Miami, Fla. – Danielle Geathers has become the first African American woman to hold the office of student body president at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ranked #1 university in the world and particularly known for its superior engineering program.

The campus wide election ushered in a new era in student government, with diversity and transparency at the top of Geathers platform. Adding to the strength of her ticket, Geathers chose fellow activist Yu Jing Chen, an Asian American woman, to round out the most diverse administration in the history of MIT’s student government leadership.

“I see the Undergraduate Association (UA) as an underutilized engagement tool that will be essential as MIT designs and implements its plan for COVID-19,” said Geathers, a 21-yearold rising junior.

“I am excited about the opportunity to amplify underrepresented student voices and make the UA more visible as a both support resource and efficient communication channel.”

FRESHMEN ADVOCATE

Geathers’ platform featured a consistent message of “Unity, Equity, Authenticity,” which she said she plans to demonstrate by uniting and amplifying the voice of the multicultural student body who she ran to empower.

Recalling her first year when she felt the student government was less than supportive of its freshmen, the Miami native said she will spend the next year putting systems in place to ensure future freshmen are given the foundation they need to succeed within student life.

Endorsed by the Black Student Union’s Leadership, three Class Council Presidents and the Chinese Student’s Club, the candidates’ experience in student leadership and knowledge of MIT’s history created the winning ticket.

TARGETING COVID-19

A Mechanical Engineering major, Geathers finished her sophomore year with a recruitment project to purchase and send 250 books recommended by current MIT students, to potential Class of 2024 members, as well as launching Talented Ten, a program she created to increase the matriculation rate of black women at MIT.

Currently, Danielle is focused on shifting student government to have a bigger policy focus, as well as a larger impact regarding national issues such as COVID-19, new Title IX regulations and racial inequality.