Vote in the UB Elections
The Indiana Memorial Union Board is the largest student programming organization on campus, planning over 100 events that serve more than 40,000 students annually. Each year, students have the opportunity to elect nine directors that act as stewards of the Union and student fee money. Approximately $8 of your student fee supports campus-wide programs organized by Union Board. Union Board is committed to promote meaningful programs on campus.
Vote in the 2026 Union Board Election on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 12 a.m. to midnight.
117th Union Board Election
Meet your candidates for the 2026 Union Board Election:
Martha Abraham, Junior
Major: Media Advertising
Minor: Arts Management
Election Statement: Hi Hoosiers! My name is Martha Abraham, and I am a junior studying Media Advertising and Arts Management. This year, I served as Union Board’s Director of Canvas Creative Arts, where I was able to plan unique and events that have provided an outlet for artistic expression and fostered a creative community on our campus. I have also been able to lead Union Board’s work in modernizing and diversifying the art collection of the IMU to evolve with our contemporary and present-day student body. As a Union Board Director, I have been committed to creating spaces and communities of belonging through programming and governance, and if given the opportunity to return for a second term, I aim to further ensure that you feel welcomed and supported as a member of the Union. Thank you!
Max Brinkmeyer, Sophomore
Major: Cinematic Arts
Election Statement: As a future Union Board Student Director, I believe that I can bring back a personal experience to a theater-going experience. People will come to the theater if we program cult classics and personal favorites, and I believe I have the knowledge and understanding to get people back to the IMU to watch great movies. With fun marketing and a clear passion for film, I believe people will be more motivated to come to the movies if they can tell passionate people are behind the programming.
Abby Brown, Sophomore
Major: Counseling and Student Services – Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Minor: Education Policy
Election Statement: As a Union Board director, I will strive to be hard-working and dedicated to my role. I promise to act in the best interest of the student body and always put my best foot forward while planning and programming events. I will ensure to be collaborative with my peers and be a supportive member to work alongside. I am open-minded to suggestions and ideas, and I hope to spread the positivity of Union Board across the IU campus.
Eliana Cicalo, First-year
Major: Political Science
Election Statement: As a future Union Board Student Director, I hope to be an integral part of making IU a more creative, intellectually stimulating, vibrant, and engaging campus. I want to invite differing perspectives in our political atmosphere, I want to support student musicians and artists, and I want to make our university a place of community and ongoing involvement. These goals will not be accomplished by just a few people; they require involvement from everyone who shares a desire to make IU better. It is my sincere hope that I can help bring this vision of IU to life, and I want this vision to be made possible by all those who make Indiana University the extraordinary place that it is, and that is, of course, the students.
Lucy Gray, Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish, Sociology
Election Statement: Here at IU, I think student engagement and connection are incredibly important. As a student director, I plan to engage in small and large-scale events that serve the community. Even being able to make someone's day just a little bit better would be my favorite part about being a director.
Aidan Hamilton, Senior
Major: Law and Public Policy, Economics
Minor: Environmental Management and History
Election Statement: You'll get a great Union Board whether you vote for me or not, so I'll keep it short: I'm a Combat Medic with experience as a summer camp Counselor. Want someone who gets stuff done and will make every moment of it cheesy, glorious fun? I'm your guy. Now, go vote for something you believe in.
Maxwell Helmerick, Sophomore
Major: Marketing, Management
Election Statement: My goal as a future Union Board Director is to contribute to a campus culture that feels welcoming, engaging, and student-driven. I want to strengthen connections across communities by partnering with student media and other organizations to amplify awareness of events, while also building creative campaigns—like street interviews and student-led content—that would reflect the real voices of IU. At the same time, I see the IMU as a potential hub of creativity and connection that I'd work to enhance with flexible work spaces and push for consistent programming like weekly open mic nights or small concerts. My vision is simple: to make Union Board events not just something students attend, but something they feel part of—because when students see themselves in our programming, campus life truly thrives.
Asha Meyer, Junior
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience (Certificate)
Election Statement: As Union Board Student Director, I will listen to feedback from students and work to make the necessary changes that will improve student life. I can be the voice to help influence the administration. I will help create awareness of the various resources available to IU students. It is important to me to uplift the various cultural programs and communities represented at IU. I believe in encouraging a well-balanced lifestyle for students and will work to create events that will support and emphasize that. Every student has the power and autonomy to create the college experience they desire, which is why I want to promote that culture at IU.
Khushi Monga, Junior
Major: Finance, Accounting, Business Analytics
Election Statement: I aim to make the Indiana Memorial Union a more inclusive and accessible space for each student. My goal is to strengthen the quality of programming and initiatives within the IMU so that all students feel connected to it. The Union is the heart of our campus, let’s act on those words and ensure it truly feels like a second home for all.
Henry Ratterman, Junior
Major: Marketing
Election Statement: As Marketing Director of Union Board for two years running, I have seen the power of creative programming to bring students together and make our campus feel more connected. If elected, I want to build on that impact by creating events that are welcoming, innovative, and reflective of the diversity of IU. My goal is to strengthen Union Board’s brand so students know that when they see our name, they can expect an engaging, meaningful experience. I also want to make it easier for students to discover and participate in events by using creative marketing and outreach strategies. Union Board should be more than an events board; it should be a community where every student can find something that resonates with them.
Alex Reynolds, Junior
Major: Math, Earth Science
Election Statement: As a Union Board Director, I plan to serve the needs of the student body at Indiana University by creating and executing programming that is broadly appealing, engaging, informative, and fun. As well as this, I plan to push for broader and more effective marketing, so that you never have to worry about missing out because you didn’t see something. In electing me as a director, you will be choosing someone who is dedicated to improving the campus community and providing enjoyable events.
Victoria Rowe, Sophomore
Major: Media Advertising
Minor: Italian
Election Statement: As a current director, if elected again I would continue with my goals of bridging the gaps on campus to help uplift and create a community for all students to feel like Bloomington is their home. My goals of uplifting local Bloomington musicians would be continued by trying to provide them with ample opportunities to have their music played in front of the community. As well as a goal expanding our commitment to student well-being and connection by increasing the quality and quantity of safe but engaging programming.
Reid Sprenkle, Junior
Major: Finance, Information Systems
Minor: Spanish
Election Statement: As a returning member of Union Board, I would like to focus on student impact and programming success. When looking at Union Board's place on campus and in the IMU, I see our ability to help give students a place on campus that feels like home. The best way to achieve this is to help ensure that students are heard when changes are made in the IMU and to be proactive in listening to the student body's voice. In our programming, I'd like to look at ways that we can boost engagement and find more success in our events. We have many events that leave impact on the student body and focusing on what makes an event find success can help boost our impact on campus for all students.
Amalee Strupp, Junior
Major: Biology, Biotechnology
Minor: History, Studio Art
Election Statement: Hi everyone! I’m Amalee, and I had the incredible opportunity to serve as the STEM Director for the 116th Union Board. Over the past year, I’ve worked to grow STEM programming in ways that are creative, collaborative, and student-focused and I’d love the chance to continue that work. Union Board’s mission is all about helping students find their place, and that is something I care deeply about. Whether it’s through events like Science Fairs, improving dining options, or even reimagining the IMU to include more interactive spaces, I want to help make campus feel more connected and accessible to everyone. If elected, I’ll hope to build a Union Board that amplifies student voice, embrace new ideas, and makes this big campus feel a little more like home. Let’s grow together!
Alex Wernecke, First-year
Major: Entrepreneurship
Election Statement: As a future Union Board Student Director, my goal is to bring students together through unforgettable live performances and events that define the IU experience. I want to reimagine how concerts and large-scale events are promoted—using creative advertising, giveaways, and campus connections to build real excitement and student pride. Long term, I hope to establish an annual music festival or large concert that not only unites the campus community but also gains attention beyond IU. My vision is to give students experiences they’ll talk about for years, while making the IMU a true hub for culture, creativity, and connection.
For questions, please email Clara Licklider at ubvpia@iu.edu or Evan Buschman at ubfilms@iu.edu.