Board Of Directors 2026 Election

JIM AUSMAN (Chateau House 1990-93) *Returning Director

Jim served on the Board of Directors of the USCA for two years, mostly as the VP of Finance. He was the Board President one summer, the summer they decided to foreclose on Barrington and get it back from the man they had sold it to. Other accomplishments were to raise rent slightly to tackle the backlog of deferred maintenance and to allow any students from any college to join the USCA, not just Berkeley. There was a vacancy problem in this era. Jim would like to add more structure to the Board’s projects and goals and his experience as a Project Manager proves useful therein.

JUSTIN ERICKSON (Cloyne 1990-92, 1997-99, NSC 1999-2001) *Returning Director

Justin was a member of the BSC throughout his time at Cal and held leadership positions at the house, board and central levels, including; Cloyne House President, Cloyne House Manager, Board Member, USCA President, Assistant Housing Supervisor, BSCAA Board Member and BSCAA President. He currently works in Construction Project Management on large capital projects for public agencies, typically in the range of $150M – $900M. He brings a longstanding love of the organization and deep resonance of the mission – providing affordable housing to students who might not otherwise be able to afford college, as well as the spirit of cooperation and a desire to give back to the community that gave so much to him.

MOJDEH FELLER (CZ 2014, Stebbins 2015) *Returning Director 

Mojdeh Tarighat Feller graduated from Berkeley in 2015 as a Stebbins resident. At the BSCAA, Mojdeh co-chairs the marketing committee, through which she manages social media channels, markets events, and writes newsletters. Professionally, she works as a mathematician and data scientist at a subsidiary of Sony Pictures. In her spare time, she enjoys writing fiction. She lives in Los Angeles, where she was born and raised.

In the coops I discovered a sense of empowerment I had never known before. I learned how to lead a counsel meeting, publish an informational notice members would read, run for an office and manage my peers. I was workshift manager 2 semesters at Lothlorien where I was empowered to creatively revision systems that were not working and see the effects of my own ingenuity, while collaborating with my fellow members to co create the house we loved. This experience was as, if not more valuable to my future professional life as any other I had in college. I would be honored to pay these skills forward by serving as a member of the BSC Alumni Association Board.

MARGIE GUILLORY (Hoyt Hall 1970-73, Northside 1974-78) *Returning Director 

Margie graduated from Berkeley with a degree in mathematics, two teaching credentials, and a certificate in accounting. She was involved with the BSC as the BSC’s first woman Maintenance Manager (1970-1972), first woman on Summer Maintenance Crew (1972), Decentralization & Inventory Control Clerk (1972-1975), A/P Bookkeeper (1975-1988) with a 6-month break to convert all houses to the Home Cooking Program in 1980, and BSC’s Accountant (1988-2012). She was inducted into the North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) Hall of Fame in 1990 as an Educator. She is now in a recovery program as the Treasurer of the BSCAA.

Jen Heller is a diehard co-oper. She lived in Cloyne, Rochdale, and Kingman from 2000 to 2004. She worked for BSC first as Receptionist, then Communications Coordinator and then acting Development Director between 2001 and 2009. Some of her key accomplishments were two complete website overhauls, the development of the online application, and the 75th Anniversary Gala. While at Kingman, she served as Social Manager for two years. Following her time as a staff member at CO, she served on the BSCAA Board until August 2012. In 2010 Jen founded Artsy Geek, a design and marketing agency. In the past decade, she has continued to work with various non-profits and small businesses on branding and marketing. She looks forward to bringing this experience to the BSCAA Board. She will be forever grateful to the BSC not only for the professional experience but for introducing her to her best friends and husband. All of the people she is closest to in the world she met through the BSC. She currently lives in San Leandro with her husband (Lothlorien, Castro, Casa Zimbabwe, Rochdale), four-year-old daughter, nine-year-old son, and two tuxedo cats. She enjoys baking, gardening and reorganizing closets.

ALDEN LANDRY (Stebbins Hall) 

I thoroughly enjoyed my 2.5 years in Stebbins Hall! Also summered in Cloyne Court and lived in Rochdale for a short time. After Cal I travelled to Kyoto, Japan and Ahmedabad, India with my UCB College of Environmental Design degree to work in my field before moving to New York City for Grad School at Columbia. I have lived and worked in NYC for the last 35 years as an architect working in private practice and for public parks and gardens like Prospect Park and the New York Botanical Garden improving the public environment. I'm interested in supporting the BSCAA and organizing get togethers in New York City to bring BSC alum together to join the BSCAA and contribute to the organization.

CYN MACIAS-GOMEZ

Cyn Macías-Gómez is a recent graduate of the BSC and recent graduate from University of California, Berkeley, with a BA study Social Welfare with minors in Spanish and Race & Law. Cyn currently works as a behavioral technician and has been a long time organizer and advocate for issues ranging from disability justice, migrant safety and protection, and accessible housing. Cyn is currently serving his second year on the NASCO board after four years on the BSC board of directors. Cyn is currently working as Mental Health Technician to middle school students in the East Bay and has a deep love for gardening, social outings, and learning at museums!

KEVIN RAMIREZ (Castro and CZ 2013-17)

Kevin held both student board and house leadership roles, and previously served as BSC President. He’s also a double Bear—BA ’16 and MBA ’25—and moved to San Francisco in August 2025. He currently works at Visa.

BOB SHIREMAN (Barrington Hall 1981, Kingman)

After a brief stint at Barrington Hall in 1981, Bob Shireman, a sophomore transfer, moved to Kingman Hall, where he took on a variety of work shifts, including house manager and a stint as the editor of the BSC newsletter, the Toad Lane Review. He finished his co-op experience living at the Northside apartments. (Bob's older brother, Bill, lived for several years at Davis House). While Bob’s first job was as an advocate for environmental and consumer protection causes at CALPIRG, most of his career has been focused on higher education policy, both in government – he served both the Clinton and Obama administrations – and launching two advocacy organizations. While mostly retired, Bob still serves on a federal advisory committee (as a House Democratic appointee) and on the board of a multi-state compact (as a representative for California). Bob lives with his wife in Oakland. 

WICK SMITH (Barrington 1974-75, Ridge Project/CZ 1974-77) *Returning Director 

B.A. Psychology ’77 M.S.W. ’80 UC Berkeley. Most memorable workshifts: Cooking Sunday Brunch for 125 people, House Photographer, and Switchboard. Career in local government including Alameda County Administrator’s Office, Contra Costa County Schools and Contra Costa County.  IT Manager Contra Costa County for 28 years and senior consultant in a firm that specialized in IT for non-profits and local governments. BSA adult volunteer for the last 25 years. Ham Radio operator and CERT volunteer. Wick’s interest in public service and working cooperatively for others all started with the Coops! He loves continuing that with the co-op students and alums.

SEAN SOWELL (Loth 1984, Kingman 1984-89, Northside 1989-92) *Returning Director 

I was born in Boston and grew up in Watertown, Massachusetts. Earned a Psychology BA in 1992 and I credit the USCA for making it possible to work my way through Cal. I served as Kingman’s Board member in 84, House President, Workshift and House Managers, 85-88, as USCA Board President in the Summer & Fall of 88, and as Kingman’s and Northside’s House President in 89. Led the three membership referenda 84, 86 and 88 that eventually closed and sold Barrington in 89. My twin sons are Matt and Nick. Have been active in many political campaigns over the years. I miss Gordon Lightfoot, Sly Stone and Bob Weir. While I never saw the Dead in concert, I'm glad that Kingman hosted loyal deadheads over many summers in the amphitheater. Am a union rep for SEIU Local 1000, representing rank-and-file State of California employees. Jennifer, my better half, is also a union rep. I welcome the chance to return in service to the BSC.

I, the undersigned member of the BSC Alumni Association, submit this ballot to the Secretary to represent my votes for the Candidates and Action Items being decided upon at the Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, November 15, 2026. 
 
PROXY VOTING: In the event that an action item is brought up at the meeting and deemed in order by the President, there would be a vote. If that were to occur, anyone with a proxy from a member could vote in that item on the latter’s behalf. If you wish, you may give your proxy to any member who will be in attendance at the meeting. To do so, please fill out this ballot in its entirety, including the following information.