MDes Student Association (MDSA)

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.

2026 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.

 

Ishani Juneja

Cohort Lead

Ishani Juneja

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.

Nengi Njere

Academic Officer

Nengi Njere

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.

Olivia Martinoli Issler

Academic Officer

Olivia Martinoli Issler

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.

Alistair Vizuet

Studio Officer

Alistair Vizuet

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.

Joy He

Studio Officer

Joy He

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.

Elisa Lupin-Jimenez

Community & Culture Officer

Elisa Lupin-Jimenez

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.

Charlie Duan

Community & Culture Officer

Charlotte (Charlie) Duan

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.

Bryce Parsons

Career & Alumni Officer

Bryce Parsons

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.

Ida Na-Tei

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Lead

Ida Na-Tei

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.