Graduate Student Ambassador Program
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Below is the list of our Fall 2026 Graduate Student Ambassadors, along with their respective degree programs.
Ambassador Name Degree Program Reason for Becoming an Ambassador Annette M Lesure MS Educational Leadership Annette is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the online Educational Leadership (EDLD) master’s program. She is passionate about education, supporting fellow students, and paying forward the encouragement and support she has received throughout her own educational journey.
After growing up in the entertainment industry, Annette began her college journey as a first-generation adult student in February 2020. Her commitment to education is also deeply personal.
As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Annette draws on these experiences to connect with and support graduate students across the university. She hopes to help students feel welcomed, encouraged, and connected as they pursue their educational and professional goals.
Bhushan Arjun
MS Computer Science
Bhushan is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program. As a graduate student who has navigated the transition to a new university, academic environment, and life in the United States, he understands many of the challenges students can encounter as they begin their graduate education.
As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Bhushan draws on his own experiences to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for prospective and current graduate students. He enjoys connecting students with university resources and opportunities, sharing what he has learned through his own transition to CSU East Bay, and helping students become more connected to the university community.
Through his ambassador role, Bhushan also continues to develop his leadership and communication skills while contributing to the broader graduate student community at CSU East Bay.
Brian Heminger MS Kinesiology / Human Movement & Sport Science Brian is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the Human Movement and Sport Science program. His graduate experience at CSU East Bay extends beyond the classroom through his research with the LLAMA Lab, service as Treasurer of the Kinesiology Club, and work as a Kinesiology subject tutor in the Student Center for Academic Achievement (SCAA). These experiences have allowed him to engage with students, faculty, research, and the broader campus community in a variety of ways.
Brian is passionate about graduate education and the opportunities it provides students to develop as professionals, researchers, and leaders. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, he shares his experiences with current and prospective students, promotes Graduate Studies programs and events, and helps foster connections within the graduate student community.
Through his ambassador role, Brian also has the opportunity to give back to the CSU East Bay community that has contributed to his academic and professional development.
Channa Saechao
MBA Channa is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the online MBA program. Although she completes her coursework online, she has built connections with both online and in-person students across graduate programs at CSU East Bay, giving her a broad perspective on the graduate student experience.
As a working professional and parent, Channa understands the challenges of balancing graduate education with career and family responsibilities. Her experience demonstrates how flexible graduate programs can make advanced education accessible to students managing multiple commitments.
As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Channa enjoys connecting with current and prospective students, sharing her experiences, and helping students learn about the resources, opportunities, and pathways available to them at CSU East Bay. She is particularly interested in supporting students who may be wondering how graduate education can fit into an already busy life.
Han Nguyen MBA Han is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the MBA program. Through his time at CSU East Bay, he has gained a range of academic, professional, and internship experiences that have shaped his graduate education and provided perspectives he enjoys sharing with other students.
Han values connecting with others and helping students become more engaged with the graduate community. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, he supports Graduate Studies events, connects with current and prospective students, and provides a student perspective on the graduate experience at CSU East Bay.
Through his ambassador role, Han also continues to develop his leadership and communication skills while helping foster connections among graduate students across the university.
Jack Pollock MSW Jack is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the MSW program. He is committed to supporting graduate education at CSU East Bay and increasing awareness of the university’s graduate programs and opportunities.
As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Jack helps promote Graduate Studies programs, events, and resources to current and prospective students. He enjoys contributing to the graduate student community and helping ensure that students learn about the range of educational opportunities available to them at CSU East Bay.
Magdalena Ferraro MS Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Sai Sravan Andhavarapu MBA Sai Sravan is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the MBA program. He enjoys connecting with students, sharing his graduate student experience, and helping others learn about the opportunities and resources available at CSU East Bay.
As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Sai Sravan supports fellow graduate students, participates in Graduate Studies events and outreach, and helps strengthen connections within the graduate student community. He values the opportunity to represent the graduate student perspective and contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for current and prospective students.
Trinidad Cruz MS Biological Sciences (Vertebrate Paleontology) Trinidad serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador to increase representation of the Biology department and share the impact of vertebrate paleontology with a broader audience. As the only vertebrate paleontology student at 缅北禁地, Trinidad brings extensive field experience, including work with dinosaur fossils in Wyoming and Ice Age fossils from the East Bay, with a strong commitment to contributing to the local community. Through experience as a museum curator and docent, Trinidad is comfortable engaging with the public and communicating complex scientific topics in accessible ways. As an ambassador, Trinidad hopes to inspire students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, share a passion for science, and help others see what is possible through persistence, mentorship, and community support.
Victoria Mederos MS Early Childhood Education Victoria is a Graduate Student Ambassador and a student in the online M.S. in Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. As an online student, she values opportunities to connect with the CSU East Bay community and become more engaged with campus life.
Victoria is passionate about early childhood development and enjoys sharing her experiences as a graduate student. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, she connects with current and prospective students, supports Graduate Studies events and outreach, and helps students learn more about the programs, resources, and opportunities available at CSU East Bay.
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Below is the list of our Fall 2025 Graduate Student Ambassadors, along with their respective degree programs.
Ambassador Name Degree Program Reason for Becoming an Ambassador Aishah Riaz MS in Chemistry (Biochemistry Concentration) Aishah chose to serve as a Graduate Student Ambassador because of her strong connection to and pride in 缅北禁地. As both an alumna and a current master’s student in the Chemistry department, she values the academic foundation and opportunities the university has provided. With over five years of research experience as a student researcher, Aishah has grown as a scientist, collaborator, and mentor. She looks forward to sharing her journey with prospective and current students while giving back to the supportive community that has played a central role in her academic and professional growth.
Akash Kailas Bhadrige
MS in Engineering / Industrial Management
Akash serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador because of his passion for sharing experiences that help new students succeed and feel supported. Over the past 5.5 years, he has led and managed student and college events, represented more than 2,000 students as a Student Lead in his undergraduate college council, and currently serves as Vice President of the International Students Organization while actively engaging in multiple campus organizations. He also brings 3.5 years of industry experience as an engineer and manager, with a strong focus on marketing and management. As a graduate student, Akash has identified the need to better connect graduate programs with career pathways and campus services, and as an ambassador, he aims to bridge that gap by guiding students on graduate studies, internships, career opportunities, and networking while highlighting how 缅北禁地’s programs and services support long-term professional growth. Georgina Martinez Masters Marriage and Family Therapy Georgina serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador because of her pride in the Marriage and Family Therapy program and her desire to help others recognize its value. She believes the MFT program would benefit from greater representation and hopes to highlight its unique opportunities, supportive community, and meaningful learning experiences. Georgina enjoys connecting with people through campus events and social media and looks forward to sharing her experiences while promoting graduate programs and events. As an ambassador, she is excited to give back to the graduate community and represent her program with commitment and pride while showcasing the impact and opportunities available at 缅北禁地.
Manish Champalal Parmar
MS in Statistics (Data Science) Manish serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador because of his strong appreciation for the MS in Statistics (Data Science) program and his desire to contribute meaningfully to the graduate community at 缅北禁地. As a data science student, he is passionate about helping prospective students better understand the program by sharing his authentic experiences, from mastering statistical concepts to applying machine learning to real-world problems. Manish is proud of the program’s balance of rigorous analytical training and hands-on projects and looks forward to highlighting student work, research, and alumni success through graduate events and social media. As an ambassador, he also hopes to bring a data-driven perspective to student feedback, helping amplify graduate voices and support continuous improvement of the graduate student experience.
Myeshia Jefferson Master Degree Healthcare Administration Myeshia serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador because she is committed to building stronger connections within the graduate community and representing her program with pride. She understands that graduate studies can be both challenging and rewarding and is motivated to help students feel more engaged, informed, and supported. With strong communication and leadership skills, including being selected to deliver a TEDx talk, Myeshia brings experience in inspiring diverse audiences and promoting initiatives through events and social media. As an ambassador, she looks forward to actively participating in graduate events, sharing resources, and highlighting the value and strength of the graduate community at 缅北禁地.
Sameera Datta Pothuraju MS in Construction Management Sameera serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador because she values building connections within the graduate community and representing the Construction Management program with pride. As an international student, she is motivated to engage with fellow students, understand the challenges they face, and help communicate those concerns to faculty and university leadership. Sameera brings prior leadership experience as a head captain and student representative during high school, where she acted as a bridge between students and administration. As an ambassador, she looks forward to advocating for graduate students, sharing experiences, and contributing to a supportive and well-represented graduate community at 缅北禁地.
Siena Gunari Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology Trinidad Cruz MS in Biology (Vertebrate Paleontology) Trinidad serves as a Graduate Student Ambassador to increase representation of the Biology department and share the impact of vertebrate paleontology with a broader audience. As the only vertebrate paleontology student at 缅北禁地, Trinidad brings extensive field experience, including work with dinosaur fossils in Wyoming and Ice Age fossils from the East Bay, with a strong commitment to contributing to the local community. Through experience as a museum curator and docent, Trinidad is comfortable engaging with the public and communicating complex scientific topics in accessible ways. As an ambassador, Trinidad hopes to inspire students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, share a passion for science, and help others see what is possible through persistence, mentorship, and community support.
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Below is the list of our Spring 2025 Graduate Student Ambassadors, along with their respective degree programs.
Ambassador Name Degree Program Reason for Becoming an Ambassador Violet Becerra Master’s in History (Public History concentration) I am a first generation Latina studying Public History at CSUEB. As a second year MA student I have become heavily involved within the campus and the surrounding East Bay community. Along with being a Graduate Student Ambassador, I am also the Vice President for the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society East Bay Chapter, and a Graduate Student Assistant for a U.S. History undergraduate survey course. I am a curator and docent who assists with museum operations at the California Historical Radio Society on Alameda Island. This fall I will also become involved with the museum on campus.
An essay I wrote on the novel The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood was published in the most recent edition of East Bay Historia- the academic journal for the History and Global Cultures Department. My thesis is based on the social and cultural impact that the growth of freeway infrastructure had on the Mexican-American neighborhoods of East Los Angeles. In Spring 2026 I will be debuting a museum display related to this topic.In my free time I enjoy reading and collecting books, walking around Lake Merritt and Southshore Beach, playing roller derby with Bay Area Derby, and hanging out with my two cats.David Cox
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
David Cox is an MBA student with a concentration in general business at CSUEB, having earned his Bachelor's in Finance from the university. He values CSUEB’s diverse and inclusive community, which has provided him with opportunities for academic and professional growth. As a student assistant, tutor, and representative on various committees, he has supported student success and engagement. His experience as a Synopsys Internal Audit Intern and involvement with the Student Investment Fund have further strengthened his leadership and mentorship skills. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, he hopes to showcase the transformative opportunities at CSUEB and inspire others to pursue their academic and professional goals
Karla Valdez Educational Technology Karla is a first-generation college graduate and a proud mother of four, currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Technology at CSUEB. As an adult learner balancing family and career, she teaches Spanish at a charter school in Vacaville, instructing students across three levels. Her journey from being a high school dropout to earning a BA in Spanish, a teaching credential, and now a master’s degree is a testament to her resilience and dedication to education. Grateful for the support of her professors, she hopes to inspire others to pursue their academic goals, no matter their stage in life.
Phuong Uyen Nguyen
Health Care Administration MS Phuong Uyen Nguyen is a graduate student in the Health Care Administration MS program at CSUEB who values building a strong and supportive community within the graduate program. Phuong aims to serve as a bridge between students, faculty, and the university, creating opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
Ketaki Shinde Construction Management Klara Gutierrez Masters in Social Work Klara Gutierrez is a graduate student in the MSW program at CSUEB with a strong commitment to social justice and community empowerment. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, she aims to support and connect with students while highlighting the program’s emphasis on advocacy, community engagement, and student success. Through this role, she looks forward to fostering an inclusive environment and enhancing her leadership and communication skills.
Divya Bhavani Veligandla MS in Business Analytics Shashidhar Shankar Chowgle MS in Marketing Analytics Shashidhar is a graduate student in the MS in Marketing Analytics (MSMA) program at CSUEB, passionate about promoting and representing the program. With a strong academic background , he brings valuable insights to new graduate students. He has over four years of industry experience in marketing and has previously completed an MBA in Marketing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing. His expertise bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application. As a Graduate Student Ambassador, he looks forward to contributing to student engagement, mentorship, and showcasing the opportunities available at CSUEB.
Katherine Mendoza Online Master of Science in Educational Leadership Saijyoti Meti MS in Computer Science