Madeleine Russell

President

Major: Microbiology

Minor: Bioethics

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Hi everyone, my name is Madeleine! I am a sophomore majoring in Microbiology and minoring in bioethics. I am originally from Marshall, Michigan, which is about an hour south of Lansing. After I graduate from MSU, I hope to pursue a career in the medical field, either in research or as an M.D. Outside of Tower Guard, I am also involved in MSU’s MOSIAC, MSU Irish Dance Club, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Club, and Honors Students Actively Recruiting (H-STAR). My favorite things to do on campus are going to football games, running along the red cedar, and reading on the lawn on North Campus. My parents are both MSU alumni. When I started at MSU, my dad told me about Tower Guard and how it was such an incredible organization. I knew that it was something I really wanted to be apart of, and now being a member I realize just how important Tower Guard is for helping to build an inclusive and equitable community at MSU. I am honored to serve as Tower Guard President throughout this year, and am excited to see what we can accomplish together! 

Ishaan Modi

Vice President

Major: Social Relations and Policy (James Madison College) and History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science (Lyman Briggs College)

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Hello! My name is Ishaan Modi, and I will be serving as Tower Guard's Vice President for the 2020-21 academic year. I am from Fishers, Indiana, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. I am currently studying Social Relations and Policy in James Madison College, and History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science in Lyman Briggs College, with a potential minor in Spanish. I am so honored and excited to be the role of Vice President. As an aspiring physician with an interest in equity and policy advocacy, engaging in service which aims to create equitable spaces and a more equitable institution for our Spartans with disabilities is incredibly important to me. I am looking forward to building a community of passionate, diverse, service-oriented students and forming so many new relationships through service.

I love MSU basketball and football, and in non-COVID times you'll find me going to as many games as possible. Additionally, in my free time I enjoy playing cards and board games with friends, scrolling through TikTok, or listening to music.

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Tushya Mehta

Secretary

Major: Biology and German

Minor: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

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Hello Guys! My name is Tushya Mehta and I will be serving as your Tower Guard Secretary this year. I am from New Delhi, India currently living in Texas with my family. I am double majoring in Biology (from Lyman Briggs College) and German with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. I work as an Undergraduate Lab lead and the Wielenga Research Scholar at the Digital Humanities and Literary Cognition Lab. I am also an Undergraduate Learning Assistant for Calculus at the Lyman Briggs College. I love learning languages in my free time, and I can currently speak 6 languages. One of my other passions is to learn more about birds (I have 80 pet birds). I have also served as the Event Coordinator for the Holmes Hall Government at MSU.  

I will be leading the RCPD Team building IMPACT team this year. I will also be heading Spartan Ties and Spartan Study. I am committed to building a strong relationship between the RCPD students and Tower Guard members. I will be using ideas from our amazing TG members to make this year successful. One of my jobs is to keep you all informed, so you will be receiving a bunch of emails from me! Hope to see you all soon (virtually and hopefully in-person).

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Spencer Richardson

Treasurer

rich1106@msu.edu

Major: Undecided

Hi! I am Spencer Richardson, this year's TG treasurer! I'm from Cadillac, Michigan. I plan to attend either medical or dental school after completing my undergraduate degree. Tower Guard is such an amazing student organization to me because it encompasses inclusion and provides so many great resources and support to people with disabilities. During my free time, I enjoy travelling, eating ice cream, hiking, and watching MSU football! GO GREEN!

Siri Nicol

Public Relations / Webmaster

Major: Communication

Minor: Communication Sciences and Disorders

Hello! My name is Siri Nicol and I am from Woodbury, Minnesota! I am majoring in Communication and minoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. My end goal is to attend a CSD master's program and become a speech language pathologist! I am passionate about becoming an SLP because I want to help others discover their voice and feel empowered to use it. By pursuing a service-oriented profession, I knew that I wanted to surround myself with others who have the same passion for serving as I do. Tower Guard is special to me because it is a group of like-minded and inclusive students who all strive for the greater purpose of making an impact on the MSU campus. I am continually impressed with how Tower Guard combines service and professionalism, while developing life-long friendships. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be involved in such a reputable group. Through the collaborative leadership efforts of Tower Guard members, we can support our community while growing as individuals. 

For fun, I love to play tennis, kayak, waterski, do crafty things, watch movies, walk around campus, and cheer on our MSU basketball team in the Izzone. Go Green!

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Zoe Dunnum

Sergeant at Arms

 

Major: Psychology

Minor: Cognitive Science 

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Hi, my name is Zoe Dunnum! I am a sophomore from Rockford, Michigan with a psychology major and a cognitive science minor. After I graduate from MSU, I plan to attend graduate school to gain a PhD. One day, I hope to work with children who struggle with mental illness. I applied to Tower Guard because I want to do everything I can to give all MSU students the equal opportunity to succeed. Tower Guard is a community full of students who share the same values and dedication towards giving back to the community. The work that Tower Guard does for RCPD and the MSU community is incredibly meaningful, and I am honored to be a part of this amazing organization.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my friends and family, play with my dog, and explore the beautiful campus of MSU. I look forward to all the accomplishments this year’s members will make! Go Green!

Laya Silverman 

Historian

silve157@msu.edu

Major: Packaging 

Minor: Food Processing & Technology and Environmental Studies &                      Sustainability

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My name is Laya Silverman and I'm a sophomore from Walled Lake, Michigan. I’m excited to be the Historian for this years’ Tower Guard. I’m a Packaging major with minors in Food Processing & Technology and Environmental Studies & Sustainability. With my degree, I hope to create sustainable packaging solutions in the Food and Personal Care industries.

With a younger brother on the Autism Spectrum, I see the obstacles he faces every day in his new online environment. Through this organization, I hope to make an impact for students like my brother, to give them an equal opportunity to learn with the rest of us. I also have an aunt who was on Tower Guard during her time at MSU. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with her and starting a new family “tradition”.

For fun, I love to bake, paint, and watch Netflix with friends! I am looking forward to what this year has to bring. Go Green!

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Akanksha Kapur

Fundraising Chair

Major: Human Biology and Physiology

Minor: Bioethics

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Hi Everyone! My name is Akanksha Kapur (uh-konk-shuh kup-oor) and I am this year's Fundraiser Chair. I am a double major in Human Biology and Physiology through Lyman Briggs College with a minor in Bioethics. My hometown is Troy, MI and for fun I love to knit and watch Netflix. I love Towerguard because its an amazing community of truly awesome human beings. 

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Max Kuhnert

Social Chair

Major: Neuroscience

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I am a sophomore from East Lansing, MI. I am a Neuroscience Major in Lyman Briggs. I am hoping to pursue medical school after in hopes of becoming a doctor. When I first learned of tower guard last year I instantly fell in love and wanted to join. It shows that anyone can create a positive change in others' lives. I hold the belief that everyone should feel included wherever you go, and this gives the perfect platform to do it.

When I’m not volunteering for Tower Guard, I love playing golf, running, and watching movies. Go Green!

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Madeline Eckerman

Run Chair

Major: Human Biology 

Minor: Pharmacology and Toxicology

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My name is Madeline Eckerman and I am from Muskegon, Michigan. My major is Human Biology with a minor in pharmacology and toxicology. My position on E-board is one of the run chairs. So far I have met some new friends through tower guard, and I am also super excited to give back to the MSU community.

In my free time I like to run, ski, play soccer, go to the beach, and hangout with friends!

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Jackson Rayer

Run Chair

Major: Mechanical Engineering 

Hello! My name is Jackson Rayer. I am from South Lyon, MI, and my major is Mechanical Engineering. I decided to join Tower Guard because it is an amazing opportunity to give back to a community that has done so much for me- MSU and the RCPD. I hope as one of the Run Chairs I can pull off an awesome (virtual) Shamrock 5k this year, and raise money and awareness for the RCPD cause. 

Outside of volunteering and academics, I love the outdoors! Camping and hiking especially. On campus, I love to visit the Botanical Gardens, and to walk along the Red Cedar at night. I am excited to be a part of Tower Guard E-Board this year, and can't wait to see what we can do with this challenging year we have been given.

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Alexandra Allers

CSD Liaison

allersal@msu.edu

Major: Social Relations and Policy 

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Hi everyone! My name is Alexandra Allers, and I am so excited to serve as the Tower Guard Student CSD Liaison this year. I am a sophomore in James Madison College studying Social Relations and Policy and considering law school in the future. I am from Fort Gratiot, Michigan, and for fun, I enjoy writing, reading, music, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with my dogs. As a legally blind student myself, I have utilized many of the services provided by the RCPD, and I wanted to be a part of Tower Guard this year because I know how much of an impact the volunteer work of the organization can have on RCPD students. As the Tower Guard Student CSD Liaison, I hope to give back to the RCPD, which has done so much to help me achieve success at MSU, and I can't wait to work with both organizations to enhance the MSU experiences of RCPD students.

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