SMUSA Board of Directors Candidates 2026-2027: Part 1
Interviewed & Written by Keyara Nelson
Thumbnail & Banner Photo via SMUSA Elections Instagram
Get ready to make your voice heard! We’re bringing you exclusive, behind-the-scenes election coverage with in-depth interviews by Keyara Nelson, Assistant Editor, and Leah Oake, Writers for The SMU Journal. Dive into the ideas, vision, and personalities of the 2026–2027 candidates and arm yourself with the insights you need to cast an informed vote. Your vote shapes the SMU community, so don’t miss a moment! Check out SMUSA’s ELECTIONS 2026–2027 instagram page for all the latest updates.
To begin, what is the SMUSA Board of Directors? This group is the highest governing body of SMUSA, defined by the SMUSA Constitution and changeable only by referendum. Composed of up to nine elected students serving two-year terms, the Board sets the Association’s direction, holds the President accountable, and focuses on the future. The Board sets policies to guide how SMUSA is run, while the President acts as CEO, handling daily operations. Their main goal is to make sure SMUSA keeps improving student life and the learning experience for everyone.
Here’s a closer look at the first round of candidates for the 2026–2027 SMUSA Board of Directors:
Meet Dominic Cheung: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors
“I have always wanted to help people, this role is the opportunity for me to help more people”
Dominic Cheung, a second-year Accounting and Finance student, is running for a position on the SMUSA Board. Outside of his studies, Dominic is passionate about wildlife and dreams of creating his own animal sanctuary one day. With a love for numbers and communication alike, he was especially excited to take part in the podcast-style interview.
On campus, Dominic can often be found studying, hitting the gym, or enjoying a meal at Dockside. He also loves connecting with people, which makes him thrive in collaborative environments like this one.
Why Dominic?
Dominic brings a genuine desire to help others and strong communication skills to the role. He’s committed to strengthening the connection between students and SMUSA through outreach and social media, ensuring that everyone is informed and engaged. His enthusiasm, approachability, and dedication make him a candidate who truly listens to students and works to make a difference.
Dominic’s Future Plans
If elected to the SMUSA Board of Directors, Dominic plans to focus on improving communication between SMUSA and the student body, ensuring students are informed, engaged, and heard. He wants to use social media and other outreach tools more effectively so that important updates and opportunities reach students without them having to search for them. Beyond immediate communications, Dominic envisions fostering a stronger sense of community on campus, where students feel supported and connected to the Association.
Meet Lashaan Rajendran: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors
"I understand what it’s like to step into a new environment and work hard to find community"
Lashaan Rajendran, a second-year Finance and Marketing student from Sri Lanka, is running for a position on the SMUSA Board. Lashaan is deeply involved in campus life, he is a Residence Service Officer (RSO) at the Loyola Desk and has served as an Outreach Coordinator for the MENA Society. He has worked hard to engage students, address their concerns, and foster a sense of community.
A passionate soccer player, Lashaan has played for six years, building accountability and teamwork skills that he brings to all aspects of campus life. Balancing a heavy course load with work at Dockside and his many extracurricular commitments, Lashaan thrives on helping others and connecting with people.
Why Lashaan?
Lashaan’s experience as an RSO and Outreach Coordinator has given him first-hand insight into student needs and concerns. He is committed to listening to students, addressing their problems, and creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen connections across campus. His dedication, energy, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities make him a candidate who genuinely listens, represents, and advocates for students.
Lashaan’s Future Plans
If elected to the SMUSA Board of Directors, Lashaan plans to focus on representing the student body effectively and creating opportunities for engagement across campus. He aims to strengthen communication between students and the Association, ensuring everyone’s concerns are heard and addressed. Lashaan also wants to expand involvement in campus events, giving students more ways to connect, participate, and build a supportive community. Through these efforts, he hopes to leave a lasting impact by fostering inclusion, engagement, and a stronger sense of community at SMU.
Meet Tyler MacLean: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors
"I want to bring the same focus and problem-solving mentality I’ve used in the past to help tackle the issues students face today"
Tyler MacLean, a second-year Accounting student, is another candidate running for a position on the SMUSA Board. Beyond academics, Tyler is passionate about running and has maintained a daily run streak of at least 2 kilometers this year. Additionally, he cares deeply about food security, having worked on school lunch policy initiatives in high school and with the community interest company Square Roots.
On campus, Tyler can often be found running on treadmills, attending meetings, or preparing for presentations and competitions such as Enactus. His combination of discipline, problem-solving skills, and commitment to student welfare makes him a strong candidate for the Board.
Why Tyler?
Tyler brings previous board experience and a strategic mindset to the role. Having served on high school advisory committees and developed a fee structure on the Board of Directors for a local track facility, he has seen both successes and challenges in governance and aims to apply those lessons at SMUSA. Tyler’s focus on strategy, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement ensures that student concerns are heard and that solutions are carefully planned and executed. His analytical approach and leadership experience make him a candidate who can contribute to long-term improvements for the student body.
Tyler’s Future Plans
If elected to the SMUSA Board of Directors, Tyler plans to focus on developing multi-year strategies that align with the board’s mandate. He wants to use student data and survey results to identify key areas for improvement, prioritizing initiatives that will have the most impact. Tyler also emphasizes stakeholder engagement, consulting students and other campus groups to ensure decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the student body. Beyond immediate planning, he aims to foster continuity and progress within SMUSA, ensuring that the Board’s strategies build on past successes and continue to improve the student experience over time.
Meet Anecia Shepherd: A Contender for SMUSA Board of Directors
"I'm really passionate about this role, I want to bring creativity and drive to the board"
Anecia Shepherd, a Philosophy student (transferring from English), is running for a position on the SMUSA Board. Outside of her studies, Anecia is an accomplished writer, currently working on a philosophical romantic thriller, and has a background in debating, which sharpens her skills in argumentation and advocacy. On campus, she serves as a student ambassador, guiding new students through orientation, facilitating open houses, and helping students navigate campus systems. Her involvement in events like African Heritage Month, where she performed a poem for the AHM Opening Ceremony, showcases her dedication to engaging the community and connecting with students across campus.
Why Anecia?
Anecia brings creativity, determination, and a student-first mindset to the role. She values precision (as a perfectionist), accountability, and problem-solving, and believes these qualities complement the more numbers-driven perspectives on the board. Her enthusiasm for student life and ability to balance multiple commitments make her a candidate who is passionate about improving the student experience and advocating for her peers.
Anecia’s Future Plans
If elected to the SMUSA Board of Directors, Anecia plans to focus on affordability in academics. She aims to address hidden costs for students, such as textbooks, database fees, and other small but impactful expenses, and hopes to work with professors and the institution to identify ways to reduce these financial burdens. Beyond affordability, she plans to use her creativity and problem-solving skills to enhance student engagement and ensure that students feel supported and represented. Anecia envisions a board that balances practical solutions with innovative approaches to improve campus life for all students.
Voting
Voting is open from February 10 at 8 a.m. to February 12 at 4 p.m. To vote, simply open the email from vote@urvote, enter your email and access code, review the candidates, cast your vote, and submit. It’s quick, easy, and your chance to make your voice heard in shaping SMUSA. Make sure to participate and have your say in shaping the future of student life at SMU.