Get to Know the New Leaders of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is proud to introduce the 2024-2025 leaders of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC): 

Cydney Simmons

Chair of DSAC
Senior Criminology and Criminal Justice Major

Simmons joined DSAC as a junior, following her time as a BSOS Ambassador, and is bringing “The DSAC Digest”—a monthly blog post on the DSAC website updating students on relevant information related to their major—to the council this year. 

In a conversation with BSOS earlier this month, Simmons explained why she decided to join the program: “When Associate Dean [for Undergraduate Education] Katherine Russell came to speak to the ambassadors about DSAC, and the description she gave was that it was for students who wanted to make an impact on BSOS as a whole, and on their major, I thought I would be able to do what I was already doing on a much grander scale, and really see changes happen.”

Sonyah Ngwafang

Vice Chair of Programming
Senior Psychology and Criminology and Criminal Justice Double Major

Ngwafang decided to join DSAC in her search for a greater sense of community. 

In her position on the council, she enjoys getting a sneak peek into how BSOS operates and hopes to “create events and initiatives that foster community” for students in their departments. 

“There are so many viable and amazing resources and events on campus, but I still felt like I had no gauge of what was going on around the campus,” she said. “I knew to make my goals of increasing community within BSOS happen, I had to get involved and I heard about DSAC when I attended the Student Faculty Dinner and knew I needed to apply.” 

Morgan O’Connell

Vice Chair of Outreach
Senior Government and Politics Major

For O’Connell, guiding students towards resources that will help them in school and overseeing her committee's main initiatives are her primary goals within DSAC. 

This includes “the alumni outreach campaign, which will inform students on how to properly use the alumni database, and the ‘Walk the Mall with Me’ interview series which will highlight students with unique experiences in BSOS,” she said.   

“As vice chair of outreach, I want to help students clarify potential career tracks, learn more about what BSOS resources are available to them, and improve communication between faculty, staff, alumni, and students,” she said. 

Sanjana Chokkaku

Vice Chair of Student Services
Junior Economics Major 

Chokkaku said she joined DSAC because she “loved the concept of being able to create initiatives that [BSOS students] are passionate about.” 

During her time as vice chair of student services, she hopes to bring together students in the campus community through new events and initiatives, and looks forward to bringing those ideas to life. 

Simone Flynn

Vice Chair of Academics
Senior Government and Politics Major

Flynn joined DSAC because she felt it was an invaluable opportunity to amplify the voices of students like her in the Department of Government and Politics, and contribute “meaningful ideas and programs” to help them. 

“This academic year, I look forward to continuing my initiative, Your Legal Studies Guide, where I aim to give BSOS students a better understanding of the topics covered in law school so they can make informed decisions about their future in graduate school,” she said. 

Flynn plans to apply to law school next fall with hopes of becoming a civil rights attorney.

This article was written by Sofia Appolonio, JOUR '26. 
Photos are by Tom Bacho.

Published on Fri, Nov 8, 2024 - 11:58AM