Meet the Team
Uma Aparicio
Campaign Manager
I chose to be a part of the Mann Calderon UPUA campaign because I believe that this ticket offers a new direction that Penn State needs. Tyler Mann and Caleb Calderon are not just a ticket that wants to focus on the status quo. Their entire campaign has been built on the idea of redefining tradition at Penn State in a way that honors the tradition of “We Are” while also bringing a new perspective to the table.
The one thing that has really stood out to me about the ticket's perspective on the future of Penn State is that they want to listen first. This ticket is dedicated to creating a student government that communicates well with the students. This ticket wants to ensure that the students feel represented. This is the kind of leadership that Penn State needs.
One of the reasons why I think this campaign is different is that I have never personally been involved in UPUA nor has anyone on our team. To me, that is not a weakness but a strength. Student government should not feel like a closed circle where only those already involved can participate. Fresh faces are exactly what UPUA needs to start to reach out to the larger student body. There is a disconnect between UPUA and the students who have never been privy to what UPUA does or how it can affect their lives.
Tyler and Caleb want to make UPUA more accessible to the students. They want to make UPUA more transparent so that the students know what is going on. By supporting this campaign, students are supporting a vision for UPUA that is open to new ideas, that seeks to engage the students to make them feel a part of the student government.
Channing Grey Hughston
Deputy Campaign Manager
As a Penn State legacy, the phrase “We Are” has always been more than a slogan to me. It represents unity, resilience, and the strength I have watched this community embody for as long as I can remember. Growing up around Penn Staters, I saw firsthand how this university brings people together and creates a lasting sense of belonging.
This is why I chose to support Tyler Mann and Caleb Calderon in this campaign and serve as their Deputy Campaign Manager. I believe they are the kind of leaders who will honor the spirit of “We Are” while continuing to move Penn State forward. Their vision strengthens us as a student body while redefining what tradition should look like at Penn State, making space for new ideas, and a more inclusive future.
I trust Tyler and Caleb to advocate for every student across all ethnicities, social groups, and interest organizations. They are committed to listening, responding with intention, and ensuring that every student has a fair and equitable platform to be heard.
Although I have not served in UPUA before, I believe you should not need years of experience within an organization to want better for your community. I am supporting Tyler because I know his heart and mind seeks positive change and he will honor any promises he makes. He is a leader who inspires, is strategic, and seeks a brighter future. I want a student government that is trustworthy, transparent, and connected to the people it represents. I am tired of students feeling ignored or overlooked, and I know Tyler and Caleb are the leaders who will address that.
India Deck
Outreach Manager
As a fourth-generation student at Penn State University, my connection to this university runs far deeper than my four years in State College. Penn State has shaped my family’s story across generations, and that legacy has instilled in me a deep sense of pride, responsibility, and commitment to the student experience. Supporting Tyler Mann in his campaign for president of the University Park Undergraduate Association is, for me, an extension of that commitment.
Although I have never personally served within UPUA, my leadership experience on campus has placed me around many of its members, and I have seen firsthand the work they put into advocating for students. Through those conversations and experiences, I have come to realize something important: most students simply do not understand what UPUA does or the resources it provides. From funding initiatives and legislative advocacy to safety programs and academic support efforts, UPUA has the potential to make a meaningful difference in students’ daily lives. Yet too often, that impact goes unnoticed because communication gaps leave students disconnected from the organization meant to represent them.
That disconnect is what motivates me to support Tyler’s campaign. I believe in his vision for transparency, accessibility, and stronger outreach. I want to help build a campus culture where students not only know what UPUA is, but also feel empowered to engage with it, utilize its resources, and hold it accountable. As someone who deeply loves this university and values its traditions, I want to see student government operate in a way that reflects the pride and unity
Penn State is known for. Supporting this campaign is my way of investing in a stronger, more informed student body and honoring the legacy that Penn State represents in my own family.
Bree Boyd
Public Relations Manager
For so many students, the idea of student government can feel distant from the people it is meant to represent. I believe it should be the opposite. Student leadership should be something that actively works to connect with students, listenening to their concerns, and turns those honest conversations into real action. That is why I chose to support Tyler Mann and Caleb Calderon in this campaign.
What stood out to me most about Tyler and Caleb is their commitment to redefining tradition, Not just to say they changed it but because they believe just because something has been done the same way for years does not mean it is the best way to serve students today.
Their vision for UPUA focuses on building a student government that is more accessible, more transparent, and more impactful for the Penn State community.
I not only trust Tyler and Caleb to advocate for students like me but for students across all backgrounds, organizations, and experiences on campus. They are true leaders who prioritize listening first and responding with intention.
Their campaign is about ensuring that students feel represented, that students understand and feel as if they have a choice about the decisions being made on their behalf, and know how to properly access the opportunities available to them.
I want a student government that students feel connected to and proud of and I believe Tyler Mann and Caleb Calderon are the leaders who can help make that vision a reality.
Karina Lerner
Administrative Manager
I want to be involved in the Mann Calderon UPUA campaign because I genuinely believe that this ticket represents a new and necessary chapter for Penn State University. At a time when student voices need to be heard more clearly than ever, I see Mann and Calderon Upua as leaders who are prepared to bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to campus. They are not just focused on maintaining the status quo; they are committed to meaningful progress, transparency, and collaboration.
I believe they will do great things for Penn State by prioritizing student engagement, strengthening communication between leadership and the student body, and creating initiatives that reflect the diverse experiences of our community. Their vision feels inclusive, innovative, and grounded in real student needs rather than abstract promises. Being part of this campaign would allow me to contribute to a movement centered on positive change, empowerment, and accountability.
I am inspired by their dedication to listening first and leading with integrity, and I want to help amplify that message across campus. I also value the opportunity to work alongside a passionate team that is motivated by service and driven by impact. Supporting Mann and Calderon for UPUA means supporting a leadership style that embraces creativity, fresh ideas, and practical solutions. I am excited by the possibility of helping shape conversations, energize voters, and build momentum around a ticket that I truly believe can elevate the student experience.
Dheer Patel
Outreach Strategist
Penn State is defined by the scale, diversity, and ambition of its student body. With thousands of students and hundreds of organizations shaping campus life, it is essential that student government truly reflects and listens to those voices. As an astrophysics student with strong ties to engineering and the broader STEM community, I have spent much of my time in environments built on collaboration, curiosity, and problem solving. STEM fields thrive when people share ideas across disciplines to tackle complex challenges, and I believe student leadership should follow the same principle. When student organizations, academic communities, and student government work together, the impact they can create across campus becomes significantly greater.
I joined Tyler and Caleb’s campaign because I believe in their commitment to redefining tradition within student government by strengthening what works while improving systems that no longer serve students effectively. Their focus on meeting students where they are and building stronger relationships with organizations across campus reflects the kind of leadership Penn State deserves. The values that guide my own approach are humility and drive: humility to listen and learn from the communities we represent, and the drive to turn ideas into meaningful action. Through my role on the campaign team, I hope to strengthen outreach to student organizations and academic communities so that student government becomes more transparent, accessible, and truly connected to the students it serves.
Lauren Lawhon
Social Media Manager
As a senior at Penn State, I have had the privilege of watching this community grow and evolve over the past four years. During that time, I have also had the opportunity to know Tyler Mann since our freshman year. From the very beginning, I have seen his dedication to the people around him and his genuine commitment to making Penn State a better place for every student.
Tyler leads with intention, integrity, and a clear vision for how student government can better serve the campus community. He understands that leadership is not about titles or recognition, but about listening, collaborating, and taking meaningful action. I believe that Tyler and Caleb Calderon bring a fresh perspective to UPUA and are prepared to build stronger connections between student government and the students it represents.
As Social Media Manager for this campaign, I hope to help amplify that message. Communication and transparency are essential to building trust, and I believe students deserve to feel informed, engaged, and included in the conversations that shape their university experience.
I am proud to support Tyler and Caleb because I know their leadership will prioritize the voices of students and work toward a campus community that feels connected, represented, and empowered.