Academic Affairs Board
This is the Academic Affairs Board of the International Affairs Association.
Director of Academic Affairs
Sarah is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, and is currently pursuing a major in the Biological Basis of Behavior and a minor in Hispanic Studies. A native Clevelander, Sarah loves all things related to northeast Ohio, including healthcare, being Midwestern, and burning all things related to Lebron James. Sarah has been involved with Model UN since her freshman year of high school, and has been in love with the activity ever since. In addition to her involvement with Academic Affairs, Sarah has served as an ASG for UPMUNC XLIII, Business Director for UPMUNC XLIV and Director of External Affairs for PIRC 2011. When she’s not hanging out IAAers, Sarah can be found hanging out with monkeys as a research assistant in Penn’s Auditory Research Lab. (But when she’s not doing any of the above, Sarah can probably be found at Jimmy John’s.) Most importantly, Sarah hopes you’re as excited as she is for this year of Academic Affairs!
Deputy Directors of Academic Affairs
Kevin is a senior from Reading, PA, majoring in International Relations. He's been active across the IAA from helping with conferences to planning academic events to competing around the country with INTERCOL. As a junior, Kevin got to study abroad for an amazing semester in São Paulo, Brazil, and he spent this past summer working in Accra, Ghana. He's passionate about academic affairs, especially interested in foreign aid and international development, but he makes sure to balance academics with the good life in University City and Philadelphia. City's are where it's at for Kevin, but he likes to get into the outdoors when he has the chance - that's what the IAA hayride is for.
Alice Xie is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Economics at the College of Arts and Sciences. She helped plan events such as Water Week and Quizzo at Smokes as a member of Academic Affairs’ first-ever team, and is thrilled to be contributing to its second year. An avid fan of controversial issues and Western Business Attire, she has had a passion for Model UN since her first conference from the beginning of freshman year. She supports democracy, capitalism, and the annexation of Canada.
Clarke Gottwald :
Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Clarke is a senior double majoring in Physics and Chinese. As a member of Academic Affairs' inaugural secretariat, Clarke was happy to be involved in the planning of professor dinners and quizzo events among other things. After developing an interest in foreign affairs and cultures before transferring to Penn from the University of North Carolina, he is very excited to be a part of AA's second year. Particularly, he has gained an interest in China where he studied abroad in Shanghai. When not in Philadelphia, Clarke really enjoys fishing and other outdoor activities.
Dan Aronowitz is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Economics. Last year, as an Assistant Director for Community Service, Dan helped organize fundraisers such as Karaoke night. This year, Dan hopes to raise even more money for international charities such as Nothing But Nets. Dan is an avid sports fan, and he is always ready to play soccer. He is also the current house manger for the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.
Aakash Abbi :
Hailing from Long Island, NY, Aakash is a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in economics with a minor in consumer psychology. Previously an UPMUNC ASG and ADSE, he is ecstatic about getting the chance to help the Academic Affairs board on its way to reaching its full potential on campus. As the founder of his own high school Model UN, joining the IAA was a no-brainer for Aakash, who is interested particularly in the role of social media in development. He is a brother of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and can often be found in his room, either nursing his vinyl collection or catching up Dexter.
Assistant Directors of Academic Affairs
Rachel Libfraind is a freshman in the Wharton School and the College of Arts and Sciences. Rachel is a Spanish target in the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, who plans on also pursuing a math minor. Though she has never participated in MUN, Rachel has enjoyed her past experience setting up events for her high school and enjoys doing community service, which drew her to the Academic Affairs branch of IAA. In addition to doing community service, in her free time, Rachel loves to play sports, go to parties, dance, try new foods, and watch funny shows like How I Met Your Mother.
Elena Tesser :
Elena is a freshman in the College who is thinking of majoring in International Relations. Originally from New Jersey, she loves traveling and playing tennis. While she is still an IAA newbie, she is having a great time so far learning the ropes!
Veena Krish :
Hailing from Connecticut, Veena is a freshmen majoring in Bioengineering. Veena is thrilled to be a part of not only the IAA, having participated in Model UN through high school, but also of Academic Affairs. She is proud to be part of such a fabulous and committed team, and she is incredibly excited for all of AA's events this year.
Sangmin “Simon” Oh :
Born and raised in Korea, Simon is a freshman studying electrical engineering. In the past, he was an active participant in Model United Nations and now he is extremely excited to become an integral member of the IAA. In addition to his involvement in the IAA-Academic Affairs, Simon plays the piano for the Penn Chamber and works with the Penn Electric Racing Team. Whenever Simon is not around with the IAA team, he can be seen sleeping at Van Pelt, taking weird pictures with Sarah’s Macbook, or teaching Korean customs to his friends at the dinner table.
Paresh Sovani :
Paresh is a sophomore double majoring in economics and political science. As an assistant, he helped plan events such as UNA Philadelphia, World AIDS Day, and a Foreign Policy Debate. With a strong interest in foreign affairs and policy, Paresh hopes to make an impact through Academic Affairs. Outside of the IAA, Paresh loves to play and watch soccer, and is brother of the Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity.
Matthew Cheng :
Matthew is a sophomore transfer student who is currently double majoring in Classical Studies and Economics at the College of Arts and Sciences. He was born in the U.S. but was raised in Beijing. Along the way, he’s traveled the world with his three passports. Joining the IAA was without a doubt one of the best decisions he’s made so far. As a first year Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, he seeks to make the Academic Affairs a prominent and influential part of the Penn community. While he does enjoy long walks on the beach, he prefers to spend his time sipping on his tea collection as well as exploring the details that life has to offer with his camera.
Daniel is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences and is pursuing a major in International Relations, as well as a possible minor in psychology. Although he was born and raised in West Philadelphia, he did not spend most of his days on the playground. Daniel loves video games and anime with an abnormal passion; he also writes short stories to improve his writing skills. He has been doing Model UN conferences since his freshman year in high school, but he prefers planning crisis committees over the competitive aspect of MUN. Daniel is now an assistant director for the Academic Affairs branch, and he is looking forward to all of their planned endeavors. 
Jaimin Shah is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in chemistry and biology. As a member of IAA, Jaimin loves to help plan events focusing on raising public awareness of major political and social issues around the world, particularly healthcare concerns. Jaimin is excited to be part of the AA's second year and is looking forward to planning various events throughout the year that involve both Penn and the greater Philadelphia area. Jaimin loves the city life but also enjoys getting away with long walks on the beach and pleasant nights of stargazing.