2025-2026 Student Trustee

 Dear students,

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all students who participated in the Student Trustee election this year. Our office would also like to thank all the candidates who took time to participate in this year’s election. We had a great turnout of both candidates and votes. We are thrilled to announce you have elected MD/PhD student Bethany Berry as your Student Trustee for the 2025-2026 Academic Year!  

Bethany Berry

T.H. Chan School of Medicine & Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

MD/PhD, 2026

Tell us about yourself and why you would like to serve as the Student Trustee for UMass Chan? 

I am a 7th year MD/PhD student and former 2022-23 Student Trustee. I would like to serve as the Student Trustee because I want to advocate for students. In my time at UMass Chan, I have advocated for reforms such as free printing in the library, free UWorld subscriptions, and increased representation. I have navigated working at two separate campuses with my PURCH group. I have gone through the process of finding a thesis lab, and I have an understanding of the resources available to students as well as the barriers that can arise in the laboratory setting. During my previous tenure as student trustee, I served vital roles leading the Student Government Alliance, working with students from public colleges and universities across MA on the statewide student advisory council, advocating for our students during talks to negotiate our health insurance, and as an active member of the UMass Committees on Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, and Audit & Risk.
I fully understand the immense commitment this position demands, and I believe that now, more than ever, we need strong advocates to protect the interests of our students. I have a track record of advocating for SOM, GSBS, GSN, and MD/PhD students, as well as our fellow UMass and public institution students across the state. I am extremely passionate about making our institution a better place for students in all schools and all programs, and I would love the opportunity to continue that as the student trustee.

Please identify your top three goals if you were to serve in this position in the coming year. 

1. I would love to advocate for money for students. I began this advocacy previously and would love the opportunity to continue this work. I would like to see increased, equitable funding for student groups across all three schools. I would advocate for increases in benefits and resources available to students including health and dental insurance, child care services, reliable Wi-Fi, exam prep materials, scholarships, and grant writing assistance. The Chan gift has provided our institution with an unbelievable opportunity, and I would like to work with as many students as possible from all three schools to make changes that will be beneficial and long lasting.

2. I would like to put together a student-led reporting service for the adverse treatment of learners. I would collect an anonymous, informal record of adverse events where students have the option of releasing details after their studies are complete or at a time of their choosing. I want students to feel empowered to report adverse treatment without fear of retaliation.

3. I want to improve communication between the schools and awareness of resources and opportunities available to students. I want to continue the work of the previous student trustees of compiling an up-to-date and comprehensive resource of student group activities and opportunities. I would also like to review the current communication practices and work to ensure that students are notified of important information in an effective and timely manner.