Tanishka Kandakatla
Hey everyone! My name is Tanishka Kandakatla and I am a first year Political Science- Public Service student running to serve as one of your ASUCD Senators! As a pre-law student, I’ve always been passionate about ensuring every student’s voices are heard and considered when making decisions. In high school, I was captain of our Mock Trial team and a member of Speech and Debate where I learned valuable communication, leadership, and collaboration skills. At UC Davis, I’m currently a member of our Mock Trial team as well as a part of Alpha Chi Omega, a sorority whose domestic violence awareness philanthropy resonates deeply with me.
My public service journey started in high school leadership which I was a member of all four years. As a motivated student, I organized and fought for policy initiatives advocating for teachers rights, showing me how powerful student initiatives can be when connected to the community it serves. I also served as the VP of policy for the Junior Philanthropists Foundation, the largest completely youth-led non-profit organization aimed at empowering the next generation of environmental activists. Here, I led my team in working with policymakers to draft legislation as well as lobbying at our State Capitol in Sacramento for bills we are passionate about :)
One of my main priorities serving as one of your ASUCD senators would be improving safety on campus roads to protect both pedestrians and cyclists. Everyday, students describe walking across campus roads like a game of Crossy Road, constantly dodging bikes, scooters, and cars just to get to class. On the flip side, cyclists, scooter riders, and drivers have to swerve around pedestrians walking at inconvenient times. This isn’t just inconvenient, but also unsafe. As one of the most bike-friendly campuses in the country, Davis should be setting standards for bike and road safety. I plan to work with ASUCD Transportation Services and student organizations to create clearer bike paths and crosswalks to prevent near-collisions and reduce stress. Whether you walk, bike, or scooter on campus, you deserve to feel safe.
Another goal of mine is to strengthen communication between ASUCD and the student body by sending out monthly feedback forms. These forms would allow students to suggest new policy ideas for the Senate to address and give opinions on ongoing policy initiatives. As a person big on inclusivity, it is important to me that all students feel directly involved and represented by their government. Students shouldn't have to search for ways to be heard, but rather ASUCD should come to them. This initiative would ensure that every student regardless of race, background, and interests has the opportunity to shape campus policy and feel genuinely represented by their government.
As someone who has felt underrepresented before, I’m running for ASUCD Senate to create real change. UC Davis students deserve leadership that reflects their drive, creativity, and diversity. I’m ready to make that happen.