Tyler Mann
My leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that true leadership transcends authority; it is about inspiring others, empowering them to realize their potential, and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. I believe that the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA)
is on the precipice of a period of success never seen by this university. A student government with countless amazingly dedicated and motivated students and a leader who never lets roadblocks or challenges stand in the way of success is the perfect opportunity for unprecedented achievement. That is why I, Tyler Mann, am running for President of the University Park Undergraduate Association.
In my time at Penn State, I have held many positions and taken many opportunities that have given me the perspective that I think makes me the best candidate for this position. In my time as a Resident Assistant (RA) in North Halls I learned how to create a community amongst the most disparate individuals. A community that could find common ground and maintain and uphold a sense of respect and appreciation for the people and space around them. I take so much pride in having been an RA. I know that for however much influence I may have had on my residents, they all had much more of an impact on me than I could ever express.
While serving as an RA, I worked to reestablish the previously inactive North Halls Association of Students (NHAS). In writing a constitution, serving as an officer, recruiting an entire executive board and general body, and planning some of the largest events ever held in North Halls, I learned the ins-and-outs of how to operate an organization at this University, and what it takes to rebuild build one.
From NHAS I shifted to the Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS), where I first served as the Director of Outreach, working to establish a strong connection with all the Area Governments, like NHAS, and support them to find and achieve their own visions for success. Now, I serve as the President of ARHS where I work to integrate the organization further into the Penn State community. Under my presidency, ARHS hosted events such as Welcome Week, Sex Toy Bingo, and Centennial Bash. We also worked to begin a pilot program, trialing free menstrual products in West Halls- amongst other initiatives- where I have learned the scale at which campus-wide programs and initiatives operate.
While in these roles I have also served as the President of the Network for Excellence In Undergraduate Science (NEXUS), a Learning Assistant for Biology 110 & Biology 230, and worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, teaching me the importance of time management and goal setting.
I am a leader who believes that when someone dedicates their heart and mind, anything is possible. As I ask for your vote, I ask you to trust that I will dedicate my heart and mind to ensuring that Penn State is a place where everyone can succeed. A place where everyone feels as if they have a voice and the ability to make an impact. A place where “We Are” is for everyone.
Caleb Calderon
Penn State has over 40,000 undergraduate students, hundreds of student organizations, and countless voices that deserve to be heard. My goal running for Vice President of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) is to help connect those voices into one strong, collaborative community that drives real impact. Over the past few years, I have focused on building both the skills and the relationships needed to make that happen.
I have led with an I shaped and T shaped mindset, developing deep expertise in my own areas while also working across multiple communities. I founded Multicultural Innovators in Computer Science starting from just an idea and grew it into a full organization with an executive board, recurring general body meetings, and partnerships with groups like NSBE, SHPE, and SASE. What began as a small initiative has reached hundreds of active members and continues to expand each semester. At the same time, I serve as the Academic Excellence Chair for Penn State National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), supporting programming that impacts over 300 members locally, and as the Regional Communications Chair for NSBE’s eastern region, helping streamline communication for over 10,000’s members across dozens of chapters.
Through these roles, I learned that strong initiatives are built on strong relationships. I often think of leadership as roughly 80 percent relationship building and 20 percent execution. When people feel valued, included, and connected to a shared mission, the quality and scale of the work increase dramatically. That lesson has guided every organization I have helped grow and every team I have been a part of.
As a Presidential Scholar, I had the opportunity to learn directly from President of Penn State, Neeli Bendapudi about effective leadership and how passion fuels long term impact. That experience reinforced the idea that effective leaders balance depth, collaboration, and genuine care for their community. It showed me that passion is not just energy, but commitment to consistently showing up for others and building systems that outlast any single person.
My experience as a Software Engineering Intern at Meta further strengthened these skills. Working on large scale engineering teams taught me how to collaborate across disciplines, incorporate feedback quickly, and deliver results in fast paced environments. Beyond technical work, I also built an online professional community of over 10,000 students on LinkedIn where I share opportunities, resources, and guidance. This was never about personal recognition, but about scaling access to information and creating pathways for students who may not always know where to start.
I am running for Vice President of UPUA because I believe Penn State’s greatest strength is its people. When passion and community come together, students do more than participate, they lead, innovate, and create lasting change. My focus is to help build a UPUA that strengthens connections across colleges, organizations, and identities so that every student, no matter their background, feels represented, supported, and empowered to make an impact.
