Political Science Undergraduate Council

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help the UCLA Political Science department address the needs of undergraduate students, build community, and enhance the intellectual life of undergraduates in the department. As part of that mission, we seek to promote inclusivity and to create more avenues for the interests of our diverse student body to be heard. We also strive to help our fellow students succeed in the major and beyond. The Council serves as a bridge between students, faculty, and staff so that we can work together to build our department and our community.

Peer Advising Appointments

Feeling particularly stuck in political science? The council members of the PSUC are here to lend a hand. We understand that connecting with other students can be challenging and impersonal. So, our peer advisors are happy to talk to you about classes, requirements, professors, careers, homework, or even if you just want the chance to chat with another Political Science Undergrad. We can’t promise that we will have all the answers, but we can promise that we will offer our advice, knowledge, expertise, or point you in the direction of other organizations/people/resources that can help as well.

Please fill out this Google Form if you are interested in meeting with one of our peer advisors from the PSUC:
https://forms.gle/qP5XM34q55M5PCiH6

Peer Advising Office Hours

THE COUNCIL

Tamara Nogueira-Ramirez

Tamara Nogueira-Ramirez

I am the chair of the Political Science Undergraduate Council. I am a senior Political Science major and Mexican Studies minor with a concentration in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. My identity as a first-generation Mexican-American from southern San Diego has inspired me to pursue immigration law as a career. Besides leading the PSUC, I am the Internal Chief of Staff of the USAC Office of the External Vice President, have interned for the US Department of Education, and am a sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc. In my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, practicing yoga, and going to new coffee shops.

Beleh Toma

Beleh Toma

I am a third-year student from San Diego studying Political Science with a concentration in American Politics. I also am double majoring in History. I am a first-generation immigrant who came to this country at the age of three. I have had a passion for public service and politics ever since I first became an intern for my state senator at the age of 15. I have grown to love public service and hope to pursue law in the hopes of becoming an immigration attorney. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and watching sports (I’m a huge Chargers and Lakers fan!).

Aya Almasri

Aya Almasri

Hi! I am a Third-Year Political Science and Public Affairs double major. My concentration in Political Science is Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. I am Syrian American and I am from the Central Valley (Fresno specifically). In the future, I want to attend law school to pursue prosecution and civil rights law. This past summer, I interned for the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit in the Fresno District Attorney‘s Office. Previously, I have interned in the reproductive justice policy field, foreign affairs, and civil law. I am passionate about using my voice to create social change which I hope to continue in my future career. At UCLA, I am involved in the UCLA External Vice President’s Office where I am the Co-Director of State Relations which lobbies for bills that affect students in Sacramento! I am also in She’s the First which raises money for women’s education in developing countries, and Ignite which is fighting to make rape test kits available on campus. For fun, I love thrifting, picnics, and hot girl walks. I am excited to engage with and represent poli sci undergrads.

Heeya Firdaus

Heeya Firdaus

I’m a third year majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. I am also an international student and I plan to minor in Social Data Science. I serve as Co-Director of the Scholarly Engagement Committee and as Editor-in-Chief of DEMOS. Outside of PSUC, I serve on the ASUCLA Board of Directors and work in the USAC Internal Vice President’s Office. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending hours on Pinterest!

Cristopher Espino

Cristopher Espino

Greetings, everyone! My name is Cristopher Espino and I am a second-year double majoring in Political Science (Concentration: Political Theory) & Education and Social Transformation Studies. After college, I plan on pursuing an MA in Education Policy and a JD. This year, I serve as the Chief of Senate for the Academic Affairs Commission, the Resident Assistant for the Public Service and Civic Engagement LLC, and as a Research Assistant at UCLA’s Pritzker Center. I hope that through collaboration and tenacity, I am able to help my fellow peers achieve greatness. On my leisure, I enjoy learning new words, cooking, dancing, learning arbitrary facts, and watching movies or shows.

Erik Movsessian

Erik Movsessian

I am a third-year undergraduate Political Science major and History minor. My concentration is in American politics, and I am looking to pursue a career in law. I have spent much time working on various Los Angeles elections and law offices. I am a second-generation Armenian-American, driving my passion to represent Armenians in the council. My hobbies include watching basketball and soccer, playing video games, and traveling with friends and family.

Anthony Sanchez

Anthony Sanchez

I am a third-year undergraduate student from Inglewood, California, double majoring in Political Science and Chicanx and Central American Studies while minoring in History. My concentration in Political Science is American Politics. My identity as a first-generation Mexican-American student and my family’s immigration journey to the United States helped shape my passions for immigration advocacy, social justice, and public policy. I strive to attend law school and become an immigration attorney. Alongside my work with the PSUC, I am involved in local community volunteer work, nonprofit work locally and abroad, and I am currently interning for UCLA Athletics. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, eating street tacos, spending time with my cat, playing basketball, and watching sports.

Risha Trivedi

Risha Trivedi

I am a second year Political Science and Communications double major from Southern California. My experience as the first person from my family to pursue law has led me to be involved in pre-law and mentorship programs on this campus, such as LeGal and PATHS. In the future, I hope to pursue Corporate Law after graduating from UCLA, however I am also interested in International Human Rights law and Public Policy. In my free time, I love to explore local restaurants and cook, as well as read as much as possible!

Cecilia Choy

Cecilia Choy

I am a first year English and Pre-Political Science double major. Competing in numerous speech competitions and calling members of Congress to action inspired my pursuit in becoming a lawyer. This is my first year in PSUC as well as Project SPELL, a couple pre-law societies, and Residential Life. I love reading, catching up with friends and family, and volunteering at local community centers.

Karina Nanda

Karina Nanda

I’m a first-year Political Science major from Orange County, California. My passion for women’s rights and international human rights has paved the way for my work with Planned Parenthood of San Bernardino and Orange Counties, and my research into women’s rights globally. Outside of PSUC, I dedicate much of my time to community service through Bruin Belles. During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, traveling and watching reality TV. I am always up for an adventure! Fun fact, I was born at UCLA!

Amelie Lobo

Amelie Lobo

I am a fourth-year student from Toronto, Canada studying Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. I am minoring in Social Data Science and Public Affairs. I have a strong passion for public service, politics, data analysis, and the intersection of all three. I am very interested in the way law serves as the foundation for our society and aim to pursue law after completing undergrad. In addition to serving on council, I am a Justice for the UCLA Judicial Board and work in Development/ Fundraising for UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance. In my free time I enjoy dancing, watching movies, and going to the beach.

Kevin Groballi

Kevin Groballi

I am a third-year transfer student from Orange County studying political science with a concentration in international relations. As a first-generation student navigating college and career readiness, I have embraced and developed a deep passion for law and politics. After serving as a legal assistant for a law firm in Newport Beach, I have found my calling in patent law and hope to expand my interest by attending law school after receiving a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. In my free time, I love to hike, swim, play soccer, and go camping.

Melisa Lima-Preciado

Melisa Lima-Preciado

I am a first-generation second-year undergraduate from Long Beach, double majoring in Political Science and Public Affairs. Driven by my Mexican identity and fueled by a passion to address injustices in my community, I aspire to pursue a career in criminal law. Committed to public service, my goal is to be of meaningful assistance to underserved communities, leveraging my skills and dedication for positive change. Apart from serving on the council, I am part of the UCLA college corps, a fellow at The Los Angeles Regional Collaborative, and a writer for the Latinx Pre-law journal. In my free time, I enjoy doing puzzles, baking, camping, and exploring new food spots.

Tania Ramon

Tania Ramon

I am a fourth-year, second-year transfer student majoring in political science and minoring in public affairs. As a first generation Mexican-American college student, I want to dedicate my career to serving the community and I am motivated to pursue a career in public policy or law to become an attorney. In addition to serving on the council, I am also the external relations and communications director for the Latinx Pre-Law Association. I am so excited to serve on the council working to build community and advocate for the needs of students. During my leisure time, I love checking out vintage shops, drawing, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Shawn Nguyen

Shawn Nguyen

I am a first-year Political Science major, I intend on concentrating in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics and also hope to double major in Sociology. I’m from Anaheim, CA and I hope to pursue law school in the future! I’m in the process of applying to summer internships right now so wish me luck 🙂 Besides being on the PSUC, I’m involved in Association of Chinese Americans (ACA) and overall hope to get more involved on campus soon! In my free time, I love music, being a cat parent at home, going to the gym, and getting good eats with my friends!