Student Leaders

Whitney Critchfield is a fourth-year biology student at Tufts. She is interested in ecology  and conservation and plans to pursue a career at the intersection of biology and law.  Critchfield also studies Spanish at Tufts and spent her junior fall in Madrid, Spain, immersed in the language and culture of the country. Critchfield is active in civic engagement at Tufts. She is a co-founder and the current President of the Tufts Tribune as well as co-president of the Tufts Federalist Society.  Critchfield is passionate about promoting open discourse at Tufts. Outside of academics, Critchfield is a coxswain on the Men’s Varsity rowing team. She loves the strong team dynamic of the sport and the time spent on the water. Critchfield is a native of Florida, but spent time living in central Iowa and suburban Washington, DC during her childhood. While not at Tufts, you can likely find her outside, particularly on the beaches and rivers of her home in Stuart, Florida. Critchfield is a fan of books and movies as well as cooking– especially if it involves blueberries. Whitney serves on the Student Conference Committee.

Timothy Le is a junior planning on studying political science and history. Born and raised in Massachusetts to Vietnamese parents who immigrated from Vietnam, he was brought up with the best of two worlds, allowing him to value culture and develop an appreciation of hard work and connectedness to family. This gratitude to family cultivated a deep respect for the importance of community, beginning a journey of active involvement in civic life and engaging in conversations with those who hold differing perspectives, which only increased with his admittance to Tufts. His passion for public service took shape while he served as a Legislative Intern at the Massachusetts State House for his local representative, where he contributed to policy research, wrote testimonies, and aided in reaching out to constituents. At Tufts, Timothy furthers his civic engagement by actively participating in various nonpartisan student organizations and committees, such as CIVIC, Federalist Society, and as a member of the TCU Food Insecurity Senate Subcommittee, where he promotes positive, cross-partisan discussions and advances student living within the campus community. He looks forward to joining CEVIHE to help create a campus space that encourages people to more freely discuss difficult topics and have challenging conversations.

Sadie Roraback Meagher is a senior from Portland, Oregon, studying political science with a concentration in American politics. She is specifically interested in youth civic engagement, modern American conservatism, and U.S. election laws. Coming from an ideologically diverse family, Sadie strongly believes in the importance of civil political discourse, especially in today’s polarized climate. She is excited to serve on the Student Conference Committee, where she hopes to help inspire members of the Tufts community to tackle contentious issues respectfully and promote intellectual growth. Outside of CEVIHE, Sadie is heavily involved with The Tufts Daily as an Opinion writer, deputy editor, and chair of the Ethics & Inclusion Committee. She is also a member of Women in International Relations and Planned Parenthood Action Club. When she’s not busy with schoolwork or extracurriculars, she can be found watching a movie at the Somerville Theatre, attempting to learn Ukrainian, or testing out a new bagel recipe. Sadie serves on the Student Conference Committee.

Varvara Karpinskaya (preferred: Varya, she / her) is a second-year student at the School of Arts and Sciences. She is planning on majoring in Political Science. Speaking four languages – English, French, Spanish and Russian – she is interested in pursuing a career in International Relations and Communications. On campus, she works for the Alumni Engagement Office, is involved in La Société Française, the International Club, and The Tufts Daily, and has served as a Host Advisor for Global Orientation. Serving on the Student Advisory Board she hopes to emphasize the international outlook and focus on intercultural collaboration.

Nicole Mousad is a junior from Hopkinton, Massachusetts who is studying Political Science and Spanish. She is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Homelessness Outreach and Meal Equity (HOME), which serves local unhoused and low-income communities through group volunteer trips to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries. She serves as Vice President of the Tufts Federalist Society, which hosts debates and panel discussions on pressing political and social issues, bringing in speakers from all sides of the political spectrum. Nicole is also the media director for The Tufts Tribune, a free speech publication dedicated to covering diverse perspectives. As part of her coursework, she is involved in the Tufts Education and Reentry Network (MyTERN), which supports returning citizens through community building, restorative justice, and education. Her interests include art, political philosophy, and theology. In her free time, Nicole enjoys drawing, thrifting, playing card games with friends, and exploring Boston.  Nicole also serves on the Student Organizations Council.

Julian Glickman is a junior from New York City studying political science and Spanish. He is eager to contribute to the Center’s mission of creating open spaces where students and community members can engage across perspectives and learn from one another. He looks forward to working with his peers to help foster a campus culture in which students are not only comfortable but enthusiastic about attending events featuring people with whom they may disagree and believes mutual understanding is best achieved through open dialogue and listening. Outside of the Center, Julian is a deputy news editor at The Tufts Daily, where he covers Medford politics. He has also been involved in local politics at home in New York, working for elected officials and volunteering with non-profits. In his free time, he is an avid tennis fan and player and enjoys biking around the Tufts surrounding area. 

Grant Schmidt is a junior at Tufts University pursuing a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in History. Originally from Sewall’s Point, Florida, his academic interests center on institutions, governance, and the ways individual perspectives shape public decision-making. Outside the classroom, he is a member of the Tufts Varsity Sailing Team and the U.S. Sailing Olympic Development Program. Across these roles, he values patience, clear communication, and the process of translating complex ideas into practical action. Grant hopes to continue exploring the intersections of policy, education, and community engagement during his time at Tufts. Grant serves on the Student Conference Committee.

Eva Stern is a junior at Tufts University. She is majoring in Political Science and plans to minor in both Philosophy and Dance. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Eva is passionate about exploring the intersection between politics, the arts, and social change. On campus, she is a member of the Sarabande Dance Ensemble, where she choreographs, performs, and serves on the public relations team, helping to promote the group’s creative work within the Tufts community. Eva is also an active member of Tufts Thalia, a sorority that emphasizes respect, inclusion, service, and equity as their core values. Before college, Eva spent a semester at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington, D.C., where she deepened her understanding of public policy, critical thinking, and civic engagement. She was also selected for the Jewish Women’s Archive Rising Voices Writing Fellowship, through which she developed her creative voice as a writer and advocate on issues of gender, identity, religion, and justice. Eva looks forward to continuing to combine her interests in political thought, ethics, and the arts to foster creative forms of civic participation and dialogue. 

Chloe Walker is a junior at Tufts University majoring in Political Science and Civic Studies with minors in Philosophy and History. Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, a relatively homogenous community, she came to Tufts eager to engage with diverse perspectives and challenge her assumptions about civic life and democratic participation. Chloe’s academic interests center on electoral politics and the role of deliberation and listening in bridging political divides. She believes that meaningful discourse across differences is essential for a healthy democracy. At Tufts, she serves as a Democracy Representative with JumboVote and contributes to the Breakthrough Undergraduate Research Journal. In high school, Chloe served as a social justice facilitator, leading conversations about current events with both students and teachers, an experience that sparked her commitment to creating spaces where difficult conversations can happen productively. She is excited to bring this intellectual curiosity and passion for dialogue to the Center’s advisory board. 

Catherine Samaan is a Political Science and Philosophy major with a minor in Women’s Studies from Winter Park, Florida. Her work with CEVIHE focuses on developing and diversifying Women’s and Gender Studies curricula. Catie has a deep commitment to the center’s mission of fostering viewpoint diversity in higher education. Beyond CEVIHE, she is a pre-orientation leader for Tufts Wilderness Orientation, a member of ATO of Massachusetts, and serves on the executive boards of both Planned Parenthood Action and Club Ice Hockey. 

Caroline Madrid is a sophomore from Seattle, Washington, where she attended Lakeside School. At Tufts, she plans to major in History and Political Science and hopes to pursue a career in public policy or law. Caroline developed an appreciation for the importance of diverse viewpoints during her junior year of high school, when she attended the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in London. Immersed in a community of peers with varied racial, geographic, and ideological backgrounds, she learned to embrace difference and disagreement as a tool for growth. Caroline looks forward to helping shape the Center for Expanding Viewpoints in its inaugural year and beyond. She hopes to foster a campus culture that values a range of views and encourages students to listen with curiosity. Outside of the center, Caroline is a member of Tufts Democrats and the Tufts Historical Review. She’s excited to explore the East Coast and play intramural volleyball. A Seattle Mariners and Seahawks fan, she also loves college football and can often be found cheering on the Washington Huskies or Michigan Wolverines.

Student Organizations Council

Elijah Fraiman is a senior at Tufts double majoring in Clinical Psychology and Judaic Studies. Hailing from New York’s Upper West Side, he grew up attending the Heschel School, a pluralistic Jewish day school, as well as Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, a conservative Jewish summer camp. On campus, Elijah serves as the Student President of Tufts Hillel, presiding over both the student general and executive boards. Additionally, he serves as an ex-officio member of the Tufts Hillel Board of Directors. One of the missions of Tufts Hillel is fostering a pluralistic space, where all individuals, regardless of religious or political affiliation, are welcomed. Furthermore, he works as a student consultant for a project at the Resilience and Prevention Program at Massachusetts General Hospital focusing on providing resilience mental health training to members of vulnerable communities, specifically focusing on Jewish student populations. He is particularly interested in the intersection of mental health, Jewish identity, and community resilience, and he hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology or in Jewish education.

Peter Loud is a political science major at Tufts, where he transferred in his junior year. He has studied on three continents, including a program in Kenya that expanded his understanding of global issues. His academic interests focus on international conflict and politics. He has worked in Washington, D.C., as a government affairs intern, attending meetings with congressional offices, federal agencies, and policy organizations. That experience gave him direct insight into how policies develop in practice. He also has a background in law, including internships at a public defender’s office and a law firm. Peter joined CEVIHE because he values open conversation where people can explore issues from different perspectives. He’s interested in understanding how others make sense of the world and contributing to a community that values curiosity and dialogue. He hopes to continue this work at the Fletcher School and eventually pursue a career in diplomacy. 

Navya Saluja is a junior studying International Relations and Economics, with a minor in Finance. Originally from India, she has spent most of her life in Singapore, an experience that has shaped her global outlook and interest in international affairs. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of geopolitics, economic development, and policy. Outside of academics, Navya enjoys trying out new recipes, reading, and spending time with friends.

Benjamin Handell is a junior at Tufts University majoring in Political Science. He serves as President of Tufts Friends of Israel, where he leads efforts to advocate for Israel, promote fact-based education, and build connections between communities on campus. A Hasbara Fellow, Ben took part in a leadership mission to Israel that included meetings with policymakers, journalists, and IDF officers, as well as visits to areas impacted by the October 7 attacks. Beyond his Israel advocacy, Ben is deeply involved in Jewish life at Tufts through Hillel and Chabad, where he regularly leads Shabbat services and helps foster a welcoming and engaged community. On the Board of the Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education, Ben is committed to expanding dialogue, encouraging empathy, and strengthening the ability to communicate across differences in pursuit of deeper understanding. 

David Seaton is currently a junior at Tufts University, majoring in political science and economics. On campus, David serves as the president of the Tufts College Democrats and serves on the national e-board of the College Democrats of America. David has interned for Congressman Seth Moulton and Senator Ed Markey, Represented the Massachusetts 6^th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention, and launched the podcast, Pod Save the Youth. David is originally from the small town of West Newbury, in northern Massachusetts. From an early age, he attended town meetings, where he developed an interest in local politics and launched a local campaign to lower the voting age to 16. On his 16th birthday, he registered to be a town elections officer, a position he now holds in Medford, MA. David is passionate about enhancing civic engagement, especially at the local level, and ensuring that eligible voters are able to vote and have their votes fairly counted. After college, he hopes to attend law school and become an election lawyer. 

Previous Student Leaders

Anastasia Guralnick Leahy ’26, BA in Political Science with Minors in Urban Studies & History

Aaron Bolonick ’26, BA in Political Science