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President’s Aides are student leaders who serve as representatives of Wake Forest and the student body and participate in a variety of University events throughout the academic year. In addition, President’s Aides meet regularly with the University President, providing an additional communication link between students and the administration. The group was established in 1989 during the presidency of Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Dr. Hearn was interested in ways to stay in touch with students: to listen to their concerns, to learn from their perspectives and to give him a sounding board for ideas and initiatives.

Over time, President’s Aides also took on a “student ambassador” role, serving the President and the University as student representatives for a variety of University events. Today, President’s Aides represent students who have demonstrated leadership in academic life, student life and community service. The application process for President’s Aides begins in the spring when rising juniors and seniors can apply for open positions. A committee reviews all applications, conducts interviews and makes the final selection.

For additional information about President’s Aides, please send an email to Marybeth Wallace, Special Assistant to the Vice President.

2023-24 President’s Aides

PhotoName and Description
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Delaney Anderson

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Kentfield, CA
Major: Business and Enterprise Management
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Shelby Balmer 

Class Year: Junior
Hometown: Edgewater, FL
Major: Religious Studies, Politics and International Affairs
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Jack Bradley

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Major: Sociology
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Sean Brady

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Economics
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Alice Bragg

Class Year: Junior
Hometown: Davidson, NC
Major: Psychology, Communication
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Josiah Brinson

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Holly Springs, NC
Major: Physics
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Jackson Buttler 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Communication
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Erica Carl

Class Year: Junior
Hometown: Kannapolis, NC
Major: Sociology
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Ellie Casteel 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Major: Communication
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Steven Cayea 

Class Year: Junior
Hometown: Deer Park, NY
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics
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Sarah Costanza 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Southern Pines, NC
Major: Business and Enterprise Management
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Cerrin Crawford

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Blythewood, SC
Major: Politics and International Affairs
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Molly Crawford

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Accounting
Wake Forest Student Trustee Ritt Culbreth (’24),  Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Ritt Culbreth 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA 
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Philosophy
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Connor Deir 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Charlotte, NC 
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Sociology
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Nasra Deria 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Major: Psychology
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Olivia Duvall

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Alexandria, VA 
Major: Biology
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Elyse Farrell

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
Major: Communication
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Reese Fortier 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Major: Psychology
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Ana Garcia-Velez 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Miami, FL
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Economics
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Emma Gauthier 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC
Major: History, French Studies
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Tahjanee Givens 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Major: Politics and International Affairs
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Xinchen (Michael) Huang 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Shanghai, China 
Major: Chemistry, Environmental Science
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Mackenzie Jackson 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, NC 
Major: English
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Andrew Kauders 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Williamsburg, VA 
Major: Communication, Politics and International Affairs
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Reese Kim 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA 
Major: Finance
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Xinjie (Christy) Lai 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Fuzhou, China 
Major: Accounting, Statistics
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Gah’ques Ligons 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC 
Major: Spanish
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Marcus Mathis 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN 
Major: History
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Badr Merdassi 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Tunis, Tunisia 
Major: Biology, Economics
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Riley Moran 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: New Braunfels, TX
Major: Mathematical Business
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Rachel Peterson 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Scarborough, ME
Major: Communication
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Cate Pitterle 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Cary, NC 
Major: Politics and International Affairs
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Trey Roark 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Bentonville, AR 
Major: Statistics
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Stella Ross 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Birmingham, AL 
Major: Philosophy
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Pierce Sandlin 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Dallas, TX 
Major: Politics and International Affairs, History
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Roxy Sawyer 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Richmond, VA 
Major: Psychology, French
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Caroline Searcy 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Wilson, NC 
Major: English
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Jack Sharpe 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Dallas, TX 
Major: Finance
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Bayla Sheshadri 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Cary, NC 
Major: Politics and International Affairs, Anthropology
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Evan Souza 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC 
Major: Biology, Theatre
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Caroline Thompson 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA 
Major: English
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Kate Upchurch 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Austin, TX 
Major: Elementary Education, Studio Art
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Anusha Vora 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Knoxville, TN 
Major: Health and Exercise Science
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Matthew Walker 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Hickory, NC 
Major: Biology
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Mercer Webb 

Class Year: Junior 
Hometown: Raleigh, NC 
Major: Health and Exercise Science
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John Hewlett (JH) West 

Class Year: Senior
Hometown: Wilmington, NC 
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Apply to be a President’s Aide

The application for the 2024-2025 class of President’s Aides will open mid-December 2023 and remain open until March 8, 2024. We look forward to reviewing your application!