Meet the Team
Students. Fighters. Doers.
Our tireless team is dedicated to advancing our mission at Students Protecting Education, where we tirelessly strive to empower fellow students in their quest for a diverse and equitable education. Amidst the burdens of academic workloads, we invest countless hours to champion students' rights. Through community engagement and advocacy, we empower students to amplify their voices, effecting positive change not only within our local communities but also beyond.
Want to join the team?
Started: November 2022
Luke Lippitt
Co-Founder & Executive Director
he/him
Luke Lippitt is a Freshman at New York University and is from Orchard Park, NY. Luke passionately serves as a change maker in the world of student empowerment and enfranchisement and fights tirelessly every day to ensure every student has the opportunity to use their voices and to access the resources they need to be successful in our ever-changing society and educational landscape. He is a leader, having served as a Board Member for the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities, as well as the Northeast Regional Vice President of the National Student Board Member Association.
Started: November 2022
Jillian Yarnes
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
she/her
Jillian Yarnes is a freshman at Niagara University and is from Buffalo, NY. Jill is a fierce advocate for equity and the equal access of education for all. She has been fighting for the rights of her peers to learn freely and making a change within her community for years. As both a dedicated community member and a student herself, Jillian embodies the spirit of empowerment. She understands the transformative power of education and believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive no matter what. Through her advocacy work, she seeks to inspire her fellow students to harness their voices and advocate for the issues that matter most to them.
Started: March 2024
Jack Hoffman
Chief Strategy Officer
he/him
Jack Hoffman is a passionate advocate for inclusive, fact-based education that reflects the diversity of the real world. Hailing from a rural public school district in Upstate New York, Jack has witnessed firsthand the need for stronger pro-student and pro-diversity policies at the local, state, and national levels. He served as the Ex-Officio Student Member of his local Board of Education and as the Student Board President of the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities, where he worked to amplify student voices and empower student leaders from around the state of New York. Jack also views higher education as a cornerstone of any thriving democracy and is committed to defending it against ideological attacks. He is currently studying Political Science and History at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Started: March 2024
Victor Hinojosa
Chief Strategy Officer
he/him
Victor Hinojosa is dedicated to bridging the gap in educational inequity and bringing youth voice into the world of not just academia, but in all halls of power. His journey began as a student board member on the Waukegan Board of Education, a vibrant working-class community in the northeastern suburbs of Illinois, in 2023 - sparking a passion for advocacy, policy, and leadership. The son of immigrants and a first-generation college student, Victor brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing low-income communities and knows well what it means to work hard, never give up, and always put one's best foot forward. He's involved in other national organizations like the National Student Board Member Association and the College Democrats. Victor is currently studying Political Science & Public Policy Studies as a QuestBridge and Gates Scholar at the University of Chicago.
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Started: May 2025
Lucía Ramos Calleros
Director of Public Relations
she/her
Lucía Ramos Calleros is a first-year Political Science, Theatre, and English student at the University of South Carolina Honors College who is driven by bridging the educational divide caused by partisan agendas and empowering marginalized students to take up space in all academic environments. Her story with educational justice stems from her background in a rural, Title 1 school district, and she utilizes her perspective as a first-generation immigrant and her privilege as a first-generation college student to champion equity for her community and beyond. She was the first Youth City Council member for the City of Easley, shining the spotlight on educational issues through the modern student lens, and has since used those experiences and passion to pioneer change at her university. Fundamentally, Lucía believes that education yields power to change the future, and as the next generation of changemakers, it is up to us to make a system truly equitable for all students.
Started: May 2025
Saman Zeb
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
she/her
Saman Zeb is the current Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Director. This fall, she’ll be heading to Swarthmore College to study Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. Saman has been involved in political advocacy for a while—she served as Chair of the HSDA Muslim Caucus and will soon take on the role of Communications Director for the CDA Muslim Caucus. Having seen firsthand how a lack of representation in politics can affect minority communities—especially when it comes to income and opportunity—Saman is passionate about social justice and making a difference. She's on a mission to help increase representation in both politics and education so that more voices are heard and included.
Started: May 2025
Junya Liu
Director of Governmental Accountablity
she/her
Junya Liu is a high-honor roll senior at William Fremd High School currently serving as the Student Council co-President. Building a seat at the table for youth voices in the political sphere, she has led teams driving both community-focused and policy-based action from all reaches of the nation. From mentoring students into grassroots legislative advocacy to conducting international human rights research, Junya works tirelessly to ensure that youth input is central to every decision-making process. Currently serving as the Diversity Director of the High School Democrats of America, co-Founder and Chief of Staff of She’s In Office, co-Lead of March for Our Lives Palatine, and a Federal Client Consultant at the Centre for Voters Initiative and Action, she has effectively harnessed collectivity in the effort to instigate meaningful change on both the state and national levels. In her free time, Junya enjoys writing poetry, drinking pumpkin spice chai lattes, and curating seasonal playlists.
Started: May 2025
Ryan Howard
Director of Advocacy
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Ryan Howard is an 18-year-old college student at Sinclair Community College studying Business Administration and Management. He plans to pursue both a Master of Business Administration and a law degree. He currently works in healthcare management and holds leadership roles in several organizations. Ryan became involved in politics at the age of 12 and now serves as the Director of Advocacy while also running for City Council in his hometown.
Started: May 2025
Sarah Lee
Director of Educational Resources
she/her
Sarah Lee is a rising senior from Troy, Michigan, with a deep passion for education equity and community engagement. She actively advocates for accessible and inclusive learning opportunities for all students through her initiative, The New Page Project, which focuses on expanding access to educational resources. In addition, she contributes to grassroots efforts with the High School Democrats of America, working to amplify youth voices in civic and educational policy. Sarah is deeply committed to creating lasting change through collaboration and service. Outside the classroom, she finds joy in playing the cello, a creative outlet she’s pursued for years, and taking long walks through the beautiful forests of Michigan, where she feels most grounded and inspired.
Started: November 2025
Diya Patel
Director of Fundraising
she/her
Diya Patel is dedicated to expanding opportunity and equity through leadership, innovation, and community action. Her journey began in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where she discovered her passion for advocacy as a delegate to the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and an internship with the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency. The daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student, Diya understands the power of perseverance and representation. She has represented students across Tennessee as a Girls State Commissioner and HOSA state delegate for the National Convention, led statewide service initiatives through the Interact and BETA organizations, and advocated for educational access as a College Board BigFuture Ambassador. Diya is currently studying Molecular Engineering and Economics at the University of Chicago as a Questbridge scholar to explore how science and policy can work together to improve lives.
Started: November 2023
Sydney Dobmeier
Public Relations Specialist
she/her
Sydney is a Senior at Orchard Park High School in Buffalo, NY. She has a passion for serving and strengthening her community through various extracurricular and volunteering activities. As the Ex-Officio Student Member on the Orchard Park Central School District Board and a frequent volunteer with the Vive Shelter and fundraiser for the Ride for Roswell, she takes active involvement in her local community through service and advocacy. With her passion for art, Sydney teaches younger children how to create works of art and displays her own artwork in local shows. She strongly believes in the importance of social activism and the power that art and digital media can have in this process.
Started: August 2025
Landon Williams
Public Relations Specialist
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Landon Williams is currently attending Tri-County Technical College with hopes of transferring to Clemson University to earn his bachelor's degree in Political Science. He currently serves as the Public Relations Director for his local Democratic Party and aspires to hold political office in the near future. Landon has held leadership positions in both high school and college, where he now serves as the Public Relations Director for the Model United Nations. He hopes to bring about reform in not only how education is perceived but also how students receive it.
Started: April 2024
Clara Weigel
Donor Engagement Specialist
she/her
Clara Weigel is a freshman at the University of Arizona. She is an active volleyball player and very involved in her community! She frequently volunteers with the Rural Outreach Center in East Aurora, NY and has honors achievements for National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society and Orchard Park High School Honor Roll. After moving from Washington State to New York– coming from a diverse background and being past member of her old high school’s Black Student Council– Clara has become a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as she strives to influence the success of people of color.