Leadership
The YHHAP Board oversees all YHHAP projects, manages our advocacy operations, and fosters the YHHAP volunteer community. Individually, we have each been inspired and humbled by those we serve. Together, we are fiercely committed to improving our New Haven community. We are the Spring 2024 YHHAP Board, and we look forward to seeing you in action soon.
Nikhe Braimah
Co-director
Nikhe is a junior in Branford majoring in History and hailing from the Bay Area. On top of volunteering with VITA, Nikhe is involved with WORD Performance Poetry, the Yale Daily News, and the Yale Historical Review. He also works as a Campus Tour Guide, a Communication and Consent Educator, and a Student Assistant at the Afro-American Cultural Center. Outside of classes and clubs, you'll find him exploring new places to eat in New Haven, finding new study spots on campus, and (re)watching Succession. Reach him at nikhe.braimah@yale.edu!
MEGAN BLACKWELL
Co-director
Megan is a junior in Silliman College majoring in Political Science with a Certificate in Spanish. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she's involved with the NACC as Peer Liaison, works for the Gruber Program at YLS, and has a radio show with WYBC. Her favorite New Haven restaurant is Pho KetKeo. She loves hiking, playing the bass, and collecting earrings. Reach out any time at megan.blackwell@yale.edu!
Ishikaa Kothari
Advocacy chair
Ishikaa is a junior in Timothy Dwight College majoring in Computer Science and Film and Media Studies. In addition to YHHAP, she works at the Yale Pardon Project and the Asian American Cultural Center as a Historical, Artistic, and Cultural Resources Coordinator. She loves watching (and sometimes making) movies, window shopping on Snackpass, and drawing different places on campus.
Tyus Sheriff
fundraising chair
Tyus is a junior in Trumbull double-majoring in Classics and Political Science. He was born in the Bay Area, but has spent almost half of his life living in Osaka, Japan. Outside of YHHAP, Tyus is involved in YIRA and New Haven Reads. He also works in the Yale University Art Gallery's Numismatics Department and as a research assistant at the School of Management. Tyus likes to go on jogs, hike East Rock, and explore New Haven's cafes. Feel free to reach out to him at tyus.sheriff@yale.edu.
Arjun warrior
communications director
Arjun is a sophomore from Irvine, California. He’s passionate about poetry, soccer, and progressive politics. He leads weekly volunteer shifts at YCK and is the proud captain of Timothy Dwight College’s intramural dodgeball team. He’s not sure what he wants to major in, but it'll definitely involve a lot of reading and writing. You can always reach him at arjun.warrior@yale.edu.
jasmine simmons
outreach chair
Jasmine is a junior in Pauli Murray College majoring in Neuroscience with a certificate in French, and is originally from New Haven! Outside of YHHAP she is a YCK coordinator, conducts research at the medical school, and plays on the women's club basketball team. In her free time she enjoys spending too much time with her suitemates, snacking, duolingoing, and listening to a random array of music. Please feel free to reach her anytime at jasmine.simmons@yale.edu.
nusaiba islam
treasurer
Nusaiba is a freshman in Saybrook College majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She is from Atlantic City, New Jersey. In addition to YHHAP, she is a member of Yale Rangeela, a first year liaison for the South Asian Society, and a writer for Yale Scientific Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, crocheting, reading, and writing!
alexandra schoettler
membership chair
Alexandra is a sophomore in Silliman College majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. She’s from Los Angeles, California. In addition to YHHAP, she’s a member of the Yale Undergraduate Moot Court Team, a volunteer with VITA, and a Silliman buttery worker! She loves crocheting (but rarely finishes projects), sitting in her common room with her friends, and discovering new music. Please feel free to contact her at alexandra.schoettler@yale.edu.
Elizabeth Schaefer
Technology chair
Elizabeth is a sophomore in Morse College majoring in Computer Science. She is from Houston, Texas. On YHHAP, she is a site lead and design chair on Elm City Echo and was on this year’s FAST team. Outside of YHHAP, she serves on Morse College Council, works as a Recruitment Coordinator in the Admissions Office, and TAs for CS50. At Yale, she enjoys hanging out with her friends at all hours, going on long walks when the weather permits, and spending an abnormal amount of time in the Morse common room.
vivian whoriskey
yhhap fast co-chair
Vivian is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College majoring in Environmental Engineering. She volunteers with YCK and VITA, manages the Franklin Buttery, and works in a chemical engineering lab. In her free time, she enjoys convincing friends to let her cut their hair, spending time outside, sewing, or working on a random new skill. Feel free to contact her at vivian.whoriskey@yale.edu.
Paul douglass
yhhap FAST co-chair
Paul is a Sophomore in Saybrook. From Arkansas and North Carolina, he is studying History and hopes to attend law school. In addition to leading the YHHAP Fast, Paul is on board of Jook Songs poetry group, edits for the Undergraduate Law Journal and is engaged with campus ministries such as YSC and UCW. He loves playing music, working out, and being outdoors. You can reach him at Paul.douglass@yale.edu.