Dukes, Eldeeb Propose Weekly Video Reports, Internal Overhaul in HUA Bid

Dillon A. Dukes ’28 and Ahmed T. Eldeeb ’28 are running for Harvard Undergraduate Association co-presidents to build bridges between the Harvard Undergraduate Association and the student body if elected, emphasizing transparency and constant communication.

The pair advocates for five main campaign pillars: academic reform, improving Harvard’s affordability, community and club funding, and strengthening internal HUA procedures. But Dukes said their first priority is fixing the organization itself.

“These things like board plus, free printing, advocacy, all of these different things – they’re very difficult to achieve,” he said. “But once we’re aligned internally, we’ll be able to take one more step to do that.”

If elected, Dukes said the ticket would form an executive cabinet within 30 days of taking office, expand officer responsibilities, and place HUA representatives in faculty meetings to improve coordination with administrators. They also plan to publish a set schedule of initiatives at the beginning of their term and increase student engagement with the HUA.

Central to their platform is a weekly email and social media video series titled “Week in the HUA,” which would outline everything the organization is working on and provide consistent updates to students.

“There’ll be no excuse for people not to know what the HUA is,” Dukes said.

The pair also plans to hold monthly student focus groups, which Eldeeb said would help ensure student concerns are reflected in HUA priorities.

Eldeeb said he and Dukes are looking to “hear students voices and perspectives, to ensure that transformative experience, whether that looks like with the grade cap and how we can do our part to truly fight it, or ensuring that international students have a place on campus and don’t feel threatened by the current administration.”

“At the end of the day, that’s what we got into Harvard for, and we’re truly trying to protect the foundation of our college,” he added.

Dukes and Eldeeb emphasized expanding the HUA’s financial independence. They said they would build on the alumni gift fund launched by current co-presidents Caleb N. Thompson ’27 and Abdullah Shahid Sial ’27, arguing that independent funding would strengthen the HUA’s leverage with the administration.

“The biggest issue is that currently the college doesn’t need to listen to us, because we don’t have the funding on our own to make decisions,” Dukes said.

On academic policy, the pair outlined several proposals, including opposing the proposed cap on A grades, restoring the option to take one General Education course pass/fail, and moving course registration later in the term.

They said their advocacy would follow a “data-driven” approach.

“A lot of times you have to knock on the door a few times before the door is open,” Dukes said. “I think we did a good job this year, especially on the academic front.”

Dukes, who previously served as a first-year officer and currently serves as social life officer, pointed to initiatives including food truck events and the allocation of funding to student organizations through the Crimson Cohesion Fund.

Eldeeb, who has not previously served in the HUA, said his experience in sustainability and advocacy spaces, including the Office of Student Sustainability Leaders and the Arab Conference, informs his focus on coalition-building and community engagement.

The pair also emphasized support for cultural and affinity spaces, proposing expanded funding and improved access to campus facilities.

Thompson said Dukes brings a student-centered approach to leadership.

“Dillon is someone who loves people and loves students,” Thompson said. “He has really good ideas, and he’s been really thoughtful.”

But Thompson also emphasized the demands of the role.

“He’s involved in a lot of spaces on campus,” Thompson said. “I would hope he focuses his full energy on this role, because it takes a lot, especially with everything going on right now in the world and at Harvard.”

Dukes acknowledged that concern in a statement.

“I agree, I’ve historically been involved with a lot of spaces on Harvard’s campus,” Dukes wrote. “But, I’ve stepped back in my responsibilities to really put my 100 percent all into serving students as HUA Co-President!”

For Dukes and Eldeeb, the campaign ultimately centers on increasing transparency.

“We really want to bring the HUA to a new light and have people excited about it,” Eldeeb said. “When it comes to a stronger Harvard community, it’s really honing in on the different events that make Harvard Harvard.”

—Staff writer Alma T. Barak can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at almabk.54. Follow her on X @almabk_.

—Staff writer Theresa F. Bartelme can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at theresabartelme.15. Follow her on X @theresabartelme.