Presidential Candidates

Brendan McLoughlin ’29

My fellow Bears, my name is Brendan A. McLoughlin, and I’m running for class president. For nearly the past decade I have served in various capacities in my communities—all in the hopes of giving a different perspective and doing some good wherever I was stationed at the time. My mission has never been about one position or achieving greatness for myself, instead it has been in pursuit of pushing forward an agenda which seeks to accomplish a shared greatness. In my time previously in the service, I raised thousands of dollars annually, hosted community service events and consistently sought ways to improve my school’s spirit, as I intend to do here. I know that I won’t have all the answers on day one, but my team and I will do everything in our power to ensure that all voices are heard and that by the end of our term, our class is better off than when we started. Whether that be through inviting speakers on behalf of our class or hosting extravagant parties, I will ensure that our budget is put to good use with input from all.

I urge any of you who give a damn, vote for BAM.

Grace Munene ’29

Hi everyone! My name is Grace Munene and I’m running to be your  class president! If you’ve seen me around campus, I might have been mid-conversation—because I love talking to people, hearing everyone’s stories and making sure everyone feels connected. I care deeply about others, and I try to show up every day with empathy, kindness and a genuine desire to listen and help. As class president, you can count on me to be someone you can come to in any situation. I’m determined to make sure all students feel heard. I believe leadership isn’t just about getting a message across, it’s about making space for others to feel like they belong. If elected, I’ll make sure our class council focuses on what truly reflects your needs and desires. I want our first year to be exciting, meaningful, memorable and full of moments where we all feel seen. I am approachable, down-to-earth and excited to build a class community where everyone feels like they belong. I have so many ideas that I cannot wait to bring to fruition. Vote Grace Munene for a class president who listens first and leads with compassion. Go U Bears!

Gus Simanson ’29

To the wonderful Class of 2029, if you don’t know me, I’m Gus Simanson, and I’m looking to be your first-year class president. On campus, you can probably find me locking in in the Shannon Room (top three study spot of all time), pumping iron in Buck, futilely seeking Hubbard sixth (I finally found it) and taking all of the Greek yogurt in the Moulton breakfast line. Aside from my obvious charm and unmatched charisma (6’5” btw), you should vote for me because I know this was the hardest year to get into Bowdoin, and I will do my best to make sure your experience is worth the hassle. I bring real leadership experience as president of multiple high school clubs and captain of two varsity teams, and I’ll put that to work here. I’ll ensure transparency between the student body and administration, introduce more first-year bonding events such as campfire nights, a classwide spikeball tournament and a performative male competition and work to expedite our introduction to Bowdoin so that you’ll never have an “I wish I knew this earlier” moment. I will be your friend, your microphone and your advocate. HOP ON THE BUS, VOTE FOR GUS.

Marlin Xie ’29

Hello, Class of 2029! I’m Marlin Xie, that artsy, ocean-loving, pre-law guy you follow on Instagram. You may have met me during Bearings in Brunswick (I hosted a late-night Mafia game), the NYC send-off party (I organized the group photo) or any number of Bowdoin events (I’ve likely asked you for your initial so I get your name right)! Coming from a 6,000-student specialized high school in NYC, I truly love spending time with and supporting my fellow classmates. As your president, I will coordinate fun, meaningful events and create policies that benefit you. Here are some of my goals:

– Implement water stations in all first-year dorms.

– Organize scavenger hunts around Brunswick.

– Increase food and beverage options in the Cafe (affordable boba tea, anyone?).

– Host a cosplay/comic convention (I led art booths for this event all four years of high school!).

– Connect first years with upperclassmen through mentorship programs.

– Ensure there’s a welcoming environment for the Class of 2029 to express their ideas to the BSG.

With my extensive background in uplifting my community (in both educational and nonprofit spaces), I’m beyond excited to contribute to the Bowdoin campus. Thank you for your consideration, and reach out any time!

Mohamad Hijazi ’29

College isn’t measured by the classes we take or the clubs we join, but by the community we build together. In just three weeks, we’ve already seen how easy it is to slip into cliques or feel left out—but we’ve also seen the power of simple moments of connection that bring us together. A class president’s role isn’t within the traditional framework of organizing logistics and making sure campus events run smoothly but is rather to be a community builder—someone who connects classmates and helps us create a shared sense of belonging within our first year. As a member of Club Rugby, a cellist for the Bowdoin Symphony Orchestra and a trainee within the Bowdoin Outing Club (BOC)’s Leadership Training Program, I’ve worked with diverse student perspectives from first years and beyond.

Here are my goals:

1. From first years to seniors, one family:

I’d like to organize gatherings that bring upper and lowerclassmen together—in the name of mentorship and genuine connection.

2. Water fountain accessibility within the bricks:

It’s about making the simple, everyday parts of student life easier and more comfortable. The bathroom sinks are simply not always sanitary.

3. Longer Super Snack

Let’s foster a more reliable safe space for those late weekend nights.

For a year defined by community, vote Mohamad Hijazi.

Whittier Henry ’29

Hey U-Bears! My name is Whittier Henry, and I would be honored to serve as your 2029 class president. This class already feels special, and I am so excited to lead us in continuing to cultivate an environment of joy, respect, acceptance and learning here at Bowdoin. I previously served as student body president for a high school with a population of just under 3,000, so I am experienced and comfortable representing a large swath of students.

Bowdoin is a wonderful place, one we should be proud to call home, but we must continue looking forward into the future. If elected, I will do just that with these two core principles guiding my tenure:

Genuine Representation: As your president and link to the administration, I will work for you. I will hold weekly walk-in hours where you can come to me with any concerns or ideas you may have for the BSG. Essentially, my platform is your platform.

Equality of Support: Bowdoin is home to so many wonderful student organizations and activities. I will work to ensure these groups are equally supported and celebrated by the school.

And I’ll never stop fighting for every one of you; Whit Don’t Quit!

Treasurer Candidates

Justin Zhang ’29

Hello Class of 2029! I’m Justin, and I am running for class treasurer. I bring experience in finance and leadership—having interned at an investment fund, co-chaired my school’s class council for 300 students and founded a math club that grew into an award-winning team.

Managing $750,000 is a great responsibility. If elected, I will advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable allocation:

Keep baseline club funding current and efficient by adjusting the $500 per semester amount to ensure equitable use of funds.

Work with the Treasury Chartering Commission to speed chartering for new clubs and secure up to $1,500 in kickoff funding for launching.

Publish decision rationale for approvals, cuts or denials so clubs understand funding decisions.

Send decision emails within 48 hours after Treasury Funding Commissions (TFC)’s meetings for quick and consistent communication.

Weekly drop-in hours to guide club leaders through the budgeting process to increase accessibility.

Prevent another monetary shortfall like in 2024 through monthly or semester caps and maintaining a contingency fund for final allocation cycle and emergency requests.

Analyze spending patterns from TFC data and gather periodic feedback from clubs to address inequities.

For true transparency—lunch with Treasurer Justin sounds promising. Every week, any spot in Brunswick, lunch on me.

Liam Mattox ’29

Hello, I am Liam Mattox, Class of 2029, and I am running for class treasurer. Although I have only been here for a short time, I have noticed we Bowdoin students are wonderfully determined to pursue a variety of activities here on campus. At Bowdoin, we have access to more ways to explore our interests than ever before. This is made possible by Bowdoin student organizations exploring areas beneath stage lights, deep in the outdoors and throughout local communities.

I served on an elected student government for three years at my high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, creating long-term and short-term goals for the governing body from student feedback, including environmental sustainability plans and improvements to facilities. I ran a landscaping company, designing and building decks and pathways. Relying heavily on client feedback, I redrew many designs and rerouted paths until I produced something great. As treasurer, I would sit on the TFC, providing funding for the spine of Bowdoin’s community that is student organizations. If I am elected to the position of class treasurer, I will ensure clubs are funded to allow for students to explore their diverse interests, supported by other Bowdoin students.

Vice Presidential Candidates

Kohl Frazier ’29

Hey Bears! My name is Kohl Frazier, and I’m running to be your Class of 2029 vice president. Originally from Boise, Idaho, I had the opportunity to help establish our student government at my international high school. This experience taught me how to listen to diverse voices, transform ideas into action and create lasting traditions.

If elected, I want to bring that same energy to Bowdoin by:

Launching Class of 2029 traditions—from events like a fall bonfire and class-wide dinners to creating a time capsule that reflects our four years together.

Expanding student support—pushing for easier access to course syllabi, affordable textbook sharing and more dedicated study spaces for first years.

Strengthening connections—building bridges between our class, upperclassmen and alumni so we feel supported inside and outside the classroom.

Clear communication—making sure student government feels accessible and that your ideas are acted on, not ignored.

I’m running because I believe our class deserves practical, approachable and ready-to-get-things-done leadership. With your support, I’ll work to ensure our class not only has a voice in BSG but also a lasting presence at Bowdoin.

Brandon Lawrence Ma ’29

I’m a good guy. Really. I have extensive experience with volunteering, starting clubs from debate to publications (abundant and virtuous) and taking people to where they’d want to be. I’m good at digesting people’s desires and needs and coming up with relevant solutions. As a humanities enthusiast, I am open-minded, compassionate yet chill.

As vice president, I understand that every single member of our class wants to voice their opinions in their own way—and I will achieve that for you.

As someone with a decade of study abroad experience, I understand the urgent need to improve our multicultural life and perspectives. I will sponsor activities and platforms which allow underrepresented groups and individuals to express their identities safely to the entire campus. I will encourage open dialogue regarding political, cultural and social issues. I will sponsor events allowing Polar Bears to communicate with students from other countries. Bowdoin has promised us a life-changing experience—yet it is your job to achieve that. And through me, folks, you will achieve that.

There will also be much fun, from Clash Royale tournaments to squirrel fights.

Essentially, by voting for me, you pledge your sweet love to Bowdoin and thyself.

Go Polar Bears!

Yousif Al Kinani ’29

Hello Polar Bears! I’m Yousif Al Kinani, and I’m running for vice president of Bowdoin Student Government. Now, I could stand here and list my interests and past experiences, but let’s be honest: Do you really want to hear me ramble about that? Didn’t think so. Let’s get to the good stuff: my campaign.

My mission is simple: bring the fun back. College shouldn’t feel like an endless cycle of classes, assignments and endless Thorne lines. We deserve more energy, more spirit and more memories that don’t just live in the library. Here what I’ll deliver:

1. More Events, More Often: Ice cream socials, food trucks, weekend concerts, random surprise events—if it’s fun, we’re doing it.

2. Clubs Get Love: More funding = more adventures. (Yes, BOC trips, I’m looking at you, because boredom is not a Bowdoin tradition.)

3. A Concert to Remember: I’ll team up with the Programming Director to bring Bowdoin the biggest concert. Think major artist energy.

4. The Return of the Bowdoin Hello: Friendly waves, quick nods, that small-town warmth—we’re bringing it back.

So when it’s to vote, remember: Fun comes first—because Yes, You-sif Can!

Nathan Storm Hale ’29

Hey Polar Bears, my name is Nathan Hale, and I’m running for the Class of 2029 vice president. The heart of Bowdoin’s community lies in our student groups, whether that be the BOC, a cappella groups and everything in between. Everything is better with a group of people with you; why doomscroll on Instagram reels by yourself when you could have a weekly (or hourly) meeting to do it together? If elected, I will serve on the TCC to maintain community through our clubs and student organizations on campus, as well as welcome new perspectives as groups are formed throughout the school year. My goal as vice president is to assist in ensuring that every student at Bowdoin has the ability to display their authentic interests through maintaining and enabling social affiliations. My experience as debate club captain over the past years has taught me how to listen to different viewpoints with an open mind and help turn new ideas into action. As you vote in the upcoming days, be great and vote for Nate as your Class of 2029 vice president!

Mellanie Salazar Carlos ’29

Hey! My name is Mellanie Salazar and I am running for vice president. For those of you who don’t know who I am, I am from New York City and I plan to major in government and history. Growing up, I’ve always loved writing, going on spontaneous outdoor adventures, sculpting and embroidery. I enjoyed leading my high school’s first generation club and writing center, editing the op-ed section of the student newspaper and volunteering all over the city. Like many of you, I’m excited to get involved in a variety of clubs, whether cohesive or not! This includes WBOR, Latin American Student Organization, ultimate frisbee, and most obviously, student government. Although I have only been at Bowdoin for three weeks, I’ve already begun to understand the importance of clubs as centers for community. These spaces are integral to the ways in which we connect with each other and who we meet. As vice president, my job is to maintain what works and change what doesn’t. I will support the intimacy of niche clubs, while also connecting the broader student body through campus-wide events—transforming whiteboard brainstorms into Smith-Union event posters. Vote for me because with Mel, all is well!

Programming Director 

Fariza Samadova ’29

Hi Bears! My name is Fariza Samadova, and I’m a first year from Baltimore, Md. I’m so excited to be running for programming director! I love bringing people together, planning events and making sure everyone feels included and heard. Since my freshman year of high school, I’ve been involved in student government all the way up to the National Student Council, so I know a thing or two about event planning and leadership. As programming director, I hope to work with all of you to host exciting events for our first year here at Bowdoin. Whether it’s helping plan beloved traditions like Ivies or starting new ones (like finally bringing the performative male contest to campus!), I’ll make sure your voices shape our events. When I’m not planning events, you can usually find me reading rom-coms or cooking. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns! Don’t forget to vote for Fariza for Class of 2029 programming director!

Azi Kim ’29

Hey! My name is Azi, and I hope to become the programming director for the Class of 2029! I have so many exciting plans for our class, and I would be incredibly grateful if you could place your trust in me to carry out your ideas! I hope to introduce more events for first years to actively bond, as well as fulfill events to their maximum potential and make them enjoyable for everyone! Vote for Azi Kim, so this school year won’t be dim!