Our Team
Providence Student Union unites and develops an entire team of youth leaders, staff, and adult allies all in support of building student power. Our youth staff and recent alumni take on important roles at the organization, including running our fundraising, running workshops, recruiting new members, and organizing campaigns. Providence Student Union is youth led, and adult staff serve an important role in advising, training, and supporting all of our members.
Our Staff
Merrill Schmidt
Development Director
She/Her
Merrill@pvdstudentunion.org
Merrill's Bio
Merrill is excited to support the Providence Student Union’s work to build collective youth power, improve students’ education and well-being, and advocate for social justice as the Development Director. She recently moved to Providence from her hometown of Little Rock, AR, and is looking forward to getting more involved in the community here. As a student at Little Rock Central High School, she saw the ongoing impact of racial inequity and the legacy of segregation in her community. Since then, she has been inspired to work for social change in the public and nonprofit sectors. After high school, she attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, where she majored in Southwest Studies and minored in Education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, traveling and reading.
Arion Brooks
Youth Engagement Director
They/Them
arion@pvdstudentunion.org
Arion's Bio
Arion, originally from Augusta, Georgia, holds degrees in Psychology from Augusta University and Urban Education Policy from Brown University. With a strong passion for student voice and power, Arion is dedicated to ensuring that students are heard and meaningfully reflected in educational policy. At PSU, they are excited to grow, learn, and deepen their understanding of how to empower students and advocate for meaningful change in both the education system and the broader community. Their commitment to youth well-being also informs their work with PSU’s Leadership Team and Well-Being Aid program, where they strive to ensure that young people are met with both high expectations and high support to thrive—academically, emotionally, and physically.
Miro Meek
Leadership Team Co-Director
He/Him
miro@pvdstudentunion.org
Miro's Bio
Miro Meek is a rising senior at Classical High School. He is a Co-Director of the Leadership Team at the Providence Student Union. He loves to write songs, paint, and thrift.
Gigi Hill
Civic Campaign Coordinator
She/They/Xe
gigi@pvdstudentunion.org
Gigi's Bio
Gigi lives her life around her core values of community, compassion, and collaboration. She brings these to her work as Civic Campaign Coordinator, connecting with youth and adult allies to facilitate programming and advocate for better schools and learning outcomes for every student. Outside of work, gigi enjoys video games (Baldur's Gate 3, Splatoon 3, Spiritfarer, just to name a few favorites), doodling what she calls Strange Shapes, and spending time imagining new worlds with friends and loved ones.
Savannah Debrito ‘25
Leadership Team Co-Director
Any pronouns
savannah@pvdstudentunion.org
Savannah's Bio
Savannah Debrito is a rising senior at Rinimc. Their a Co-Director of the Leadership Team at the Providence Student union. Some of their passions include crocheting, art, nursing, and learning. Savannah hopes to be a pillar support through Their community through art and advocacy.
Maya Hiwasaki-Ohira ‘26
Leadership Team Co-Director
They/Them
maya@pvdstudentunion.org
Maya's Bio
Maya is currently a junior at Classical High School and a Leadership Team Co-Director. They first discovered the Providence Student Union after attending the Know Your Rights Conference in 2022 and was interested in PSU’s work. Maya is committed to ensuring student voices are heard in school district decisions, and advocating for their well-being and rights. In their free time, Maya likes to read, listen to music and hike!
Joselin Morente ‘18
Digital Storyteller
She/Her
joselin@pvdstudentunion.org
Joselin's Bio
Joselin is a K’iche digital artist. They love to create portraits of other people. Joselin is passionate about land sovereignty, immigration rights, and re-imagining safety with a community focus. A former PSU youth, Joselin is happy to be in an adult support role where they are working with the youth leaders at the PSU and cultivating an inclusive and youth-led movement.
Denezia Fahie
Executive Director
She/They
denezia@pvdstudentunion.org
Eugenie Belony ‘23
Leadership Team Support
She/Her
eugenie@pvdstudentunion.org
Eugenie's Bio
Eugenie is a current student at The American University in Washington, D.C., pursuing a dual degree in Physics and Engineering with Columbia University. They are also double majoring in Education Policy and minoring in African American and African Diaspora Studies. A proud alumnus of The Providence Public Schools and the Providence Student Union (PSU), they now serve as the Leadership Team Support Coordinator, helping to empower the next generation of youth organizers. As a youth activist and poet, Eugenie is passionate about using their voice and skills to drive systemic change. They are deeply dedicated to community development, mentoring rising youth leaders, and fostering spaces where innovative ideas and collaborative solutions can flourish. With a love for learning and a commitment to equity, they continue to lay the groundwork for transformative progress in their community and beyond.
Board of Directors
Providence Student Union’s Board of Directors is responsible for sustaining the organization long-term. The Board provides fundraising, financial, and legal support, and helps to supervise and advise the Executive Director. The Board does not make any decisions regarding programming or campaigns; these powers are reserved for our Leadership Team members and membership generally.
Jaya Sarkar, Board Chair
Jayda Ives-Williams, Vice Chair
Jada Rodriguez, Secretary
Michael McGuigan, Treasurer
Mahasan Chaney
Tashal Brown
Jack Rusley
Stevent Cleto Garcia