
Candidate did not submit headshot to ECOM before the deadline.
Hi there! My name is Tanya Dev, and I’m a sophomore student-athlete here at Tufts. I’m running for class senator because I care about this community and I am deeply invested in strengthening it, representing it, and making it better for everyone in my class.
What sets me apart is not just what I do, but how fully I engage with every part of the Tufts experience. My life here is defined by four pillars: academics, athletics, community engagement, and professional experience—and in each, I’ve made it a priority not only to succeed but to contribute in a meaningful way.
Academically, I am an Economics major with a minor in English, maintaining a 3.95 GPA and earning Dean’s List honors every semester. I have been recognized as a Scholar of Distinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and named a finalist for the Elite 90 Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at each Final Four. But what matters most to me is how that translates beyond my own work. Next year, I plan to TA in the economics department to directly support other students and help elevate the academic standard of our class as a whole. I believe leadership starts with setting an example—and using that position to lift others up.
Athletically, I am part of a team that has competed—and won—at the highest level, including a national championship this past year and a NESCAC championship the year prior. Being part of that environment has taught me what it means to represent something bigger than yourself, to lead under pressure, and to build a culture of accountability and excellence. Beyond competition, I’ve been actively involved in service initiatives like Team IMPACT and Women in Sports events, as well as recruiting future students through camps and clinics. I bring that same sense of pride, responsibility, and school spirit to everything I do—and I will bring it to representing my class.
In my community work, I write and edit for The Tufts Daily, where I have authored over 10 articles highlighting a wide range of student organizations and voices across campus. My column was awarded Best Column of the Semester. This role has shown me just how vibrant and dynamic the Tufts community is, through the people and stories I’ve had the privilege of highlighting in my articles. I’ve run alongside the Tufts Marathon Team before sunrise to capture their dedication and I’ve attended Hawaiian cultural events to fully understand and represent the Hawaiian Club’s mission. These experiences have allowed me to connect deeply with communities across campus—and because of this, I feel connected to every corner of Tufts and I would love the opportunity to serve as a voice for the vibrant, multifaceted community that makes this university so special.
Professionally, I work as a communications and marketing intern at the Tufts University School of Medicine, where I write feature stories, attend institutional meetings, and help shape how the university communicates internally and externally. Through my role, I am entrusted with showcasing Tufts at its very best. I highlight the people, innovation, and impact that make this university exceptional—all with the goal of attracting and inspiring future students. This experience has made me one of Tufts’ strongest advocates, someone who not only understands what makes this community special, but actively works to elevate and promote it. It has strengthened my ability to represent Tufts with pride and purpose and I am excited to bring that same energy to representing my class.
Because I am fully immersed in so many different parts of Tufts—academics, athletics, student organizations, and institutional work— I understand the full scope of what it means to be a Tufts student. I’ve built relationships across communities, and I know how to bring those voices together in a way that creates real impact.
I have taken the time to closely review the Senate’s past initiatives—from expanding JumboCash access, to increasing vending machine availability, to supporting menstrual product accessibility and adding shared resources like recreational equipment in campus spaces. I am excited not only to build on them, but to bring forward new, student-driven solutions. What matters most to me is understanding where students are experiencing friction in their everyday lives and turning those concerns into actionable change. For example, many students feel frustrated by the cost of coffee and food at campus cafés like Kindlevan, where often a breakfast meal swipe does not suffice. Similarly, limited access to laundry machines in campus housing continues to be a consistent challenge for students. These issues directly impact daily student life. As a senator, I want to focus on both continuing impactful initiatives and advocating for practical improvements that make Tufts more accessible, more supportive, and more responsive to the needs of its students.
I understand what it means to lead, to represent, and to invest in this community—and I am ready to bring that same energy, perspective, and commitment to serving my class as a Senator!
Mason Moore
Candidate did not submit headshot to ECOM before the deadline.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Mason Moore, and I am a current Sophomore, studying Political Science and Philosophy. I am writing to express my interest in seeking candidacy to be a Class of 2028 TCU class senator.
I am a strong believer in a government’s capability to better the lives of its constituents, at all levels. The same is true for student governments, and is especially true for the Tufts Community Union’s capability for bettering the lives of all Tufts students. What turns this potential capability into substantive action is who gets elected to the TCU. I am not going to pretend to know everything about the TCU’s legislative history or that I have the entire Constitution memorized. However, I do know that if elected, I would use my position to better the lives of not just my graduating class but of the entire Tufts community.
I spent my Freshman year at Colorado College and made the decision to transfer to Tufts for my sophomore year and beyond. I believe my experience as a transfer would serve me well if elected to the TCU senate. I can offer a different perspective, as someone who lived and learned at a completely different school. As Tufts students, we often take for granted how lucky we are to attend our university. Tufts truly is a special place filled with endless opportunities. If elected, I will bring this perspective of gratitude while working relentlessly to still improve our great school.
It is an honor and a privilege to be considered to serve as a TCU senator for the class of 2028. I am eager to continue this election process and continue to share my platform as a candidate.
ashley zhang
Hi, I’m Ashley Zhang, and I’m running for re-election as your Class of 2028 Senator!
Since getting involved on Senate, I’ve focused on turning student feedback into visible change, whether that’s big initiatives or everyday fixes that make campus life better.
Over the past two years, I’ve worked on expanding vending machine access across dorms, advocating for more bike racks to improve accessibility and sustainability, and supporting initiatives like the farmers market. I’ve also expanded fruit offerings at Dewick and Carm and worked on the Open Syllabi Project to improve course planning. On the Allocations Board, I helped allocate over $3 million to support student life, from Spring Fling and Tuftonia’s Day to cultural events, performances, and 400+ student organizations.
If re-elected, I’ll continue pushing for more study spaces during midterms and finals, expand the Davis shuttle to reach more student destinations, bring more outdoor live music to campus, and expand late-night food options.
Thank you for trusting me this year! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community, and I’d love the chance to keep doing this work.
Join the Zhang Gang and re-elect Zhang to keep making a BANG.
ruby appleton
I want to continue doing the work that I have done on Senate in my following academic year. The process of being on Senate has been truly enlightening and I can see the effects that a single person can have on our Tufts community and want to keep being part of that positive effect whether that be through budgeting or starting senate initiatives to better our school. I want to keep dedicating myself to communication, transparency, and change.
logan elie
When I look back on my time, I am really grateful for the time I have spent in Senate. I appreciate how Senate has helped me expand my perspective on all of the different experiences that exist on campus and has pushed me to keep advocating for them. It is important to me to serve as a voice for students, especially when meeting with administration, so I can speak up for the student body in a meaningful way. A current project I am working on, and one I hope to continue contributing to next school year as a class senator, is strengthening the relationship between the graduate and undergraduate campuses and making sure students have access to opportunities like internships and research within the university. I am working with the Provost’s Office on creating a centralized system where students can easily find and access these opportunities. I believe strengthening connections across campus is important because it allows students to feel more supported, informed, and included in the opportunities around them. There is so much that exists within the university, and no student should feel like they are missing out simply because they do not know where to look. Senate has given me the platform to help close that gap. I look forward to continuing this work as a senior and building on what I have started, not just to create new initiatives, but to leave a lasting impact that makes campus a more connected and accessible place for all students.