The University Student Senate Steering Committee chairs for 2024 – 2025
Meet the Committee
We are a committee dedicated to steering the USS Agenda.
DANIEL REDEN
Daniel Reden is the 38th Chairperson of the University Student Senate and Student Trustee of the City University of New York.
Reden is a first-generation college student born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn to Nigerian immigrant parents. For as long as Reden can remember, his parents lauded education as the engine of social and economic mobility. Following his parents’ advice, Reden actively searched for quality education, and that search led him to CUNY.
Since he was thirteen years old, Reden has worked to support himself and his family. Recently, he was the Community Outreach Specialist for NPower, a non-profit organization that assists POC, ages 18-26, and veterans in starting a career in technology through technical training, professional development, and corporate sponsorship.
Today, Reden is a student at the CUNY School of Professional Studies majoring in Business, where he is a member of the Student Association, the SPS Governing Council, the Committee on Institutional Equity and Diversity, and the President of the Black Student Union.
Reden ran for the USS Chair because of his passion for justice and equity and his ability to effectively communicate the collective will of the USS and the student body as well as support, encourage, and enhance the student government leadership on their own accord.
TAHISHA FIELDS
President of Graduate Student Assembly Senate
Baruch College
M.A. Mental Health Counseling, Class of 2025 (Specializing in Populations: Children to Young Adults)
Tahisha is a second-year master’s student in Baruch College’s Mental Health Counseling (MHC) program, graduating in 2025. Her academic journey mirrors that of many older, nontraditional students. With a background in fashion design, she initially pursued a career in the luxury fashion industry, working with prominent clothing brands. However, her passion for mentoring and empowering young minds led her to transition into teaching, spending six years as a middle school teacher in the Bronx.
During her teaching career, Tahisha took on the role of mentor and advocate for her students, creating initiatives such as a peer group called “Girl Chat.” This program, which she established with the help of volunteer high school students, provided a safe and inclusive space for middle school girls to build meaningful relationships and foster self-esteem and self-worth, regardless of their shape, shade, or cultural background. The group met twice a month and became a significant support system for its members.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for Tahisha. While teaching remotely, she realized that her interactions with students often felt more like therapy sessions than traditional classroom instruction. This revelation inspired her to pursue a career in mental health counseling. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, concentrating in Black and Latin Studies from Baruch College, she took the next step by enrolling in Baruch’s MHC master’s program to follow her passion for helping others on a deeper level.
In 2023, Tahisha was elected President of the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Senate at Baruch College. Her leadership focuses on advocating for enhanced resources and visibility for graduate students across Baruch’s three schools. In her first semester, she successfully initiated changes aimed at modernizing stagnant policies related to curriculum and budget allocation. Her efforts have strengthened GSA’s role in representing graduate students and improving their overall experience.
Tahisha’s dedication to advocacy extends beyond the Baruch campus. In May 2024, she was elected to her local community board, where she serves on two subcommittees: Health, Seniors & Human Services / Youth, Education, & Human Rights and the Economic Committee. Through these roles, she continues to champion initiatives that amplify the voices of those who often go unheard.
AKKEEM POLACK
Akkeem Polack, originally from Jamaica, is a student at York College in Jamaica, Queens. New York has been a significant part of his journey since birth, shaping his perspective and inspiring his commitment to service and advocacy within the CUNY community. He serves as the Vice Chair for Legislative Affairs, focusing on making CUNY a more affordable, accessible, and supportive institution for students across all campuses. His role in the University Student Senate and positions on the Executive Board of his local Student Government, the York College Senate, and the CUNY Interfaith Fellowship highlight his dedication to the student experience and active participation in shaping policies impacting the entire CUNY student body.
Over the years, Akkeem has worked closely with impactful organizations, including Youth Can Do I.T., Jamaica Millennium Vision for Youth, and the Youth Innovation Center. Through these collaborations, he has reached over 800,000 students, supporting and empowering young people at various educational levels. In his work, he has been instrumental in enhancing access to student resources, advocating for meaningful educational reforms, and strengthening essential support systems. Akkeem has witnessed firsthand how well-designed policies and robust support frameworks can transform students’ academic journeys and opportunities, motivating him to continue working toward meaningful change within CUNY.
In addition to his advocacy work, Akkeem has a strong foundation in the tech industry, with experience as an Instructional Technician, Website Developer, Website Manager, and in Technical Operations. His work has extended internationally, as he’s contributed as a writer for the Jamaica Observer, an education technology company, and a lifestyle brand in Ghana. Each of these roles has helped him refine skills in adaptability, communication, and strategic planning, which are central to his leadership style. Akkeem’s diverse experiences have taught him the importance of collaboration, empathy, and resilience, which he brings into his commitment to helping every CUNY student thrive and succeed. His goal is clear: to build a stronger, more equitable system where students can access the tools and support they need to reach their potential.
JOSIAH RAMESAR
JOSEPH NEWSWANDER
Joseph is a rising senior (Class of 2025) in the Labor Studies BA program at the School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU), the newest CUNY campus established in 2018. His journey has been advocacy and activism-driven since he co-organized a walkout demonstration at his Utah high school in response to school shootings. Since then, he has advocated for students, retirees, patients, and coworkers in roles such as AmeriCorps tutoring coordinator and Policy intern at a healthcare training nonprofit, focusing on equity-driven education policy, social determinants of health, and organizational change. Joseph currently serves in Student Union leadership at SLU as a Steering Committee Member and technology fee delegate.
DAINMA MARTINEZ
Dainma Martínez is an Hostos student majoring in forensic science, expected graduating year of spring 2025. She is the 2023-2024 Student Government Association (SGA) president and actively participates in the Student Leadership Academy, University Student Senate Delegate, Model Senate, Malave Academy and is the former President of the Black Student Union. Dainma is an Afro Latinx from the Bronx who aspires to be a forensic pathologist and, through this work, wants to give families the knowledge of the special circumstances that may have led to the death of their loved ones. Her commitment to service is also reflected in her involvement in community outreach and advocacy for underrepresented groups. Eventually, she hopes to own a funeral home to provide families with the closure and peace they deserve, combining her scientific expertise with compassionate care. Dainma’s dedication to her studies and her community underscores her determination to make a meaningful impact in her field and beyond.
JUNIOR ANDREWS
Junior Andrews is the Sophomore Class President at Medgar Evers College, in the vibrant campus in Crown Heights Brooklyn. As a student and member of the Student Government Association at Medgar Evers College, Andrews serves as the freshman class president in 2023-24 and now sophomore class president. Major BFA, Senator Andrews holds the position of ambassador and student representative for the CEO, round table Cancer Research. He also sits on a variety of boards at Medgar Evers College, and brings to USS CUNY his experience and dedication to building new and innovative ideas and solutions, with collaboration and cooperation we can make. The school experience becomes a more meaningful and incredible opportunity for students centered growth.
TATIANA ALEXIS-MCLAREN
I’m Tatiana Alexis-Mclaren, a senior at York College majoring in Chemistry with a focus on biochemistry. Originally from Texas, I moved to New York City two and a half years ago. I’ve been a part of student government for nearly two years and am currently serving my second year as a USS delegate. After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in biochemistry. I’m passionate about advocating for students and continuing my journey in the sciences.
As someone who has worked closely with children with developmental disabilities and personally navigated the challenges of living with ADHD and battling depression, I understand that individuals with disabilities simply want to be accommodated and treated with the respect that everyone deserves. My experience has given me deep empathy and insight into the needs of students with disabilities. I am passionate about advocating for inclusive environments that provide the necessary resources and support, and as vice chair, I will work tirelessly to ensure that all students can thrive, no matter their challenges.
JOHN JARA MORALES
John D. Jara Morales, Vice Chair for International Student Affairs & President of the Student Government Association, LaGuardia Community College.
John is an accomplished Ecuadorian student leader pursuing an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering at LaGuardia Community College, with a previous degree in Internet and Information Technology, he brings both technical expertise and a global perspective to his leadership roles. As the President of the Student Government Association, John has been a powerful advocate for enhancing services for international students, particularly in addressing the critical need for improved academic advising. As a Policy Fellow at the National Disability Rights Network, he successfully advocated for legislation, including securing new program funding and strengthening partnerships with Congressional offices.
Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, John is actively involved in various student organizations, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, where he continues to cultivate leadership skills and promote a sense of community among his peers.
WEI CHONG
Wei Chong is a first-generation college student and lifelong New Yorker, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus on Security at City Tech. He is also an alumnus of CUNY’s community colleges, BMCC and LaGuardia.
Chong’s career journey has spanned diverse roles, from serving as a Surgical Technologist to working as a Network Analyst in the financial sector. Some of his most impactful experiences include being a front-line worker during the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessing the events of 9/11 firsthand.
