Leadership | The Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body

Matthew Tweden

Speaker of the 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1

Matthew Tweden is a senior Robertson Scholar from Round Rock, Texas studying Public Policy & Peace, War, and Defense. He is particularly interested in how grand strategy and national security law shape the policymaking process. Previously, Matthew served as Chair of the Joint Governance Council and as a senior staffer in the Undergraduate Executive Branch. Outside of student government, he is a vocal campus leader, engaged forums for civic discourse and numerous policy-related student organizations. Outside of his academic work, Matthew supports youth leadership development and regional speech and debate programs.

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Jennie Lin

Speaker Pro Tempore of the 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1

Jennie Lin is a sophomore is from Harrisburg, North Carolina studying Neuroscience and Medical Anthropology. She has been a part of student government since her first semester of freshman year, serving as the Speaker Chief of Staff for the 105^th Undergraduate Senate. Currently serving her first term in the Senate, Lin represents the Carolina’s 1^st Senate District. Outside of student government, Jennie is involved in Greek life and can be found spending time with her friends.

Katherine “Katie” Fiore

Chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 2

Katie Fiore is a sophomore studying History and Public Policy. She is the Chair of the Finance Committee and oversees the allocation process of the student activity fee to student organizations. She spent her first term in the 105^th Senate serving on the Finance Committee during her first year at UNC. She is also a leadership member of a policy publishing group and the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking and playing piano.

Christopher McClanahan

Chair of the Committee on Rules and the Judiciary, 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, Senator At Large

Christopher McClanahan is a junior from Charlotte studying Computer Science, elected at-large to represent the Undergraduate Student Body. Christopher served previously in the 104th Senate and as Rules & Judiciary Chair in the 105th Senate. Outside of student government, Christopher is passionately involved in the Carolina International Relations Association.

Mridhula Bharathwaj

Chair of the Committee on Student Affairs, 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1

Mridhula Bharathwaj, a sophomore at UNC, studies Political Science and Public Policy while serving as Student Affairs Committee Chair in the 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body. Since her arrival, she has been active in student government, previously as Legislative Director in the 105th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body. Apart from student government, she is involved in the Provost’s Advisory Committee, Undergraduate Law Association, Institute of Politics, and Phi Alpha Delta. Mridhula is also the founder of Project Stop The Splash, a global initiative against acid attacks, recognized by President Biden, Justice Kagan, Senator Van Hollen, and Governor Wes Moore. Her commitment to leadership and social impact exemplifies her dedication to public service.

Callan Baruch

Chair of the Permanent Select Committee on Ethics, 106th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 4

Callan Baruch is from Chapel Hill, NC, and is studying Physics and Mathematics with a minor in French. Before UNC, Callan attended Carrboro High School where he was a founding member of their robotics team and a Captain for their State Championship tennis team. Prior to being elected Ethics Chair, Callan served as Ethics Chair and Vice Chair in the 105th and 104th Senates, respectively. He concurrently serves as a member of the Dean of Arts and Sciences Advisory Committee. Callan is also involved in the nonprofit organizations TEACH and CHRU at UNC, as well as a member of the Society of Physics Students. Outside of UNC, Callan is a licensed tennis coach and a researcher at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory.

Speaker

Elected by The Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, the Speaker is the first among equals of the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body. The Speaker of the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body manages a wide range of responsibilities and authorities both inside and outside of the body. Serving as the presiding officer, the Speaker calls meetings, participates in all committees as a non-voting ex officio member, and is a voting member of the Student Fee Audit Committee, Carolina Union Board of Directors, and Joint Governance Council. Further, they play a crucial role in the legislative process by signing and transmitting acts and resolutions, appointing staff members, and preparing the Senate’s budget requests. The Speaker takes charge of administrative tasks, ensures proper execution of duties, and serves as the primary spokesperson for the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body. Additionally, they have the authority to make operational decisions, determine the legislative agenda’s order, and rule on procedural and parliamentary matters, making them a pivotal figure in the Senate’s functioning and decision-making processes.

Speaker Pro Tempore

Elected by The Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, The Speaker Pro Tempore presides over Senate meetings in the Speaker’s absence, administers the oath of office to new Senators, orientates new members, and communicates with the university community. The Undergraduate Speaker Pro Tempore has various responsibilities, including preparing the Undergraduate Legislative Branch Annual Report which contains a discussion of the Branch’s work, the Code of the Permanent Laws of the Undergraduate Student Government, financial statements, and other relevant information. They serve as a non-voting member of all Senatorial committees and a voting member of the Joint Governance Council.

Committee Chairs

The responsibilities of all standing committee chairpersons includes calling and presiding over committee meetings and providing reports on committee activities and proceedings to the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body. They are also tasked with ensuring minutes and attendance are recorded for committee meetings and carrying out any other duties lawfully assigned to them.