Executive Office Candidates

Presidential Candidates

Ali Darvishi ConnectUTD President Ali is a senior majoring in public affairs and minoring in cognitive science and is running for SG president.



Throughout my time at UTD, I’ve been a brother of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, where I serve as the current Sergeant at Arms, and in the past three years, served as director of public relations, director of philanthropy and as an honor board chairman. I was also the vice president of community relations for UTD’s Interfraternity Council.



I am running for SG president because UTD, as a newer university, is growing every day and we need outspoken, energetic and creative student leadership to serve the student body and provide a more enjoyable campus experience for all.



As an outsider of SG, I believe I can provide a bridge between the student body and SG, and help build a movement and culture where SG can maintain transparent cohesiveness with students and organizations. My priorities include communicating student frustrations about parking to administration, providing Uber/Lyft discounts, supporting and protecting DACA and our international students, improving campus sustainability by supporting a composting program and installing more recycling bins, encouraging student showcases of art, creating more music programs and performing arts events, and hosting monthly meetings with student organization leaders.



Overall, UTD has excelled in many aspects. To keep this up, we need to encourage excellence in all areas to the best of our ability to build a well-connected and more enjoyable experience for students.

Winner Sara Brennan Amplify President Sara is a senior finance and economics major and she is running for Student Government president.



I am dedicated to implementing racial equity initiatives via Student Government, and I am proud to be part of the first womxn of color duo to run for office at UTD.



After the Black Student Body’s (BSB) call to action was met with administrative resistance, the Amplify ticket was born. Our goal is to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, consistently advocate for the BSB and make equitable change on campus. We will push to create a Diversity and Equity committee in SG, increase funding for resources like the Diversity Scholars Program, the Multicultural Center and the Student Counseling Center, and expand anti-racism curriculum. Among other directives to make UTD a more inclusive and equitable place, we also will prioritize student worker demands and drive a movement to increase diversity among faculty and staff.



As a former SG senator, I hosted a Womxn in SG event focused on encouraging more womxn to run for SG. On campus, I’ve been an orientation leader, a NOVA ambassador and an officer in CometTHON, Greek Life and Deeds Not Words.



I have grown to love UTD and all its students and I have developed connections with people who have shown me where UTD needs improvement. Through my experiences in leading various areas of campus life, I have gained the skills and confidence necessary to stand firmly for what needs to be done while also working with others to accomplish goals. I am excited to make history and amplify voices that have been overlooked.

Vice Presidential Candidates

Winner Rutendo Chando Amplify Vice President Rutendo is a sophomore history major and she is running for SG vice president.



I am passionate about racial equity in education. I believe SG must push UTD to make necessary changes, specifically regarding funding minority students who are barred from accessing scholarships. For example, those like the Academic Excellence Scholarship are often granted on the basis of standardized testing. The selection process is shrouded in secrecy. If elected, I will advocate for increased transparency in scholarship selection and lobby for the removal of standardized test results as an admissions criterion. The addition of a Diversity and Equity committee will lead the charge in fixing issues related to scholarship selection. Scholarships are difficult to access for immigrant and international students, and I am determined to change that issue.



I am the proud founder of the UTD Immigrant Rights Coalition, which was created to assist immigrant populations in Dallas in applying for scholarships. As your next vice president, I will expand these efforts to our students. Serving on the Graduate and International Affairs committee last year helped me realize we need to amplify international student voices on campus.



While I am passionate about decreasing the disparities found in the education system, I am also involved on campus as a former senator, Gemini Ambassador and a former UTD volleyball player. I have a background of not only being one of UTD’s underrepresented populations, but also an international student who understands the struggles immigration presents. We are excited to make history and amplify voices that have been overlooked!