Bucknell Alum Wins Seat on Chelsea City Council

Last July, Bucknell University alum Manuel Teshe announced his run for Chelsea City Councilor. On November 7, Manuel made history as Chelsea’s youngest elected councilor and the first Salvadoran elected to the position.

Councilors work alongside elected city managers to legislate for the city. Manuel campaigned on a promise to help those without a voice. The 23-year-old public servant first learned about the power of advocating for change through the City Council when he was in high school. As a student at Chelsea Public High School, Manuel was an activist and coordinated efforts that resulted in the Chelsea City Council allocating $170,000 for school materials.

At 18 years old, Posse gave me the opportunity of a lifetime—a college education. I want to have an impact in people’s lives like Posse had in mine.

“Manuel works hard to get people involved in the process of democracy,” says Ilana Ascher, Manuel’s former high school teacher and mentor. “He not only believes in youth but continues to listen to them, without solving their problems for them. He empowers them so they can be leaders and have their voices heard.”

Having immigrated from Central America with his family as a child, Manuel understands the value of access to opportunity.

"My family came to the United States in search of stability,” he says. “At 18 years old, Posse gave me the opportunity of a lifetime—a college education. I want to have an impact in people’s lives like Posse had in mine.”

At Bucknell, Manuel worked tirelessly as a full-time interpreter and paralegal while juggling a full and challenging course load. Today, he is realizing his dream of giving back to his community as a public servant.

“Posse truly prepares individuals to become leaders across fields,” says Manuel. “For that I am grateful.”