Student Government Elections

The 2025 USG Election Campaigning period has begun! All related forms can be found on UIC Connections – under the Office of the Dean of Students. 

 

Official 2024 Election Results

These are the official results of the 2024 USG Elections! The EPC has resolved all complaints and has certified the election results on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024. The EPC agreed that the declared winners of this election are the students who have received the most votes.

 

SMBOT

Candidates Votes
Quinn Basta 1431 (Declared Winner)
No Vote 592

USG President

Candidate Vote
Anthony Cruz 632
Asa Asad 1261 (Declared Winner)
No Vote 130

USG Vice President

Candidate Votes
Dilay Heybeli 1192 (Declared Winner)
Khushi Patel 694
No Votes 137

House of Representatives

Candidate Votes
Abdullah Abdul Sami 421
Aden Joe 422
Akshat Khatri 326
Ashley Huang 460
Dhanushri Devi Kannan 306
Dream Cannon 446
Fatou Dioum 346
Jacob Maduakolam 180
James Saba 323
Jeeranun Chotewattana 554
Mahanoor Murtaza 243
Manasvi Thumu 337
Matthew Jay Caballes 395
Michaella Olegario 427
Moe Jumah 532
Nathan Thokkudubiyyapu 387
Nina Fonseca 309
Olamiji Fabamigbe 326
Sajal Shukla 346
Sara Rothenbaum 391
Spencer Basta 345
Tereza Progri 452
Yozlem Sali 300
No Vote 496

Undergraduate Student Senator

Candidate Votes
Akshat Khatri 469
Aparna Ramakrishnan 633
Asa Asad 988
Ashley Haung 670
Nathan Thokkudubiyyapu 573
No Vote 575

Meet the Candidates!

Below are the listed candidates running for Student Member on the Board of Trustees (SMBOT), USG President, USG Vice President, USG Member on the House of Representatives and Undergraduate Student Senator.

Nathan Thokkudubiyyapu

Greetings, Flames! As a candidate for USG President, I’m here to drive real, actionable change for UIC students. Advocacy should be proactive, not reactive. My experience in extracurriculars has shown me that when we push for what we need, better funding for student orgs, stronger tutoring resources, improved campus safety, free textbooks, and more, we get results. Let’s take action together!

Dilay Heybeli

Dear Flames! I’m excited to announce my candidacy for re-election as your VP! Once again, I’ll give my all to make your UIC experience unforgettable—socially, academically, and professionally. Together, we will strengthen campus culture, boost student engagement, support athletics, empower student organizations, expand career opportunities, and build a stronger alumni network. I’m dedicated to helping you thrive today and champion your future; let’s unite and ignite UIC to the brightest!

Quinn Basta 

Hey, UIC Flames! I’m running for re-election as your Student Trustee to push our incredible momentum forward. This year, we made significant strides in tackling food insecurity, creating a stronger community, and amplifying student voices to the UIC administration. I’m excited to build on these successes, and together, we can continue elevating UIC into the leading student-centric institution in the University of Illinois System. Let’s take action UIC!

Kamran Shafi

I am running for the UIC Undergraduate Student Government (USG) House of Representatives to advocate for student needs and enhance campus life. With experience in student leadership and event programming, I will work to improve campus resources, increase student engagement, and ensure transparency in USG decisions. My goal is to amplify student voices and create meaningful change that benefits our diverse UIC community.

Anvi Shevade 

Hello, my name Is Anvi Shevade, and I am a current freshman majoring in Integrated Health Studies on the Pre-med track. I am excited to get the opportunity to be part of the USG House of Representatives. Throughout my time at USG, I have had the privilege of being involved in the Legislative Advising Committee, helping with election efforts, community awareness about ongoing issues, and, most recently, working on a plan to make the UIC night ride and transportation system safer and more efficient. When I can continue my term, I will continue my current efforts to help the campus stay more engaged and involved in student activities. I will also continue focusing on safety and ensuring student voices on issues are directly heard and addressed.

Safa Fathima

Hi! My name is Safa Fathima, and I am a current first-year studying neuroscience and political science as a part of GPPA Medicine. I am running for re-election in the USG House of Representatives to redefine student success to include a balance in and out of the classroom. I’m passionate about easing financial burdens through textbook exchanges promoting sustainability, improving health access with pop-up clinics and health literacy programs, and ensuring dining options cater to diverse our student body’s cultural and dietary needs. I’m committed to turning student concerns into real, impactful solutions supporting success in every campus life aspect.

Ohik Kwon

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Aya Belhandouz 

Hello! My name is Aya Belhandouz and I am running for USG Representative. As a representative this year, I have been committed to student success and would like to continue that next year. As your representative, I would work to create an inclusive environment for all students while celebrating their success. I would ensure to listen to students and help implement the changes that they want made to UIC.    

Allie Salem

My name is Alissar Salem (Allie) and as a current student representative, I advocate for student success and contribute to board meetings to discuss transformative changes that can be attainable for students at UIC. I plan to provide a platform for different voices in a diverse space as UIC. I aim to be an international lawyer in the future, which makes me eager to achieve inclusivity and bring awareness to global issues.

Iessa Wahid

I am an undergraduate student at UIC studying Information and Decision Sciences with a minor in Economics. Passionate about student advocacy and campus engagement, I aim to enhance student resources, promote transparency, and ensure every student’s voice is heard. Through my role in USG, I am committed to making meaningful changes that benefit the UIC community

Artur Vlasenko

My belief is simple—every student should have the chance to grow, push limits, and take everything college offers. I am committed to making desirable opportunity accessible, whether in undergraduate research, sports, on-campus employment, or extracurriculars. Opportunity should always meet ambition.

Mehdi Abbas

I am Mehdi Abbas, a sophomore majoring in IDS & Finance at UIC. I am passionate about advocating for student rights, increasing campus accessibility, and improving mental health resources for students. I am dedicated to ensuring that every UIC student has a voice and the support they need to succeed. My goal as a candidate is to bridge the gap between students and administration, ensuring that student needs are always prioritized.

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Ian Hunt

Ian is a third-year political science and economics student aspiring to become a lawyer in the entertainment field. Ian is dedicated to supporting UIC students by connecting transfer students with tailored resources like the Transfer Assistance Center and guiding them into student organizations through UIC Connection. Additionally, he looks to find ways to improve outreach in the Center for Student Involvement.

Ruqaya Ogaili

My name is Ruqaya Ogaili. I’m a first-generation student from Iraq majoring in political science and pursuing a law degree. As a student, I have taken on the leadership role very naturally. This includes leading organizations, internships, and more. Examples of that would be being the president of the Asian Student Association, vice president of the International Student Association, and current executive director and co-founder of . I currently am the co-founder and executive director of the Student Engagement Political Network. As senate, my goals are on:

– Improving the quality of food

– Reducing costs of school materials

– Provide full support to students regarding mental health through the wellness center

I’m excited to be a part of your journey and to bring a fresh perspective to our beautiful campus.

Nathan Thokkudubiyyapu

Greetings, Flames! As a candidate for USG President, I’m here to drive real, actionable change for UIC students. Advocacy should be proactive, not reactive. My experience in extracurriculars has shown me that when we push for what we need, better funding for student orgs, stronger tutoring resources, improved campus safety, free textbooks, and more, we get results. Let’s take action together!

Hope Davis

Hope is a second-year political science and public policy student dedicated to strengthening civic engagement at UIC. As a leader in campus organizations focused on civic education, Hope has worked to promote policy discussions and connect students with meaningful advocacy opportunities. Committed to fostering a culture of informed participation, Hope strives to elevate UIC’s civic engagement efforts, ensuring that every student has the tools and opportunities to actively shape their community.   

Official 2023 Election Results

The EPC ratifies the 2023-2024 student election results. The EPC verified that all pending complaints have been resolved. The EPC agreed that the declared winners of the this election are the students who have received the most votes.

Candidate Votes
Mohammed Haq 1340 (declared winner)
No Vote 706
Candidate Votes
Matthew Almendras 1317 (declared winner)
Nazra Shahnaz Zafar 586
No Vote 153
Candidate Votes
Jair Alvarez 538
Michael Fernandes 1345 (declared winner)
No Vote 173
Candidate Votes
Amena Lnu 274
Samuel Blin 525
Matthew Caballes 452
Kartikeya Dixit 326
Saide Flores 376
Lauren Hanna 565
Madaline Lopez 401
Selah Magruder 428
Ahmad Omar 282
Jiya Patel 511
Khushi Patel 484
Sabrina Zhang 503
No Vote 941
Candidate Votes
Asa Asad 749
No Vote 1307

Helpful Links

EPC Election Planning Committee

Student Election Documents

Here you can find the official student election timeline to stay up to date this election season. For students who would like to submit a referendum for the ballot, information can be found here.