Nevada Student Alliance

2024-25 Vice Chair, Nevada Student Alliance 

President, Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN)
University of Nevada, Reno

president@asun.unr.edu

Dawson Deal is a first-generation student born and raised in Sparks, Nevada. He is a rising senior studying Political Science and recently began his term serving as the President of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada. Dawson has remained steadfast in his passion for public service and civic engagement, giving back to his community through his work at a local non-profit, the Discovery, and volunteering with organizations such as the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement and Nevada Association of Student Councils. During college, Dawson has also interned for a United States Senator and at the Nevada State Legislature, gaining an in-depth understanding of representation and government. Previously in ASUN, Dawson served as the Director of Government Affairs, working to empower, educate, and advocate for students, connecting undergraduates to all levels of government in a nonpartisan manner. As President of ASUN, Dawson aims to continue this pattern of civic engagement and advocacy, working on behalf of students to generate meaningful initiatives under the “Impact Nevada” platform.

Pronouns: he/him/his

President, Student Government Association (SGA)
Great Basin College

allison.vanholder.st66@gbcnv.edu

Allison Vanholder is serving as the President of SGA for Great Basin College, based on the Pahrump campus. She is a second-year nursing student at GBC and tries to stay involved with events going on not only at the college but with the town as well. She is a Kiwana’s member and a Moose member, attends the monthly coalition meetings, and is on the board for PTO for JG Johnson elementary school. Above all else, she is the proud mother of two beautiful girls; she aspires to be a role model for them and help improve their future.

President, Graduate Student Association (GSA)
University of Nevada Reno

takter@unr.edu

Tania Akter is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is also the current GSA president at UNR. She completed her MS in material chemistry from the University of South Dakota (USD) and did her undergraduate studies in Bangladesh, where she was born and raised.

Her current research mainly focuses on catalysis and renewable energy-related works. Working in a lab is an enjoyable part of her work; she always likes to incorporate new techniques or approaches in her research projects.

Apart from research work, she enjoys cooking, social gatherings, and traveling. Learning about other cultures and activities always motivates her to collaborate with people. She also likes to involve herself in different organizations and has served in GSA for the last four years as a council representative from the College of Science.

Her future goal is to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained in leadership and research to bring about positive change in academia or industry for the betterment of society and the world.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

2024-25 Chair, Nevada Student Alliance 

President, Nevada State Student Alliance (NSSA) 
Nevada State University 

kevin.osoriohernandez@nevadastate.edu 

Kevin Osorio Hernández (he/him/él) was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is a proud queer and first-generation Guatemalan American pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in History at Nevada State University. Kevin is an enthusiastic and influential leader within both his university campus and in the state of Nevada while embodying a leadership ethos of authenticity, guided by the mantra “be the same person, privately, publicly, and personally.” He serves as the re-elected student body president and is the District Director for a member of the Nevada State Assembly to advance legislative priorities that benefit the community. Additionally, Kevin was appointed by the Secretary of State to the Advisory Task Force for Participatory Democracy, where he plays a pivotal role in promoting civic engagement and ensuring inclusive democratic processes.

With an unwavering commitment to public service, Kevin aspires to a future career in public policy, aiming to represent the people of Nevada as a policymaker focused on effective and impactful change. He firmly believes in providing everyone, especially students, a seat at the table, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives and actively working to ensure that all voices are heard and valued within an inclusive and equitable environment.

Pronouns: He/Him/Él

President, Student Government Association (SGA)
Truckee Meadows Community College 

lallison@tmcc.edu

Lisha Allison is honored to serve as the Student Representative President at Truckee Meadows Community College, with a mission to enhance the student experience through advocacy and leadership. They work to bridge the gap between students and administration, championing initiatives for academic excellence, student well-being, and diversity. They are committed to amplifying student voices, fostering inclusivity, and empowering their peers to shape the college community’s future.

Pronouns: She/Her They/Them He/Him

President, Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN)
Western Nevada College

Catalina.wilson@wnc.edu 

In her third year at Western Nevada College, Catalina Wilson is pursuing her studies in Business. As a first-generation student, she’s laying the groundwork for her future transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno. Catalina’s interests span from spending quality time with friends to engaging in activities like volleyball, reading, and water coloring. Recently, she’s picked up crocheting as a new hobby. Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 term, Catalina is dedicated to nurturing a campus atmosphere where students feel connected and supported, aiming to foster a strong sense of community among her peers.

President, Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

gpsapresident@unlv.edu

Teresa Marie is a third-year Ph.D. student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the Criminal Justice Department. She is an active member of the New Mexico Bar Association. Teresa received her BA in Criminal Justice from UNLV. She then went on to concurrently receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Massachusetts’ School of Law and her Master of Public Policy from UMass – Dartmouth. Prior to returning to UNLV for her Ph.D., she was a Law Clerk for the Clark County Family Courts – Dependency Division. She will be working on her dissertation this upcoming school year, focusing on failed adoptions in the child welfare system. Teresa also teaches an introduction to criminal law course in the CRJ program.

Teresa is currently the 2024-2025 President of the Graduate & Professional Student Association, where she represents over 5,000 graduate and professional students. Teresa was the GPSA treasurer for the 2023-2024 year where she worked with the UNLV Athletics department to create numerous Graduate Appreciation Nights to celebrate the work graduate and professional students do for the UNLV campus and Las Vegas community. She looks forward to continuing her advocacy for Graduate and Professional students’ needs on campus

Upon graduation, Teresa plans to continue her work in advocacy, policy, and higher education teaching in policy, law, and criminal justice. In her free time, she likes to camp at Mount Charleston and attend rock concerts.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

President, Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada (CSUN)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas  

csunpresident@unlv.edu 

Allister Dias is a fourth-year undergraduate Economics major with a double minor in Global Entrepreneurship Experience (GEE) and Brookings Public Policy. He currently serves as the Student Body President of UNLV’s CSUN Student Government. On top of student government, he works as both a Faculty Assistant for the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and a Lead Consultant for the UNLV Writing Center. An avid lover of investigative writing, he formerly served as the Editor-in-Chief of UNLV’s student newspaper, the Scarlet & Gray Free Press. On top of journalism, he enjoys leadership opportunities, formerly serving as the President of the UNLV Honors College Student Council and currently, CEO of AI-startup company YouChef. Outside of academia, he enjoys long-distance running, film photography, and reading. Following undergrad, he hopes to attain his JD in civil law and Ph.D. in Economics.

President, Associated Students of the University of Nevada Medical School (ASUNSOM)
University of Nevada, Reno

msison@med.unr.edu

Miguel Sison is an MD student at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. He is a Las Vegas native but is originally from the Philippines. He is the current study body president for the School of Medicine. He is excited to have the medical school more involved with NSA. After medical school, Miguel looks forward to specializing in orthopedic surgery.

Pronouns: he/him/his