Saigel for Senate

PLATFORMS

Nontraditional Equity & Opportunity

Nontraditional students bring strength, resilience, and diverse perspectives to our campus, yet they often face barriers that make it harder to fully engage in student life and opportunities UC Berkeley has to offer. Saigel is dedicated to breaking down these barriers and creating equitable opportunities for nontraditional students to thrive. Saigel aims to advocate for greater nontraditional student success, which empowers our greater transfer community—including student parents, veterans, former and current foster youth, commuters, and re-entry students are represented and supported.

Saigel’s work to support non-traditional students did not just start at UC Berkeley, but rather during her tenure as Board Trustee of the San Diego Community College District, overseeing 80,000 students as she secured $2 million to create public service career opportunities for all students. As the Nontraditional Equity and Opportunity Executive in the ASUC* Office of the Transfer Representative, Saigel has actively engaged with challenges tackling the nontraditional student community such as University Village, Albany lighting, funding for supportive CE3 organizations, and fostered stronger student government connections among our valued communities.

She is deeply committed to advocating for nontraditional equity and opportunity.

Nontraditional Equity & Opportunity

Nontraditional students bring strength, resilience, and diverse perspectives to our campus, yet they often face barriers that make it harder to fully engage in student life and opportunities UC Berkeley has to offer. Saigel is dedicated to breaking down these barriers and creating equitable opportunities for nontraditional students to thrive. Saigel aims to advocate for greater nontraditional student success, which empowers our greater transfer community—including student parents, veterans, former and current foster youth, commuters, and re-entry students are represented and supported.

Saigel’s work to support non-traditional students did not just start at UC Berkeley, but rather during her tenure as Board Trustee of the San Diego Community College District, overseeing 80,000 students as she secured $2 million to create public service career opportunities for all students. As the Nontraditional Equity and Opportunity Executive in the ASUC* Office of the Transfer Representative, Saigel has actively engaged with challenges tackling the nontraditional student community such as University Village, Albany lighting, funding for supportive CE3 organizations, and fostered stronger student government connections among our valued communities.

She is deeply committed to advocating for nontraditional equity and opportunity.

Nontraditional Equity & Opportunity

Nontraditional students bring strength, resilience, and diverse perspectives to our campus, yet they often face barriers that make it harder to fully engage in student life and opportunities UC Berkeley has to offer. Saigel is dedicated to breaking down these barriers and creating equitable opportunities for nontraditional students to thrive. Saigel aims to advocate for greater nontraditional student success, which empowers our greater transfer community—including student parents, veterans, former and current foster youth, commuters, and re-entry students are represented and supported.

Saigel’s work to support non-traditional students did not just start at UC Berkeley, but rather during her tenure as Board Trustee of the San Diego Community College District, overseeing 80,000 students as she secured $2 million to create public service career opportunities for all students. As the Nontraditional Equity and Opportunity Executive in the ASUC* Office of the Transfer Representative, Saigel has actively engaged with challenges tackling the nontraditional student community such as University Village, Albany lighting, funding for supportive CE3 organizations, and fostered stronger student government connections among our valued communities.

She is deeply committed to advocating for nontraditional equity and opportunity.

Student Wellness

For students, wellness isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for staying enrolled and succeeding. Yet, too often, these conversations leave out the voices of those who need support the most. By addressing generational, cultural, and unique stressors through resources that truly meet students where they are, we can build a campus environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Wellness is about making sure every student has the tools and opportunities to not just survive but thrive during their time here. Among the 44% first generation transfer students, Saigel is a first-generation, low-income student to an immigrant family. She understands and continues to learn more about the multifaceted challenges faced by underrepresented groups like transfer students, immigrant communities, undocumented, and low-income students.

Saigel’s goals for student wellness include launching "Transfer Buddies" to connect incoming transfer students with mentors, prioritizing transfer student wellness explicitly in the Mental Health Action Plan, and expanding culturally informed mental health resources. By addressing barriers like financial insecurity, housing instability, and cultural stigmas, Saigel aims to create a campus where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed. Saigel is dedicated to supporting student wellness at UC Berkeley as she’s experienced first hand the effect of mental health disorders and stressors disproportionately within the transfer community that can affect students' academic paths.

As the sole Community College Youth Advisor for the Commission for Behavioral Health, Saigel has worked alongside those who have struggled with mental health issues, substance use disorders and trauma-related disorders. Saigel wishes to bring that experience with her to the ASUC*. Saigel also served as a Mental Health Policy Associate for the Youth Power Project*, where she introduced policy to the California legislature on student mental health access and support.

Student Wellness

For students, wellness isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for staying enrolled and succeeding. Yet, too often, these conversations leave out the voices of those who need support the most. By addressing generational, cultural, and unique stressors through resources that truly meet students where they are, we can build a campus environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Wellness is about making sure every student has the tools and opportunities to not just survive but thrive during their time here. Among the 44% first generation transfer students, Saigel is a first-generation, low-income student to an immigrant family. She understands and continues to learn more about the multifaceted challenges faced by underrepresented groups like transfer students, immigrant communities, undocumented, and low-income students.

Saigel’s goals for student wellness include launching "Transfer Buddies" to connect incoming transfer students with mentors, prioritizing transfer student wellness explicitly in the Mental Health Action Plan, and expanding culturally informed mental health resources. By addressing barriers like financial insecurity, housing instability, and cultural stigmas, Saigel aims to create a campus where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed. Saigel is dedicated to supporting student wellness at UC Berkeley as she’s experienced first hand the effect of mental health disorders and stressors disproportionately within the transfer community that can affect students' academic paths.

As the sole Community College Youth Advisor for the Commission for Behavioral Health, Saigel has worked alongside those who have struggled with mental health issues, substance use disorders and trauma-related disorders. Saigel wishes to bring that experience with her to the ASUC*. Saigel also served as a Mental Health Policy Associate for the Youth Power Project*, where she introduced policy to the California legislature on student mental health access and support.

Student Wellness

For students, wellness isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for staying enrolled and succeeding. Yet, too often, these conversations leave out the voices of those who need support the most. By addressing generational, cultural, and unique stressors through resources that truly meet students where they are, we can build a campus environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Wellness is about making sure every student has the tools and opportunities to not just survive but thrive during their time here. Among the 44% first generation transfer students, Saigel is a first-generation, low-income student to an immigrant family. She understands and continues to learn more about the multifaceted challenges faced by underrepresented groups like transfer students, immigrant communities, undocumented, and low-income students.

Saigel’s goals for student wellness include launching "Transfer Buddies" to connect incoming transfer students with mentors, prioritizing transfer student wellness explicitly in the Mental Health Action Plan, and expanding culturally informed mental health resources. By addressing barriers like financial insecurity, housing instability, and cultural stigmas, Saigel aims to create a campus where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed. Saigel is dedicated to supporting student wellness at UC Berkeley as she’s experienced first hand the effect of mental health disorders and stressors disproportionately within the transfer community that can affect students' academic paths.

As the sole Community College Youth Advisor for the Commission for Behavioral Health, Saigel has worked alongside those who have struggled with mental health issues, substance use disorders and trauma-related disorders. Saigel wishes to bring that experience with her to the ASUC*. Saigel also served as a Mental Health Policy Associate for the Youth Power Project*, where she introduced policy to the California legislature on student mental health access and support.

Furthering Basic Needs Support

Saigel knows firsthand how difficult it can be to focus on academics when basic needs like housing, healthcare, and wellness are uncertain. Having faced similar challenges herself, such as moving 3 times during her time here, she is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to be secure and thrive at UC Berkeley. Saigel’s goal is to address systemic barriers to basic needs that students face on our campus. She aims to work collaboratively with the ASUC Housing Commission*, Basic Needs Center*, and the UC Berkeley administration to reduce financial burden in housing, increase transparency in healthcare services, and improve education on hormonal disorders- which 1 in 4 menstruating individuals face.

Saigel is passionate about creating a campus environment where students feel supported and empowered to prioritize their well-being without sacrificing their academic or personal goals. Saigel is dedicated to supporting basic needs on the UC Berkeley campus. She serves on the Student Advisory Board on Financial Aid and Enrollment, Berkeley Connect, and Academic Senate Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid as Director of Financial Aid* in the Office of the Academic Affairs Vice President*.

In these roles, she has used her experience struggling with basic needs, as well as bringing the stories from those she’s connected with to advocate for expanded programs. She also served as a College Affordability Research Associate for the San Diego Community College District where she created free, high-quality courses to remove high-cost barriers to education. As Student President of San Diego Miramar College for 13,000 students, she also challenged textbook monopoly contracts, advocating for low-cost or no-cost Open Educational Resources to reduce financial burden on students.

Furthering Basic Needs Support

Saigel knows firsthand how difficult it can be to focus on academics when basic needs like housing, healthcare, and wellness are uncertain. Having faced similar challenges herself, such as moving 3 times during her time here, she is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to be secure and thrive at UC Berkeley. Saigel’s goal is to address systemic barriers to basic needs that students face on our campus. She aims to work collaboratively with the ASUC Housing Commission*, Basic Needs Center*, and the UC Berkeley administration to reduce financial burden in housing, increase transparency in healthcare services, and improve education on hormonal disorders- which 1 in 4 menstruating individuals face.

Saigel is passionate about creating a campus environment where students feel supported and empowered to prioritize their well-being without sacrificing their academic or personal goals. Saigel is dedicated to supporting basic needs on the UC Berkeley campus. She serves on the Student Advisory Board on Financial Aid and Enrollment, Berkeley Connect, and Academic Senate Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid as Director of Financial Aid* in the Office of the Academic Affairs Vice President*.

In these roles, she has used her experience struggling with basic needs, as well as bringing the stories from those she’s connected with to advocate for expanded programs. She also served as a College Affordability Research Associate for the San Diego Community College District where she created free, high-quality courses to remove high-cost barriers to education. As Student President of San Diego Miramar College for 13,000 students, she also challenged textbook monopoly contracts, advocating for low-cost or no-cost Open Educational Resources to reduce financial burden on students.

Furthering Basic Needs Support

Saigel knows firsthand how difficult it can be to focus on academics when basic needs like housing, healthcare, and wellness are uncertain. Having faced similar challenges herself, such as moving 3 times during her time here, she is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to be secure and thrive at UC Berkeley. Saigel’s goal is to address systemic barriers to basic needs that students face on our campus. She aims to work collaboratively with the ASUC Housing Commission*, Basic Needs Center*, and the UC Berkeley administration to reduce financial burden in housing, increase transparency in healthcare services, and improve education on hormonal disorders- which 1 in 4 menstruating individuals face.

Saigel is passionate about creating a campus environment where students feel supported and empowered to prioritize their well-being without sacrificing their academic or personal goals. Saigel is dedicated to supporting basic needs on the UC Berkeley campus. She serves on the Student Advisory Board on Financial Aid and Enrollment, Berkeley Connect, and Academic Senate Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid as Director of Financial Aid* in the Office of the Academic Affairs Vice President*.

In these roles, she has used her experience struggling with basic needs, as well as bringing the stories from those she’s connected with to advocate for expanded programs. She also served as a College Affordability Research Associate for the San Diego Community College District where she created free, high-quality courses to remove high-cost barriers to education. As Student President of San Diego Miramar College for 13,000 students, she also challenged textbook monopoly contracts, advocating for low-cost or no-cost Open Educational Resources to reduce financial burden on students.