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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 Constitution
The MDSA constitution (updated February 2024) outlines the structure and processes for the MDSA.
2024 MDSA Executive Board
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: Ankur Kela
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.
ACADEMIC OFFICER: Divya Srinivasan
The Academic Officers 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.
ACADEMIC OFFICER: Lingxiu Zhang
The Academic Officers organize 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.
STUDIO OFFICER: Kirk Mendoza
The Studio Officers are 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.
STUDIO OFFICER: Xinyu Qu
The Studio Officers are 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.
COMMUNITY + CULTURE OFFICER: Abigail Chen
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.
CAREER + ALUMNI OFFICER: Yani Shi
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.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Lead: Jade Hyeryeong Kim
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.
Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Lead: Aylish Turner
The Sexual Health and Sexual Violence (SVSH) Lead plays a crucial role within the Master of Design Student Association (MDSA), emphasizing the importance of a safe and respectful environment. This role ensures that the MDes program stands against any form of sexual harassment, assault, or misconduct.
Administrative Officer: Vidit Bhargava
The Administrative Officer manages budget and secures access to funding of MDSA events, conducts internal outreach to partner with other Berkeley organizations on campus, and supports the Cohort Lead with organization and documentation of MDSA operations.
Get in touch with MDSA
MDSA is always open to collaborations on projects, ideas and initiatives.
MDSA Alumni
You can learn more about the MDSA boards of past cohorts in the following page.