Student Ambassadors

Name: Taylor Fenerty

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Internship Title/Project Area: Outreach & Engagement- CLAS Career Ambassador Program Lead

Hometown: Northborough, Massachusetts

Things I enjoy: Being outdoors, cooking good food, spending time with family & friends

What is something unique about you? I have been ziplining through a forest in Nicaragua!

Education

Major: Political Science

Current Academic Year: Senior

What are your future career goals? After pursuing a Master’s program in Public Policy, I hope to use my degrees to work in the field of corporate social responsibility.

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I am part of the Political Science National Honor Society, the CLAS Women’s Leadership Collective, and I have been a dancer volunteer for HuskyTHON since I was a freshman!

Name: Heidi Pineda

Pronouns: she/her(s)/ella

Internship Title/Project Area: DE&I Career Ambassador Program Coordinator with a focus on the Latinx Affinity Community

Hometown: Fairfield, CT

Things I enjoy: I enjoy baking desserts in my free time and spending time with my orange tabby, Flan. I put aside time on the weekends for watching reality TV and intense, drama-filled movies. Depends on my mood! 

What is something unique about you? I have two cats, Flan (2 years) and Chito (9 months). They are both orange and share a single brain cell between them.

Education

Major: Political Science and Latino and Latin American Studies

Current Academic Year: Senior

What are your future career goals? I am planning to work in the field of Higher Education, supporting student success!

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I am the current President of Distinguished and Motivated Academic Scholars (D.A.M.A.S.), a Latina/x focused organization with a mission to support our members’ academic achievement, professional development and empowerment through providing a community of support. I am also a member of the Central American Student Association and a TME Mentor for Latino and Latin American Studies.

Name: Andrea Xia

Pronouns: She/her

Internship Title/Project Area: Outreach and Engagement Intern, DE&I Career Ambassador

Hometown: Beijing, China

Things I Enjoy: Traveling and spending time with my pets

What is something unique about you? I used to study and live in a military management high school for 3 years.

Education

Major: Statistics and Applied Mathematics

Current Academic Year: Sophomore

What are your future career goals? My future career goals are to pursue a career in higher education and explore different fields.

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I’m a member of Mininfinity, an organization of college and high school students from all over the world who are trying to make their own contribution to the uneven distribution of resources in China.

Name: Emily Bretthauer

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Internship Title/Project Area: DEI Ambassador for Students with Disabilities

Résumé Critique Hours (optional): Wednesdays 3 PM to 5 PM

Bio:

Hometown: Orange, CT

Things I enjoy: I am not too artsy, but I love crafts, especially crocheting things I will never finish making. I also enjoy food a lot, whether it’s cooking, baking, or eating. I enjoy doing makeup and creating cool designs on my face. Additionally, I am obsessed with the Sims 4.

What is something unique about you? I would say something unique about me, which I always use for two truths and a lie, is that my favorite number is 12 digits long.

Education:

Major: Psychological Sciences with minors in Human Development & Family Sciences and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Current Academic Year:  Senior 

What are your future career goals? I plan to pursue a higher education and student affairs master’s program next year to become a higher education professional. Specifically, I want to work with diverse populations, whether it’s the center for students with disabilities, the cultural centers, or even the center for career development. Part of the psychology major in me wants to go into counseling, so being a career coach or academic advisor would also be of interest to me!

What are some extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations you are involved with? I am a member of Diversability, a club for students with and without disabilities to discuss and advocate for this topic, as well as Active Minds, a mental health organization on campus! Last year, I was also a mentor at the Rainbow Center.

Name: Jennifer Criollo

Pronoun: She/Her

Internship Title/Project Area: DE&I Career Ambassador/Liaison with Women students  

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Things I enjoy: I love to read in my free time, go on hikes, and travel ☺ 

What is something unique about you? Something unique about me is that I like completing Sudoku puzzles!

Education

Major: Management Information Systems 

Current Academic Year: Junior 

What are your future career goals? I hope to start off working in a business company based in New York City. Later on in my career, I hope to go work internationally in Europe! 

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I am a transfer student from UConn Stamford. I was a part of the Student Government Association, Business Connections Learning Community, Huskies for Charity, and Data Analytics Club. I plan to continue my involvement in Storrs with many more different clubs and organizations this year!  

Name: Taylor Czmyr

Pronouns: she/her

Title: CLAS Career Ambassador

Hometown: Griswold, CT

Things I enjoy: Listening to music (could not survive without it!), staying active and getting outdoors, spending time with family and friends, trying new foods and restaurants, drinking coffee, going to the beach and coastal towns, and helping others.

What is something unique about you? My last name has no (traditional) vowels in it… it’s pretty fun, I would say. :)

Education

Major: Mathematics-Actuarial Science-Finance 

Current Academic Year: Junior

What are your future career goals? After graduation, I hope to be employed as an Actuary and obtain my full set of credentials 3-5 years post-graduation. More specifically, I am particularly interested in working as a Health Actuary; one that works with risk management in the health insurance industry. Healthcare is a rapidly changing field that I look forward to using my skills, interests, and passions to positively contribute to.

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I am currently a Co-Vice President of Public Relations for the UConn Actuarial Society, a tutor through the Math Motivators program, a mentor for The Major Experience, and an ambassador for not only CLAS but also the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) as well. Lastly, I am a first-year dancer in HuskyTHON this year!

As a DE&I Ambassador for the Black Community, I am excited to be able to address some of the issues and concerns I have noticed in the community. As someone who identifies as black, I have first hand accounts and experience of some of the issues the community face in our careers and opening them to a wider audience to find ways to fix and work around some of the issues. Although I am black that is not my only identity. I am a black, hispanic, woman in the LGBTQ+ and STEM community. While I identify with these communities, I am extremely excited to learn about the other communities that we work closely with.

Bio

Hometown: Melville, NY (Long Island)

Things I enjoy: I have a range of hobbies. I love being creative mainly so i enjoy painting, practicing music, and crocheting. I love video games and jigsaw puzzles as well. As of recently, I enjoy researching random topics that come into my mind, like why haven’t we gone to a different universe yet. I used to do track and field (specifically threw discus and shot put) and I’m excited to try getting back into it during the warmer months.

Advice to students: Focus on your mental health. At the end of the day, if your mental health starts to deteriorate everything else goes down around you. Keeping a positive mindset and working on self care is a great way to keep your head up while life is stressful.

Education

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, May 2024

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, May 2024

Minor: Computer Science

Name: Dayna Hausspiegel

Pronouns: she/her

Title: CLAS Career Ambassador

Hometown: Port Washington

Things I enjoy: Graphic Design, Traveling, Trendy Restaurants

What is something unique about you? I have a twin brother! 

Education:

Major: Communications with a minor in Digital Arts 

Current Academic Year: Junior

What are your future career goals? I would love to do marketing or branding for a company in New York City!

What are some extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations you are involved with? I am currently the VP of Programming for my sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi. I am the BICEP and Newsletter Intern for UConn Hillel, and I am a campus manager for Fresh Prints! 

Name: Caty Jhong

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Title: CLAS Career Ambassador

Hometown: Sparta, NJ

Things I enjoy: Cooking, Swimming, Reading

What is something unique about you? I have a twin brother! 

Major: Philosophy, Double Minor in Political Science and Economics 

Current Academic Year: Junior

What are your future career goals? I want to go to law school, and then either practice law or work in the legal and compliance side of finance. 

What are some extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations you are involved with? I am the President of the Undergraduate Philosophy Society, as well as serving as a Student Representative on the Honors Board of Associate Directors. I am also a member of the Law Society, Alpha Phi sorority, Empowering Women in Law, Dumbledore’s Army, and the Country Music Club. 

Name:  Briana Phouadara

Pronouns:  she/her

Internship Title/Project Area:  DE&I Ambassador for Asian American Students

In my role, I serve as a significant liaison/partnership between the Center for Career Development and Asian American students here at UConn. I communicate with, listen to, and support Asian Americans students – responding to their needs, desires, and concerns. As I advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion of Asian American students at the university – I act as a significant voice for the students and ensure everyone is heard. As an Asian American myself, I truly understand the difficulties faced with the career development process, because of my racial background. I’m ecstatic to be the representative for the Asian American affinity group, and can’t wait to create unforgettable change at UConn.

Hometown:  New Haven, CT

Things I Enjoy:  As a previous First Year Experience and Academic Achievement Center mentor here at the university, I have a strong passion for guiding and supporting others. I love being a helpful and friendly resource to my fellow UConn students- especially throughout their career journeys. I am a huge action, thriller and sci-fi fan! Marvel movies, the Twilight series, and the Vampire Diaries are just a few things I hold close to my heart.

What is something unique about you? Fun fact, I journal every morning and night- and have an interest in manifesting, crystals and horoscopes (I’m a Leo!).

Advice to Students: Choosing a career path at our age can be hard – but it isn’t expected for us to be COMPLETELY sure on what we want to do in the future. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to realize that you aren’t satisfied with the current career path you have. You don’t need to have it all “together” right now. Trust yourself and your ability to make the right decisions for you! No one knows you better than yourself. 

Education:

Major: Allied Health Sciences/Pre-Nursing

Current Academic Year: Senior 

Name:  Medha Purushotham

Pronouns: she/her

Title: CLAS Career Ambassador

Hometown: Chelmsford, MA

Things I enjoy: Drawing. Painting, Baking, Biking

What is something unique about you? I have a giant birthmark on my left shoulder. 

Education

Major:  Psychology and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Current Academic Year: Senior

What are your future career goals? I would like to work with mothers and children in healthcare as a Speech and Language Pathologist.

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? Vice President of National Alliance on Mental Illness UConn On Campus (NAMI), Treasurer of Maternity and Women’s Health Club (MWH), Member of National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association UConn ((NSSLHA)

Name:  Camille Rodriguez

Pronouns:  she/her/hers

Internship Title/Project Area:  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Career Ambassador for Undocumented Students

Hometown:  West Haven, CT

Things I Enjoy:  I enjoy cooking/baking, exercising, creating, and spending time with friends and family. 

What is something unique about you?  Something unique about me is that I used to train in ceramics and sculpture. Using the pottery wheel is my favorite way to create ceramic pieces. 

Education

Major:  Latino and Latin American Studies

Current Academic Year:  Senior

What are your future career goals? My future career goal is to work at a higher education institution. I would love to work at a Latinx cultural center or in support services programs that assist marginalized students. 

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I’ve been involved with PRLACC’s mentoring program, METAS for the past 3 years. I am also a current member/former e-board member of Paws and Claws, a club that advocates for animal welfare and raises money for local animal shelters. Currently, I am the social media chair for Distinguished and Motivated Academic Scholars (DAMAS). DAMAS is an organization that supports the academic achievement, professional development, and empowerment of its members. It is Latina/x focused but not exclusive. 

Name:  Alexis Staten

Pronouns:  she/her/hers

Internship Title/Project Area: DE&I Career Ambassador: First-Generation Students  

As a fellow first-generation student, navigating college and the career process can be very
intimidating! However, I am here to help you, and promote some of the resources that this
amazing institution offers.

Hometown:  Roselle, NJ

Things I Enjoy:  I enjoy yoga! This activity is relaxing and great to do with friends.

Advice to Students: College is a learning experience! Enjoy the process and most importantly, have fun!

Education

Major:  Political Science

Current Academic Year: Sophomore

Name: Aditya Taroll

Pronouns: He/Him

Title: CLAS Career Ambassador

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Things I enjoy: With growing up in a city, there were always pop-ups everywhere, with that I grew to enjoy all different kinds of foods (you name it, I’ve eaten it), finding hole in the wall places, and attending various sporting events.

What is something unique about you? I know current Boston Celtics players personally.

Education

Major: PNB and MCB

Current Academic Year: Sophomore

What are your future career goals? Currently, I am on the pre-med track with hopes of going to medical school soon after I finish my undergrad to then become an anesthesiologist in the long run

What extracurricular activities/student clubs or organizations are you involved with? I’m a member of Alpha Beta Epsilon, a co-ed STEM-related fraternity. I’m also part of the Pre-Med Society, TedXUConn, and I’m looking forward to joining the UConn Ultimate Frisbee Team this year!