Union Theological Seminary boasts a rich array of student organizations, which are designed to meet the needs and address the concerns of a variety of student demographics and interests. Each official caucus has voting rights in the Student Senate, is accountable to the student body through reports given at Student Senate meetings, and receives a budget from the Student Senate. The student organizations provide a valuable avenue by which students may grow deeper in community and common purpose.
STUDENT SENATE 2023 – 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SENATE CO-CHAIRS
Dayo Adeyoye (contact)
Peter Tanaka (contact)
TREASURER
Brendan Nee (contact)
If you are planning a student activity that requires funds or access to the student senate credit card, please email Brendan for approval first.
SECRETARY
Leslie Martinez (contact)
MINISTERS OF FUN
Jalesha Bass (contact)
Destinee Bates – Pubtender (contact)
STUDENT SENATE REPRESENTATIVES
Representative at Large: Sally Rausch (contact)
1st Year MDiv Representative: Anna Kruse (contact)
2nd Year MDiv Representative: Andrew Her (contact)
3rd Year MDiv Representative: Lauren Kelly Benson (contact)
1st Year MA Representative: Helena Theis (contact)
2nd Year MA Representative: Michelle Dibblee (contact)
STM Representative: Radiance Richardson (contact)
PhD Representative: Dorte Mohme (contact)
Historian: Prince Acquah (contact)
Academic Affairs (MDiv Rep): Aurora Celestin (contact)
Academic Affairs (MASJ Rep): Sarah Raynor (contact)
Academic Affairs (MA Rep): Elikplim Zanthia (contact)
Academic Affairs (PhD Rep): Irene Preetha Prasannakumar (contact)
Assessment Committee: Brad Eubanks (contact) and Radiance Richardson (contact)
Building and Grounds Committee: Laura Brown-Lavoie (contact)
Columbia-UTS Observer: Karl Taps (contact)
Ed Tech Committee: Elliot Weidenaar (contact) and Enchanta Jackson (contact)
Educational Policy Committee: Alisha Madkins (contact) and Brad Eubanks (contact)
Justice and Equity Committee: Lauren Kelly Benson (contact) and Aurora Celestin (contact)
Investment Committee: Shifa Rahman (contact) and Thomas Majors (contact)
Development Committee: A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (contact) and Anna Kruse (contact)
Strategic Planning Committee: Ali Hameed (contact)
Union Medal Committee: Jordan Jones (contact)
STUDENT CAUCUSES 2023-2024
Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus | Eliette Choi (contact) and Kathy Lin (contact)
Black Caucus | Steff Reed (contact)
Black Women’s Caucus | Aurora Celestin (contact)
Body Caucus | Inactive
Buddhist Student Collective | Contact
Disability Justice Caucus | Schuyler Rowe (contact)
Eco-Justice Caucus | TBA
FIERCE, the Caucus for Queer People of Color | Destinee Bates (contact) and Tyrone Davis (contact)
Friends by the River | Inactive
Heretic | Jordan Jones (contact) and Kathy Lin (contact)
Interfaith Justice Caucus | Shifa Rahman (contact) and Rachel Nisero-Paralkar (contact)
International Students Caucus | Radiance Richardson (contact)
Latinx Caucus | Yarilynne Regalado (contact) and Leslie Martinez (contact)
Pagan Caucus | Laura Brown-Lavoie (contact)
Partners and Family | Inactive
Persist, the Caucus for Gender Equality | Inactive
Queer Caucus | Brendan Nee (contact) and Eric Busby (contact)
Tech/AI Caucus | Inactive
Arts Caucus | Inactive
Practical Theology | Inactive
Seminarians for Reproductive Justice | Inactive
Students for Peace and Justice | Inactive
The Union Voice | Inactive
Theology, Science & Religion | Inactive
Transgender Nonconforming (TGNC) | Inactive
Wayward Wisdom Caucus | Blanche Colson (contact) and Karl Taps (contact)
Women’s Interfaith Residency Program (WIRP) | WIRP Residents (contact)
