Brenny A.

Area of Study: Environmental Science; Minor in Political Science
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Linda Charpentier
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Brenny is a junior at the University of Connecticut pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Political Science. He works as an Intern for the Office of Sustainability, is the recipient of various grants for research projects such as "Harnessing Phosphorus" and "Reflection Room", represents residents of Waterbury as a city Commissioner, and hosts monthly cleanups back in his hometown. Although skateboarding, editing, and hair care are some of his favorite hobbies, environmentalism and helping others remain as his main focus in life. Brenny intends to continue climbing the political ladder to protect the environment and bring equity, in all aspects, for all people across the world.

Sowmitha B.

Area of Study: Nursing; Minor Biological Sciences
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Jonelle Reynolds
Alumni Mentor: tb

Sowmitha is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the Elizabeth DeLuca School of Nursing and is minoring in Biological Sciences. She is involved in leadership roles such as an FYE mentor and Secretary of UConn Sanskriti, a South Asian cultural organization that promotes cultural dance and singing. She also has her own dance school, where she teaches her cultural dance, Bharatanatyam. She works with the UConn School of Nursing, assisting with events such as Orientation, Bound Day, Open House, and freshman community gatherings, helping new and prospective students learn about programs, campus resources, and opportunities that UConn and the school of Nursing provides. Sowmitha aspires to make an impactful change in people’s lives by guiding and supporting them through her role as a nurse and a leader.

Arfa B.

Area of Study: Business Management & Economics of Sustainable Development and Management
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Lyndsey Neville
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Arfa is a dual-degree student pursuing Business Management and Economics of Sustainable Development and Management. As a campus-change student from UConn’s Avery Point regional campus, she is a proud first-generation Bengali American. She serves as the president of the South Asian Women Empowerment Association and works as a peer mentor in the School of Business. Through her leadership and involvement, Arfa is committed to supporting her community and uplifting underrepresented voices.

Jahfrika C.

Area of Study: Political Science & Sociology
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Alicia McKenzie
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Jahfrika is a first-generation college student double-majoring in Political Science and Sociology. She is deeply involved on campus as a Lodewick Visitor Center tour guide, secretary of the Black Pre-Law Association, and a member of the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel. Passionate about leadership and service, she also works with UConn’s Experiential Global Learning office and is committed to supporting first generation students to get the ability to study abroad. In her free time she joins community advocacy, exploring opportunities that connect to law, and engaging with others on campus.

Ashley C.

Area of Study: Equitable Public Policy and Engagement (individualized major)
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Micah Heumann
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Ashley is an Equitable Public Policy and Engagement Individualized Major and a candidate in UConn’s Master in Public Policy (MPP) 4+1 Fast Track program. On campus, she serves as President of The Afro-Latinx Alliance, a Gateway Mentor for the Individualized Major Program, a Career Intern for the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, and an Office Assistant for Busby Suites. With a strong foundation in leadership and advocacy, Ashley is committed to expanding equitable access to higher education, particularly for low-income and marginalized students. She aims to pursue a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and enter the higher education realm, developing policies and programs that close equity gaps and support the success of marginalized students.

Katherine G.

Area of Study: Political Science and Human Rights
Faculty/Staff Mentor:  Virginia Hettinger
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Katherine is a junior in the Honors Program and Special Program in Law pursuing a double major in Political Science and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut. She serves as an Honors GPS and is President and founder of Alcanzando el Mismo Sueño at UConn which supports the immigrant community on campus and educates students through community partnered workshops. Additionally, she is a Newman Civic Fellow and Committee Chair of the Scholar’s Collective as a Day of Pride Scholar. Katherine is committed to advancing social justice and immigration reform through legal defense and policymaking.

Daniel H.

Area of Study: Communications & Identity, Dialogue, and Social Change
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Brendan Kane
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Daniel is double majoring in Communications and Identity, Dialogue, and Social Change at UConn Storrs. After a semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, he continues to pursue interests in travel, attending community events and clubs, as well as connecting with new people. On campus, Daniel serves as a DEI Student Specialist for the Honors Program, focusing on fostering belonging for all students. He is especially passionate about driving social change through storytelling and dialogue, as reflected in his involvement with The GenderCool Project, consulting for Google through Canvas8, and interning with the ethnographic market research agency Further&Fruther. Daniel looks forward to continuing to inspire inclusive community growth and meaningful change wherever his journey leads.

Akuchukwu O.

Area of Study: Journalism & Economics
Faculty/Staff Mentor:  Jonelle Reynolds
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Aku is currently studying Journalism and Economics. She serves as a First Year Experience mentor for the BSOUL Learning Community and works as a student administrative trainee in the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. As the 2024-2025 National American Miss Connecticut Teen Queen, Aku has championed community service initiatives, completing 120 hours of engagement overall, including but not limited to mental health advocacy through UConn modeling, participation in a city-wide festival that promoted civic engagement, and involvement in multiple church-based events focused on community building. Although she goes by Aku, her first name, Akuchukwu, means "God's wealth," and she aspires to live up to that name by using her passion for representation, creative expression, and presence to build community, educate others, and bridge gaps through activism, visual storytelling, and empathy.

Yolimar P.

Area of Study: Political Science & Human Developmental Sciences
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Elise Delacruz
Alumni Mentor: Pat Adams

Yolimar is a junior double majoring in Political Science and Human Developmental Sciences, driven by a passion for understanding people, policy, and social change. As a first-generation Puerto Rican-American student, she is committed to creating pathways of opportunity for communities like her own. Her academic and leadership experiences reflect a dedication to equity, empowerment, and expanding access to education and civic engagement.

Neisha S.

Area of Study: Natural Resource
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Karima Jackson
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Neisha is a Natural Resource major with a passion for fisheries and wildlife conservation. She previously served as a peer mentor at the Academic Achievement Center, where she supported students through academic and personal goal setting, time management strategies, and resource navigation. Neisha values transparency and uses her experiences to reassure students that growth takes time. Dedicated to sharing new perspectives, she strives to highlight the beauty of the environment and the importance of protecting it. 

Neha S.

Area of Study: Molecular and Cell Biology & Health Policy and Informatics (individualized major); Minor in Healthcare Management
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Anne Kim
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Neha is majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and an Individualized Major in Health Policy & Informatics, with a minor in Healthcare Management. She conducts research in the Angiogenesis Laboratory at UConn Health and also works in Dr. Chathura Abeywickrama’s laboratory at the UConn School of Pharmacy. On campus, she serves as a Resident Assistant, is a Rowe Student Leadership Associate, and is actively involved with the Second Chance Educational Alliance, where she supports and teaches classes at a correctional facility. She is also engaged in statewide advocacy through the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, and she hopes to become a physician who pairs clinical care with meaningful advocacy and policymaking to advance health equity.

Daniel S.

Area of Study: Sociology & Human Development and Family Sciences; Minor in Urban and Community Studies
Faculty/Staff Mentor: tbd
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Daniel is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut double-majoring in Sociology and Human Development and family sciences, with a minor in Urban and Community Studies. Raised in New Britain, Connecticut, his lived experiences with homelessness, poverty, and mental health challenges ignited his commitment to community advocacy and public health. Daniel has served as a founding member of the New Britain Youth Prevention Coalition, a nationally trained youth leader under CADCA’s National Youth Action Council, and a contributor to research and service initiatives across Connecticut and beyond. He is now the founder of PULSCE, a youth-led nonprofit coalition focused on tackling the loneliness epidemic though prevention, unity, leadership, service, and community engagement with plans to continue his leadership journey by pursuing a Master of Public Health.

Pam W.

Area of Study: Psychological Sciences; Minor in American Sign Language
Faculty/Staff Mentor: Audrey Jean-Guillaume
Alumni Mentor: tbd

Pam is a Psychological Sciences major with a minor in American Sign Language on a pre-med track. She serves as a Program Coordinator for SHaW’s Substance Use Risk Reduction Program, a Psychological Sciences Peer Advisor, the Student Program Director for UConn’s Boston Alternative Break with Community Outreach, and the Member Development Chair for Sigma Theta Alpha. She is also involved in research at the Brain Imaging Research Center as a McNair Scholar, contributing to fMRI data analysis focused on deaf infants. In her free time, she enjoys movies, photography, and blogging.