Student Advisory Board

Third year student Hoda Abdullahi is an Economics major passionate about human rights and their application across global and local contexts. She is also an Ecolab Scholar. She serves as a Buildings and Energy Intern for the City of Crystal and currently works as an undergraduate research assistant. Abdullahi is excited to be a part of the working group and learn more about human rights advocacy. “This group provides an opportunity to engage in informed discussions, and collaborate with peers committed to advancing justice through education and advocacy,” Abdullahi says. 

Zukaina Al-Mohamed is a senior majoring in global studies and minoring in political science. She has worked for the Human Rights Program as a program and communications assistant, and has recently shifted her role to focus on editing the program’s Human Writes blog. She is passionate about opposing authoritarianism and fascism. She joined the Undergraduate Working Group because: “Human rights is a real passion of mine! By joining the group, I want to help get more people involved in human rights, since it’s something that affects us all.” 

Bayleigh Bergner is a senior studying political science and strategic communication. This is her second year serving on the Working Group. Outside of the Human Rights Program, she is involved in the Undergraduate Political Science Association and serves as secretary for She’s the First, an organization dedicated to promoting girls’ education worldwide. Bayleigh is particularly passionate about women’s rights and climate justice. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in public affairs and policy analysis.

Second year student Azucely Bixcul is majoring in global studies and environmental sciences policy and management. She is an international student from Guatemala interested in social justice and reducing inequalities through education and advocacy. She is currently working remotely with an organization called Aldea in the research area to develop projects that promote women’s empowerment. Bixcul joined the working group because she wants to create more awareness among students to encourage them to speak up for what they believe in. 

Hugo Breese is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Spanish Studies. He serves as an At-Large-Representative for the Undergraduate Student Government and is an Institute on the Environment Undergraduate Leader on the Falcon Heights Energy Commission project team. His dedication to human rights was shaped by his experience growing up in post-Troubles Ireland, where resentment and forgiveness co-mingled long after the end of the conflict. Breese believes that human rights provide the best framework for affording every human being the dignity they deserve, and joined the working group to further that idea.

Second year student Michaella Burmis is majoring in Spanish and Global Studies on a pre-law track. This is her second year being a part of the working group. In addition, she is currently working with the StoryArch program having advocacy discussions with youth and has helped to support the creation of the Rights Collaboratory project. Within her advocacy journey at the U of M, she has worked closely with the MLK advisory program studying the Black Freedom Movement and the Chicano/ Latino Movement.  She is very passionate about all human rights centered topics and has a passion for helping others on their advocacy journeys to create effective change. She rejoined the working group to be more involved within human rights and collaborate with others who are passionate about human rights. In the future she hopes to work in immigration and international human rights law while servicing her communities.

Sanket Deshpande is a Junior majoring in Economics and Political Science. In the field of human rights, he is particularly interested in humanitarian law in armed conflict, and its role in mitigating reclusive, oppressive armed forces. This summer, he studied abroad in Scandinavia and Kosovo, where he examined past and present atrocities, like in the Balkans and Gaza, and was deeply inspired to research these topics further. He is excited to be a part of the Human Rights Program this year and learn from so many smart, like-minded students and faculty. “I wanted to join the working group to have an outlet to speak and learn about human rights in a positive and supportive environment,” says Deshpande.

Jada Dixon is a junior psychology student with a strong passion for mental health and human rights. “Having personal experience with mental health challenges, I am especially motivated to advocate for individuals whose voices are too often overlooked,” she says. Dixon hopes “to gain meaningful experience and learn how human rights work can be applied in practice,” which inspired her to join the human rights group. Through advocacy and education, she aims to support and empower others. 

Jerrin Glade is a sophomore  majoring in political science and strategic communications with a minor in sociology. His passion for human rights began in childhood, after learning about the inequities his father endured while living in Ghana. Glade believes that “no human should be subjected to inequities simply because they were born into a situation that doesn't afford them the resources to solve such issues.” He is committed to advancing equity through law, policy, and storytelling, to ensure all people can embrace their identities and define their narratives beyond the injustices they face.

Third year student Elizabeth Gust is studying English and political science with a minor in environmental geosciences. She works at the Learning Abroad Center and is an intern for Juvenile Justice Advocates International. She is also in Maroon Campus Band, a team lead for the Honors Mentor Program, and teaches an Honors NEXUS about climate change. She is passionate about environmental justice and public education. This is her third year in the working group, and she is the student coordinator for Brewing Justice. Through the working group, she hopes to make human rights knowledge and advocacy more accessible to UMN students.

Tye Hiltunen is a senior majoring in history and minoring in political Science. As a member of the working group last year, he helped organize Brewing Justice coffee hours. He is passionate about housing and labor rights, looking toward a future where we can ensure all people have access to housing and sustainable employment. He wants to work towards making human rights accessible and creating a widespread understanding of its importance. 

Mumtaaz Mahammud Hirsi is a junior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a major in Psychology with minors in African American Studies and Public Health. This is her second year in the working group. In addition, she has served as a government relations intern for Planned Parenthood and is currently a legislative/policy intern with the Council of Minnesotans of African Heritage. With experience in health equity research, policy advocacy, and community engagement, Mumtaaz is committed to advancing reproductive rights, addressing mental health disparities, and combating gender-based violence. She rejoined the Human Rights Working Group to continue amplifying student voices in shaping advocacy on campus.

Lara Huns is a junior student studying strategic communications with minors in sociology and marketing. She works as a donor relations assistant in the OIA as well as in OSE as a CLA student section leader. She is also the treasurer of CHAARG, a women's wellness club on campus and is involved in PRSSA’s events committee. She is passionate about pursuing social justice in her community networks. She is excited to collaborate with the working group for advocacy and empowerment for all voices.

Fourth year student Godwin Kasongoma is majoring in political science and global studies, and minoring in philosophy. Her extensive involvement in child and youth welfare work has fueled her drive to advocate for the rights and safety of young people in her community and internationally. She hopes to further this humanitarian ambition as a legal professional. In addition to striving in her studies and volunteering at her local library as a homework helper, Godwin enjoys spending time with her family, growing in her faith, and reading.  

Staël Kpetsu is a sophomore studying Sociology of Law, Criminology and Justice, with minors in Psychology and Spanish. She grew up in Togo, West Africa, where she developed a strong interest in Women’s Rights, before moving to Minnesota to further her education. She has interned with the Advocates for Human Rights, created a gender-based violence advocacy organization on campus, volunteered at women shelters and constantly seeks opportunities to make a difference in her community. She is interested in International Law and Public Policy, hoping to tackle our nation’s most pressing issues through a Human Rights approach. “Now more than ever, young voices need to be bold and determined in defending Humans Rights and for me, being a part of the Working Group is a pivotal step towards doing that,” says Kpetsu. 

Amara Mozammel is a junior majoring in Microbiology on the pre-med track. She has two years of research experience studying aged cells and has volunteered in multiple settings. Amara founded HAVEN, a student group supporting organizations that serve unhoused individuals. She is passionate about addressing healthcare barriers through research and advocacy. By joining the working group, Amara hopes to deepen her understanding of human rights and refine her interests. She aspires to a career in surgery or emergency medicine. 

Thanh Nguyen is a senior majoring in sociology with a minor in cultural studies and comparative literature. In spring 2025, Thanh was a Capitol Pathways intern who engaged in housing advocacy with Habitat for Humanity Minnesota. Following his interest in public policy, he is continuing to support the 50-plus community through AARP Minnesota as the advocacy and communications intern. For the 2025 summer, he worked as a program and communication assistant for the Human Rights Program, aiding in social media and outreach. Through the working group, Thanh is excited to return to continue supporting HRP and its mission.

Nicolo Schaust is a junior majoring in journalism, his studies also extend into political science and the Arabic language. He dreams of leaving the world better than he found it, remaining motivated by the human responsibility to care for one another. Believing in a future where life is free to flourish with dignity leaves many challenges on the table - challenges he knows can be overcome through love, effort, and coordination. With this in mind, he’s excited to join the Working Group’s mission of promoting human rights on campus and beyond.

Fourth year student Riley Stern is majoring in economics and mathematics with minors in public health and population studies. She is particularly passionate about issues of resource rights, energy justice, environmental public policy, and equitable sustainable development. Currently, Riley is working as the founding senior student researcher of the Rights ColLaboratory, a pilot student-centered human rights research and advocacy lab through the Human Rights Program. This is also her second year serving on the working group. Riley is excited to continue her work with the Human Rights Program and the working group to amplify human rights causes on campus. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in quantitative public policy research. 

Lindsey Streefland is a junior majoring in sociology of law, criminology, and justice with a minor in political science. She is involved on campus through her membership in the University Honors Program and volunteers as a mentor for first year honors students. They are also involved creatively on campus through involvement with the art history club and playing the French Horn in Campus Band. Streefland joined the working group because they believe “no one can control the circumstances they were born into, and no one deserves to be treated like they could have.” Someday, she hopes to become a public interest lawyer.