Meet Exec!
This is the Willard executive board from Spring 2022 to Winter 2023. Get to know us!
President
Justin Dong
he/him
The President oversees Willard, runs Executive Board meetings, aids other members of Exec with their responsibilities, represents Willard on the Residential College Board, and maintains SOFO training.
Justin (he/him/his) is a McCormick first-year majoring in Chemical Engineering from Decatur, Illinois. In his free time, he enjoys going out with friends for boba or dinner, ordering iced hot chocolates from Cafe Coralie, or doing nothing. If you enjoy listening to pop music, find Justin because he's probably up to date on everything pop music. He also plays violin and piano (not Bienen-level though!), so if you want a personal concert, just let him know! It'll probably be Clair de Lune. Be sure to say hi to him, whether if it's to vent (because he will too) or to update him about your day.
Vice President
Anastasia Wei
she/her
The Vice President is responsible for running Central, Willard's Junior Exec Board, and overseeing programming for Wildcat Welcome.
Anastasia Wei is an international student from Wuhan, China, double majoring in Physics and Data Science. She is excited to be a part of the Willard family and hope to foster an all inclusive and welcoming for all Woos! She is passionate about hard-core STEM topics, especially physics, astronomy, and math. She is currently under training to become a telescope operator at Dearborn Observatory and doing research in time-domain astronomy. Feel free to reach out to her for all physics/astro/math related questions. In her free time, Anastasia enjoys listening to indie and jazz music, cooking and baking, and going on runs along the lake. If you ever run in to her studying in one of the kitchens, please come by and say hi; she’d like to get to know as many Woos and possible!
Secretary
Tommy Ouyang
he/him
The Secretary creates the weekly Exec agenda, takes minutes at weekly meetings, maintains the Willard Calendar, and manages the Willard Points System.
Tommy Ouyang (he/him/his) is a first-year from Edina, Minnesota majoring in neuroscience. When he's not speedrunning wordle or running around Willard, his personality traits include having a twin brother, taking chemistry, and inventing dances with his friends. Contrary to popular belief, Tommy actually spends time outside of main library, so if you ever see him, be sure to say hi!
Treasurer
Lauren Escudero
she/her
The Treasurer maintains SOFO training, takes charge of all Willard budgeting and financial affairs, and creates Willard's budget along with the President.
Lauren Escudero (she/her) is a first-year from Miami, Florida majoring in history. When she's not talking about the 305, she is probably ranting about Marvel, discovering a new sitcom, or listening to her record collection. She is also involved in WNUR Rock Show and NU Feminists, so feel free to ask any questions about these clubs! Her favorite place is the beach, but most days you'll find her studying in the WFFL, so make sure to stop by and say hi!
Social Chair
Sai Thirunagari
he/him
The Social Chairs plan all Willard social events, including Willard Formal, create new events, and help Willard residents bring their event ideas to life!
Sai Thirunagari (he/him/his) is a first-year from Dallas, TX, majoring in Learning & Organizational Change and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. He's excited to get to know his fellow Woos and work with the other members of Exec to plan fun weekly social events to foster a strong Willard community. He loves meeting and getting to know people, so say hi if you ever see him sitting in the WFFL or grabbing a bite at Allison! His favorite pastimes include watching movies (he loves getting suggestions to add to his movie watchlist), listening to tons of music (128 albums and still counting, he's always willing to hear your music recommendations), reading, and going out to eat at new restaurants with friends.
Social Chair
Elliot Oppenheim
he/him
The Social Chairs plan all Willard social events, including Willard Formal, create new events, and help Willard residents bring their event ideas to life!
Elliot (he/him/his) is a School of Communications first-year from Bethesda, MD (right outside of DC). When not hanging out in the WFFL, he loves walking on the lake fill, exploring Chicago, and baking. On campus Elliot is theater/journalism/music adjacent and loves all things related to storytelling. If you spot him roaming south campus, he's always ready to discuss audiobooks and bad TV. Please reach out to him if you have any event ideas or just want to rant!
Academic Chair
Kalliope Kobotis
she/her
The Academic Chairs maintain communication with Willard faculty and associates, encourage student-associate interaction, and run events involving Associates, like High Table.
Kalliope Kobotis is from Skokie, IL. She is majoring in Dance and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences. Outside of class, Kalliope is a member of Graffiti Dancers. Her hobbies include ballet, choreography, and rewatching The Great British Baking Show. If you see her around Willard, tell her about your favorite classes and professors!
Academic Chair
Sanjana Rajesh
she/her
The Academic Chairs maintain communication with Willard faculty and associates, encourage student-associate interaction, and run events involving Associates, like High Table.
Sanjana Rajesh (she/her/hers) is a first-year student in Weinberg from Schaumburg, IL, which is a suburb of Chicago. In her free time, she loves to read, do calligraphy, and take photos of the sky (sunsets & sunrises are kind of her thing). She enjoys discussing politics, and would also like everyone to listen to British girl group Little Mix. Hanging out in the WFFL (which is a wormhole) is one of her favorite Willard activities. She’s excited to connect Woos with faculty and professors around Northwestern!
Diversity and Inclusion Chair
Cecelia Barr
she/her
The Diversity and Inclusion Chair works to foster an inclusive, empathetic community within Willard that promotes the wellbeing of all students through events and other initiatives.
Cecelia Barr is a first-year majoring in chemical engineering. She is from Commerce Township, MI (which you may gather from seeing her most likely wearing shorts and crocs once it's 35 degrees outside). She likes to talk about TV shows and music, and has lots to say about things like the fourth dimension and which letters are no longer needed in the alphabet. Above all, she loves taking Willard IM sports too seriously and going to every single Willard event.
Food and Fireside Chair
Lauren Kelley
she/her
The Food and Fireside Chairs recruit Fellows and Willard residents to give Firesides and organize all Munchies and other food-driven events.
My name is Lauren (she/her), and I’m a freshman in Weinberg majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Latin. I love going on hikes (when it’s actually warmish out), reading, cooking (especially chili), and exploring the city! I’m also obsessed with Dune, Star Wars, and horror movies, so please feel free to chat if you share my obsession. Fun fact: I run a secret northwestern gimmick account that no one will ever know about. I’m so excited to be on exec and put on fun events for the community!!!!
Food and Fireside Chair
Apollo Umbra
he/him
The Food and Fireside Chairs recruit Fellows and Willard residents to give Firesides and organize all Munchies and other food-driven events.
Apollo (he/him/his) is a second year student from Asheville, North Carolina majoring in theatre and minoring in music technology. He loves pretty much any random niche topic and will talk to you about them for hours. Eurovision, color psychology, art, geography, and food are just a few examples. You can find him lingering around Willard most of the day, if you don't see him there is a serious amount of work to be done. Sometimes you may also catch him bursting out in song and dance in the halls so when you hear the Taylor Swift approaching be prepared. He has a goal of knowing every new Woo so feel free to introduce yourself when you see him... if he doesn't introduce himself first.
Public Relations Chair
Morgan Willison
she/they
The Public Relations Chair publicizes all Willard events to the LISTSERV, social media, and Woochat and designs and sends out the Weekly Woo to remind residents of events and important information.
Morgan Willison (she/they) is a first-year studying Psychology, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Art History. Her favorite spots to study on campus are Deering (in the winter) and by the Lakefill (when it's not -4 degrees) and she thinks everyone should make bad art at least once in their lives. They're also the manager of this website (and the Instagram and the Facebook and the Tik Tok... you get it) so if you like what you see (or you want to be featured) be sure to let her know! They thrive off of sunlight and making niche playlists and she usually has an extra pencil if you need one. If you see someone taking pictures at a Willard event it's probably her so don't hesitate to introduce yourself!
Philanthropy Chair
David Aguilar
he/him
The Philanthropy Chair plans and executes philanthropic and community service events for the Willard community to participate in and coordinates with philanthropic organizations on and off campus.
I am David Aguilar from Fontana, California! I am planning to major in economics and physics with a minor in physics. On the side, I play trombone and basketball. I am super excited to be Philanthropy Chair and I cannot wait to bring the ideas I and others have into reality. My favorite part about Willard is the community. Every time I enter Willard, I feel a sense of community and belonging where I know there are people for me and I think this is one of the attributes that makes Willard amazing.