Hey! I’m Anish Amin, and I’m running to serve as an At-Large Representative in UPUA’s 20th Assembly. As a current freshman studying Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Information Sciences and Technology, I’ve spent my first year at Penn State learning how UPUA works and, more importantly, listening to what students really care about. Now, I’m ready to take that experience and turn it into real action.

This past year, I was heavily involved in the Governmental Relations Committee (GCR), where I worked to connect students with local and state politics. A lot of us don’t realize how much decisions made in Harrisburg or even right here in State College affect our daily lives. Through GCR, I worked on a committee that organized voter registration drives, hosted discussions with local leaders, and pushed for more student engagement in local elections. If elected, I intend to continue right where I left off.

During my time as a Representative, I’ll focus on three key areas where I believe UPUA can have the biggest impact:

Out-of-State Student Support
As an out-of-state student, getting home is a prolonged effort. The State College Regional airport, while good for emergencies, isn’t feasible for regular use. Many students take a bus to a larger airport (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, etc.), but campus bus stops are too far to walk with luggage. I want to extend a Lyft credit, like a past UPUA effort, to help students reach the bus stop without an additional financial cost. I also aim to create further initiatives to ease the burden on out-of-state students.

Expanded Mental Health Support
CAPS does important work, but we all know it’s understaffed and overbooked. I’ll advocate for expanded hours, more counselors, and alternative support systems like peer-led mental health programs. I also want to work with student organizations to reduce the stigma around seeking help. No one should feel alone in their struggles, and UPUA can play a big role in making sure resources are accessible to everyone.

Making College More Affordable
Something that affects in-state and out-of-state students alike is textbook costs and it’s time UPUA took a stronger stance on Open Educational Resources (OER) to ease that burden. I’ll work with professors and the library to promote free or low-cost alternatives. I’ll also push for clearer communication about existing financial resources, like emergency aid and scholarship opportunities, so students know where to turn when they need help.

UPUA works best when it’s truly representative of the student body, which means I need your input. If elected, I will work to make sure that every student, no matter their background or major, feels empowered during their time here. I’m running because I believe in that mission, and I’d be honored to have your vote.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out – my email is aja7344@psu.edu!