President

• LaShun Alston
• Sanya Burman
• Dhriti Nijhawan
• Manan Grover

Vice President

• LaShun Alston
• Sanya Burman
• Pranjal Haldankar
• Darshini Nekkanti

Treasurer

• Pranjal Haldankar
• Darshini Nekkanti

Event Coordinator

• Sanya Burman
• Pranjal Haldankar
• Poushya Medepalli
• Darshini Nekkanti
• Kavya Patel

Social Media Manager

• Darshini Nekkanti
• Kavya Patel

President

LaShun Alston

I am Lashun Alston, a dedicated professional at JLL@Pfizer, where I work with groundbreaking technology and advanced HVAC systems that keep critical environments operating at peak performance. With years of expertise in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and building automation, I understand how vital reliable systems are to innovation, safety, and comfort. My career has been driven by a passion for problem-solving, efficiency, and excellence. From humble beginnings to managing complex, high-tech systems, I’ve built my path through resilience, integrity, and a commitment to service. I believe progress comes from blending technical skill with compassion, and I will bring both to every decision. If elected, I will use my expertise, determination, and vision to create solutions that uplift our community, foster opportunity, and prepare us for the challenges ahead. I am ready to serve with professionalism, heart, and a drive for innovation.

Sanya Burman

I am a detail-oriented and collaborative graduate student with strong leadership, organizational, and creative skills. My experience includes managing budgets, coordinating events, leading student initiatives, and developing social media strategies that increase engagement. During my undergraduate studies, I served as Class Representative and as a Cultural Fest Organizing Committee Member, where I honed my communication, event planning, and financial management skills. I believe my ability to work with diverse teams, adapt to challenges, and think strategically will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the IT Club’s success. I am eager to bring fresh ideas, foster collaboration, and help create opportunities for our members to grow academically and professionally.

Dhriti Nijhawan

As the first female and youngest President in IT Club history, I’ve led our successful revival after a post-COVID hiatus, transforming it into a growing, engaged community. Over the past year, I’ve streamlined operations, strengthened university relations, and expanded our events to include both technical workshops and professional networking opportunities. For our second year, my goals are to keep growing membership, connect students with industry professionals, and create a stronger space for women in the field. I believe that the Club should be more than a résumé entry. It should act as a community where every student feels seen, supported, and encouraged to succeed. I’m committed to maintaining high standards, fostering inclusion, and ensuring the IT Club remains a space where we carry the workload (and celebrate the wins) together.

Manan Grove

I'm Manan Grover, a UMass Boston student majoring in information technology. I started out in computer science but quickly moved into information technology, where I discovered a greater sense of fulfillment in system design, user-centric innovation, and solving real-world problems. I was able to better match my passions with action after that change. In addition to working as a Front-End Developer at UMBDevelops, I'm now investigating data-driven remedies for water pollution and developing projects like AquaWatch, which integrates artificial intelligence, analytics, and environmental effect. Beyond tech, I enjoy interacting with people. I enjoy fostering community, whether it's through networking at student organizations or waving to classmates while out for a walk. In my opinion, the IT Club ought to serve as a springboard for creativity, networking, and opportunity rather than just being a club. I'll use my leadership, ingenuity, and motivation as president to advance us. Let's transform the IT Club into a space where ideas become reality.

Vice President

LaShun Alston

I am Lashun Alston, a dedicated professional at JLL@Pfizer, where I work with groundbreaking technology and advanced HVAC systems that keep critical environments operating at peak performance. With years of expertise in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and building automation, I understand how vital reliable systems are to innovation, safety, and comfort. My career has been driven by a passion for problem-solving, efficiency, and excellence. From humble beginnings to managing complex, high-tech systems, I’ve built my path through resilience, integrity, and a commitment to service. I believe progress comes from blending technical skill with compassion, and I will bring both to every decision. If elected, I will use my expertise, determination, and vision to create solutions that uplift our community, foster opportunity, and prepare us for the challenges ahead. I am ready to serve with professionalism, heart, and a drive for innovation.

Sanya Burman

I am a detail-oriented and collaborative graduate student with strong leadership, organizational, and creative skills. My experience includes managing budgets, coordinating events, leading student initiatives, and developing social media strategies that increase engagement. During my undergraduate studies, I served as Class Representative and as a Cultural Fest Organizing Committee Member, where I honed my communication, event planning, and financial management skills. I believe my ability to work with diverse teams, adapt to challenges, and think strategically will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the IT Club’s success. I am eager to bring fresh ideas, foster collaboration, and help create opportunities for our members to grow academically and professionally.

Pranjal Haldankar

I am a graduate student in Information Technology at UMass Boston with a strong interest in building collaborative, innovative communities for students. My prior leadership experience as a Rotaract Club board member and IEEE member has given me the ability to organize technical events, coordinate across teams, and support university-wide initiatives. I enjoy translating ideas into practical actions and helping others succeed, qualities that align closely with the responsibilities of Vice President. If elected, I will work to expand student engagement, strengthen partnerships within the IT community, and support the board in bringing impactful initiatives to life.

Darshini Nekkanti

I will lead with responsibility, ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and focus on collaboration and clear communication. I will organize meetings that are purposeful and encourage participation from all members. During my undergraduate studies, I served as a Club President, where I successfully led a team, organized multiple student-driven events, managed budgets, and improved member engagement. That experience taught me the value of leadership, clear communication, and inclusive teamwork—skills I now hope to bring to this community. I will lead with responsibility, ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and focus on collaboration and clear communication. I will organize meetings that are purposeful and encourage participation from all members.

Treasurer

Pranjal Haldankar

With my background in engineering and a Master’s in Information Technology at UMass Boston, I bring strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills that make me an excellent fit for this role. My experience as a board member of the Rotaract Club and an active member of IEEE provided me with practical leadership skills, particularly in budget management, accountability, and financial transparency. These experiences, combined with my enthusiasm for collaborative growth, position me as a strong candidate to oversee and manage the IT Club’s finances effectively.

Darshini Nekkanti

I will manage funds with transparency, create clear budgets, and prioritize spending that supports meaningful events and student needs.

Event Coordinator

Sanya Burman

I am a detail-oriented and collaborative graduate student with strong leadership, organizational, and creative skills. My experience includes managing budgets, coordinating events, leading student initiatives, and developing social media strategies that increase engagement. During my undergraduate studies, I served as Class Representative and as a Cultural Fest Organizing Committee Member, where I honed my communication, event planning, and financial management skills. I believe my ability to work with diverse teams, adapt to challenges, and think strategically will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the IT Club’s success. I am eager to bring fresh ideas, foster collaboration, and help create opportunities for our members to grow academically and professionally.

Pranjal Haldankar

As a master's student in Information Technology at UMass Boston, I am eager to contribute my organizational skills and event management experience to the IT Club. Having volunteered extensively for university events and served in leadership roles with Rotaract and IEEE, I have gained practical experience in planning technical symposiums, coordinating workshops, and engaging students in collaborative activities. I believe that successful events are the backbone of a vibrant student organization, and I would be committed to creating opportunities that encourage learning, networking, and community-building. If selected as Event Coordinator, I will focus on making every event purposeful, inclusive, and memorable for our members.

Poushya Medepalli

I’m excited to apply for Event Coordinator! I’ve gained hands-on experience organizing student workshops, supporting university events, and creating promotional content through my roles as a Peer Mentor, Event Setup Assistant, and intern. I’ve helped plan and execute both academic and social events, and I enjoy making things run smoothly behind the scenes. With skills in coordination, communication, and design tools like Canva, I’m ready to bring fresh, organized, and engaging events to UMBIT Club. I’d love the opportunity to help make our events memorable, purposeful, and fun for all members!

Darshini Nekkanti

I bring strong planning and execution skills. I will organize engaging academic, cultural, and social events that build community and enhance student experience.

Kavya Patel

I am very passionate about building community and organizing impactful events, I am excited t o run for Event Coordinator of the IT Club. I bring experience from my work with MASSPIRG, where I helped plan and promote campus-wide events that engaged students in meaningful causes. From coordinating logistics, organizing tabling events, advocating people, encouraging people to sign petitions for ocean life conservation, spreading the word and ensuring strong turnout, I understand what it takes to execute successful events. If elected, I hope to bring fresh, inclusive ideas that support student interests, career development, and connections within the IT field. I would like to make events more interesting and fun wheatear through game nights, or workshops or just networking sessions.

Social Media Manager

Darshini Nekkanti

I’ll create consistent, creative content to keep everyone informed and connected. I’ll use Instagram, LinkedIn, and email newsletters to build engagement and visibility.

Kavya Patel

I’ll create consistent, creative content to keep everyone informed and connected. I’ll use Instagram, LinkedIn, and email newsletters to build engagement and visibility.