Comprising four elected representatives from each class in the College, the College Academic Council (CAC) fosters a positive working relationship between administration, students, and faculty in order to help students manage and enhance their academic lives.
CAC interacts with College faculty and administration regarding a wide variety of issues, representing the students of Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences, seeking their opinion on academic issues, and acting in their name. CAC has helped to develop stronger student-professor relations through their annual events — College Honors, Majors Fair, and Donuts with the Deans — in addition to various events hosted throughout the year. In the past, CAC has enacted substantial change in the College, including advocating for the business minor for students in the College, which was approved in Spring 2010.
CAC is here to serve students in any academic capacity that they need. Please feel free to bring suggestions, questions, or comments to the attention of its members. Furthermore, CAC’s weekly meetings are open to all students in the College. If you would like to sit in on a meeting, email cacouncil@georgetown.edu for specific meeting times.
To stay updated on all of CAC’s events and current projects, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter @GUCAC. We also have an open suggestions form. We look forward to hearing from you!
Committee Positions
Every year the College Academic Council also seeks students to fill positions on the College Undergraduate Admissions Committees, the College Executive Committee, and the College Curriculum Committee.
Seven students appointed to the College Undergraduate Admissions Committees, which includes administrators, professors, admissions officers, and students, will be asked to read and evaluate applications to the College of Arts & Sciences, helping to shape the student body of the College.
One student appointed to the College Executive Committee, which includes faculty, deans, and students, will be invited to monthly meetings to discuss and provide input on issues pertaining to the College, including academic policy, curriculum development, and the honor system.
One student appointed to the College Curriculum Committee, which includes faculty, deans, and students, will be invited to meetings as needed to discuss and provide input on curriculum issues pertaining to the College, including academic policy, curriculum development, core requirements, and the establishment of new majors and minors.
Student input is highly valued on all three of these committees, so please consider applying. If you have any questions, email the College Academic Council at cacouncil@georgetown.edu.
Stephen Blinder (he/him/his) is a senior from Fairfield County, Connecticut, studying Government and Philosophy with an eye toward ultimately pursuing a law degree. In addition to the College Academic Council, he writes for On the Record and has published in Utraque Unum. Before transferring to Georgetown, Stephen worked on staff for a member of Congress and as a political consultant. He has a deep passion for music, recorded his debut EP a few years ago, and is an avid tennis player and serious fan of the sport (and Federer, of course!). Stephen is excited and honored to help build an even better present and future for the College, one of which we can all be proud.
Pratik Jacob
Pratik Jacob is a senior from Swedesboro, New Jersey majoring in Government & Computer Science. Outside of the College Academic Council, Pratik is involved in GU Votes, Blue & Gray, and Catholic Retreats. Pratik is very excited to continue representing the Class of 2025, even more than he is to watch the Philadelphia Eagles go undefeated and win the Super Bowl this coming season.
Eve Kantaros
Eve Kantaros is a senior from New York, studying Political Economy and STIA. She joined her senior year, hoping to cultivate her past experience to leave the CAS stronger than when she arrived. Outside of academics, Eve enjoys reading (currently historical-fiction), running around DC, frozen blueberries, and watching documentaries with her 7 roommates in “Greenhouse” (self-asserted, very legitimate, sorority girl-house). Eve will be moving to NYC after graduation to work in financial services at PwC. She is stoked to represent her graduating class this year.
Naveen Shah
Naveen is a senior from South Jersey studying Government and Computer Science. He joined the Council during freshman year and authored a proposal that established 200 free pages of B&W printing for every undergraduate student. In the last two years, Naveen has served on the Provost’s Student Working Group and the ExCo, the primary decision-making body of the College of Arts & Sciences. Aside from the Council, Naveen is a hip-hop enthusiast, Thai food connoisseur, and avid tennis player on Georgetown’s club team.
Addison Basile is a junior majoring in Psychology and Linguistics with a minor in Education, Inquiry, and Justice. Outside of College Academic Council, she works for The Corp and Residential Living while serving as president for the Women’s Club Ice Hockey team. She is excited to step into her new role as Vice President and continue to represent the Class of 2026.
Andy Feng
Andy Feng (he/him/his) is a junior intending to double major in Government and Justice and Peace Studies, and he hails from Toronto, Canada! On campus, he’s involved with DCivitas, GU Eating Society, among others. He’s a member of the Georgetown Scholars Program as a FGLI student and will be bringing these experiences and perspectives in his advocacy at the College Academic Council. Outside of school, Andy loves Taylor Swift, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, and dearly misses Tim Hortons. Above all, he’s excited to serve the Class of 2026 this year!
Ariana Hameed
Ariana Hameed is a junior, double majoring in American Studies and Computer Science, Ethics, and Society. Outside of CAC, Ariana co-hosts a radio show, writes for the Georgetown Independent, and competes in Moot Court.
Stephen Trainer (Treasurer)
Stephen Trainer is a junior student majoring in Economics and Philosophy, originally from Omaha, Nebraska. On campus, he’s involved in GUASFCU, DCivitas, and Transfer Council. After his freshman year, Stephen transferred from Emory University in Atlanta and intends to leverage his experience to enhance his advocacy on the Council. Outside of school, Stephen loves weightlifting, trying new food spots, and listening to 80’s hits! Most of all, he’s excited to serve the Class of 2026!
Laura Fan is a sophomore majoring in Economics and Psychology, and a proud New York City native! On campus, she’s involved in Hoyalytics, the CSJ, and Students of Color Alliance. Outside of school, Laura loves ranking new food spots on Beli, drinking overpriced lattes, and taking long walks. She’s most excited to serve the Class of 2027!
Kwynton (TJ) Johnson
Kwynton (TJ) Johnson is a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, planning to double major in Government and Economics. On campus, he is involved in GU Moot Court, GUSIF, and Intramural Basketball. Outside of school, he maintains a position as a federal government employee and suffers year after year as a Dallas Cowboys fan. Kwynton is excited and honored to represent his class in CAC this year!
Lucy Lu
Lucy Lu is a sophomore mainly from Phoenix, Arizona and Hong Kong who plans to major in Government and Philosophy while minoring in Music. Outside of the College Academic Council, Lucy does boxing, staffs for MUN Conferences, is part of the Philodemic Society, Women in Leadership, and International Relations Club. She is thrilled to continue to represent the class of 2027.
Chloe Luwa (Secretary)
Chloe Luwa is a sophomore from San Diego, CA majoring in biology and planning to minor in Spanish. On campus, she is involved in GU Prison Outreach as a tutor and Volunteer Director, GU Food Recovery as a communications chair, and Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program. Chloe also plays saxophone in Pep Band and is a grillmaster in GU Grilling Society. In her free time, she loves to explore the outdoors, go hiking, bake, and listen to music. She is excited to represent the Class of 2027 and serve as Secretary on the Council!
Amber Bai is a first-year from Shanghai, China planning to double major in Economics and Sociology. Outside of the College Academic Council, she is involved in the Student Library Council, Georgetown Voice, Hoya Knits, and UNICEF Club. She also loves handcraft and watching musicals. She’s thrilled to represent the class 2028 this year!
Clarisse D’Costa
Clarisse D’Costa is a first-year from Chantilly, Virginia planning to major in Biology of Global Health on a premedical track. Outside of the CAC, Clarisse is a member of GUMAPS and GlobeMed, but she can’t wait to get involved with more organizations on campus! In her free time, she loves to paint, bake, and try out new restaurants with her friends. Clarisse is excited and honored to represent the Class of 2028 on the CAC!
Madison (Madi) Kim
Madison (Madi) Kim is a first-year from Gaithersburg, Maryland, planning to major in Biology of Global Health, and possibly minoring in STIA! Madi is so excited to be one of the First-Year Representatives on the College Academic Council. Outside of CAC, Madi is Project Sunshine’s PR, and part of the Army ROTC program and Club Swim. She’s also an avid runner, reader, baker, and foodie. Madi can’t wait to represent the Class of 2028!
Bella Villarin
Bella Villarin is a first-year from sunny San Diego and currently Undeclared in the College. Her childhood growing up as a military kid led her to live in Japan, Virginia, Singapore, and California, where she golfed competitively for seven years. Bella is involved on campus in Georgetown Admissions Ambassadors Program, Pre-Professional Foreign Service Sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, and Asian American Student Association (AASA). If she’s not locked in at Leavy or munching at Epi’s late night buffet, you can find Bella on a TJ Maxx run (she’ll gladly give you a haul), on a hike with Outdoor Education, throwing a frisbee on the lawn, hanging out with her AASA family, or being a tourist and exploring all that D.C. has to offer.
Dean’s Office Advisor
Kelly Cole
Kelly Cole advises students majoring in Economics and Math (last names L-Z). She also teaches in the English Department and advises in the American Studies Program. (You may know her from such courses as, “Television & American Culture” or “History of the 1980s.”) Dean Cole is excited to be stepping into the role of advisor to the College Academic Council and looks forward to supporting them as they advocate for their peers and build partnerships across the CAS community. She holds a B.A. in English from Middlebury College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
