Affinity Groups

Antonio Soto (he/him, Class of 2027) is a first-generation student majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Psychology while on the pre-med track. In addition to serving as an Affinity Group Lead at the Honors College, he is also the Graphic Designer for the Latino Student Council (LSC). Over the summer, Antonio spent his time working as a Conference Assistant for Rutgers Residence Life and in his free time you can find him drawing portraits, painting, and going for walks.

Jakob Pender (he/they, Class of 2026) is a junior majoring in Physics and minoring in mathematics, planning to attend the Graduate School of Education. In addition to serving as an LGBTQ+ Cultural Connection Lead at the Honors College, he also works as an orientation leader for Student Orientation and Transition Programs. Jakob is also a peer mentor with Rutgers Health Outreach, Promotion, & Education. Both his work and his free time are dedicated to assisting first year students with their transition into college life. Jakob’s work with the LGBTQ+ community outside the Honors College includes independent advocacy across the state, as well as the president of Rutgers Ultraviolet, an affiliate of the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities.

Kaylee Zhang (she/her, Class of 2027) is a sophomore majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Besides serving as an Asian Affinity Group Lead at the Honors College, she is a Senior Intern at the Asian American Cultural Center, Advocacy Chair for the Asian Student Council, a Red Pine Ambassador for Douglass Residential College, and conducts research on diabetic retinopathy in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, going to concerts, and hanging out with her friends.

Kevin Hernandez (he/him, Class of 2026) is a rising junior majoring in Biochemistry with a concentration in Toxicology, and serves as the co-lead for the Latinx Student Affinity group at the Honors College. Outside of the Honors College, Kevin is a math tutor for the S.E.B.S. EOF program and, after classes, rehearses with his A cappella group, The OrphanSporks. Kevin spent the summer working as a summer camp counselor at RWJ Fitness and Wellness and as a Pharmacy Technician at CVS. In his free time, you’ll often find Kevin working out, singing, baking desserts, or spending time with his friends and family.

Mikalya Kim (she/her, Class of 2027) is a sophomore majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and double minoring in Spanish and Comparative and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. In addition to serving as an Asian Affinity Group Lead at the Honors College, she is an Honors College Ambassador and a research assistant at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. She is also an advocacy chair for NORU, Rutgers’ kpop club and the mentorship chair for Project Meducate, a local non-profit organization that aims to provide free health services. In her free time, Mikayla enjoys listening to music, snowboarding, trying new cafes, and playing tennis.

Murat Turkeli (he/him, Class of 2027) is a sophomore majoring in Industrial Engineering and minoring in Business Administration. In addition to co-leading the international student affinity group at the Honors College, he also serves as an Honors College Ambassador. Outside the Honors College, Murat is a research assistant at the Rutgers Energy Lab, focusing on AI and renewable energy. He is also a Sustainability Ambassador, co-chair of the Rutgers Engineering Honors Council's Industry Mentorship Program, an e-board member of TSA Global, and the founder of Belschess. In his free time, you can find him playing tennis, visiting art museums, traveling, reading, and playing guitar.

Om Patil (he/him, Class of 2027) is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences and plans to attend med school after graduation. In addition to being a co-leader for the international student affinity group at the Honors College, he also serves as a peer tutor for the SAS Honors Program. Outside the Honors College, Om is the outreach chair for the Rutgers chapter of HOSA and works as an EMT. In his free time, you can find him cycling, gardening, or relaxing with a good show on Netflix.

Tshahi Mombrun (she/her, Class of 2026) is a junior majoring in Economics and minoring in Government and Business, planning to attend law school. In addition to serving as a Black Cultural Connection Lead at the Honors College, she volunteers as an Honors College Ambassador and has participated in various Honors College working groups. Tshahi is also an active volunteer in the New Brunswick community, having collaborated with the Department of Public Works and the Second Reformed Church Thrift Shop. Her contributions as a community leader have extended outside of New Brunswick to Philadelphia, Paterson, and Liberia. Furthermore, Tshahi has worked as a research assistant in the Department of Economics at Rutgers and is the assistant manager of Radio Television Caraibes International Network, an emerging evangelical social media platform embracing Caribbean and African culture. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, and spending time with her family.

Elisa Bu Sha (she/her, class of 2025) is a senior studying Biological Sciences and English. She is part of the Rutgers Honors College–New Brunswick and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 4+4 BA/MD Program. In addition to being the Honors College Undergraduate Intern for Diversity Initiatives, Elisa is co-president of the Rutgers SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) undergraduate chapter, part of VPVA SCREAM Theater, and involved in radiation oncology research. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, writing, going to the shore, and taking care of her many plants.

Valentina Ramirez (she/her, class of 2027) is a sophomore studying Political Science and Public Policy, planning to attend law school. In addition to serving as an LGBTQ+ Affinity Group Lead at the Honors College, she has participated in the Darien Civic Engagement Project at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, working to educate young adults on the best practices of civic engagement through interactive workshops. Valentina is also a research assistant with the Criminal Justice Department, researching the connection between empathy and authoritarianism in university students. Valentina spent the summer working as a legal secretary and can be found reading and going to the beach in her free time.

Tatiana Sarmiento (’26 SAS/HC) is a Latinx Affinity Co-Lead double majoring in Public Policy and Criminal Justice with a minor in Music. Tatiana has aspirations of going to law school after completing her undergraduate schooling and going into public interest law. Outside of the Honors College, Tatiana is in the Rutgers Marching Band and is on their Leadership Team; she also serves on the E-Boards for the Latinx Pre Law Society and the Colombian American Student Association. This past summer, Tatiana interned at the Ford Foundation in their People & Culture department, learning about the innerworkings of one of the greatest philanthropies in the world. In her free time, Tatiana likes to read news articles, watching sports, and hanging out with her friends.

Sanna Elsayed (she/her, '28) is a freshman majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, planning to attend dental school. She serves as a Co-lead for the Middle Eastern Affinity group at the Honors College, she is also part of the Hope Medical Scholars Program which aims to provide mentorships and insights to the medical/dental field for underrepresented students. In her free time, you can find her spending time with family and friends, traveling, and shopping.

Habeba Rashwan (‘26, SAS/HC) is a Co-Lead of the Middle Eastern Affinity Group majoring in Socioogy with minors in Africana Studies and Music, with aspirations of becoming a professor and focusing on social justice education. Besides serving as a Co-Lead at the Honors College, Habeba is a part o the Student Advisory Board for the Tyler Clementi Center, Vice President of the Arab Cultural Club, and Co-Chair of the Latino Student Council. Habeba enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and engaging in new experiences.

Taylar Spann (she/her, '27) is a second-year student majoring in Psychology and Social Work, with aspirations of becoming a clinical psychologist. She currently serves as a Lead for the HC Black Affinity Group and is also a Peer Mental Health Educator with Rutgers' HOPE (Health, Outreach, Promotion, and Education) program. Additionally, she is an active volunteer with several organizations, including the Douglass Psychology Child Study. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to music.