Cassy De Pina is a senior majoring in Crime & Justice Studies, with double minors in Black Studies and Urban Studies. A tireless advocate for social change, Cassy has been a steadfast presence in SGA since her very first week on campus. She has served as the Class of 2026 Senator (4 years), Parliamentarian, and Student Affairs Chair (2 years), Co-Chair of Unity Fest, and Orientation Leader, in addition to leading on multiple executive boards as Social Media Chair, Secretary, and President. With involvement in more than 12 campus organizations, she has addressed hundreds of concerns, written many resolutions, and led meaningful projects that moved the community forward. Through these experiences, Cassy has grown immensely and is more determined than ever to make next year even better for every student at UMassD. When Cassy stepped into SGA, she carried influences she deeply respects, but she also carried her own ideas and a firm belief that your identity and ideas matter. She has consistently championed the notion that no one should shape or silence your voice, and that our diverse community thrives when every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Having balanced 20+ events, organizations, and off-campus work during her freshman and sophomore years, Cassy learned a crucial lesson: quality over quantity. She chose to focus on the most impactful commitments, tackling the hardest classes early, stepping back from non-SGA roles, and dedicating herself to the presidency. Her clear-eyed approach, coupled with a track record of campus-wide collaboration and relationships with faculty and administrators, underscores her readiness for this leadership role. Her work and recognition—including the Excellence in Leadership Award—demonstrate her ability to lead with purpose, persistence, and heart. As she looks ahead, Cassy intends to pursue a joint master’s and doctoral program in law and public policy, with a sharp focus on education. This path reflects her conviction that meaningful change starts in classrooms and travels through policy to reshape opportunities for every student. To ground that ambition in real-world experience, she is currently teaching at the middle school she attended, uplifting and mentoring students, and testing ideas about how educational policy can translate into better outcomes for learners. These experiences fuel her SGA leadership with empathy and purpose. On the ground, Cassy advances practical, student-centered change. Her plan includes more SGA events on and off campus to build connections; safety enhancements through ongoing collaboration with Chief Souza—free CPR, Narcan, and Tourniquet training—and continued partnerships that foster community. She champions dining improvements, more parking and shuttle solutions, and a culture of recognizing student leadership in the classroom through possible academic credits. As President, Cassy pledges to listen, to advocate, and to work tirelessly to improve campus life. She will be accessible and active across the Senate and student organizations, leading with honesty, transparency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive, vibrant, and impactful UMassD for every student.