Honors Student Executive Board
Our charter
The Honors Student Executive Board (formerly the Honors Commission) is the student governing body of the Saint Mary’s College Honors Program. The Board affords students the unique opportunity of helping to make decisions about how the Honors Program should function as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Program. In keeping with the Program's student-driven focus, Officers work as a team to produce a variety of events and oversee the academic and social well-being of fellow Honors Program students.
Interested in joining? Applications open in the spring!
2025-26 Board Members
Stavroula Psefteas, Chair
Stavroula is a senior Psychology major with a SSTE minor, with hopes of becoming a high school English teacher, largely because of her love of reading. She is one of the RAs in Aquinas, and she loves getting to know new students and answer questions about campus resources and the Honors Program! This is her third year as part of the Exec Team, and she has really enjoyed working with the others on the team and planning fun events! Stavroula is very excited to be Head of the Exec Team this year and is looking forward to creating interesting, engaging, and useful events that everyone can enjoy!
Olivia Eukel, Social & Service Events
Olivia studies health promotion, biology, chemistry, and vocal music. She has extensive experience in childcare, including serving children with special needs, as well as experience in service and volunteer work, performing arts, leadership, and year-round swimming. She chose to join the Executive Board as an events specialist after organizing the Spring 2023 Student Research Conference. Olivia is passionate about serving underrepresented and underserved communities as a future contributor to public health.
Aruna Silva, Peer Perspectives
Aruna is a junior majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Archaeology. She was originally born in Hawaii, but has lived overseas for most of her life, attending international schools. She loves being outdoors, hiking, going to the beach, reading, traveling, and watching her favorite comfort shows. Aruna joined the Executive Board to become more involved in the Honors Program, connect with more students, and open up events to the wider campus community to encourage stronger attendance and engagement.
Amanda McCarthy, Academic Events & Contracts
Amanda is a 3rd year Integral Major and Spanish Minor. Her hobbies include cooking and baking, fitness, crochet, watercolor, and music. She has been playing the clarinet for 7 years and will usually do 4-6 performances at Saint Mary's every year through both the music program and the Integral Program. Amanda is the president of the SMC Against Cancer Club and passionate about spreading awareness about cancer and cancer prevention on campus. In addition, she regularly attends Intervarsity events on campus and enjoys doing bible studies with them. Amanda was born in Idaho, but her family moved to California 10 years ago. She now hails from Granite Bay and is excited to serve on the Honors Student Executive Board because she wants to promote academic excellence on campus and foster a sense of community in the Honors Program.
Sofia Yildirim, Academic Events & Contracts
Sofia is a third-year environmental science and biology double major and has been in the Honors Program since her freshman year. She has a deep passion for the natural world and focuses her research on helping better understand how organisms are shaped by their environment and how the environment is shaped by organisms. Outside of academics Sofia is a creative and curious learner who enjoys cooking Turkish food with her family, hiking, singing, reading, and belly dancing. She is honored to serve this year as one of the Academic Events and Contracts Board Members in order to give back to the community that has welcomed and supported her over the last 3 years at SMC, and to support the next generation of learners.
Jazmine Cortez, Public Relations
Jazmine is a fourth-year Integral and Politics Double-Major, and a Law and Society minor, from Fresno, California. She is the PR Officer for the Honors Executive Board and on the Exec Team for La Hermandad (the Latino/a and Hispanic club on campus). Jazmine is also a Lasallian Animator and peer mentor for Faith Formation at the Mission and Ministry. In her free time she enjoys going on walks, hanging out with friends, and exploring the city! Jazmine looks forward to making the most of her last year at SMC, as well as all the upcoming Honors events to build the Honors community!
Aidan Silva, Public Relations
Aidan is a biochemistry major with a minor in psychology who wants to pursue a career in medicine. He likes to be involved in research and help students achieve academic success in STEM. Outside of school, Aidan loves to travel, try new foods, workout, and shop for anything fashion related.