Branford College Council

Branford College Council meetings happen every Monday at 10pm in the Trumbull Room and are open to all Branfordians.

Dearest Branford,

We’re so excited to welcome you into Branford College, the best college at Yale! We are your Branford College Council (BCC) Executive Board for 2024-2025, and we are all looking forward to what this year has in store for Branford. BCC’s role is to organize Branford-wide activities and events, along with helping address any concerns or issues that arise in the college community. Our activities range from dances like Branford Swing and Crushes & Chaperones, fun courtyard festivals with food, mucis, and games like Fall Festival or I-Day (Branford Independence Day). We also organize smaller activities such as trivia nights, movie screenings, assassins, and the infamous easter egg hunt. We also organize off-campus trips to go skiing, apple picking, and many other exciting activities. Also, lots of ~free food~ along the way!

But even beyond all of those events, the most important part of BCC is that everything we do is up to the Branford community! We welcome any and all ideas from anyone in Branford, from reasonable ideas like a pinball tournament on our Branford pinball machines to ridiculous ideas like having Pitbull come to our weeknight Tea Rooms. Our weekly meetings are open to everyone, and we encourage you all to stop by at least once to meet other Branfordians and enjoy some delicious food.

Beyond planning activities and events, BCC meetings are also a place to discuss and consider the culture, values, and community in Branford. Topics like school policy, sustainability, inclusion, community service, the dining hall, Branford facilities, and more are frequent topics at BCC meetings. There are opportunities for formal positions (i.e. class representative) in BCC, but most people attend for the camaraderie and fun. Also, you do not need any position to make an impact on BCC or planning an event. BCC is a place where anyone can spearhead ideas and events they are passionate about, regardless of how big or small it is.

We are so excited for the upcoming school year, and we hope that you will all join us on Monday nights at 10pm in the Trumbull Room! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas, concerns, or if you just want a new friend :) We love Branford, and we know that you will too!

BFA,
BCC

BCC Constitution (PDF)

Alyssa Chang, BCC Co-President

Alyssa is a junior from Los Angeles, CA, majoring in Statistics & Data Science and Economics, with a Certificate in Energy Studies. In addition to serving as Co-President of Branford College Council, she is the Publisher of the Yale Daily News, President of MathCounts Outreach, Vice President of The Women’s Network, and a Branford HoC Aide. You can find her grabbing açaí bowls around New Haven, cycling at Wheelhouse, or studying at the Law School library. This year, she’s thrilled to serve as Co-President alongside Birikti, and looks forward to building community and creating unforgettable memories in the best residential college.

Birikti Kahsai, BCC Co-President

Birikti is a junior from Cambridge, Massachusetts, majoring in African American Studies and History. Outside of her role as Co-President of BCC, she is the President of the Black Student Alliance at Yale and Co-President of the Urban Improvement Corps. When not in class or meetings, Birikti loves going to New York with friends, watching Insecure, and listening to Lauryn Hill.

Vice President: Keith Pemberton II

Hannah Saraf, BCC Secretary

Hannah (she/her) is a junior from Seattle, Washington, majoring in Statistics & Data Science and Humanities. In addition to Branford College Council, she’s involved with the Undergraduate Legal Aid Association, the Undergraduate Moot Court’s Brief Writing Team, Yale University Press, and various parts of Yale’s Jewish community. Outside of class, you can usually find Hannah in Jen’s office petting Ollie, Yosha, and/or Lina, soaking up the sun in the Branford Courtyard (a novelty for a Seattlite!), or “studying” in the Branford Library. She’s rarely without a book, with a goal of reading 100 books for fun each year.

Coby Yang, BCC Treasurer

Coby is a senior studying Economics and Political Science from Orlando, Florida. As Treasurer, Coby’s primary responsibility is to maintain the financial records of BCC and keep it in good health. Alongside BCC, Coby is a fellow at Dwight Hall working at Connecticut’s Community Mental Health Center, and a research assistant at both the Yale School of Management and the Yale School of Public Health. After class, you can find Coby studying at the Digital Humanities Lab in Sterling Library or hanging out with friends in their suites. Coby is excited to contribute to the planning of many annual events Branford holds this year!

Nathan Kwon, BCC Co-SAC

Nathan Kwon is a sophomore from Utah studying Architecture and Economics. Outside of the Branford College Council, he is involved in the Yale Daily News, Yale Model United Nations, and club squash. After class, you can find Nathan running on the canal trail, eating around New Haven with friends, or toiling in the Branford Pottery Studio. Nathan is excited to serve as a Co-SAC with Emma this year and can’t wait for all the Branford events!

Emma Shulman, BCC Co-SAC

Emma Shulman is a Sophomore from New York City studying Psychology. In addition to BCC, Emma works as a Branford aid and is on the Yale Club Squash team. In her free time, she likes to bake in the Branford kitchen, hang out with friends, and explore new restaurants in New Haven! This year, she is so excited to serve as a Co-SAC with Nathan and plan exciting events and help build community throughout Branford!