Student Affairs Student Cabinet

Hi everyone! My name is Alexander Aviña (He/Him) and I am a member of the Student Affairs Student Cabinet (SASC). I am from Salinas, California and a second-year student planning on majoring in Sociology. I am excited to be a part of this cabinet as I get to contribute meaningful suggestions and discussions regarding student life at UC Santa Barbara. I am excited to work with the other members and make an impact during our time here. I am interested in this because, as an aspiring law school student with hopes of working in education legislation as a career, I want to participate in committee-based groups to learn how administrations make decisions for educational institutions. Outside of SASC, I am the current Finance Vice-President for the Residential Housing Association (RHA), Education Policy research assistant for a UCSB PhD student, UCSB Pre-Law Society Events Committee member, UCSB Lobby Corps Co-Communications Director, and a member of the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. I am also learning how to DJ, and I love to play video games on my Nintendo Switch.

*Fun fact: I'm left handed!

My name is Ariel Moore, and I’m currently a sophomore at UC Santa Barbara, where I’m majoring in History of Public Policy and Law with a minor in Spanish. Originally from Hercules, California, in the Bay Area’s East Bay. I’ve always been drawn to exploring new places and ideas. In my free time, I have a deep love for all things water—whether it's swimming, sailing, or just relaxing at the beach. I also enjoy going to the gym, skiing, taking road trips, cooking, playing video games, and listening to music. My passion for community engagement and advocacy is what inspired me to join the Student Affairs Student Cabinet. I’m eager to contribute to shaping campus life by offering insights and ideas that can improve the overall student experience. Through my involvement, I hope to gain valuable leadership skills, collaborate with like-minded peers, and make a meaningful impact on UCSB’s campus. Looking ahead, I plan to attend law school after graduation and pursue a career in international affairs as an international attorney, where I can combine my passion for law, public service, and global engagement. I look forward to making an impact here at UCSB!

Hi, I'm Emily Galfayan, and I’m a member of the Student Affairs Student Cabinet. I’m a first-year Armenian-American majoring in Political Science, and I am quite interested in the field of politics. I have a passion for uplifting the voices of smaller communities and providing help to those in need of it. My goal for being a part of this cabinet is to amplify concerns expressed by other students and to make changes to the campus that would be beneficial to others. As I mentioned before, I am quite interested in politics, and I am even the co-president of the Political Science Club on campus. After graduating, I am striving to attend law school so I can become a lawyer one day.

Hey Gauchos! My name is Farid Hadj, and I am a Political Science major with an emphasis on American Politics at UC Santa Barbara. As a transfer student, I understand the challenges of navigating university systems and am committed to ensuring student voices are heard in key decision-making spaces. My background includes working in local and state government, where I’ve focused on policy research, constituent advocacy, and community engagement. I joined the Student Affairs Student Cabinet because I am passionate about improving student experiences and increasing transparency in university policies. In the future, I am interested in pursuing a career in public service, law, or policy-making to continue working on initiatives that impact communities at both the local and national levels.

My name is Jaber Daneshamooz, and I am a PhD student in Computer Science. I am honored to serve as one of the graduate representatives for the Student Affairs Student Cabinet, committed to making UCSB a better place for both academic and personal growth for students from diverse backgrounds. My goal is to advocate for graduate students, especially international students, ensuring their voices are heard and their unique needs are considered in decision-making processes. I am also involved in the Student Engagement Committee of the Computer Science Department and have mentored many students throughout my time at UCSB. Beyond academics, I enjoy surfing and hiking.

*Fun fact: Going through my liked songs takes you on an emotional roller coaster.

Hello! My name is Katy Fyvie, and I am a third-year Political Science major originally from Orange County, California. I joined the Student Affairs Student Cabinet mainly due to my passion for advocacy work, but I am also excited to gain experience working with UCSB administrators and faculty to make the student experience more fruitful. Some areas of particular interest for me are food security, access to housing, and safety precaution development for UCSB students. Through my role in the cabinet, I hope to gain valuable leadership skills, collaborate with diverse student leaders, and contribute to meaningful discussions that create a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. I plan to apply these experiences to my future career, as I hope to become an attorney with a focus on public policy, social justice, and international law. At UCSB, I am also a part of the Isla Vista Surfrider Chapter, where I serve as a member of the Environmental Policy Committee. 

*Fun fact: In my free time, I enjoy surfing, hiking, camping, and road trips with friends! 

My name is Leili, and I am a fourth-year student majoring in Sociology with minors in French and Applied Psychology at UCSB. Throughout my time here, I have actively engaged in various organizations and leadership roles. I served on the Collegiate Panhellenic Council for two years, initially as Vice President of Programming and later as President. In these positions, I collaborated with sororities, university officials, and campus departments to foster communication and provide valuable resources to the 2000+ members of the UCSB Panhellenic Community. Additionally, I am currently in my second year as a Student Life Intern with SEAL, where I assist in overseeing more than 500 registered campus organizations. I also serve as the UCSB Undergraduate Title IV Representative, attending quarterly meetings to stay informed on relevant issues. Finally, I am a proud mentee in the NUFP program, which provides a deeper understanding of higher education and its various facets.

*Fun fact: I am an avid runner, and I ran the NYC marathon last November!

Hey Gauchos! My name is Oseinou Diagne, and I'm an English major with a minor in Civic Engagement. As a member of the Student Affairs Student Cabinet, I want to advocate for student needs by focusing on outreach. One way I'm hoping to do this is by connecting the Office of DEI and the Multicultural Center to increase funding and outreach for DEI events. Additionally, by collaborating with the UCSB Public Affairs social media team, I hope to increase the amount of student-related information on their social media accounts. I also work with the AS Internal Vice President as the Senate Media Coordinator to assist with student government outreach. In the future, I'd like to pursue a career as a communications director, focusing on networking, outreach, and building liaisons.

Hey UCSB community! My name is Patrick Tugwell, and I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Religious Studies at UCSB, focusing on religion and popular culture in American history, with recent questions about the utility of “spirituality” in 21st-century America. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UNC Greensboro and master’s degrees in theology from Boston University and Yale University. I have served as a hospital chaplain, am a United Methodist minister, and currently work part-time as a hospice and palliative care chaplain in Santa Barbara County. A through-line of my varied experiences is a commitment to supporting both individual and community well-being—centering on the idea that even while we pursue personal achievement, we don’t lose sight of our collective good. Having served on student councils, ethics boards, and alumni engagement committees at previous universities and associated non-profit organizations, I believe collaboration between students and leadership is key to meaningful and lasting progress toward a healthier, more supportive campus environment here at UCSB. A strong campus community develops through practical solutions—including access to safe and affordable housing, campus safety measures, wellness support, and reliable food options—so that, with basic needs met, students can focus on their studies. As someone who has experienced life as both an undergraduate and graduate student, I understand the challenges at different stages of the academic journey and am committed to listening actively and advocating for the voices of fellow students so all may feel supported and equipped to succeed.

*Fun fact: I played baseball through high school and later returned as an assistant varsity coach at my alma mater. With family who’ve coached and others who’ve played professionally, the game was central to my upbringing and helped shape who I am today. One of the seasons I coached, we reached the Virginia Class 6A state finals—the first appearance in the school's then 111-year history—falling short in a 2-1 loss with the tying run on second in the last inning. It was a memorable experience that reinforced my love for the game.

Sarah Bacon is a Master’s student in Religious Studies at UC Santa Barbara. A former marketing executive in the software industry, she brings a unique perspective to her studies, focusing on understanding complex systems of meaning and governance. She employs both humanist and empirical methodologies to uncover insights from personal stories, lived experiences, quantitative data, and statistical analyses, ensuring a nuanced and impactful approach to ethical policymaking and institutional transformation. Sarah currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs for UCSB’s Graduate Student Association, representing the university at the UC-wide, state, and federal levels. She also serves on the UCSB Academic Senate Council on Faculty Welfare, Academic Freedom & Awards, as well as the UCSB Police Accountability Board. Through these roles, Sarah advances the University of California’s mission to serve society and upholds her personal commitment to fostering an ethical and equitable higher education experience for students, faculty, and staff alike.