MESSAGE FROM THE CANDIDATE:

My name is Tae’Niajha Pullen. I am a junior majoring in Africana studies and minoring in Anthropology. I currently serve as your Chief Diversity Officer. Thank you all so much for electing me to this position, and I would be honored to be re-elected by you.
Since coming to UConn, I’ve been heavily involved. I’ve pioneered for BSOUL, UConns residential Black Women learning community. I chartered the UConn Chapter of the Black Female Development Circle where a community has been cultivated for us to be able to be seen and connected. I also founded the Black UConn Collective with goals to unite and protect the Black community here on campus.

I began my USG journey as the AACC Ex-Officio Senator. In that role, I’ve helped coordinate programs. Within this role I also serve on the cultural center committee. In these meetings, a representative from each cultural center meets to discuss programs such as the cultural fair. Through these extracurriculars, I’ve been able to meet so many brilliant, like-minded individuals who share the same passion for activism as I do.

If re-elected as your Chief Diversity Officer, I will continue to ensure that the needs of marginalized communities here are not only met but sustained as well as strengthening the Office of Diversity's relationship with cultural centers to ensure that USG best supports its students. Since being in this role, my commission and I have been tackling the awful dorm conditions, bringing a natural hair vending machine to campus, and much more. When I began my undergraduate career, I was a budding activist, and I know firsthand how difficult advocacy work is without support. That is why I will remain committed to recruiting and maintaining diversity for activists like me at USG to cultivate a safe and inclusive space for all.