Head of the class: UVA’s 2027 student leaders
Honor Committee Chair
Genny Freed (Col class of ’27)
As a first-year, Freed, of New York City, was familiar with Honor, in part because it had just moved from a single-sanction to a multi-sanction system. Honor now has a “solid foundation” under multi-sanction, she says. As chair, the political philosophy, policy and law major plans to continue to refine the committee’s processes; strengthen faculty and student buy-in for the system; and further address artificial intelligence, including the growing number of cases related to its use. “[We’re] trying to make sure we’re part of the conversation around AI,” she says.
University Judiciary Committee Chair
Zach Davidson (Col class of ’27)
Danville, California, native Davidson joined the Judiciary Committee as a first-year, drawn to its underlying philosophy of restorative justice and seeking an opportunity to make a difference on Grounds. As chair, the politics honors major is focused on educating students about the committee’s processes; boosting its internal community with more opportunities for committee members to connect; and strengthening institutional sustainability, including beginning an initial capital campaign for its new endowment. “The work that we do is always difficult,” Davidson says, “but it’s also very meaningful and very fulfilling.”
Student Council President
Michael Mitchell (Com class of ’27)
Mitchell joined Student Council as a first-year, rising through the ranks of the council branch that funds student groups through the student activity fee. As president, the Crozet, Virginia, native who is concentrating in finance and management hopes to create an endowment to boost funding for student clubs and fully cover the council’s Support and Access Services branch, which provides resources for students in need. A UVA President’s Office gift funds it now. “This isn’t a short-term initiative,” Mitchell says. “But I think 10 years from now, we [will] have raised a significant amount of capital.”
Co-Chair of Resident Staff Program
Aali Siddiqui (Engr class of ’27)
Siddiqui, of Chantilly, Virginia, arrived at UVA wanting to be a resident adviser. The oldest of four, he’d played a caretaking and mentorship role at home and was eager to continue in college. As co-chair, the pre-med biomedical engineering major’s plans include bringing volunteer opportunities to dorms and revisiting the remuneration model for student staff, which is free housing and meal plan. Some, however, live in apartments with kitchens so don’t need a meal plan. “It’s been really rewarding,” he says of the work. “It’s given me the opportunity to meet a lot more people.”
Co-Chair of Resident Staff Program
Leela Trujillo (Col class of ’27)
As a first-year, the opportunity for leadership roles drew Trujillo, from Alexandria, Virginia, to resident staff. As co-chair, her plans include tightening the program’s internal workings; addressing policy gaps; and providing a more structured leadership experience for students, particularly first-years, who are part of their dorm’s association council. Trujillo, who is double majoring in German and global studies, also will look for ways to ensure staff feel supported. “One of our overarching things is ‘Clarity is kindness,’” she says.
Cavalier Daily Editor-in-Chief
Leigh Bailey (Col class of ’27)
EICs usually come up through the editorial staff, but Bailey, who is majoring in economics, has mostly worked in operations as website manager and operations manager, managing nine desks, including photography, design, social media and analytics. As editor-in-chief, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has launched a reporter’s guide to educate staffers on the journalistic craft and is pushing the Cav Daily’s digital strategy, including with a mobile app. “I’m committed to ensuring that journalism remains a healthy forum for students to share their stories, for students to find their voice and for students to learn from one another,” she says.
Board of Visitors Student Member
Jackson Sleadd (Col class of ’27)
Since his first year, Sleadd, from the Louisville, Kentucky, area, has been a leader on Grounds. He was elected class president four times and has served on Student Council and the Interfraternity Council’s governing board. Now Sleadd, who is majoring in political and social thought and studying urban planning in the architecture school, is in his highest-profile role yet. The June BOV meeting, his first, was a “crash course” in the complex business of running UVA, he says. “I’m looking forward to partnering with students and administrators and board members to take on the university’s biggest issues.”
