Department of Social Advocacy

Social Advocacy seeks to hosts events and create opportunities for students of marginalized communities. This could serve beyond race, as it often features events for first-gen, low-income, members of the LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented identities within post-secondary education

Our Mission

Meet the Team

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a black shirt and blazer, standing against a beige wall, smiling softly.

    Audrey Tang

    Co-Director

  • Portrait of a young woman with shoulder-length black hair wearing an olive green sweater, standing against a plain gray background.

    Destiny Vasquez

    Co-Director

  • Shifa Valani

    Deputy Director

Reach Us!

Zine Activism

Zines (short for magazines or fanzines) are small, independently made publications that allow people to share their ideas, art, stories, and experiences outside of mainstream media. Often made by hand using collages, drawings, photographs, and writing, zines offer a creative and accessible way to express yourself, share different perspectives, and connect with others. With roots in punk, feminist, and activist communities, zines have long been used to challenge dominant narratives and bring people together around shared interests and causes.

In October 2026, BU Student Government’s Department of Social Advocacy partnered with BU’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Center to host a zine-making event. Students explored the upcoming midterm elections through creative expression and discussed the importance of voter participation, encouraging their peers to turn out to the polls.

"Queer Policies in the USA": by Gianna Bernier and Julia Hamdi

"Crash Course on Zine Activism": by Savannie Chung

GLOBAL VILLAGE

In 2025, Boston University Student Government partnered with the International Affairs Association to host the largest edition of Global Village to date.

Global Village brings together affinity groups from across campus for a large-scale cultural showcase celebrating the diversity of the BU community. The event featured catered food, cultural performances, fashion shows, interactive activities, and more, all supported and funded by Student Government and BUIAA.

The Department of Social Advocacy serves as the primary outreach body for the event, working closely with affinity groups across campus to encourage participation and expand representation. Last year, more than 20 student organizations showcased their cultures, with Student Government and BUIAA already collaborating to make Global Village even bigger and better in 2026.

Group of young people standing in front of a booth with a Pakistan map, flags, and decorations, at an international cultural event.
A large outdoor musical or dance event with a diverse group of dancers, a man in white attire standing on a vehicle and leading the dance, in front of a seated audience, with a backdrop of greenery and a stadium filled with spectators.

Events & Initiatives

Health Fair – An annual event showcasing student health resources across BU’s campus, connecting students with organizations, services, and wellness opportunities that support their physical, mental, and overall well-being.

Group of diverse people sitting and standing in a waiting area, smiling and engaging in conversation at a medical facility.

Superbowl Watch Party – In 2025, Social Advocacy collaborated with organizations like AllianzaLatina to host a Superbowl watch party highlighting Puerto Rican heritage during Bad Bunny’s halftime show.