The semester might be wrapping up soon, but Syracuse University students are still just as busy and involved as ever! Catch up on what five outstanding students are doing to make their mark on campus.
Max Lachut ’28
Triple-major and honors student Max Lachut ’28 has excelled in more than just academics. Luchut has served in many roles within the Student Government Association (SGA) and has been elected as vice president next semester, working to amplify the voices of students on campus. Through his role as a student manager for the University’s Men’s Basketball team, Lachut has learned how to be quick on his feet and serve players so they can perform their best. As a member of Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity, he serves on the executive board as Alumni Relations Chairman and says he assembled the Alumni Advisory Board from nothing, leading to the board’s nomination to PIKE Nationals for Alumni Advisory Board of the Year.
Lachut is also greatly committed to his pre-med track, working as a medical assistant at SJH Cardiology Associates in Liverpool and bringing Who We Play For to campus, allowing over 250 students to get electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings. Additionally, he is a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon pre-med fraternity on campus, Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. While Lachut is involved in a large variety of organizations, he says that every commitment is intentional and aligns with his future goals.
“The truth is, my involvement outside the classroom has made me a better student, not a worse one. When I’m sitting in a pharmacology lecture, I’m not just memorizing pathways—I’m thinking about the liver cancer research I’m doing down the street at SUNY Upstate,” Lachut says. “That kind of real-world connection turns studying from an obligation into something that genuinely excites me.”
Having already made a huge impact on campus, Lachut still has two more years to further his career goals and continue his positive impact on students at Syracuse.
Jinru (Judy) Zhou ’26
For Jinru (Judy) Zhou ’26, involvement isn’t just part of her college experience, it’s the foundation of it.
As a student lead, sound and lighting technician and venue manager with Student Engagement’s Event and Technical Services (ETS) team, Zhou plays a key role behind the scenes of campus events. She helped streamline the student employee onboarding process by creating new Blackboard training modules, while also overseeing the unit’s sound training program and mentoring groups of up to 20 student employees at a time. Through these roles, she has become a go-to resource for staff, known for solving problems quickly and supporting others through stressful situations.
Outside of ETS, Zhou serves as president of the Chinese United Student and Scholar Association (CUSSA), where she led the merger between the Chinese Union and the Chinese Scholars and Student Association. In this role, she oversees large-scale events each semester, coordinating with performers from the Syracuse community and bringing together students from across campuses. Whether she’s managing logistics or leading a team, Zhou has built a reputation for staying composed under pressure and creating spaces that bring people together.
While much of her work happens behind the scenes, the impact is easy to see in the teams she leads, the events she runs and the community she’s helped build across campus.
Caiyan Bass ’26
Main Squeeze a cappella group president and Remembrance Scholar Caiyan Bass ’26 has been immersed on campus through a vast range of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). Serving as a Family Support Navigator for the past two summers, a First-Year Seminar peer leader for the past three fall semesters and being a U100 tour guide and student manager, Bass has greatly committed herself to helping new families and students at Syracuse. She is very knowledgeable about campus and has served as a resource and mentor for new students and families through a multitude of organizations. Bass is also involved in the arts at Syracuse, through both the Main Squeeze and the Hendricks Chapel Choir, through which she traveled to the U.K. for the Spring 2023 Remembrance Tour. Committed to her major in communication sciences and disorders, Bass is president of the Brain Exercise Initiative and worked as a student research assistant in the Speech Production Lab.
“I’ve found that the biggest thing that helps me balance everything is that I genuinely care about all the things I’m involved in,” Bass says. “When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel as overwhelming to stay on top of it all.”
To close out her impressive college career, Bass will be traveling to South Africa post-graduation as president of the Hendricks Chapel Choir.
Ruben Betanzos ’26
Ruben Rojas Betanzos ’26 has stepped into leadership by making sure other voices don’t get overlooked.
As president of the Syracuse-Athlete Advisory Committee, Betanzos represents student-athletes, advocating for their needs both within Syracuse University and beyond. He recently attended ACC Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., where he worked with elected officials to speak on behalf of student-athletes and the issues that impact them. He also serves as a student-athlete representative within the Student Government Association, further bridging the gap between athletics and the broader student body.
What sets Betanzos apart is his focus on inclusivity within athletics. Rather than centering attention on only high-profile programs, he has consistently pushed for recognition across all sports, ensuring that every student-athlete feels supported.
As he continues his work, Betanzos is focused on making sure every athlete has a seat at the table.
Karen Phung ’26
Leading recruitment at Syracuse is no small task, and Karen Phung ’26 has taken it on at its highest level.
As vice president of recruitment for the Panhellenic Council, Phung oversees one of the largest and most complex student-run operations on campus, supporting a community of more than 3,500 members across 13 chapters. This past January, she led a record-breaking recruitment cycle, guiding 1,354 potential new members through the process—the largest in Syracuse University history. When unexpected weather disruptions threatened the schedule, Phung led her team to quickly adapt, ensuring recruitment continued smoothly without compromising the experience for participants.
Behind the scenes, her impact goes even further. Phung spent months preparing for recruitment, developing timelines, coordinating logistics, training chapter leaders and revising key policies to align with National Panhellenic Conference standards. She also introduced new initiatives, including Panhellenic Prep, a Parents Session and Panhellenic Palooza, all designed to create a more transparent, inclusive and value-driven recruitment process. Through it all, she emphasized connection and collaboration, reinforcing a culture rooted in what she and others describe as “Panhellenic love.”
“The magnitude of serving as vice president of recruitment—while leading sweeping, unprecedented changes that impacted the entire Panhellenic community and balancing policy reform, large-scale event management, crisis response, member education and relationship-building—is truly extraordinary. Karen’s vision, dedication and tireless work have not only guided the community through a transformative period but have also set a new standard for Panhellenic leadership,” says MaryJo Guard, Greek Life assistant director.
The result is a system that doesn’t just run, it sets a new standard. And as that impact continues to shape the Panhellenic community, Phung’s leadership is already leaving something that lasts well beyond her time on campus.
Written by Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and Julia Seitz G’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications