These are the candidates for the College of Business Senate Seats in the Spring 2025 SGA General Election.
Katherine Bibb Branyon
I am Katherine Bibb and I am a business student at the University of Alabama! I am running for the senate position to be more involved in the UA community and make a positive difference in this school. My entire family has graduated from Culverhouse, dating back to my great grandmother, and so this school is very important to me. With my platform, I am hoping to increase internship availability and accessibility, promote the importance of financial literacy in the Culverhouse, and increase campus awareness of maintaining safe surroundings.
I believe that creating a network where graduates actively offer internships, mentorship, and career guidance can drastically improve the employment rate of students who have just received their Bachelor of Science from the Culverhouse. In order to do this financial literacy rates in the Culverhouse must rise, and this is achievable by emphasizing the Culverhouse LIFT program and promoting involvement through seminars and social media. While improving the Culverhouse is important, I believe improving the campus as a whole is equally attainable. All students should feel safe and secure in their time at UA. Therefore, as a part of my campaign I will be harping on student awareness of the dangers of driving safely as well as other less common but very real dangers. One of the best ways to do this is by collaborating with student groups, campus safety offices, and local law enforcement to host workshops and educational seminars about safety while on UAs campus.
Max Carr
My name is Max Carr, and I’m a freshman majoring in finance from St. Louis, Missouri. As a first generation UA student being drawn in by the beautiful campus and friendly faces, I knew that this was the place for me to call home. Learning from strong mentors on campus and driven by a desire to serve the UA community, I was inspired to run for an opportunity to contribute and make a difference. I want to help create an impact to inspire others to love this school as much as I do. I believe I can make a strong influence as a senator for the Culverhouse College of Business. Through this position, I aim to create more variety and accessibility of the tutoring program, foster an inclusive environment for students with intellectual disabilities, and develop a system that can filter the menu to fit students’ dietary needs. Every vote counts, so Count on Carr.
Will Dessoffy
My name is William “Will” Dessoffy, and I am happy to announce my decision to run for Senate representing the Culverhouse College of Business. I am a freshman from New York City and an Honors College double major in Finance and Political Science here at UA. I’ve been coming to the University of Alabama for as long as I can remember, and ever since I started thinking about applying to college, Alabama was my number one choice. From the second I arrived on campus, I knew I wanted to get involved and help improve the University for all students. After completing one semester at UA, I believe this is the perfect time for me to help create positive change.
I firmly believe that through collaboration with fellow senators, I can impact new legislation to achieve this goal. One initiative I hope to implement is installing wifi boosters around residential halls for the UA Xfinity and eduroam platforms. Another idea I propose is adding vending machines stocked with school supplies in dorms and study rooms, similar to those in the student center. Lastly, I strongly believe the system for lead events needs to be expanded not only in the number of events but also in the number of students allowed to attend. If elected, I promise to work diligently and proudly represent the student body. I will perform to the best of my ability to make our campus a better place for everyone.
Ethan Dobrindt
My name is Ethan Dobrindt, and I am a junior from Boston, Massachusetts, pursuing a finance and economics dual degree. I am involved in several on-campus organizations, including the Student Real Estate Investment Fund and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. My professional experience includes an internship at a publicly traded energy company in Brookwood, Alabama, as a finance and accounting intern, and this summer, where I will work as a valuation consultant in Boston. These experiences have given me insight into financial decision-making, leadership, and problem-solving—skills I believe are essential for effectively representing Students of the Culverhouse College of Business.
I am running for Senator to ensure that students continue to have the best possible access to professional and academic resources that foster success in and outside the classroom. Students should not only have strong career development resources and networking opportunities, but increased mentorship from peers active in prospected career paths.
My platform is centered on two principal objectives:
- Career Development: expanded mentorship programs that connect professionals, alumni, and current students at firms across various industries. Provide students with actionable guidance that will enhance their competitiveness in recruiting and career development.
- Increased Representation from Top Firms: Increase recruitment opportunities from top-firms. This includes career-fair tables, luncheons, on-campus interview opportunities, and direct-engagement events from major banks, consulting firms, and other financial services.
I am committed to making tangible improvements that benefit all students. I would be honored to serve as a voice in the Senate and appreciate your support.
Annika Engelke
Good morning, UA! My name is Annika Engelke, and I am thrilled to announce my candidacy to be your next Culverhouse College of Business Senator!
I am a Sophomore from Madison, Wisconsin, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Political Science. I currently serve in a few different roles on campus, my favorite being Deputy Chief of Staff for our SGA Executive Vice President. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in various aspects of SGA, gaining valuable skills and insights that have fostered both my professional and personal growth. My dedication to SGA is driven by a strong commitment to serving our campus community at the Capstone.
As senator, I will focus on Peer-Powered Planning, Spaces for Success, Crimson Connections, and Technology Triumphs—four key initiatives that will guide my efforts to elevate Culverhouse. Throughout the campaign, I will share my vision for these platforms and how they will create meaningful change for our college, campus, and greater community.
I humbly ask for your support on February 25 from 7 AM to 7 PM. Together, we can #ElevateWithEngelke and take Culverhouse to new heights!
Sam Fisher
My name is Sam Fisher, and I’m a sophomore majoring in General Business on the pre-law track. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been involved with various organizations on and off campus, including political campaigns, which have given me valuable experience in advocacy and leadership.
Now, I want to bring that passion to the SGA Senate to make real, practical changes that improve student life.
Here’s what I want to focus on:
- Lowering Parking Costs & Improving Efficiency: Parking passes are too expensive, and the system is frustrating. I’ll push to make parking more affordable and work to simplify the process.
- Fixing Campus WiFi: Campus WiFi shouldn’t be slow or unreliable in 2025. Whether you’re in a dorm, the library, or a classroom, you shouldn’t have to struggle to stay connected. I’ll advocate for better, more consistent coverage.
- Upgrading the Rec Center: I want to explore expansion options and help secure funding—just as I’ve done for political campaigns and nonprofits.
I want to be a voice for all students and make sure your concerns turn into action. I’d love the opportunity to represent you. Let’s make UA better together!
Noelle Gallego
Hello! My name is Noelle Gallego. I’m a sophomore from Westchester, NY, double majoring in Finance and Sport Management. In my time thus far at the University of Alabama, I have had access to abundant opportunities to develop personally, academically, and professionally. As a Finance major within the Culverhouse College of Business, I have experienced firsthand the college’s structure and programs and have come to recognize both their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, I wish to run for a seat as a Culverhouse Senator so that I can represent my fellow students and promote their needs and best interests.
If elected to serve in this position, I seek to work within the Student Government Association to enhance the student experience throughout one’s time studying in Culverhouse and at the University of Alabama. I strive for every Culverhouse student to have confidence as they map out their undergraduate journey, the ability to get more involved within the Culverhouse community, and greater access to profound professional development and networking opportunities to set them up for success at the Capstone and beyond. It is one of my core beliefs to leave something in a better place than what it was when you entered. In becoming a Culverhouse Senator, I strive to achieve this end and create a more meaningful experience for all Culverhouse students, ultimately in hopes of fostering a deeper passion within them for this college and the University.
Emerson Hardy
My name is Emerson Hardy and I am honored to be running for a seat in the Culverhouse College of Business Senate. Originally from Florida, I have found my home away from home here at The University of Alabama. This university has been my greatest blessing in life and I am so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing academic and personal support. This university has already given me so much in such a short period of time, and I am beyond excited for the opportunity to make a purposeful impact and give back. I am deeply passionate about inclusivity and feel motivated to create a meaningful difference within this campus to help my peers. As a candidate for the Culverhouse Senate, I am dedicated to empowering the voices of business students, creating an inclusive community, and guiding students to succeed. I aim to advocate for my peers to help Culverhouse students excel in their academic and personal life within their time on campus, and in years to come. Together, we can make a difference and shape a bright future for Culverhouse and the University of Alabama.
Madelyn Herwig
Hello, my name is Madelyn Herwig, and I am delighted to announce my candidacy for Senator of Culverhouse College of Business! I am a freshman from Tuscaloosa, AL majoring in Business and English on the Pre-Law track. This past year I have had the honor of serving as a First Year Councilor of the University of Alabama’s Student Government Association, collaborating with my fellow councilors on legislation and volunteering at various SGA events to engage and support the student body. I have seen the importance of listening to my peers to ensure that every voice is heard. If elected as your senator, I will act as a liaison between my Culverhouse peers and the decisions being made on campus. My goals are to encourage students to connect with individuals across campus, support others in our Alabama community, and grow as young people to prepare for the workforce. I am excited to hear your concerns directly so we can improve the Culverhouse College of Business and the University as a whole! On February 25, I ask that you help me #MakeItWithMadelyn!
Andrew Jones
My name is Andrew Jones, and I am a Finance major from Little Rock, Arkansas. Growing up, I was taught the importance of giving back to my community, and I have always strived to do so, whether it was at the Food Bank back home or at Al’s Pals in Tuscaloosa. Since arriving on campus, I have had the opportunity to work with the First Year Council writing and reviewing legislation that benefits thousands of students here at the Capstone. SGA exists to serve others, but service is not limited to SGA.
As a senator, I will increase student involvement both on and off campus. I will collaborate with programs like Saving the Tides to keep our school beautiful. I will work with dining services to minimize food wastage by composting discarded meals. I have loved working with Al’s Pals at local schools, but not everybody has time during the week to go. Expanding programs at these schools to weekends would benefit the kids even more and provide opportunities for UA students to help out when they have more free time. Additionally, I am passionate about recycling on campus, so I plan to work with housing and UA to make bins more accessible so recyclables will not end up in a landfill. The University of Alabama is an amazing school full of incredible people capable of making a difference. As senator, I will turn that potential into action.
Carson Pfeiffer
My name is Carson Pfeiffer, I’m a Freshman Finance student from Charlottesville, Virginia. I have made it my goal here at UA to grow my roots, and I’ve set out to accomplish this by getting as involved as possible. I am in two organizations currently; Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and Freshman Forum. Through these organizations, I have created a large support group, for whom I am eternally grateful for. The main reason I want to get involved with the SGA Senate is for the opportunity to represent the students of my chosen college. I have seen the plentiful benefits that Culverhouse has to offer, and I would love to play a role in the legislation surrounding the college.
The focus of my candidacy is on class registration. I would like to hold open advising forums during registration week. I believe it would be helpful to have an advisor in the room when registering because it can be a stressful process, especially when the classes you want are full. The advisors would be there to suggest alternate classes and reduce stress levels. Another underlying issue I want to address is the absence of lecture recordings among some professors. Life moves so quickly, at any given moment something can happen, so recorded lectures should be there as a fallback to life’s struggles. Lastly, college can be a strenuous place, so I would like to implement a university-wide ‘Mental Health Day’ for students to relieve some of the stress surrounding academic life.
William Pinson
Hi everyone, my name is William Pinson, and I am a junior from Huntsville, Alabama, majoring in Accounting. My goal is to attend the University of Alabama’s MTA program and work toward obtaining my CPA license. Throughout my time at UA, I’ve prioritized campus involvement through athletics (Track & Field and Cross Country), ministries (Campus Outreach and Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and organizations within the Culverhouse School of Business (Capstone Men in Business and Capstone Accounting Advisory Group).
As a third-generation Alabama student, I am passionate about working toward the betterment of our campus and ensuring that students’ voices are heard. This motivation has driven me to run for the position of Senator for the College of Business. If elected, I will dedicate myself to representing you and working alongside my peers to achieve our collective goals.
Beyond the responsibilities of SGA, I believe in being reliable and dependable. These qualities will guide me in fulfilling my duties as your senator and contributing to the progress of our university. With your support, I will strive to make meaningful changes that benefit all of us.
Thank you for considering me as your candidate. Together, we can create a stronger, more connected campus.
Max Ross
My name is Max Ross, and I am originally from Monroeville, Alabama. I graduated from Glenwood School located in Phenix City, Alabama. I am currently employed with the University’s Student Life Communications and External Engagement division. I am running to join the Student Government Association’s Senate as a representative for the Culverhouse College of Business. My goal is to have more transparency within the SGA and give students the chance to learn more about the government process. I want to add things such as ranked choice voting to have elections better represent student opinion and senators having their votes individually recorded. While I am a young student, I believe I can contribute to progress in our university’s policies and overall well-being.
Abigail Shaw
My name is Abigail Shaw and I am asking you to elect me as your senator. I am currently a freshman here at the capstone majoring in marketing on a pre-law track. I have held numerous leadership roles throughout high school, including serving as president of Best Buddies, Hope Ambassadors, and Youth Against Climate Change, in addition to vice president of the National Honor Society and Model United Nations.These experiences taught me how to effectively balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments, while honing my ability to collaborate within diverse groups.
I have always had a passion for serving others and by choosing me, you would be choosing someone with a collaborative work style and expertise in student-run leadership. You would be choosing someone who aspires to be the best. I want the Student Senate to be successful and a constructive institution that makes the campus a better place. In addition, I want to be someone you can confide in when you have questions, concerns, or thoughts about the potential direction of college policy. I wish to support you.
As a senator, I would look forward to fostering an inclusive environment where every student on campus can flourish both academically and socially. I thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you as your senator and to make a positive impact on our campus. Sincerely, Abigail Shaw
Theo Villanueva
My name is Theo Villanueva, and I am currently a Marketing student from Blacksburg, Virginia. I am excited to potentially represent you as a Culverhouse Senator. During my time at The Capstone, I have had the opportunity to join various organizations, such as Delta Sigma Pi, and I look forward to traveling to Panama over spring break with fellow business students and faculty. The Culverhouse College of Business has over 10,000 students with unique backgrounds and journeys. As a marketing student, I am passionate about learning different stories and understanding how they shape who we are today. I want to run for Senate so I can amplify these stories and help bring people together in ways that support their success.
If elected, I hope to accomplish three goals:
Expand Manderson Opportunities to Culverhouse: Foster connections between Manderson graduate students and Culverhouse undergraduates to increase awareness of graduate programs like Accelerated Master’s Program, helping students explore advanced degree opportunities and set themselves apart in their careers.
Increase Tutoring Resources: Enhance tutoring support by improving the tutor-to-student ratio and offering more personalized assistance, enabling students to excel academically.
Create Career Pathways with Other Colleges: Collaborate with other colleges to establish interdisciplinary career pathways, showcasing how diverse majors can connect with Culverhouse and benefit from its resources.
Thank you for considering me to proudly represent Culverhouse in the Senate! Let’s work #TogetherWithTheo!
Brandon Woolsey
My name is Brandon Woolsey. I’m a sophomore here at the Capstone, majoring in finance and accounting with a minor in history. I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois, and while attending school here, I developed a deep passion for the philanthropic aspect of our campus and the leadership opportunities that only the University of Alabama can offer. My involvement with various organizations, such as the Be Positive Foundation and 1919 Club, has allowed me to develop deep, meaningful connections with my peers, which helped shape my perspective on issues around campus and the world.
I am running for Senate because I believe in student engagement on campus. There is no reason to go to school here if we all don’t try to be the best possible person we can be and get involved within the community. I want to hear everyone’s voice on issues on campus, regardless of background and experiences.
My goal as a senator is to make everyone feel heard. My platform is built on five key ideals: Brilliance, Reliability, Accessibility, Nobility, and devotion. These five values are key to how I will approach issues such as promoting sustainability and environmentally friendly programs and enhancing campus resources, especially student health and mental health programs. I am blessed to be able to run for student government and make my voice and perspective known. I am devoted to bringing these values to the Senate and making a real, effective difference on campus. Sincerely, Brandon Woolsey
Alexander Wylie
My name is Alexander Wylie, and I am excited to have the opportunity to represent you as your next Culverhouse College of Business Senator. I am a Sophomore from Montgomery, AL majoring in Finance and Economics with a minor in Public Policy. Throughout my time here at UA, I have discovered my passion for leadership and improving our community, and I am fully committed to making a genuine impact for UA.
My mission is simple: Win.
As this University is well aware of, winning isn’t just a goal–it’s a standard. It’s what defines us in the classroom, on the field, and most importantly, in our future careers. Winning isn’t just about a final score or result; it’s about growth, progress, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. As your senator, I will incorporate that same mindset into our Student Government, empowering students to win in every aspect of their college experience.
Winning is done with the help of those around you, so I will be working toward enhancing student resources, including mental health and academic support. Additionally, I will be working toward the expansion of career networking opportunities, so that every student has the tools to win post-graduation. Lastly, I will advocate for the students that I represent. Making sure all voices are heard is the key to ensuring our winning culture continues to thrive.
It would be a privilege to secure your vote and serve as your next Senator. With your support, we can all win with Wylie