Meet the new MDes Student Association (MDSA) Fall 2022

The Berkeley Master of Design Student Association (MDSA) is the official organization representing students in the Master of Design (MDes) program at UC Berkeley. The MDSA plays an essential role in the MDes program, acting as the collective voice of the student body and shaping the program’s strategy and direction. Its activities encompass all facets of the student experience, including but not limited to academics, social life, career development, and extracurriculars. The MDSA advocates for student interests regarding program administration and resources, coordinates all activities that require a joint student-administration effort, and organizes its own student-initiated programs and events. Finally and most importantly, the MDSA strives to ensure that every student can participate fully and authentically in the MDes community.

MDSA Executive Board 2021-2022 (Fall 2022)

The members of the MDSA Executive Board are dedicated to serving the MDes student community, advocating for them, and building an equitable and welcoming learning environment. Below is more information about the MDSA Executive Board, including their roles and contact information.

COHORT LEAD: Benal Johnson 

The Cohort Lead is the main spokesperson for their cohort when it comes to communication with the MDes administration, as well as during student activities. The primary liaison for this role is the Student Services Advisor.
benal_johnson@berkeley.edu

ACADEMIC OFFICER: Hannah Bartolomea

The Academic Officer organizes academic resources for the student body; they also convey suggestions, questions, and concerns related to academics from the MDes student body to the MDes administration and vice versa.
hannah_bartolomea@berkeley.edu

STUDIO OFFICER: Jessica Kim

The Studio Officer is responsible for fostering a culture of design inquiry, creativity, and making within the MDes student community. They also convey suggestions, questions, and concerns related to studio and maker resources from the MDes student body to the MDes administration and vice versa.
jes_kim81@berkeley.edu

COMMUNITY + CULTURE OFFICER: Emily Joens

The Community & Culture Officer is responsible for promoting wellness and morale in the MDes student body, beyond the classroom. They also convey suggestions, questions, and concerns related to community and culture from the MDes student body to the MDes administration and vice versa.
emilyjoens@berkeley.edu

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: Denise Heredia

The Administrative Officer is responsible for overseeing records, bylaws, and budget for the MDSA, ensuring smooth operation and maintaining institutional knowledge for the MDSA. The primary liaison for this role is the Student Services Advisor.
denise.heredia@berkeley.edu

CAREER + ALUMNI OFFICER: Kaila Lee Negron

The Career & Alumni Officer organizes career development resources for the student body; they also convey suggestions, questions, and concerns regarding career development from the MDes student body to the MDes administration and vice versa.
kailalee@berkeley.edu

ADMISSIONS OFFICER: Roland Saekow

The Admissions Officer coordinates with the MDes Administration to support events and activities for prospective students, and build ties between current students and incoming students following the admissions process.
saekow@berkeley.edu

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Lead: Celia Diaz

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Lead promotes DEIB values within and beyond the MDes. They are a constant voice for ensuring that DEIB principles are factored in all areas of MDes student life and learning, an advocate and resource for their fellow students, and a primary student representative for conveying DEIB issues to the MDes Administration. They represent the needs and interests of all current and prospective MDes students, with particular attention to students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in higher education and the design field. celiamdiaz93@berkeley.edu

Get in touch with MDSA

MDSA is always open to collaborations on projects, ideas and initiatives. 

mdsa@berkeley.edu