Cultural Connections

Prince Rawal (he/his) is a senior majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science and hopes to be a professor and contribute meaningfully to Computer Science research. Apart from being a Changemaking Mentor for first-year students at the Honors College, he is the treasurer of the Honors College Book Club, and a mentor of the Gen HC Program. He also works as a Learning Assistant and a Teaching Assistant for the Computer Science department and volunteers at the Angel Xpress Foundation as a tutor. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and cooking.

Rachel Toepfer is a nonbinary sophomore who is majoring in Political Science. They are often seen planning events at the Honors college along with progressing the continuous need for equity and equality. As a co-lead of the LGBTQ+ affinity group at the HC, a first year HC mentor, and a member of the HC media team, Rachel often finds themself busy with activities, classes, and events. However, outside of their HC responsibilities, Rachel can be found being the LGBTQ+ caucus chair of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, drawing, taking photos, and best of all sleeping.

Justin Lee is a sophomore in the 6-year PharmD program with aspirations to do research in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides serving as a Community Belonging Lead and an Honors College Ambassador, he works as a research assistant at the Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine and Science. Justin enjoys hiking and the gym in his free time but often watches doumentaries in the Busch dining hall.

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.

Yeju Lee is a second-year student studying business and computer science and plans to complete a Korean–English Translation & Interpreting certificate program. She is the co-leader of the Honors College First-Gen Affinity Group and the social media manager for the Honors College Book Club. She is also a member of the Douglass Residential College. YeJu enjoys doing anything involving music, playing sports, reading, meeting new people, and stargazing.

Nubia Finklin is a sophomore in The School of Arts and Sciences. They plan to major in Statistics while double minoring in Business and Technical Writing and Sport Management. Nubia will also be a member of the Active Allyship HLLCC for the 2022-23 school year. As the Black Cultural Connection Lead with experience on the HC Student Advisory Board and the HC Speaks, they are passionate about the crossroads of intersectional justice in sports, data analysis, and beyond.

Elisa Bu Sha 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 the Community Belonging Lead for the Honors College Latinx Affinity Group, Elisa is a Changemaking Mentor at Thomas Suites 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.

Antonio Bu Sha is a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is in the Honors College at Rutgers – New Brunswick. In addition to being a Community Belonging Co-Lead for the Honors College Latinx Affinity Group, he is an LSAMP Ambassador. He is also a member of the James J Slade Scholars program, conducting research under Professor Mazzeo in his senior year. Over the summers of 2021 and 2022, Antonio interned at John Deere in Augusta, GA as a manufacturing engineering intern, and then as a lab test intern. In his spare time, he attends the Board Game club, and enjoys reading (particularly science fiction and fantasy books) and playing Nintendo video games.