2019-2020 Term
President: Halena Hadi, '21
Halena Hadi served as the Judicial Council President from April 1, 2019, to April 1, 2020. As President, she nominated and presided over Parliamentarian Thomas Davis II, Vice President of Elections Matthew Bisner, and Vice President of Peer Advocacy Alina Peterson. While a Notre Dame undergraduate, Halena resided in Ryan Hall and majored in Economics and ACMS.
Before assuming his role as Judicial Council President, Halena served as the Student Union Parliamentarian for the 2018-2019 term. She was nominated to serve as Judicial Council President by Shady Girgis—her predecessor and the 2018-2019 Judicial Council President—and was confirmed by the Student Senate. As President, Halena acted with unrelenting stability and steadfastness in the face of a turbulent electoral cycle and unprecedented number of candidates. She also undertook a comprehensive process of constitutional and judicial reform, including clarifications to the constitutional responsibilities and duties of various Student Union leaders, groups, and committees; improved and clarified Senate proceedures; mandated public access to the Constitution; standardized the impeachment and removal process; and shifted the Student Union Parliamentarian to serve as an officer of the Judicial Council—the same position she herself had previously occupied. In short, Halena was undoubtedly a remarkable and transformative force, both within the Judicial Council and Student Union.
On March 31, 2020, Halena successfully nominated Matthew Bisner as her successor. In recognition and appreciation of "her dedication and contribution to the University of Notre Dame du Lac," the Student Senate granted Halena the title of Judicial Council President Emeritus on April 15, 2020. In addition, Halena was the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Michael J. Palumbo Award, bestowed anually to "a member of the undergraduate student body for outstanding service and dedication to the Notre Dame Student Union" (Art. XVII, §2(a) of the Constitution). Above all, Halena is remembered for her unwavering ethical leadership amidst great turbulence , and for her resolve to uphold and improve all Student Union governing documents.
Today, Halena is a Structured Funding Trading Associate at the Bank of America.
Parliamentarian: Thomas Davis II, '22
On April 1, 2019, Halena Hadi successfully nominated Thomas Davis II to serve as the Student Union Parliamentarian. Thomas served as Parliamentarian for two terms between April 1, 2019 to January 21, 2021, having previously served as a member of FUEL for the 2018-2019 term. As Parliamentarian, Thomas worked diligently to create a robust Committee on the Constitution, eventually developing the most sophisticated legislative committee in the Student Union. While a Notre Dame undergraduate, Thomas resided in Dunne Hall and majored in Economics with minors in Computing & Digital Technologies and Theology.
On January 21, 2021, Thomas was nominated to the role of 2021 Judicial Council President by the officers of the Judicial Council following the resignation of Matthew Bisner, the previous Judicial Council President. Thomas was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Senate.
Today, Thomas serves as a Federal Law Enforcement Budget & Personnel Analyst with Deloitte.
Vice-President of Elections: Matthew Bisner, '22
On April 15, 2019, Halena Hadi successfully nominated Matthew Bisner to serve as the Judicial Council Vice President of Elections. Matthew served as Vice President of Elections between April 15, 2019 to April 1, 2020, having previously served as a member of the Election Committee for the 2018-2019 term. As Vice President of Elections, Matthew dilligently oversaw a notoriously tough election cycle and ensured ethically sound electoral processes. While a Notre Dame undergraduate, Matthew resided in Kennan Hall and majored in Political Science and Peace Studies, with a minor in Gender Studies.
On March 31, 2020, Matthew was nominated to the role of 2020-2021 Judicial Council President by Halena Hadi and confirmed by a vote of the Senate.
Today, Matthew is a Forestry Technician with the U.S. Forest Service in Mississippi.
Vice-President of Peer-Advocacy: Alina Peterson, '22
On April 15, 2019, Halena Hadi successfully nominated Alina Peterson to serve as the Judicial Council Vice President of Peer Advocacy. Allison served as Vice President of Peer Advocacy between April 15, 2019 to April 1, 2020, having previously served a a Peer Advocate and Student Union Board Representative for the 2018-2019 term. As Vice President of Peer Advocacy, Alina worked to support students accused of violating the Notre Dame's standards of conduct. Allison resided in Ryan Hall and majored Political Science and Anthropology.
Today, Alina serves as a Operations Analyst at BNY Mellon.