Changemaking Mentors

Amy Bangad is a senior in the Rutgers Business School, majoring in Finance and Computer Science and minoring in Mathematics. In addition to her role as a Professional Development Mentor in Residence, Amy serves as the Class of 2021 Co-Chair for the Honors College Alumni Society. She is also a Teaching Assistant in the Finance Department at RBS and Vice President of the Rutgers Quantitative Finance Club. Amy loves to draw, paint, bake, and read in her free time.

Catherine Kratka is a sophomore majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry on the pre- med track. In addition to her position as an Honors College Community Liaison, she is also an Honors College Ally and a member of the Student Organized Rutgers Against Hunger organization. Catherine also conducts research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology with Dr. Jeehiun Lee. Outside of school, she enjoys running, going to the beach, and hanging out with friends.

Christina is a junior majoring in Spanish. She is planning on applying to the 5-year program at the Graduate School of Education to get her master’s degree in Elementary Education. Along with her role as an Academic Mentor in Residence, Christina is the Head of Educate for the Youth Empowerment Club, where she assists in organizing a tutoring program for local elementary students. In her free time, she likes dancing, running, and traveling. She is passionate about education and volunteers as a team leader and classroom assistant during the summers at Horizons Enrichment Program, serving underprivileged and at-risk students in her community.

Eric is a senior studying at Rutgers Business School with interdisciplinary coursework in comparative literature. On campus, he is a research analyst at the Student Managed Fund and has led the Financial Institutions as well as Technology teams. Outside of Rutgers, Eric is a volunteer at Elijah’s Promise and enjoys oil painting.

Gavin Wagner is a sophomore in the School of Environmental and Biological sciences studying Bioenvironmental Engineering. In addition to collaborating with the Honors College Faculty Fellows as a Mentor in Residence, he offers his time as an Honors College Ambassador and a caretaker of the indoor plants at the Honors College. An Eagle Scout at heart, Gavin is passionate about the outdoors, mindful of sustainability, and eager to leave his mark wherever he can. Outside of school-time, you might find Gavin cooking, writing, or running to the beat of whatever music he can find.

Grace Alt is a senior double-majoring in French and Political Science (SAS, DRC). Serving for her second year as a Mentor in Residence, within the HC community Grace has also been on the Alumni & Employer Engagement Board, and is a Board Member for the 2021 Honors College Alumni Society. At Rutgers, she has been a Lloyd C. Gardner Fellow, an Aresty Research Assistant, and an intern for the Rutgers Office of Federal Relations. Outside of academics, Grace is involved in performing arts groups (a cappella club Deep Treble and the Livingston Theatre Company), and is also a Student Manager at Starbucks on Livingston campus. Off-campus Grace is passionate about travel, arts advocacy, and global politics. She plans to pursue a Fulbright or international Masters degree and later attend law school after graduating.

Hanna Brancaccio is a junior majoring in Economics with minors in Biology and Spanish, with aspirations of becoming a surgeon and working in healthcare policy. Besides serving as a Lead Mentor in Residence at the Honors College, she is involved with the Honors College ambassadors, on-campus research, the Road to Wall Street program, and Greek life. In her free time, Hanna enjoys traveling, going to the beach, reading, and meeting new people.

Jilly Matje (HC '23) is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Music and certificate in Recording Arts. She is the Community Liaison for the Newell Apartments, but can also be seen performing in the Marching Scarlet Knights and Pep Band at football, basketball, and volleyball games and playing solo at coffeehouses and charity events. In her free time, Jilly enjoys recording music, participating in intramurals, drawing, and trying new things!

Jorden Xavier is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Biology and has aspirations of merging technology with patient care as a physician. Besides serving as a Faculty Fellows Mentor in Residence, he performs research with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at RWJUH, volunteers as a Crisis Text Line Counselor, and is involved with Phi Delta Epsilon, an international medical fraternity. In his spare time, Jorden loves watching movies, playing basketball, and eating different kinds of food.