Student Advisory Council
Tisch College Student Advisory Council is made up of twelve students who represent different aspects of the Tisch College student experience. The council meets with the Tisch College staff and leadership to gain and provide insight into the programs, processes, and outreach at Tisch College.

Seray Sawaneh Ajei
As of 25/26, Seray is a junior studying International Relations, Economics, and Film. Shaped by her multi-national identity, having lived between America, Ghana and Sierra Leone in her youth, Seray has developed a strong interest in the stark differences in resource availability between the Global North and South. Drawn to international economic development as a result, her studies in Economics and IR inspire her to better understand the root causes of such disparities, and to seek an active role in minimizing them. Her minor in Film & Media Studies has not only enriched her love for cinema and storytelling, but, in conjunction with her majors, has deepened her appreciation for the power of narrative and representation in fueling activism, and thereby influencing policy. A lover of listening to people’s stories, and supporting them, Seray is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the TSAC board, and cannot wait to be attentive and supportive of the Tufts Community she’s glad to be a part of.

Belén Arbeláez
Belén is a rising sophomore planning to major in International Relations with minors in French and Peace and Justice Studies. She was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and grew up in Puerto Rico and New Jersey. Belén’s passion for community service began at a young age when she worked to support Venezuelan refugees in Colombia. Since then, she has remained deeply committed to uplifting communities in need, particularly by advocating for underserved Colombian populations. At Tufts, she continued her passion for community service through the Civic Semester program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she immersed herself in Thai culture and deepened her understanding of global service and activism. In her free time, Belén enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, playing the cello, cooking, and making scrapbooks. She is excited to continue her civic journey and contribute meaningfully to the Tisch College community.

Hanne Awuletey-Williams
I’m a sophomore majoring in International Relations with minors in French and Peace and Justice Studies. On campus, I’ve been involved with some organizations, including serving as Outreach Coordinator for the Sub-Saharan African Research Group (SSARG) and as DEI Chair for the Leonard Carmichael Society during the 2024–2025 academic year. I’m also a member of the African Student Organization and will be starting my term as Co-President this year. I have been involved with Tisch College through my involvement in SSARG under the Initiative for Global Leadership (IGL), the Leonard Carmicheal Society, and through my minor in Peace and Justice Studies. I have always been deeply interested in public policy, human rights, and civic studies. As someone who was raised in Ghana, I have continued to be passionate about the communities and cultures I have found myself in, and this has fueled my drive to be an advocate for marginalised communities and make a difference in any way that I can. I’m looking forward to being more involved with Tisch College and fostering civic engagement in the Tufts community and beyond!

Jamie Forman
Jamie Forman is a junior from Bethesda, Maryland, majoring in Clinical Psychology and Child Studies & Human Development. She is a coxswain on the men’s rowing team and has served as both a Green Dot representative and a Civic Life ambassador (CLA). As a CLA, Jamie organized and contributed to several community engagement initiatives, including a campus-wide kickball tournament in partnership with the Somerville Homeless Coalition, a Malden River cleanup with the Mystic River Watershed Association, and a mentorship program with the Malden High School Rowing Team. At Tufts, Jamie works in a research lab dedicated to caregiving youth, helping raise awareness and shape supportive policies and practices. This past summer, she interned with both HOPE at Tufts Medical Center and JSSA, gaining hands-on experience in mental health through direct social services and applied research. Jamie’s passion for civic and clinical work stems from her interest in the intersection of mental health, youth development, and systems of care. She’s excited for the opportunity to serve on TSAC and contribute to meaningful change in the greater Tufts Community.

Carly Johnson Pellegri
Carly is a sophomore at Tufts University studying Sociology and Civic Studies. On campus, she plays for the women’s club rugby team, writes for The Zamboni, and hosts a radio show. Her involvement and interest with Tisch College is closely tied to her academic interests, as she plans to focus her studies on social inequalities in urban environments. Additionally, she participated in Tisch College’s pre-orientation program FOCUS, and is returning as support staff for the following year. This experience connected her with Tisch and all the opportunities there are during her time at Tufts. Carly is hoping her contributions to TSAC will help to introduce more students to Tisch College’s resources and contributions on campus.

Nicole Kuhl
Hi! I’m Nicole Kuhl, a rising junior from the Jersey Shore, pursuing a double major in Child Study and Human Development, and Education. My current ambition is to attend law school, where I hope to specialize in education law, advocacy, and reform. On campus, I balance my academics with being a member of the Women’s Track and Field team, Green Dot and the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Last year, I was my team's representative for Tisch College’s Student Athlete Civic Engagement course, where I had the opportunity to pioneer and lead multiple service events for the Medford and Somerville community. This year, I'm excited to be TA-ing that same course! Additionally, I've had the opportunity to conduct research with the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, alongside my academic advisor, focusing on the development of morality in pre-adolescents. Off campus, I enjoy working out, volunteering, relaxing at the beach, and discovering new coffee shops and thrift stores. I’m deeply committed to community service and inspiring others to give back as well.

Alison Mazich
Alison Mazich is a sophomore from Northern New Jersey studying Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Sociology. She has been involved with Tisch College through the Leonard Carmichael Society, where she serves on the executive board as a subgroup coordinator, supporting several student-led service groups and helping strengthen their connections with local organizations. Through LCS, she also led a volunteer site for the Annual Day of Service, coordinating with the Somerville Homeless Coalition to address food insecurity. She mentors local elementary school students through Girls Inc., and is a member of Engineers Without Borders, working on a local greenhouse project to support food access in Somerville. As an engineering student, she brings a problem-solving mindset to her civic work and is passionate about making engagement more accessible to students across disciplines. She hopes to help create more inclusive pathways into civic life and is excited to connect with peers from across campus through the Tisch Student Advisory Council.

Teagan Mustone
Teagan Mustone is a junior studying Philosophy, Civic Studies, and Religion. She was born and raised in Medford, MA and is deeply committed to bridging the gap between Tufts and its “host communities.” Teagan began her Tufts journey in Urubamba, Peru through the Civic Semester, and upon returning to campus, became an intern for the Tufts Office of Government and Community Relations and joined the TUPIT family. On campus, Teagan is involved in JumboVote, the Tufts Chaplaincy, and Ethics Bowl. Teagan currently lives at the Haley House in Boston where she helps prepare and serve about 100 plates a day for the South End community. Teagan’s first exposure to Haley House was as an intern and Tisch Scholar for the LiFT (Life Foundations Training) Reentry Community. Teagan is grateful for the opportunities at Tisch College and is excited for another year on TSAC.

Hanshika Neupane
Hanshika is a junior from Kathmandu, Nepal, studying International Relations with a regional focus on South Asia and the Middle East, alongside Economics. She is a Laidlaw Scholar and student researcher with interests in transitional justice, resistance movements, and feminist histories. At Tufts, she serves as Co-President of the South Asian Regional Committee (SARC), is an active member of the Middle Eastern Research Group (MERG), works at Tisch Library, and serves as a student consultant. As a FIRST student, she is passionate about expanding access to civic opportunities and ensuring that all students have a voice in shaping institutional change. She understands the power of storytelling, research, activism, and student leadership. Through her work with TSAC, she hopes to amplify diverse voices, support inclusive campus programming, and ensure that Tisch remains a space where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead.

Ishaan Rajiv Rajabali
Ishaan is a senior from Bombay, India. On campus, he is involved with The Tufts Daily and the Leonard Carmichael Society, where he begins his term as Co-President this year. When he's not in a classroom or a club meeting, he can be found reading on the Academic Quad or standing in the eternal queue at the Sink.
Ishaan's interest in civic participation comes from the communities he is a part of. His respect and appreciation for diversity is deeply influenced by his multicultural upbringing. Engagement with his peers' perspectives at Tufts and learning from their stories has further broadened his horizons. Last summer, he interned at Hunnarshala, an NGO based in rural India. There, he had the opportunity to engage with pastoralists, artisans, and social workers to deepen his understanding of the potential that sustainable civic change holds.
Tisch College has been instrumental in helping Ishaan take his interests from classroom to community, and he looks forward to working with TSAC to broaden the avenues for civic engagement at Tufts. He hopes that his experiences will help contribute to meaningful change at a local level with a global perspective.

Bela Silverman
Bela Silverman is a senior from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, double majoring in Climate Science and English. On campus, Bela is involved as Head Speaker Coach for TEDxTufts, Housing Manager for Chi Omega, Editor and Writer for The Tufts Daily Opinion Section, and is active in the Tufts Geological Society and Animal Aid. Bela’s civic engagement stems from her experiences as a two-time Tisch Summer Fellow, having worked with the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture and ecoRI News, both nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing environmental justice and climate science communication. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the Fells, spending time with friends in Boston, and picking up a good book. Bela is committed to Tisch’s civic mission and is excited to continue contributing to TSAC for another year!

Claire Wood
Claire is a junior from the San Francisco Bay Area and studies art history, Spanish, and math at Tufts. On campus, she is most involved with the Tufts Daily, Tufts Gymnastics Team, and Animal Aid. Claire has enjoyed engaging with Tisch College; she has particularly enjoyed attending the Solomont Speaker Series events and volunteering within the Leonard Carmichael Society. Claire is very excited to continue working with TSAC to increase student engagement in Tisch College and all of its programming!