Below you will find candidate information as part of the 2026 student government elections. Students can vote starting April 6 - 10, 2026 via Triton Link. For more information about the election, please visit the elections page or contact the Muir College Elections Manager at hajain@ucsd.edu and/or the Muir College Elections Representative at joh065@ucsd.edu
Hey Muirons! My name is Vincent Lopez and I am running to be your Muir College Council President! I am a 3rd year General Biology & Global Health double major. I have been in council all three years, serving as Spirit Advocate, Transfer Housing Representative, and currently, Vice President of Internal Affairs. As VP Internal, I have curated a community in council that allows each and every council member to feel confident speaking up during open and closed sessions, program events, and ask for help when needed. I have planned several council bonding events, executed our annual council retreat to orient new members who termed in during our Fall application cycle, and even served as Acting President all of Fall Quarter, managing all of the responsibilities associated with both positions.
Additionally, I am a Resident Assistant, where I serve as a role model and primary resource for 57 residents. This leadership and programming experience, coupled with my time as an executive member in council this year, will directly transfer to my leading style as President of Muir College Council as I lead each council meeting with a sense of inclusivity, community, and transparency.
As President, I promise to uphold my slate’s value of growth by prioritizing clear communication between council and all of Muir College. This means making our work more transparent through promoting our weekly, public general body meetings and agendas, actively seeking student input and feedback, and making sure that every Muiron has a voice. Whether you live on or off campus, are a California resident, out-of-state, or international student, or a transfer or continuing student, as President, I will make sure that your voice is heard and your needs are represented.
Muir College has given me so much over the past 3 years and I am so excited to have the opportunity to give back as your Muir College Council President!
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hello everyone! My name is Gabriela Aldana and I am excited to be running for Vice President of Internal Affairs in Muir College Council! I am a third year General Biology major. This is my first year in Muir College Council, and I currently serve as the Spirit Advocate. In this role, I have helped build campus wide spirit, assisted in organizing a successful Spirit Night, and promoted school pride among students!
Outside of Muir Class Council, I also serve as an Orientation Leader for Muir College. This position has allowed me to strengthen my teamwork and leadership skills, which are essential for the role of Vice President of Internal Affairs. Through this experience, I’ve learned how to collaborate with diverse groups of people and create an environment where everyone feels included and welcomed.
As Vice President of Internal Affairs, I promise to uphold my responsibilities and help strengthen bonding and spirit within the Muir Class Council. I will provide strong support to the President and warmly welcome new council members next term. Overall, I am committed to making MCC a welcoming and supportive community for everyone.
Muir College has supported me so much throughout my college experience, and I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the students and our community!
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hi Muirons! My name is Amairani Ron, and I’m so excited to announce my candidacy for the position of Vice President of Administrative Affairs for Muir College! I am a 2nd year Clinical Psychology major from Los Angeles. I have served on Muir College Council for the past year as Overflow Representative, connecting Muirons from all over UCSD, back to Muir, and advocating for community. As Overflow Representative, my mission has been to create engagement with Muirons who do not live in Muir and reconnect them to our community through programming.
In addition to my involvement in Muir College Council, I also served as a Muir Orientation Leader, Muir First Generation Peer Mentor, and I am a proud member of my sorority, Sigma Kappa #LISK. My involvement in these organizations has given me an abundance of community-building experiences because I have worked with people from all demographics with a common goal: to foster connection, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging.
As Vice President of Administrative Affairs, I hope to further transparency between Muir College Council and the general student body. I will do this through curating extensive meeting notes that will be shared to the public, so every Muiron knows what we are working on. Furthermore, I aim to hold my fellow Muir College Council members accountable through tracking attendance and ensuring that they are working on events that are enriching the community.
I can’t wait to represent the Muir community and the people who make it so special. I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving and advocating for Muirons as Vice President of Administrative Affairs.
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hi everyone! My name is Keilani Solis, and I am beyond excited to be running for Vice President of External Affairs for Muir College Council. Currently, I serve as the Office of Student Disabilities (OSD) Representative in Muir College Council and double majoring in Neurobiology and Global Health. During my time as your OSD Representative, I’ve worked to serve as a bridge between Muir students and the Office for Students with Disabilities, listening to student needs and shaping programming that promote accessibility across Muir. While representing Muir students, I’ve also been involved in the Cross Cultural Center and the Mixed Student Union, where I have learned what it takes to build partnerships with other organizations and cultivate a space that includes people of all backgrounds. As VP External, it is within my utmost priority to ensure that Muir College Council decisions reflect the needs of the broader Muir community and cultivate a collaborative environment that embodies Muir College. I am committed to expanding the presence Muir College Council has on campus by strengthening our outreach to those that best represent the best interests of our students and build stronger relations with organizations across campus. Muir has truly been a place that has supported and shaped my personal and leadership growth throughout the years, and I would not be the person I am today without the experiences I’ve had here. I hope to bring in students with multifaceted identities and support their own development as leaders within our community. I am honored to continue serving not only Muirons but all of UCSD students!
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hey everyone! I’m Trung Tin Nguyen and I am running for re-election as Vice President of Finance (VPF). I am a 3rd year Human Biology major. I have been involved in Muir College Council (MCC) for the past 3 years as Student Fee Advisory Committee’s (SFAC) Representative and Vice President of Finance which focuses on managing budget and allocating student activity fees. As VP Finance and SFAC’s Representative, I have helped review and oversee multiple of both large and small scale student events and projects helping it come true. I have also maintained an accurate and up to date record of how student fees are being used by Muir College Council while maintaining an updated record of past budgets and the funding requests received.
Aside from that, I have been an Orientation Leader and I served in the Celebrating Muir College Week committee for the last two years. This has helped me expand my student leadership experience at Muir College while creating a broader view of how the student body experiences and what they need to further enhance the student life experience at Muir College and UCSD in general.
As VP Finance, my goal is to continue to uphold the transparency of how the student fees are being used by Muir College Council and Muir College Organization. I will continue to consult and lead project and events funding so that it represents equity while bringing benefit to Muir College’s student body and celebrating the independence spirit of Muir College.
Together, we will make Muir Bloom.
Hi everyone! My name is Ivy Nguyen, and I’m so excited to be running for Vice President of Marketing for Muir College Council! I am currently a first-year International Business major, and this is my first year in Muir College Council, currently serving as Historian.
From my experience, I have worked closely with MCC’s current VP Marketing to capture photos at council events and help create promotional materials, such as posters and flyers, for MCC’s socials and events. Through this role, I have gained experience in assisting with outreach, promotion, and helping other council members create and share their events with the broader community.
As VP of Marketing, I hope to share more of MCC’s initiatives, events, and goals with the student body through engaging social media content, clear communication, and creative marketing strategies. My goal is to help students engage more with the Muir community by ensuring they feel informed about council events and resources.
Even though it’s my first year, Muir has allowed me to feel comfortable in a new environment, and I hope to continue serving our community as Muir College Council’s VP Marketing.
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hi Muirons! My name is Jeffrey Nguyen, and I’m excited to run for Vice President of Programming (VPP). I am a third-year Public Health and Global Health double major, and I proudly represent my hometown of Oakland (Bay Area represent!). This marks my third year with Muir College Council (MCC) and my second year serving as the Celebrating Muir College Week (CMCW) Director.
My time in MCC has defined my college experience. As CMCW Director, I led the planning of Celebrating Muir College Week, a traditional week of events celebrating Muir’s core values of diversity, sustainability, and the independent spirit. My goal as VPP is to keep our programming rooted in these values while emphasizing another: expression. I will work closely with my council to show how a collective can come together while still producing events that are uniquely and fiercely theirs. Drawing on my experience in event programming, I will ensure that every event is intentional, mission-driven, and reflective of the independent spirit and expression that define Muir.
Alongside my involvement in MCC, I have been a previous Orientation Leader and have helped plan large-scale events like Welcome Week and Senior Events, experiences that showed me many perspectives from Muir students. The one thing consistently bringing all of these groups together is community events. Belonging and inclusivity are values Muir prides itself on, and our events have historically connected students not only within Muir but across campus, a legacy I will preserve in my time as VPP.
The prospect of continuing to create events that leave lasting memories for Muir students drives me forward. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue serving you in MCC–this time as your Vice President of Programming.
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!
Hey everybody, I’m Matthew Merriss, and I’m honored to be running for VP of Student Organizations for MCC! From experience as a First-generation First-year representative and a First-generation Continuing Representative, I hope to serve as the liaison between MCC and our community's diverse student organizations.
I am currently a second-year Neurobiology major and have served on Muir College Council for two years. With this, my time in MCC has taught me the importance of community, diversity, and recognition. Through my roles, I have seen how our various student organizations foster a supportive and inclusive culture, where everyone can find a place to feel welcome in Muir. I wish to contribute, preserve, and support the growth of these communities by being more engaged and providing more opportunities across campus and throughout Muir to promote growth within our student organizations. With this, I am excited and dedicated to upholding my slate's value in transparency, communication, trust, and sustainability.
Together, let's make Muir BLOOM!
Hey Muirons! My name is Sophia Soliman, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for AS Senator! I am a 2nd year Neurobiology major with a minor in Global Health, and a proud Tuolumne resident. I am currently your Health and Wellness Advocate in MCC, and want to expand my advocacy for Muir students by being your senator!
I am running because I’m a strong believer in student advocacy, and proper leadership that listens and acts is foundational to a thriving Muir community. Being successful at UCSD requires support, empowerment, and community reinforcement. As a two-year resident, I understand that despite a good effort, that isn’t always the reality, and students tend to seek help when they’re already struggling.
As your senator, I want to advocate for stronger outreach about campus resources and expanded Muir peer support programs. The communities within Muir, our student orgs, will always have my support to flourish and support our students.
Times are difficult, and being a student has never been easy. That is why I will also push for clearer communication about food assistance, emergency resources, and support services, while working to reduce stigma around seeking help. We all deserve the support we need!
More specifically, I plan to work on expanding CAPS services to accommodate a growing student population, and with our transportation services to make being someone on a scooter, a bike, or just walking safer on campus. I also plan to expand nutrition services by advocating for more nutritious foods sold on campus, and by personally creating resources that inform and assist Muir students on supporting their health with the resources they have.
I am committed to being a transparent representative who listens and advocates for policies that make Muiron's success and happiness a priority!
Let’s BLOOM together :)
Hello everyone, my name is Michael Pieniaszek and I am honored to be announcing my candidacy for Muir AS Senator. I am a second year majoring in Political Science: Public Law with a specialized interest in Economics and Human Rights. I’ve been a part of Muir College Council for the past two years: starting off as your Spirit Advocate and this year serving as your VP of Administrative Affairs. As the VP of Administrative Affairs, I’ve been in charge of keeping the transparency between Muir College Council and the public by keeping comprehensive meeting notes. I also ensure that all Council members are held accountable by keeping track of the attendance.
Outside of council I’ve been involved in various positions within the Muir community, working as a Muir Orientation Leader and Muir Student Affairs Intern. Through these positions, as well as my current time as an Executive member in council this year, I’ve been able to further develop my interpersonal and outreach skills. These skills will help me be an effective Muir AS Senator because I will be able to connect with the general Muir community to see what the people are passionate about and communicate that to Senate.
One area that I am particularly interested in is income inequality and how that impacts Muir students. I understand, through my own experience, that one of the main stressors for students is food and housing insecurity. I plan on trying to work with campus partners to address campus wide food and housing insecurities. I also plan on working within the programs that we have on campus like the Basic Needs Hub and CAPS to ensure that the on campus resources we have are more accessible to students within Muir.
Finally, I aim to uphold my slate's value of expression by expressing the wants and needs of Muir students to Senate so that we can work together to find a solution. I aim to do this by offering office hours where I can talk with Muir students and get an understanding of the types of programming and focuses that we should be putting our energy into. I also aim to uphold John Muir College’s values of Sustainability and Diversity by being conscious about these values while making decisions within Senate.
Together, we will make Muir BLOOM!