Class of 2028

President: Shae Valko is a proud “nontraditional” dental student. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology/Zoology from Michigan State University back in 2011. Since then, he has worked as a West Nile lab tech, a personal trainer, fitness manager, freelance audio engineer, and guitar teacher. Shae is excited to use his experience in multiple tiers of the workforce to build mutual trust and respect between students, faculty, and administrators. He plans to pursue Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. In order to stay sane in between exams, Shae enjoys weight training, playing guitar, listening to true crime, and watching Netflix documentaries with his wife and new puppy, Frankie. He chose Tufts because they were the only school that viewed his age as an asset rather than a liability. Because of that, he will forever be a loyal Jumbo.

Vice President: Gabriel Levy was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and currently resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She began her academic journey by studying biology for her first undergraduate degree. Gabriel then transitioned to dental hygiene, where she discovered her passion for oral health. This newfound love inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in public health, and now she is further advancing her education in dentistry. Outside of her academic pursuits, Gabriel is a dedicated mother to her seven-year-old son. She enjoys a variety of activities, including event planning, cooking, and creating artistic pieces. Additionally, she owns a makeup brush company, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. As Vice President, Gabriel’s primary goal is to implement initiatives that will have a lasting impact beyond her term. She aims to establish traditions and ongoing programs that future classes can continue to benefit from, ensuring a legacy of support and enrichment for years to come.

Secretary: Minyoung Choi is a first-year dental student from Yorktown, Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, where her passion for science and patient-care really took shape. In her free time, Minyoung loves running long distances. It gives her a sense of peace and helps her stay focused, balancing the demands of her studies. Recently, she has also taken up the challenge of learning a fourth language- Nepali, motivated by her VIP family at TUSDM, all of whom speak the language. This experience has deepened her appreciation for different cultures and languages. As the secretary of the D28 class at TUSDM, Minyoung is committed to showcasing the diverse talents of her peers through effective management of social media platforms, the creation of an organized calendar with Rachel Ivy (D28 Treasurer), and the distribution of informative email newsletters. She believes delivering clear and consistent communication will foster a strong and connected community, not only within her peers, but to the overall program at TUSDM. She’s especially excited about incorporating esthetics and art into her dental career, believing that a beautiful smile is an essential part of overall well-being. With her dedication and creativity, Minyoung is eager to make a positive impact in the world of dentistry.

Treasurer: Rachel grew up in Fredericksburg, VA before her parents moved to Knoxville, TN in 2020. She attended the University of Michigan for her undergraduate education where she studied Biomolecular Science with a Business minor and participated in a variety of events including Greek Life, Air Force ROTC, pre-health organizations, intermural sports, and tutoring young students in Detroit. In her free time, Rachel likes to run and lift weights, cook, and try new restaurants and coffee places with friends. A fun fact about Rachel is that both her parents were in the FBI! She is also involved with the Military HPSP club at Tufts, and mentorship through ASDA. Rachel is extremely excited to use her leadership and event planning skills to best utilize our budget for the success of our class both professionally and socially as treasurer.