Senate Bios
Irena Ilic
President
LUSSPresident@lewisu.edu
Irena is a senior majoring in History & International Relations. Irena joined the Senate because she wants to help voice student concerns and make Lewis a better place. She is super excited to be a voice for students and help solve issues the student body is experiencing. Irena’s favorite food is pasta, and she was born in Croatia!
“You’re your own problem, but you’re your own solution too” -Bridesmaids
Alex Camacho
Vice President
LUSSVicePresident@lewisu.edu
Alex is a senior with a triple major of Economics, Finance, and Spanish. Alex joined senate to contribute to the Lewis community in a meaningful way. Alex enjoys all breakfast food. A fun fact about Alex is that he won the 鶹Ƶ Home Run Derby last semester!
“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take” -Wayne Gretzky – Micheal Scott
Tyler Avenatti
Director of Communications
LUSSdirectorofComm@lewisu.edu
Tyler graduated with his undergraduate degree in Sport Management in 2024. Tyler is now pursuing his Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership. Tyler is involved in a lot on campus and wanted to help in an even bigger way by joining senate and bringing more individuals thoughts forward. Tyler returned to senate to help continue to make a positive impact on this campus. His favorite food is fettuccine alfredo, and a fun fact is that he was varsity golf captain in high school.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” ” -Thomas Edison
Jackson Smith
Director of Finance
LUSSDirectofFinance@lewisu.edu
Jack is a senior majoring in Aviation Flight Technology. He is minoring in Criminal Justice and Aircraft Dispatch. Jack wanted to join Student Senate because he wanted to serve his peers both from an educational standpoint but also as a companion of learning to help everyone get through the ride, we students call college. His favorite food is chicken noodle soup, and his fun fact is that he has visited all 50 states.
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”” -Rear Admiral William H. McRaven
Madison Miller-Bridges
Freshman Senator
FreshmanSenator@lewisu.edu
Madison is a freshman who is majoring in International Business, with a minor in English Literature and Language. Madison joined student senate to make an impact at Lewis by making sure everyone feels included, listened to, and feels they are a part of a community. Her two favorite foods are wings and seafood. A fun fact about Madison is that she is a sperm donor baby with two moms.
“Healing is finding beauty in the broken places”
Benedetta Begala
Junior Senator
JuniorSenator@lewisu.edu
Benni is a junior who is majoring in Aviation Flight Technology. She is minoring in Aviation Administration and Aviation Dispatch. She decided to join student senate because she wants to help create a better school experience for all students. Student senate allows her to help establish an environment where fun is just as important as schoolwork, and she hopes to successfully fulfill her position by facilitating fun and excitement on campus. Her favorite food is Sushi and everything Asian. A fun fact about Benni is that when she was seven she went to Disney Land Paris.
“This is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I am still trying to figure out how that could be. ”
Ethan Sobczak
Senior Senator
SeniorSenator@lewisu.edu
Ethan is a senior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. He wanted to join student senate because he wanted to be more active within the Lewis Community. He also is a very open-minded person who wants to act in the best interests of the student body. Ethans favorite food is lasagna. A fun fact about Ethan is that he is a big Chicago Bulls fan and goes to one home game a year with his dad.
“Everything negative -- pressure, challenges -- is all an opportunity for me to rise.”” - Kobe Bryant
Rebekkah Schimick (Bekkah)
Graduate Senator
GraduateSenator@lewisu.edu
Bekkah has started her Masters in Clinical Health Counseling. She chose to join student senate because she loves being a part of the Lewis community and getting to know new people. She really enjoys being involved in planning events and helping our university become a place for us all to love! Bekkah’s favorite foods are tacos and guacamole. A fun fact about Bekkah is that she has a 5-year-old great dane named Bonnie.
““Gave me cookie, got you cookie man! ” -Nick Miller
Emilio Melero
Commuter Senator
CommuterSenator@lewisu.edu
Emilio is a junior majoring in Biology. He joined Student Senate to help our 鶹Ƶ community and the commuters on campus! His favorite food is spaghetti. A fun fact about Emilio is that he likes to write songs and freestyle.
“Always knew I had to let you go, had to see you die to grow”- The Backseat Lovers
David Ranieri (DJ)
Residential Senator
ResidentialSenator@lewisu.edu
Dj is a sophomore majoring in Aviation Flight Technology. Dj decided to join student senate because he wanted to make a difference in the Lewis community, as well as better connect the students here at Lewis. His favorite food is pasta. A fun fact about Dj is that he likes to hang off the side of mountains for fun.
“The sun will rise again. ”
Manoj Maddela
Transfer Senator
TransferSenator@lewisu.edu
Manoj is a graduate student completing his master's in Computer Science. Manoj chose to join student senate to promote projects that will benefit our community and participate in decision-making. Manoj truly enjoys all chicken made dishes. A fun fact about Manoj is that he loves to walk in with whites on whenever he meets new people or joins new organizations.
“The joy of life is becoming a person you are proud of.”
Aidan Killmer
Athletic Senator
AthleticSenator@lewisu.edu
Aidan is a junior majoring in Exercise Science. Aidan chose to join student senate to help advocate, discuss, and problem solve issues on behalf of student-athletes. He is a big fan of donuts. A fun fact about Aidan is that he is on the track team and has been running track since he was 7 years old.
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to chance the world, today I am wise, so I am changing myself” - Rumi
Priscilla Najera
Greek Organizations and Honor Societies Senator
GreekSenator@lewisu.edu
Priscilla is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Priscilla decided to join student senate to be the voice for Greek Organizations and Honor Societies on campus whether they bring concerns, questions, or feedback! Priscilla’s favorite food is sushi. A fun fact about Priscilla is that she has been to five countries within Europe
“Las cosas siempre cambia...todo cambia, excepto, lo bueno, eso se quede igual, esa la buena vida” - Bad Bunny
Natalia Penalbert
College of Aviation Science and Technology
AviationSenator@lewisu.edu
Natalia is a senior who is majoring in Aviation Administration with a minor in Aircraft Dispatch. Natalia decided to join student senate so she could help the voices of the College of Aviation, Science & Technology and Transportation student body be heard. Her favorite food is Pastelón. A fun fact about Natalia is that she usually has a minimum of 4 rings on her finger.
“Mass is not proportional to volume. A girl as small as a violet. A girl who moves like a flower petal is pulling me toward her with more force than her mass. Just then, like Newton’s apple, I rolled toward her without stopping until I fell on her, with a thump. With a thump. My heart keeps bouncing between the sky and the ground. It was my first love” –Kim In Yook
Iliana Rodriguez
College of Education & Social Sciences Senator
EducationSenator@lewisu.edu
Iliana is a sophomore majoring in Social Work. Iliana joined student senate to help out students and help to create a diverse and inclusive community that follows Lasallian values. Iliana's favorite food is spaghetti. A fun fact about her is that she is a singer.
“He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” -Samuel 22
Hasan Alsahli
College of Business Senator
BusinessSenator@lewisu.edu
Hasan is a senior majoring in Finance. Hasan joined student senate because he has many creative ideas to help create a stronger community. Hasan truly loves to learn from people and help them the best way he can. He also cares about the students and wants them to have a great experience with our university. His favorite food is fettuccine alfredo. A fun fact about Hasan is that he was born in Nashville, Tennessee but lived in Amman, Jordan for 6 years.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” –By Malcolm X
Khiya Jones
Rec Senator & Personal Wellness Senator
CampusRecSenator@lewisu.edu
Khiya is a senior who is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Health Sciences. Khiya decided to join student senate because she wants to advocate for student voices and to make change happen within our community and school. Her favorite food is tacos. A fun fact about Khiya is that she knows how to play guitar.
“When they go low, we go high” -Michelle Obama
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