Leadership
Christopher McClanahan
Speaker of the 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, Senator At-Large
Christopher McClanahan is a senior from Charlotte, North Carolina studying Computer Science with a minor in Philosophy. Previously, Christopher served as the chair of the Rules & Judiciary Committee in the 105th and 106th Senates and as a member of the Finance & Appropriations Committee in the 104th Senate. As Speaker, Christopher is excited to be able to defend student interests on campus. Outside of student government, Christopher served as the Director-General of MUNCH XXV, the twenty-fifth iteration of UNC’s annual high school Model UN conference.
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Garrett Barnes
Speaker Pro Tempore of the 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1
Garrett Barnes is a senior from Columbus County, North Carolina studying Political Science, Public Policy, and Russian Culture. He has an interest in education policy, particularly as it affects students in rural areas and their academic and socioeconomic mobility. Garrett served as a vice-chair of the Finance & Appropriations Committee in the 106th Senate and is excited to use the legislative and leadership skills he learned there to facilitate a 107th Senate that passes legislation from a diverse array of senators. Outside of student government, Garrett is involved with a service organization at UNC and focuses on planning events new to the organization.
Nayan Bala
Chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1
Nayan Bala is a junior Carolina Scholar from Massachusetts studying Public Policy and Data Science. Nayan is keenly interested in the intersection between the government and public health, and the dynamic between the two areas. In the 106th Senate, she served as the First Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and she is excited to serve as the Executive Director of the Reproductive Health Task Force as part of the Alvarez Administration. Outside of student government, Nayan is the Co-President of UNC FlowForward, the Co-Founder and Finance Head of the Policy Coalition at Carolina, a Scholarship Ambassador, and is a member of the UNC Squash Club Team.
Liam Kiley
Chair of the Committee on Rules and the Judiciary, 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, Senator At-Large
Liam Kiley is a Sophomore from Apex, North Carolina studying Statistics and Political Science with a minor in Music. Since joining the Senate in 2024, he has been particularly focused on improving the freshman experience and serves as chair of the committee to consider reforms to the FY-THRIVE curriculum, where he aims to implement student-suggested changes into the College Thriving curriculum. Outside of student government, Liam is involved with Carolina International Relations Association, UNC Young Democrats, and UNC Symphony Orchestra, where he plays the bassoon.
Juliana Lewis
Chair of the Committee on Student Affairs, 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, District 1
Juliana Lewis is a junior from Williamston Michigan studying Political Science and International Relations of Environmental and Sustainable Practices as an Interdisciplinary Studies double major. Since being elected in 2025, Juliana has been appointed as the Student Affairs Chair and has been serving on the special committee to reform the FY-THRIVE curriculum. She has a particular interest in environmental policy and improving sustainable development strategies on campus. Outside of Student Government, Juliana is a leader for a campus ministry called Younglife at Orange Middle School, a trumpet player in the symphony band, a member of the UNC sailing club, and a member of Epsilon Eta the environmental honors fraternity.
Robert Battle
Chair of the Permanent Select Committee on Ethics, 107th Senate of the Undergraduate Student Body, Senator At-Large
Robert Battle is a senior from Wake Forest, North Carolina studying Mathematics, Computer Science, and Philosophy. Robert previously served in the 106th Senate and as a staffer in the Department of Academic Affairs and Professional Development. Outside of Student Government, Robert has a passion for organizing and attending hackathons, serving as a Director for HackNC.
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.