Below are the candidates for the 2026 Young Alumni Trustee election, in alphabetical order, and the information they submitted to accompany their candidacy: Minna Abdella, Cole Basas Crosby, Sol Choi, Jamil Fayad, Kriti Garg, Kelih Henyo, Alexcis Johnson, Richie Kertatos, Enzo Kho, Roberto Lachner, Connor McCord, Jaisnav Rajesh, Kunsel Subrahmanyam, Aishwarya Swamidurai, Shannon Yeow.

Candidates have agreed that they will not engage in any organized solicitation of votes during this primary election, nor will they ask any other student or organization to do so. Please respect this commitment.

Disclaimer
The role of a Young Alumni Trustee is to serve the long-term interests of the University as a member of the board, bringing to the role an important perspective informed by their recent experience as an undergraduate student. It is not to represent or advocate for a particular constituency or point of view. The views, information and opinions expressed by the candidates in their statements are solely their own and do not reflect those of the University. Further, the University does not undertake to verify or ensure the accuracy of the candidates’ statements.

Minna Abdella
North Bergen, NJ & Khartoum, Sudan
Major: Politics, Pre-Med

When you leave this place, you’re not the same person you were when you came in. Growing up between New Jersey and Sudan gave me an intimate understanding of what it means to feel near to campus and far from it. The support I found freshman year when my family, among many others, had to leave Sudan made Princeton a second home to me. Here, we learn from the best professors, find our chosen family, and will always belong. I pour into Princeton because Princeton pours into me. For the past four years, I’ve had the honor of serving as Class President for the Great Class of 2026, working with the officers to bring people closer to this place and to one another. I learned how traditions are built, decisions are made, and community is created at Princeton. We began the tradition of a freshman formal, managed sophomore Declaration Day, organized junior-year trips, and in senior year, planned graduation. I also lead the Class Day Committee and serve on the Alumni Council Executive Committee, working closely with University alumni and administrators. I want to be a Young Alumni Trustee because I love this place, I know it well, and I want to help ensure it remains a true home for those who come after us. Amidst attacks on higher education, it is especially important to protect our values and academic freedom. I bring an informed perspective that will work toward Princeton remaining #1 nationally, and in all of our hearts. 

Cole Basas Crosby
Hong Kong 
Major: Politics; Certificate: Entrepreneurship

Here are 3 things you should know about my candidacy: 1. I believe that Princeton is good, but it could be much better. This would be my whole philosophy as a trustee. I won’t hesitate to advocate for change. 2. Better means better. I’ll measure success by what changes for the better, not by how many meetings I attended (I’m still going to attend all of them). 3. I’m not doing this for my resume. I’m genuinely enthusiastic about the job, including the boring parts (I will read the budget line by line). In sum, I would work hard to build a better Princeton, for everyone. Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of serving our community as a member of USG (Class Day Co-Chair, Campus & Community Affairs Committee, Commencement Committee) and as an officer on a club sports team. I’d love to continue serving as a trustee.

Sol Choi
Irvine, CA
Major: SPIA; Minor(s): Architecture & Engineering, Computer Science; Certificate: History and the Practice of Diplomacy

Laughing while delivering 2026 tiger cupcakes in the pouring rain. Hauling coffee mugs at 5:00 AM for our sophomore sunrise event at Forbes. Hand-delivering Declaration Day sweaters while chirping the same “have a great day!” to all 1,550 members of our class. These brief but joyful one-to-one interactions I’ve experienced as the Class Vice President over the past four years have taught me how University leadership and institutional decisions, both large and small, have personal, tangible effects. Championing our student body, whether by expanding affordable housing options for families during graduation as the head of TigerStay or co-leading the Commencement Committee, has instilled in me a commitment to access, community, and shared celebration. Likewise, serving on the Board of Trustees for the U-Store and the Student Advisory Boards for SPIA and the Art Museum have taught me to unapologetically start new initiatives while honoring the traditions that have shaped Princeton’s identity and dedication to public service. However, in my capacity as a peer leader and a CLA, I’ve also heard frustrations, including confusion over seemingly opaquely-made changes. The best practices I’ve accumulated as a Class Officer have come from us. They come from open, honest, and bottom-up conversations that offer direct feedback around policies that impact generations of our University community. I’d be honored to serve as a Young Alumni Trustee and contribute towards a grounded stewardship of our University that listens first, decides conscientiously, and always remembers the individual Princetonian affected behind every decision.

Jamil Fayad
Jacksonville, FL
Major(s): Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Minor: Global Health & Policy

Returning back every semester has continued to prove to me how much Princeton made me grow as a global citizen and a friend. Listening to stories from my friends around the world, for example, about the baked potatoes (spuds) in London to the popularity of horseback riding in Kazakhstan, has defined my cultural experience at Princeton. These unique stories have pushed me every semester to explore new communities, motivating me to attend a large variety of clubs and events Princeton. Watching the Mariachi group or eating shawarma with the Arab society has shown me how important human connections are to Princetonians. What unites every Princetonian is their drive to find a community that nourishes deep connections while also exploring hobbies and studying. For me this was important, and as a result I tried to build that strong positive community by being a CA leader and SIFP mentor. I changed the expectations of the incoming class and alleviated their concerns and worries about Princeton. For my sophomore mentees, I wanted to show them that there is a strong support system at Princeton, so I attended events that were important to them and joined them in experiences they’ve wanted to try at Princeton, such as going to the NCW pottery studio. Over my 4 years, I have learned that Princeton has drastically changed me for the better, and I want to continue supporting Princeton as a trustee to ensure that Princeton continues to be a space for students to grow. 

Kriti Garg
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India & New Delhi, India
Major: School of Public and International Affairs; Minor(s): Technology & Society

While at school in Odisha, I dreamed of worlds that felt impossibly far from home. Becoming Princeton’s first student from there was less about arrival than about opening a door, one I’ve tried to hold open for others ever since. My “My Princeton Story” video now greets every incoming class at orientation; each time, I’m reminded of the optimism that carried me here and my refusal to let it go. That optimism has been put to work. As a Residential College Adviser and Class Secretary, I’ve supported peers through mental health struggles, academic barriers, and the quiet challenges of belonging. Through the Fields Center, I worked to strengthen equity‑focused spaces on campus. Leading Dialogue and Difference in Action shaped my belief that hard conversations can build community. Through my professional work, as a Bogle Service Fellow, I advanced green energy access in West Bengal, then led partnerships for a nonprofit in India before joining the World Bank as a Siegel Public Interest Technology Fellow, supporting the Water AI Task Force. Through serving as Secretary‑General of the Princeton Diplomatic Invitational, I’ve learned to guide competing perspectives toward shared purpose, and by founding All Tech is Tiger, I’ve sought to open more pathways into responsible technology. Beyond classrooms, I’ve found belonging in the rituals of our final year – leading commencement committees and helping write our collective story through the senior slideshow. I arrived at Princeton as someone’s dream of what was possible; I hope to leave having expanded what’s possible for the next.

Kelih Henyo
Accra, Ghana
Major: Chemistry

On my father’s farm in rural Ghana, nothing was abundant. Every seed mattered. Every decision carried weight. That is where I learned institutions endure not because resources are limitless, but because people choose to steward them. I was sixteen in a Ghanaian hospital when a transfusion went wrong. The blood had not been warmed and the patient began seizing. In a rigid hierarchy, I had to decide whether to follow instructions or intervene. I removed the transfusion, warmed the blood in my hands, and called for a doctor. Stewardship sometimes means acting when the system hesitates. Founding Aya GH to expand sign language education for Ghana’s Deaf community taught me the same lesson differently. Real change required trust, patience, and alignment. Then Princeton expanded my world. From a small town, I found myself debating Cantonese regional differences over dinner and settling jollof wars the next night. Some who changed me were classmates. Others were dining and facilities staff who showed me how this place runs. As an RCA, I saw how uneven the Princeton experience can be. Africa Summit pushed me to build across continents. The deeper I went, the more I saw Princeton as an institution shaped by decisions most students never see. Beyond campus, I serve on the YAF Ghana Alumni Board, stewarding an education nonprofit through governance, fundraising, and admissions. Princeton exists because generations chose stewardship over convenience. I did not come here to pass through. I came to steward it, and when necessary, to challenge it.

Alexcis Johnson
Tampa, FL
Major: Neuroscience 

It was the sea of rosebuds that first caught my attention
Scattered from unimaginably different tales and plotlines
Our schoolmates, hungering with fresh excitement and palpable tension
Eager to unleash the electrifying energy coursing through their minds.
During my time here I’ve seen the revitalization and steady construction 
That makes the University feel like an ever-growing production.
And yet, I see how the University’s expansion mirrors my own
As I shifted from studying until the sun illuminated my screen freshman year
To capitalizing on the unique flicker of time we spend at Princeton 
To write a mystery novel senior spring—a passion project I hold dear. 
Princeton is a goldmine of opportunities that shape your lenses to perceive the world
Forcing you to confront, reaffirm, or adjust your values and aspirations 
From that course in high school you never would have thought to take
To the internships and discourses that challenge your very foundations.
As a Trustee, I want to make choices today about the University’s future
That keep Princeton brimming with transformative overtones
Serving future Princetonians with spaces that instigate innovation
And plunge their minds into deep thought far beyond their comfort zones.
While my four years here conclude, it’s Princeton’s next forty lingering on my mind.
As I leave a blossomed red rose reimagined from the seed that was my start 
I hope that through strategic choices rooted in vision and prosperity
It is access to the best opportunities for Princeton and future Tigers I’ll leave behind as I depart.

Richie Kertatos
Oyster Bay, NY
Major: Economics; Minor: Finance 

As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, I applied to Princeton not knowing what to expect. In my application essay, I wrote about a drug interdiction mission aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous, where we seized more than 500 kilos of cocaine. I knew Princeton had reinstated its veteran and transfer program in 2018 and that the University valued those communities. Still, I expected challenges transitioning from military to campus life. Instead, I found a community that truly values different backgrounds and experiences. I am running to be a Young Alumni Trustee because I want to give back to the Princeton community that has given so much to me and my fellow student veterans. I believe my experience as an integrated student veteran can bring a useful perspective to the Board of Trustees. At Princeton, I have built a strong record of advocacy and service. As President of Princeton Student Veterans, I focused on improving the experience of non-traditional students. For example, I worked with administrators for two years to secure a larger veterans‘ lounge that will open next fall in Frist. I have also prioritized supporting the broader community by organizing participation in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which provided more than 150 holiday gifts to local children. Furthermore, I have been involved in the general student body through club sports and other organizations. I understand the challenges of being a non-traditional student at Princeton, but first and foremost, I am a Princetonian committed to leadership, service, and community.

Enzo Kho
Dumaguete, Philippines
Major: Sociology; Certificate: Urban Studies

I came to Princeton after my family and I experienced political violence in the Philippines—an experience that changed the trajectory of my life, shaping my sense of purpose in service. While the path forward was uncertain, Princeton gave me a home and a platform to deepen and advance the advocacy work I had long carried with me. Understanding the spaces I occupy, I recognize the immense responsibility and opportunity that comes with the platforms I have been able to create. In whatever work I pursue, I carry with me stories of resilience—stories from my community in the Philippines and from the many voices I have encountered at Princeton and beyond. As President of the Undergraduate Student Government, I gained a deeper understanding of the University’s complex structure while working to strengthen bridges between students and the administration during a period of institutional change. During my time as a Community Action Fellow and at PACE Center, I helped advance a vision of service at Princeton: intentional and grounded in community partnership. Through my work as a Peer Career Adviser and across several University offices, I supported students from diverse backgrounds as they navigated opportunities and built their paths at Princeton. At a time of growing uncertainty and complex challenges, difficult conversations lie ahead. As a Young Alumni Trustee, I will bring a perspective shaped by resilience, community, and service to help advance Princeton’s mission and its role in the community and the world. That responsibility is one I carry deeply.

Roberto Lachner
Jacksonville, FL
Major: Economics; Minor(s): Environmental Studies & History

My social groups at Princeton don’t overlap. My friends from Orange Key, USG, the Pianists Ensemble, Charter, and Aquinas are typically different people. This means I’ve seen a broad array of Princeton experiences, allowing me to understand the University as a whole, not just my little bubble within it. I have extensive experience working with University Administrators on everything from campus architecture to meal swipe rollovers. Those of you who know me will also know I have a steady temperament, will have no problem reading 1000 pages per Trustee meeting to understand the judgment calls at hand (I run a legal blog), and care deeply about making sure rules and institutions aid our flourishing. I’m running for YAT because I care about the long-term excellence of Princeton and know I’m the best suited to drive it in the right direction.

Connor McCord
Tallahassee, FL
Major: Molecular Biology; Minor: Chinese Language

When I was in high school, attending Princeton seemed like a fantasy taken straight from A Cinderella Story. Spending my formative years in a single-parent household, I believed attending a university like this one would be financially impossible. That all changed when I matched to Princeton through Questbridge: I felt as though my dreams were now within reach. Yet I still was afraid that I wouldn’t truly belong. That I might not find a community where I could be myself. However, arriving on campus quickly dispelled those fears. It was through the friends and mentors I connected with in FSI and SIFP that I quickly grew to love this university: I saw how Princeton truly embodies an ethos that inspires students from all backgrounds to contribute to something greater than themselves. It even inspired me. From the Civic Leadership Council to volunteering with Penn Med and training with CONTACT Princeton, I have spent my four years making sure that every voice is heard and able to ring out together across our campus. To me, Princeton is filled with dreamers: those who imagine new possibilities and work to turn them into reality despite the challenges we face. As a Young Alumni Trustee, I would ensure that future Princetonians can find the same support and sense of belonging that transformed my own journey. No matter where I go after graduation, my heart will forever give three cheers for Old Nassau.

Jaisnav Rajesh
Plainfield, IL
Major: Computer Science

I came to Princeton as the first student from my public high school to attend, unsure of where I would fit within an institution shaped by generations before me. What I quickly discovered, however, was that Princeton is ultimately built by the people who invest their stories, time and care into its communities. The first memories that stuck with me came from my international friends, who were learning the American financial system while I was figuring it out myself. As I learned, I eventually joined Princeton Financial Literacy’s leadership to support all students. As both a Peer Career Advisor and SIFP Student Leader, I noticed fellow first-generation, low-income students were struggling the most. As a liaison between both, I organized career panels and recruiting to help connect student communities. These experiences shaped how I came to understand Princeton — the most meaningful part is not the roles I hold, but the relationships built through them. Being named Peer Leader of the Year was an honor, but what has stayed with me the most is the trust people place in you when they share their stories. At a moment when too many people are being told their stories, identities, and voices matter less, I want to serve as a Young Alumni Trustee to help Princeton listen more closely, bridge communities that too often remain separate, and turn student insight into meaningful action—and I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and carry that work into rooms that matter.

Kunsel Subrahmanyam
Singapore & Dharamsala, India
Major(s): Operations Research & Financial Engineering; Minor: Computer Science 

“Where are you from?” is a question I have struggled to answer for much of my life. Growing up as the child of refugee parents and living across six different countries, the idea of home often felt uncertain. Princeton is the first place where that question has felt answered. Here, I found something more meaningful: a place that challenges you and becomes home. During my time at Princeton, a commitment to bridging communities guided the roles I chose. As a Residential College Advisor, I worked to foster a supportive and inclusive community where students felt a genuine sense of belonging. Through the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, I engaged with global leaders in conversations that encouraged dialogue across viewpoints and civic participation. Princeton’s culture of open inquiry taught me not only to listen, but also to use my voice responsibly and advocate for initiatives that make our university more resilient. Princeton has shown me that leadership is rooted in empathy, intellectual curiosity, and civic responsibility. As a Young Alumni Trustee (YAT), I would remain committed to protecting those values and ensuring that Princeton continues to be a place where diverse voices, ideas, and communities can flourish. My background has taught me to navigate uncertainty, synthesize perspectives, and remain steady facing complex decisions. Princeton has become home for all of us. As a YAT, I would approach the role with humility, curiosity, and a deep commitment to ensuring that the voices and experiences of all Princetonians continue to shape Princeton’s future.

Aishwarya Swamidurai
Oklahoma City, OK
Major: SPIA; Minor(s): History & the Practice of Diplomacy

I vividly remember the first time I sat down to do readings for a Princeton class. I hauled my Writing Seminar packet to Chancellor Green, slipped into a single-person cubicle, and quickly realized I simply could not focus. Over time, I discovered that studying in isolation didn’t work for me, just as making it through Princeton alone never could. The friends, mentors, and opportunities I’ve found here reflect the vibrant, multifaceted community that truly defines Princeton. I hope to serve as Young Alumni Trustee to uplift the lived experiences of Princetonians and help sustain that vibrant community and its values. On campus, I have had the honor of serving in numerous roles: USG Vice President, Pace Center Fellow, PAA, Rose Castle Society leader. Through these roles, I have seen firsthand how policies, resources, and institutional priorities shape students‘ day-to-day lives. From mental health support to community engagement and career preparation, institutional decisions are most meaningful when they reflect the experiences of those they affect. These experiences shape how I understand Princeton’s mission, where it can do better, and its role in preparing its community for a rapidly changing world. Whether negotiating with University administration to successfully reduce mental health copayments or mentoring first-year students in my residential college through difficult transitions, I learned that meaningful progress comes from empathetic thinking, being a steward of diverse experiences, and a desire to continuously ask where we can do better. I hope to serve as a Young Alumni Trustee to continue to ensure that Princeton remains a source of vibrant community, opportunity, and inclusion for generations to come.

Shannon Yeow
San Diego, CA
Major: Computer Science; Minor(s): Environmental Studies & Art History

At Princeton, I found an incredibly special community. I found fellow Tigers whose spirit I hoped to embody, whose character I deeply admired, and whose example shaped what Princeton came to mean for me. In turn, I sought to help define what Princeton could mean for others. Throughout my four years, I have sought not only to foster belonging, but also to ensure that the voices and experiences of students help shape the Princeton we build together. Teaching has deeply shaped how I understand belonging. Having taught students across several countries and within the local Princeton community, I have seen how profoundly people flourish when they are met with care and made to feel that they belong. I have carried that lesson into every role I have held at Princeton. As a Class Officer, I have worked to represent student perspectives, collaborate with administrators and fellow officers, and help create the traditions and shared experiences that foster class spirit and turn a class into a community. As a SIFP Head Fellow, I have supported first-generation, low-income students and fostered spaces where they can feel at home. Across these roles, and in my orientation and mentoring work, my goal has remained the same: to help build a Princeton where more people feel seen, supported, welcomed, and heard. That is the kind of Princeton I have worked to build, and the kind of Princeton I would be proud to continue building as a Young Alumni Trustee.