Mansi Seth
University of California BerkeleyMansi Seth is a first-year student at UC Berkeley committed to helping students become active and informed participants in democracy. She is deeply passionate about advocating for increased accessibility and inclusivity of voter participation and civic engagement, especially within marginalized communities. As a leader of the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) Vote Coalition, Mansi collaborates with peers to plan and execute voter registration drives, educational events, and advocacy work. She is currently working with students from all nine UC campuses to make Election Day a non-instructional holiday in an effort to address inequalities in the electoral process.
Personal Statement
As a person of Indian descent born in China and raised in Singapore, diversity has always held a strong presence in my life. It became clear to me at a young age that diversity was indispensable to any successful organization, serving as a catalyst for innovative ideas and growth. Yet, when I looked at the institutions that governed my country, I was dismayed by the glaring homogeneity. In middle school, I developed an interest in social issues and public policy. I participated in Model UN and Debate, where I interacted with varied and opposing perspectives. In high school, I lobbied for the representation of alternative voices in Singapore's Parliament through an internship with the opposition Workers' Party. I carried this passion for diversity to UC Berkeley and used it to guide my work on campus. In the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election, I pushed to engage historically underrepresented groups in voter registration events, specifically out-of-state students and STEM majors. I strived to reach all corners of student life, contacting professional clubs, Greek organizations, cultural groups, and many more. My hope is to foster a generation of civic leaders that are as diverse as the communities they represent.