About Us
Yale Model Congress, a registered 501(c)(3), was founded in 1993 by a group of Yale undergraduates who hoped to foster an appreciation for American democracy in high school students and inspire them to be active citizens. For 30 years, we have furthered this mission by hosting hundreds of delegates from across the country for a unique educational experience unlike that received in a traditional classroom setting. At the conference, delegates assume the responsibilities of our elected officials and attempt to address our nation’s most pressing issues.
What We Do
Yale Model Congress is planned, led, and executed by current Yale undergraduates who either serve in administrative positions on its Board or who lead a committee during the conference. For many of us, this is our way of giving current high school students an experience that was incredibly formative to us during our own time in high school.
Meet the YMC Board
President
Grace Bu
Grace is a senior at Yale in Branford College and is originally from New Jersey. She is double majoring in Humanities, with a focus on political thought, and Computer Science. Outside of her role as President of YMC, she works as a Writing Partner in the Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning and leads a political theory reading group. In her free time, Grace enjoys reading, running, and solving NYT crosswords.
Vice President
Caitlin Monsky
Caitlin is a senior in Davenport College and is originally from New York City. She is majoring in Political Science. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Caitlin is on Dwight Hall’s Student Executive Committee, Yale’s Center for Public Service and Social Justice, and is a player on the women’s club lacrosse team. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys baking, visiting museums, and making Spotify playlists.
Director of Delegations
Rebecca Wasserman
Rebecca is a current sophomore in Pauli Murray College. She was born and raised in New York City and is likely majoring in English or Humanities. In addition to serving as director of delegations for Yale Model Congress, she is a student guide at the Yale Center for British Art and an associate editor of The Politic. When she’s not waiting in line for a bagel sandwich (she recommends visiting Olmo while you’re in New Haven for the conference!) Rebecca is likely found wandering through Yale’s museums, watching old Saturday Night Live clips, or rearranging her dorm room.
Director of Operations
Catherine Cheung
Catherine is a sophomore at Yale University in Grace Hopper College, originally from New York City. In addition to her work with Yale Model Congress, Catherine is on the Yale Sailing team, a panel leader with the Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative, and a Hopper College Intramural Secretary. She enjoys playing IM broomball, reading, watching bad movies, and listening to Taylor Swift.
Treasurer
Alec Aceves-Acosta
Alec is a junior at Yale University in Pauli Murray college and is originally from Branford, CT. He is majoring in both Economics and Astronomy. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Alec is co-president of Yale C2 Men’s Club Soccer, involved in TAMID At Yale, and works as a Spanish translator for the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at the Law School. In his free time, you can catch Alec enjoying IMs, hanging out with friends, or listening to music.
Chief of Staff
Maya Kyriakides
Maya is a senior in Saybrook College and is originally from Branford, CT. They are majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Maya studied abroad for a year, is a Freshman Counselor, and participates in an assortment of fun clubs and cultural organizations such as Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Hellenic Society. For fun, she enjoys long distance running, knitting things for friends, and appreciating good coffee.
Deputy Chief of Staff
Christian Thomas
Christian is a sophomore at Yale University in Pierson College and is originally from Baltimore, MD. He is studying Political Science and planning to get a certificate in Education Studies. Beyond Yale Model Congress, Christian is involved in Yale Democrats, Yale Model United Nations Europe, and Yale Votes. He is also a proud member of the Yale Marimba Band. In his free time, Christian loves to write poetry, go on runs, and watch nature documentaries.
Director of Legislation
Joy Liow
Joy is a senior at Yale University in Branford College and is originally from Rochester, NY. She is studying Ethnicity, Race, and Migration with a focus on migrant integration. In addition to her work with Yale Model Congress, Joyce is a part of Yale Danceworks and the Disability Peer Mentorship Program, and also researches for the Yale Information Society. She enjoys exploring different restaurants around New Haven, watching Love Island and choreographing with her friends.
Director of Special Programs
Sushant Kunwar
Sushant is a sophomore at Yale University in Silliman College, originally from Branford, CT. He’s majoring in Computer Science. Besides Yale Model Congress, Sushant is a part of the Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association, Asian American Students Alliance, and the Nepali Students Society. I’m his free time he enjoys drawing and hanging out with his friends.
Director of Business
Amit Kamma
Amit is a sophomore at Yale in Pierson College from Atlanta, GA. He is double majoring in Urban Studies and Political Science. In addition to Yale Model Congress, Amit works for the Yale Admissions Office as a Recruitment Coordinator and is a member of the Purple Crayon improv group on campus. He also works as a research assistant at the Center for Policing Equity lab. Amit enjoys road biking, exploring cities, cooking, and aimlessly looking at Google Earth in his free time.
Director of Events
Ramsay Goyal
Ramsay is a senior at Yale University in Morse College, originally from Los Angeles. He pursing an Urban Studies major with a focus in transportation, as well as an Education Studies certificate. Ramsay is also a First-Year Counselor (FroCo), a Recruitment Coordinator in Yale’s Admissions Office, and the Chief Aide of Morse College. He has also served as the president of the Morse College Council and the Director of Mentorship for New Haven REACH. In his free time, he enjoys bike riding and travel planning.
Director of New Haven
Sahar Tartak
Sahar Tartak is a proud native of Great Neck, New York, and a sophomore at Yale studying history. She is involved with Chabad at Yale, Special Needs Undergraduate Swim Lessons, and the Yale Free Press. In her free time, Sahar enjoys journaling, walking her dog, and spending time with her friends and family.
Director of Communications
Avi Patel
Avi is a sophomore at Benjamin Franklin College and is originally from Jacksonville, FL. He is majoring in History of Science, Medicine and Public Health. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Avi is involved with the Yale Entrepreneurial Society and volunteers at the Haven Free Clinic. Additionally, he is a research assistant at the Human Nature Lab. In his free time, Avi enjoys going on walks, listening to music and exploring new places with friends.
Director of Media
Sindi Daci
Sindi is a senior at Yale University in Davenport College, originally from New York City. She is majoring in Economics and S&DS while on a pre-law track. She has a deep interest and passion for law and learning about the legal system. In addition to her role as Director of Media for YMC, Sindi is the Editor-in-Chief and President of the Yale Journal of Medicine and Law. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and writing for the YJML.
Advisor
Henry Caroll
Henry is a senior at Yale University in Davenport College, originally from New York City. He is majoring in History, with a focus on military history. A former President of YMC, he is now an adviser to the President. Henry served as co-President of the Yale Policy Institute, a student-run policy research group. He is a member of the Independent Party, a debate society that is part of the Yale Political Union. In his free time, he enjoys reading historical fiction, skiing, and playing board games.
Advisor
Isaiah Wright
Isaiah is a senior in Timothy Dwight College from Oklahoma. He is a political science major. In addition to working with Model Congress, Isaiah is a member of the Yale Men’s Rugby Team, the Yale Club Wrestling Team, and an Academic Strategies Peer Mentor. Isaiah enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and spending time with his friends and family.
Advisor
Julian Melendi
Julian is a senior at Yale University studying Political Science with an Interdisciplinary Concentration in Law, Technology, and Society. He is an Undergraduate Fellow at the Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law at Yale Law School and a Student Fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project. Julian is passionate about the intersection between public-interest law and technology. He has extensive experience in the privacy and civil liberties space. Julian serves as a Special Advisor for Yale Model Congress and previously served as Director of New Haven.
Advisor
Grayson Philips
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Advisor
Alejandra Campos
Alejandra Campos is a senior majoring in Latin American Studies focusing on human rights, conflict, development, and economics. Born in Colombia but growing up in Minnesota, at Yale she is involved in dance, Yale Model Congress, and knitting circles. She enjoys traveling and collecting little mugs or glasses as souvenirs. Her favorite drinks are chai lattes or coffee, which she enjoys them while watching historical dramas. She can’t wait to chair again this year and see you all in our conference!