Changemaking Mentors

Jacqueline Giz (she/her) is a senior in the School of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Political Science and Art History with a minor in Archaeology. She has also been conditionally admitted to Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, where she is pursuing coursework towards her master’s degree in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies. Besides serving as a Lead Changemaking Mentor for Logistics and Community, Jacqueline also volunteers as an Honors College Ambassador. Outside of the Honors College, she is the Vice President of Communications for the Rutgers University Alumni Association’s Scarlet Council. She also conducts research on the provenance of Ancient Roman cameo gems through the Archivio Digitale Boncompagni Ludovisi. You can catch Jacqueline giving tours at Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum or going on a run in her free time.

Farah Lubaba Rouf (she/her) is a senior majoring in Computer Science. She aspires to be a software engineer and advocate for women and minorities in tech. Other than being a Changemaking Mentor at the Honors College, she also serves as the secretary of the Honors College Book Club and is part of the Douglass Residential College. During her time at Rutgers, she has done research through Project SUPER, interned for a Fortune 200 company, and won awards for creative writing. In her free time, she can be seen immersed in a book at a scenic spot somewhere on campus.

Sandhya Rajagopalan (she/her) is a rising sophomore majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in French, with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. In her free time, she likes to bake, go on runs, read, and travel!

Vanassa Lafleur (she/her) is a rising sophomore, majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Psychology. She hopes to one day become a pediatrician. In addition to being a Changemaking Mentor for First-Year students at the Honors College, she is a member of Stitch for Life. Outside of school, Vanassa loves to crochet, watch television, play the piano, and listen to music.

Ann Huynh (she/her) is a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Public Health. Besides serving as a Changemaking Mentor for the academic year 2022-2023, she is a Research Assistant at the Aresty Center and a member of GlobeMed and Douglass Governing Council organizations. In her free time, Anh enjoys working out, trying new foods, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

Ava Feldman (she/her) is a junior majoring in American Studies and minoring in Jewish Studies and Education, with aspirations of working in higher education. Besides serving as a Changemaking Mentor for First-Year and Continuing Students in the Honors College, Ava also works as the HC Serves Philanthropy and Outreach Lead and an HC Ambassador. Outside of the Honors College, Ava conducts research in the American Studies Department and is a part of the Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority. In her free time, Ava enjoys rooting for Rutgers sports, participating in service activities, and spending time with friends and family.

Buzzy Brickman (he/his) is a sophomore majoring in BAIT and minoring in economics. In addition to being a Changemaking Mentor in the Honors College, he is also the co-chairman of the Mesorah community at Rutgers Hillel. Unlike many other college students, Buzzy is not really into watching tv, but when he is in the mood he watches Scorpion and Suits to pass time. For fun he likes doing anything active (i.e. running, climbing, working out, etc.). A fun fact about Buzzy is that he has a boating license and spends his summers jet-skiing in the ocean!

Casey Fortson (he/his) is a second year student in the Honors College looking to major in criminal justice and minor in political science on a pre law track; With goals of working on prison reform and alleviating mass incarceration in America. Besides being a pre-law first year student, Casey is also still a part time summer intern for Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson of the 15th district. becoming a criminal defense attorney. Aside from being a changemaking mentor, Casey is also a Honors College Ambassador. In addition to that Casey is part of the Honors College Student Advisory Board (SAB) and has worked at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Elisa Bu Sha (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in English. She is part of the Rutgers Honors College–New Brunswick and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 4+4 Program. In addition to being a Changemaking Mentor for Thomas Suites, Elisa is the Community Belonging Lead for the Honors College Latinx Affinity Group, and is involved in research on campus in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, dancing, and taking care of her many plants.

Justin Seo (he/his) is a sophomore enrolled in the PharmD program for EMSOP, with aspirations of becoming a leader in the healthcare industry, focusing on ethical practices and corporate social responsibility. Besides serving as a Changemaking Mentor on 2 East, he is an active Honors College Ambassador, a member of the Honors College Media Team, does research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and is a producer for the Catholic Student Association. In his free time, Justin enjoys hanging out with friends, playing basketball, and loves editing small video projects!

Nia Melvin (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish, with aspirations of becoming a doctor and addressing racial disparities in healthcare. Besides serving as a tutor in O.D.A.S.I.S., she volunteers as mentor in F.E.M.M.E., raises health awareness in the greater New Brunswick community through N.A.D.I., and is a member of the HC Black Affinity Group. In her free time, Nia enjoys trying new foods, playing sports, meeting new people, and spending time with her dog Jake.

Rachel Toepfer (they/them) is a non-binary sophomore majoring in, you guessed it, POLITICAL SCIENCE with a minor yet to be determined. With aspirations in pursuing a law degree and working towards equality, the young mentor has spent the last four years advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, presenting at the HRC’s annual Time to Thrive Convention, and working with MassDems to elect progressive representatives for Massachusetts. In their free time, this sophomore spends time drawing, watching dungeons and dragons campaigns, and sleeping.

Rachel Schulman (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in History/Political Science and pursuing a pre-law track. She aspires to work as a constitutional law attorney in cases surrounding civil liberties and civil rights. Besides serving as a Changemaking Mentor for First-Year Students, she is involved in the Honors College as a member of the Wellness and HC Speaks committees. Additionally, she works as an Aresty Research Assistant and is Secretary of the Rutgers University Moot Court Association. In her free time, you can usually find her reading, drinking iced coffee, spending time with friends, or keeping in touch with her large family.

Rebecca Jolius (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in History and Political Science with aspirations of becoming a lawyer and doing research regarding black identity. Besides serving as an Academic Mentor in Residence at the Honors College, she’s an active member of the Black community, working at the PRCC and RUBLSA as well the pre-law community such as WPLS. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys playing tennis, going out with friends, trying new foods and reviewing the latest shows and movies.

Zoe Reich (she/her) is a School of Arts and Science student pursuing a double major in Cellular Biology and Neuroscience along with English. In the future, she plans to be a research professor in biology. She is a part of the Honors College Media Team, Red Pine Ambassadors in Douglass Residential College, and is the women’s captain for the Running Club. She loves writing and reading. In her free time, she can be found out on the trails hiking.