Meet the Senators

Executive Board

Hayden JohnsonHayden Johnson

President

Senator at large
 
 

Hayden Johnson is a Junior currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Anthropology. Hayden is honored to take on the responsibility of serving as the 2023-2024 Student Senate President. Hayden has previously served as the Vice President, Member at Large, Housing and Residential Life Representative and Parliamentarian. On campus, Hayden also works as a Resident Advisor, in Chatsworth Suites, providing mentorship & guidance to the next generation of student leaders & agents of change. As a representative of his peers, he has worked to encourage students to speak up for what they believe is right and encourage self-advocacy for the experience that they want to have at their university and with the community. Through his work, Hayden hopes that students will continue to feel heard and encouraged to be engaged on campus to improve their overall experience as a member of the Wayne State community, and to make memories right here on campus. Being a part of the senate has allowed Hayden to grow as an aspiring student leader and as a person. Hayden strives to continue to fight for his peers and fellow members of the WSU Community, through advocacy and progression towards representing the student voices of our campus.

 

Hassan EzzeddineHassan Ezzeddine

Vice President
 
Senator at Large
 
 
Hassan Ezzeddine is a second-year Honors student from Farmington Hills studying Environmental Science with a minor in law. His parents both graduated from Wayne State. As a result, Hassan grew up in a Warrior household. Since coming to Wayne State, he has gotten involved with the Lebanese Student Association, Pre-Law Student Association, and Club Water Polo. He has fallen in love with the university and Detroit as a whole. Hassan first got involved with student senate as a non-senator member of the Community Affairs project group. The project group was able to expand contraception on campus throughout resident halls in vending machines. Hassan was appointed to be a Senator-at-Large at the beginning of the Winter 2023 semester, and has now become the Director of Community Affairs after being elected for the new term. He is excited to promote Community Affair's work on campus, as well as Student Senate. He also works as a student assistant at the office of Environmental Health and Safety, and will be an Resident Advisor at Towers Suites starting in Fall 2023. Feel free to reach out to him if you have any questions or ideas for Community Affairs!
 
 

Rachel JohnRachel John

Parliamentarian
 
Senator at Large
 
 
Rachel John is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Global Studies and Political Science. She is also a member of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. As demonstrated through her minor in Russian, Rachel loves learning languages and hopes to someday become fluent in at least five of them! Her long-term goals include working in the UN and traveling around the world to fight for socio-political change and equality for the unseen and underrepresented. Outside of academics, Rachel strives to emerge herself in the Wayne State community as a Resident Advisor at Towers Residential Suites. Her free time is usually occupied with traveling, working out, and eating cuisines from every corner of the globe. While in this position, Rachel hopes to grow in her leadership skills and launch initiatives which enhance the student experience for everyone in the WSU community.
 
 

Ridaa KhanRidaa Khan

Treasurer

College of Fine Performing Arts and Communication
 
 
Ridaa grew up in Troy, Michigan where she graduated in 2021 from Troy High School. As a commuter at Wayne, she enjoys learning about anything and everything when it is from someone who is passionate about what they do. She is often pursuing social media sites like Twitter and Instagram for fun but with this, she wants to observe media and its surrounding issues from a critical lens- considering how it is impacted by capitalism and other dominant ideologies. In the past year as a member-at-large on the Student Senate, she served on the Accessibility Working Group committee as the senate representative to discuss issues pertaining to student and faculty accessibility needs. Ridaa also serves as the JEDI Project Group Chair, where she has started an initiative called Window Magazine for marginalized students to platform themselves in the shared space of a digital magazine. As the Treasurer on E-Board, Ridaa performs the necessary duties regarding the Student Senate's budget. Outside of senate, she works in the compost program for the Wayne State Office of Campus Sustainability. With the opportunity to have another term on Student Senate, she will be able to continue any work and communication she has established last term and use the knowledge she has gained to continue becoming a perceptive and devoted representative for the student body, addressing any pertinent issue within the scope at any cost.

 

Rabika AliRabika Ali

Secretary

Senator at Large

hk3498@wayne.edu

Rabika Ali is a sophomore majoring in Nutrition and Food Sciences and minoring in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing the pre-med/pre-pharm track. She works as a pharmacy technician and has a lot of interest in the world of drug development and drug interactions with the human body. Along with the student senate, Rabika is also one of the coordinators for the Campus Activities Team (CAT), WSU Future Pediatrics Association, Pre-Professional Medical Society (PPMS), MSA, etc. During the summertime she has been a long-term volunteer teacher at the local Islamic School she used to be a student at. Outside of academics and work, she loves to bake, watch dramas, paint, read, and listen to podcasts (specifically Baking a Mystery and Rotten Mango by Stephanie Soo). Her main objective in her first year on senate is to lessen the financial burden and work to provide a wider range of resources and opportunities for the underprivileged students at Wayne State. As a Muslim, immigrant and woman, she wants to use her experiences to empathize, listen, and be a voice for her peers, as well as to give resources that will benefit Wayne State's minority population. Rabika aims to take advantage of this chance to learn how to make a difference for herself and others, as well as to network and establish relationships.

 

Finnley CulhaneFinnley Culhane

Director of Government Affairs

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Representative

finnleyculhane@wayne.edu 

Finnley Culhane is a junior completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Romance Languages with a concentration in French and a minor in History. She was raised in Lasalle, Ontario, Canada, and is now continuing her education in the United States. She hopes to continue to law school post-undergraduate. She is interested in pursuing a career practicing immigration law, aiming to make North America more accessible globally. At Wayne State, she is a Forensics Speech and Debate team member, competing nationally on the Policy Team. Additionally, she is the treasurer of the Wayne Women in Law Project. In her free time, she volunteers regularly at the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families in Windsor, Ontario. Her hobbies include watercolor painting, calligraphy and hand-lettering, basketball, and tennis. As a member-at-large on the Student Senate, she is committed to fostering a healthy and welcoming environment and continuing to improve Wayne State University as a whole.

 

Issa HosariIssa Hosari

Director of Community Affairs

Senator at Large

issahosari@wayne.edu

Issa Hosari is a third-year undergraduate student at Wayne State University majoring in Finance and minoring in Biological Sciences. He is a Palestinian American who currently lives in Livonia, Michigan. Issa is excited to advocate as a voice of the student body on the Student Senate. Currently, he is an intern at Global Ties Detroit, a nonprofit organization focused on citizen diplomacy and creating an open dialogue about sustainable change on local and global issues. Additionally, he is involved with student organizations and serves as the treasurer for the pre-medical fraternity Delta Epsilon Mu. He has a deep-rooted passion, not only for being an active voice for the student body, but also for this university. He is committed to both his academic studies and extracurricular activities that enhance his college experience. As he approaches his third year at Wayne State, he finds that his fulfillment with the time he spends here can only come through his contribution and dedication to improving upon the space where all students strive for success.


Dhruval BhattDhruval Bhatt

Director of Student Services

Housing and Residential Life

hl2562@wayne.edu 

Dhruval Bhatt is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Honors Psychology with a minor in Biology. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, he has enjoyed calling Wayne State his new home. As a Member at Large, he is passionate about creating a more inclusive campus environment and is eager to work with the student senate to address the challenges faced by the Wayne State community. Additionally, he is involved in research with the Brain Imaging Research Division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Outside of his academic pursuits, he also enjoys mentoring the Jerry L. White High School First Robotics FRC Team and connecting with the Detroit community. In his free time, he likes trail biking, playing ping pong, and gaming.
 
 

Gabriel ShamamGabriel Shamam

Director of Public Relations

Senator at Large

gabrielshamam@wayne.edu

Gabriel Shamam is a Junior at Wayne State University, majoring in Biology with aspirations to attend Wayne Medical School. Upon completing education, the pursuit of a career in gastroenterology and internal medicine awaits him. Gabriel, a sibling to two younger sisters, an alum of International Academy West, and a passionate soccer enthusiast who named his Goldendoodle "Messi," is occupied as a full-time server and bartender at Uptown Grille in Commerce. In the limited free time, video games like EAFC 24, Valorant, and Rocket League options. Described as hardworking, goal-driven, and the life of the party, Gabriel can often be found at the Student Center, engaged in activities ranging from watching TV to creating Disney movie tier lists. Say hello if you spot him, as he loves to chat. Gabriel values inclusive decision-making and relishes the role of a leader who helps to boost his team. Movies, spanning various genres and eras, hold a special place in his heart, with 'Godfather 2' and A Boogie being non-negotiable favorites. In the trio of essentials, his dog, music, and movies reign supreme. Gabriel looks forward to the school year on senate as an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, collectively striving for a better future and enhancing the Wayne experience for all.

 

General Body

Veronica FahmiVeronica Fahmi

College of Nursing Representative
 

hc7576@wayne.edu

Veronica Fahmi is a fourth-year honors student studying nursing. Her passions include going to the gym, singing, and trying new things. She is a Canadian student living on campus, and is fluent in French and some Arabic. Veronica's main goal in the future is to give the world the best of herself while still taking care of herself. Nursing is a profession of a selfless nature, and she is looking forward to helping patients in their healing journey. Veronica's reason for choosing nursing is identical to her reason for joining the senate: to serve others. She is truly looking forward to hearing your concerns and helping you make the changes you want to see. Please send her an email if you would like to discuss any topic, and know that she is also a resource to you as a Resident Advisor on campus!

 

TK KhanTK Khan

School of Law Representative
 

gh8512@wayne.edu

TK Khan is a WSU Alum and 2L student at Wayne State University Law School. He graduated in 2021 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. in Global Studies and Political Science. As a member of the Public Forum Debate Team, he won various awards for WSU in regional and national tournaments. Merging his academic and extracurricular experiences, TK decided to attend law school in hopes to fight for tangible solutions to the problems he studied during his undergraduate years. He currently serves as a Governor-at-Large on the WSU Law School Student Board of Governors, working to represent his fellow law students.

 

TK KhanNicole McMath

Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Representative
 

ha4377@wayne.edu

Nicole recently started the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program here at WSU. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science in May of 2023. She does not know which field of physical therapy she would like to study, but she is excited to learn more about the various settings she can work in. Nicole is a very passionate advocate for education and mental health. She has spent time giving back to the Detroit community by volunteering through WSU’s Physical Literacy and Nutrition Education (PLANE) program, where she worked one on one with children with Autism. There, she taught them about physical education and nutrition topics so they can be healthy and happy kids! Nicole is dedicated to helping the Wayne State community by addressing and solving any issues that arise.

 

Noor SuleimanNoor Suleiman

School of Medicine Representative

noor.suleiman@med.wayne.edu

Noor is a Muslim Arab American woman that was born and raised in Michigan. She is a life-long bookworm, tea enthusiast, and self-proclaimed philomath. She comes from a family full of proud Wayne State University graduates and has a passion for researching an array of women's health topics and topics pertaining to understudied sub-populations: Arab Americans and Muslim Americans. When she's not at her desk with her head in a book or pile of articles, she can be found baking, playing with her cat, painting, listening to music, or drinking tea at a local book store.

 

Joel HammoudJoel Hammoud

Mike Ilitch School of Business Representative

hi1204@wayne.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Joel Hammoud and I am a second-year undergraduate student Majoring in Global Supply Chain and a minor in Biology. I am a proud daughter of a Lebanese immigrant and my city of Dearborn's first Arab American Female City Council President. Being raised by such inspiring figures in my community, I was molded into a life of selfless public service and giving back to society. I am striving for a career in Dentistry/Medicine as well as serving in government to help enhance the medical/public health sector in my community. Prior to my collegiate career, I served as an elected treasurer on my high school's student council where I worked diligently to appropriately manage funds and ensure fiscal transparency in the student council as well as a commissioner on my city's Youth Affairs Commission where along with my peers, I worked to promote youth civic engagement by providing a platform to empower young residents to be involved in municipal government. I am also a member of the Scientific Research Journal Organization as well as the Lebanese Student Association on campus and on the board of the Lebanese Student Association, Mission Possible Organization, and the Pre-Dental Society. My passions/hobbies outside of school include art, playing soccer, playing the piano, participating in campaigns, and scouting for local shops and farmers markets. At Wayne State, I hope to be an agent of change and a bridge between my fellow peers and the university's administration.

 

Nelson Glory-EjoyokahNelson Glory-Ejoyokah

Irvin D. Reid Honors College

hi1200@wayne.edu

Hello, my name is Nelson Glory-Ejoyokah. I am a second-year Pre-Med student at Wayne State University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health and Social Medicine. After undergrad, I plan to go to medical school and then residency, where I intend to specialize in radiology/oncology. For hobbies, I play the guitar, I like learning about Science, History, and different cultures. I also like doing calisthenics and I can speak six languages. I also like listening to podcasts, and motivational YouTube channels, as well as watching self-help videos.

 

Robert Alexander-JordanRobert Alexander-Jordan

College of Education
 

robertjordan@wayne.edu

Robert D. Alexander-Jordan is a second-year PhD student in Educational Leadership at Wayne State University with a background in residential living, college preparedness, and youth mentoring. He's a passionate advocate for mental health, politics, and education, currently serving as Graduate Ambassador for WSU's College of Education. With a history of youth development involvement, Robert is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and making a positive impact in his community and beyond.

 

Elizabeth CrenshawElizabeth Crenshaw

School of Social Work Representative

el2583@wayne.edu

Elizabeth is a second-year graduate student enrolled in the Master of Social Work and Public Health joint-degree program at Wayne State University. Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for mental health, social justice, and community well-being. Her commitment to fostering positive change is exemplified through her role as a Graduate Ambassador for the School of Social Work at WSU, where she actively works to cultivate a more supportive and inclusive academic environment. Elizabeth is dedicated to amplifying the voices of her peers and fellow members of the WSU community through active participation in advocacy efforts and by representing the diverse perspectives of students on campus. With the belief that every voice matters, she is dedicated to empowering all students to reach their fullest potential.

 

Amal ElsalehAmal Elsaleh

Senator at Large

amalelsaleh@wayne.edu 

My name is Amal Elsaleh and I am currently a junior studying Philosophy and Neuroscience with a minor in business, and I am interested in pursuing a career in patent law. I enjoy reading, tennis, anything horror-related (movies, games, etc), and the occasional retail therapy. My day-to-day life mainly consists of studying, however, I do find a lot of my breaks being spent with my pet bunny luna, with whom I've found the greatest console this semester! On my weekends, I enjoy spending time with my family and catching up on any books I've decided to start. I often find myself gravitating toward books that ponder the nature of metaphysical truths or the economy. I consider myself to be an extremely kind-hearted, hard-working, diligent, and collaborative person. I look forward to hopefully being able to cooperate with everyone in Student Senate this year.

 

Mohamed KaraaliMohamed Karaali

Senator at Large

hc8788@wayne.edu

Mohamed Karaali is a third-year senior currently majoring in Public Health with a minor in Business Administration. He hopes to pursue a career in the Dental field. Some of his hobbies when he is not studying for exams include working out, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and watching anime. He is both the son of a Lebanese mother who was born in the United States to Lebanese immigrants and the son of a Lebanese immigrant father who left his war-torn nation in search of a better life and to pursue the American Dream. Currently, he works two jobs as a Dental Assistant and also as a substitute teacher at all local metro Detroit school districts. He also serves as an event coordinator on Wayne State's Mission Possible board, and is a very active member in many other organizations like Lebanese Student Association, Pre-Dental Society, Club-Med Virtual, Arab-Student Association, and WSU Giving Hand. Through his time at Wayne state, online through COVID and back in person now, he has learned so much about the students that go here and how much their voices matter. During his time on student senate, he wants to make differences that improve our campus and community first hand by acting as the voice of the student body and making sure that everyone that goes to Wayne State feels heard and that their voices matter. By making our campus feel more inclusive and addressing the challenges faced by our community, Mohamed believes we can bring our campus together and further embrace our Warrior spirit. He is looking forward to representing our student body.

 

Vansh BhardwajVansh Bhardwaj

Senator at Large

vanshb@wayne.edu

Vansh Bhardwaj is a third year student, pursuing a Bachelor's in Public Health with a minor in Biological Sciences. With aspirations to work as a physician, his goal is to utilize his passion for Public Health to bring health equity to the forefront of medicine by advocating for disadvantaged groups. Vansh is currently the Public Health Project Group Chair and hopes to work with fellow senators to enact initiatives throughout the 2023-24 term. Outside of academics, Vansh is a tutor for elementary students from Detroit Public Schools and visits hospice patients, providing respite care for their families. Overall, Vansh aims to act as a liaison between the student body and administration to put forth sustainable and impactful initiatives that improve student life.

 

Charlie RougnyCharlie Rougny

Senator at Large

cjrougny@wayne.edu

Charlie Rougny is a second-year student majoring in English Literature Honors and Employment & Labor Studies. She is a member of Wayne State's Pre-Law Student Association and works as the Executive Assistant to Recreation within the athletics department. Professionally, she aspires to be an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within the Department of Labor and is passionate about the right to equal opportunity. Charlie has lived in three different states, practices Eastern Orthodoxy, and chose to attend Wayne State University due to its location and diverse student body. Her hobbies include cooking, creative writing, and learning in all forms. By serving on the Student Senate, she aspires to act as a resource and ally for students and faculty alike; she looks forward to meeting any and everyone with constructive critiques, comments, and questions!

 

alexander GilstorfAlexander Gilstorf

Senator at Large

alexandergilstorf@wayne.edu

Alexander Gilstorf is a first year student majoring in Mathematical Economics and its criticalness in everyday life, henceforth, why he is striving to become a research economist at the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Alexander founded the Wayne State University Economics Club because he found that there were few opportunities for economics students to get involved putting them at a disadvantage. He hit the ground running with his Guest Speaker initiatives inherently becoming the voice of the economics students at WSU. With Alexander's financial education initiatives within Student Senate, he is committed to serving all students at WSU as a means of providing astounding educational opportunities and experiences.

 

Fatima AlgahaimFatima Algahaim

Senator at Large

hp5430@wayne.edu

Fatima Algahaim is a first-year Computer Science major at Wayne State University who has a fervent passion for current events, diverse literature, and making positive impacts. As a committed volunteer, she actively contributes to food banks and refugee welcome centers, hoping to empower individuals to fully embrace life. In addition to this, Fatima expresses affection by baking for the people around her. She loves reading and working out to challenge both her body and mind, and will have Marvel movie marathons whenever she’s feeling down. With a sincere goal of making a positive impact on the Wayne State community, Fatima aspires to foster an inclusive environment where students of all backgrounds can thrive. Embracing mistakes as opportunities for personal growth, she actively seeks conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds, aiming to enrich her understanding and contribute to the vibrant community at Wayne State University. As a first-year student, Fatima looks forward to combining her passion for computer science with her commitment to community service, making lasting contributions to the university community while continuously striving for personal and academic growth.

 

Mazin AlamMazin Alam

Senator at Large

mazinalam@wayne.edu

Mazin Alam is a 3rd Year undergraduate student at Wayne State majoring in Biology and pursuing a minor in History. Growing up in the Metro Detroit area, Mazin has developed deep roots and a strong connection with the Greater Detroit community. Mazin is passionate about serving the interests of underrepresented groups and minorities who make up the vast mosaic of Southeast-Michigan. He splits his time between volunteering at local hospitals, teaching students as a Learning Assistant, and being involved with his local religious organizations. Outside of school Mazin enjoys road biking, reading, cooking, and watching movies. He hopes to one day practice as a physician and use his position to affect public policy on a national and global scale. As a Senator, his goals are to advance Diversity and Public Health Initiatives through the JEDI and Public Health Project groups.

 

Arun KumarArun Kumar

Senator at Large

hl1134@wayne.edu

Arun Kumar is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Honors and Public Health with a minor in Chemistry. Originally from the countryside of Illinois, Arun currently lives on campus here at Wayne State. By serving as Member at Large, he is eager to meet the needs of his fellow peers and ensure that their voices are acknowledged and accounted for. On a personal level, he is fascinated with the eye and aspires to become an ophthalmologist one day. His passions led him to co-found and serve as Vice President of the Kresge Vision Volunteers program, where he aims to introduce the field to students at Wayne State and provide them with volunteer opportunities at the revered Kresge Eye Institute. Furthermore, Arun is currently involved with research in the Department of Ophthalmology at Wayne State University's School of Medicine, in which he primarily focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of retinal regeneration in zebrafish. Beyond academics, he loves exploring Detroit and learning about its rich history. He also likes spending time with friends, watching horror movies, working out, and playing tennis.

 

Zahra HassanZahra Hassan

Senator at Large

hi0709@wayne.edu

Zahra Hassan is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Sociology. She is an editor for the Window Magazine, a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and a member of the Multi-Cultural Association. Zahra is a first generation child of immigrants from Yemen, who takes immense pride in her identity as an Arab and Muslim woman. Graduating from Fordson High School in 2021, she decided to stay local and continue her academic pursuits in the heart of Detroit, as an act of her commitment to the community that raised her. Her dedication to her community and commitment to advocacy is further showcased through her organizing efforts with Access Acts and For Our Future Michigan, as well as her time spent volunteering at domestic abuse survivor homes and senior community centers in Metro Detroit. Zahra spends her leisure time watching movies and updating her Letterboxd profile. She enjoys the works of directors Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and Wong Kar-Wai in particular, but does not limit viewings to familiar names or genres. She appreciates music from all timeframes and styles, but holds in special affection hip hop and rap, as she was raised by hip hop culture. She is also a die-hard Detroit Pistons fan, and maintains unshaken loyalty to the franchise. Zahra seeks to utilize her position as a Student Senator to amplify the voices of and properly advocate for the concerns of the student body.

 

Vacant: School of Information Sciences Representative and Extension Center Representative


 

David StraussFaculty Advisor

David Strauss, Ph.D.

Dean of Students

davidstrauss@wayne.edu

David has served as Wayne State's Dean of Students since January, 2002. In this capacity, he leads the university's student affairs activities, including the responsibility for student and campus activities, student organization resources, fraternity and sorority life, student community involvement, Warrior Pride affinity programs, student senate and student conduct and care services. David chairs the Student Update and Information Team (SUIT), serves as the university's Title IX Deputy Coordinator, represents student life on the university crisis team, and serves as the Office of the Provost's representative to the Academic Senate's Student Affairs committee. Since 2011, David has been an adjunct lecturer in the WSU Department of Economics where he teaches a section of Principles of Economics each fall and winter semester. Prior to joining Wayne State, David served as the Associate Director of the University Honors and Scholars Center at The Ohio State University and the Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life and Student Activities at Centre College. David received his Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University, his Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bucknell University. David is a member of NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education where he serves on the region 4 east board and is on the boards of the Farmington YMCA and the Lester & Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center at Michigan State University. David enjoys swimming, handy work projects around the house, gardening, and spending time with his wife Amy and children Nate and Caroline