ODOS STUDENT AMBASSADORS 2021-2022

Office of the Dean of Students
325 Tate Student Center
Athens, GA 30602
706-542-7774 | dosadmin@uga.edu

The Dean of Students Student Ambassadors

The vision of the Dean of Students Ambassadors program is to help students – particularly incoming first-year and transfer students – to feel better connected to the UGA community. The program is a volunteer opportunity for outstanding students to support the functions and programs of the Office of the Dean of Students. Ambassadors informally educate their peers about Dean of Students resources and act as co-hosts of the Gettin’ Down with the Dean program, accompanying their fellow students and Dean of Students Bill McDonald to lectures, sports activities, meals, campus tours, and entertainment events. Students who participate in the program benefit through the development of leadership skills and the opportunity to network with students, administrators, and faculty.

Meet the 2021-2022 Ambassadors

Ayah Abdelwahab

Hi! My name is Ayah and I am a senior studying International Affairs and Economics with a minor in Arabic. This is my third year back as an ambassador for the Office of the Dean of Students. As an ambassador, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet UGA’s amazing students while sharing with them resources and knowledge that help make campus feel like a second home. I am so excited to continue doing this work! Alongside serving as an ODOS ambassador, I am Legislative Director for the Spencer Frye Fellowship, an Honors Teaching Assistant, and conducting research. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with friends.

Mennah Abdelwahab

Hello, my name is Mennah Abdelwahab. I am a senior international affairs and journalism major. I was born and raised in Athens, Georgia, so UGA has always felt like home. This will be my third year as a Dean of Students Ambassador, and I am excited to get to know students across campus and help them in their transition into UGA’s community. In addition to serving as an ambassador, I am involved in the Student Government Association, Georgia Political Review, and CURO. In my free time, I love to watch foreign films, crochet, and take pictures.

Melina Antone

Hi! My name is Melina Antone and I am a third-year student studying biology with the intent to go pre-med. I am from Brunswick, Georgia, but my dad was in the Navy growing up so I have lived on coasts all over the country. I love coffee and Panda express so I spend a ton of time in the student center. I am an amateur guitar player, knitter, artist, carpenter. Basically, anything I can try I will. I can’t wait to meet everyone this year and maybe collect a couple more hobbies along the way!

Chidimma Anunobi

Hey! My name is Chidimma, and I am a Senior majoring in Biological Science with a minor in Health Policy and Management. I am a first-generation Nigerian-American, born in Texas, and now reside in Conyers, Ga. I am involved in the UGA Chapter of MANRRS, African Student Union, MSSA, etc. I love adventures, trying new things, socializing, and serving my community in any way possible! As I mentioned, I love to network and talk to people, so if you very have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I’m excited to serve as an ambassador this year and look forward to helping, supporting, and/or just talking to the various students of this GREAT university! Fun Fact: I love music, and although I am not the best dancer, you may catch me busting out a couple of moves (lol).

Anna Burnett

Hi friends! My name is Anna Burnett and I’m a second-year intended Communication Sciences and Disorders major. I am from Appling, Georgia which is a small town outside of Augusta, Georgia. In my free time, you can find me at Dunkin’, playing with my kitten Kirby (who is very smart), or doing anything crafty! At the University of Georgia, I am involved with Aurora at UGA and I volunteer at ESP. My favorite memory from my freshman year was attending the UGA vs. Tennessee football game. I am very excited to cheer on the Dawgs this year! Ever since elementary school, I have had the dream of attending the University of Georgia. My advice to students is to ring the Chapel Bell after a hard exam, jump into the Herty Field Fountain with all of your friends, and save the walk under the Arch until after you have graduated. I hope you are as excited about your time here at the best university just like I am! Go Dawgs! Sic’ Em! Woof woof!

Jeremiah de Sesto

I am a first-generation Filipino-American student born and raised in Davao City, Philippines and from Warner Robins, Georgia. As a second-year student, I am currently double majoring in Management with a co-major in International Business and International Affairs with pre-law intent. At the University of Georgia, I have served as President of Russell Residential Hall, a Senator in the Student Government Association, and an Involvement Ambassador for the Tate Student Center. Furthermore, I serve as mentor for children in the Athens-Clarke County area through the Cross-Trainers program of the Wesley/Freshley Foundation and as the Music Chair of the Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity. In serving as a Student Ambassador for the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS), I look forward to becoming a liaison for the ODOS and creating initiatives to serve the student body and upcoming freshman.

Carter DiFonzo

Hey! My name is Carter DiFonzo. I am a third-year Advertising major with a minor in English. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, although I frequently visited Rhode Island growing up for months at a time. I am a fourth-generation Georgia student and grew up with the constant emotional rollercoaster that is being a Dawg fan. Hiking, swimming, and playing tennis are what I spend most of my time doing. The best piece of advice I received while working for Georgia Athletics was, “If you’re juiceless, you’re useless.” I’d say that roughly translates to having a positive mindset can make all the difference! I am so excited to be a Dean of Students Ambassador and connect students to the school we call home! GO DAWGS

Laura Lawson Duncan

Hi! My name is Laura Lawson Duncan and I have loved my time at UGA. I didn’t grow up a UGA fan, but from my first moment in Sanford Stadium as a senior in high school, I was immediately invested and never looked back. UGA has brought me so many incredible opportunities that have allowed me to grow as a student and leader. I am a member of Honors College, the Leadership Council of UGA Miracle, and Greek Life. I was chosen to be a Recruitment Counselor, so I was able to lead 16 freshman students during their first weeks of college and supported them as a mentor and friend. I served as the Medical Program Director for Camp High Harbour alongside many fellow UGA students, where I ran the infirmary alongside medical professionals. Next summer, I will travel to Ghana, Africa with Dr. Robinson and 13 other UGA students, working in malnutrition clinics and local hospitals. I am so lucky to be a Bulldawg!

Ty Farmer

Hi, my name is Ty Farmer! I am a fourth-year student studying Elementary Education with a minor in Studio Art. Working with children is one of my passions because I love getting to hear their ideas and witness how excited they get when they learn something new. I am a photographer and avid hiker, so naturally, my favorite images to shoot are of nature scenes. Also, I love reading, so whenever I am on campus and have a free moment, I am usually curled up under a tree with my nose in a book. I absolutely love Georgia Football as my favorite UGA tradition is Lighting Up Sanford at the beginning of the fourth quarter. During my time at UGA, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with new and current students in various spaces on campus to help them find their niche and become more comfortable on our massive campus, so I am very excited to get to continue interacting with students in this arena through the Office of the Dean of Students.

Jessica Green

Hello, my name is Jessica Green! I am so excited for this year. I love being involved on campus, so you can see me working at the Tate Information Desk, planning University Union events, and, of course, at ODOS events! I feel life is meaningless without human interaction, so please feel free to say hey any time! Some of my favorite things include collecting cute things, the color pink, video games, horror movies, fantasy novels, and video essays. Once again, I love to talk, so feel free to discuss any and all of these things with me. Most importantly, I love helping people, so please use me as a resource for any questions about campus. College is fun, confusing, and terrifying all at once, and if I can help in your experience in any way, I will be thrilled to do so. Thanks for reading my bio, and I cannot wait to meet you all!

Rachel Henderson

My name is Rachel Henderson, and I am a fourth-year Special Education Major and Social Work Minor! I love volunteering anywhere and everywhere, photography, art, finding new music and going to concerts! My favorite colors are yellow, aqua, and navy blue. Playing and watching sports are some of my favorite things to do, as well as anything outside in nature! A perfect day for me would start with watching the sun rise and reading a book on the beach or in the mountains with, of course, an iced coffee in the morning, spending the afternoon hiking or playing games with friends, having a big cookout for dinner, watching the sunset and then star gazing at night…..or just a Saturday in Athens watching some Georgia football and tailgating with friends and family!

Lytzy Hernandez

I am a third-year student majoring in Exercise and Sports Science and minoring in Spanish on the Pre-OT track. I have lived in the beautiful town of Dahlonega, GA my entire life. During my time at UGA, I have enjoyed participating in various organizations such as the Hispanic Student Association, Latinos Invested in the Students of Tomorrow, and Minority Student Science Association. I love watching people grow and become a better person, that is why I am pursuing a job in the Occupational Therapy field to become a better person myself. My favorite part about being a Dawg is being a part of such a large community of people thriving to become their own version of successful, GO DAWGS!zy Hernandez

Olivia Johnson

Hey y’all ! My name is Olivia Johnson, and I am a second year majoring in Biological Science with a minor in Health Policy and Management. I am a Resident Assistant at Brumby Hall. Currently, I am involved in the UGA Chapter of CaribSA and UGA Doctors Without Borders. I conduct undergraduate research as well . I love keeping myself occupied but I also really enjoy a good night in. My favorite pastime is eating food and getting together with friends. I’m so hyped to be a part of the Dean of Students Ambassador family. If you run into me on campus, make sure to stop me, and say hey!

Lauren Killeen

I am a third-year, intended finance major from Atlanta, GA. I have loved my time so far at UGA and getting to be involved in Women in Business, Greek Life, Wesley Foundation, Terry Peer Link, and of course the Office of the Dean of Students. In my free time, I love attending UGA sporting events, enjoying the outdoors, baking, and running ( I am training for a half marathon)! I am so excited to be a Dean of Students Ambassador so that I can meet new students and allow them to feel as connected and welcomed at UGA as possible.

Molly Lee

Hi, my name is Molly Lee! I am a third year from Macon, Georgia. I am majoring in Sports Management and obtaining the Sports Media certificate. I have been a Dawg all my life so being at UGA is my dream come true! My favorite tradition at UGA is when the video “Saturday in Athens” plays before kickoff of every football game. I love being involved in Christian campus ministries, multiple intramural sports, and spending time with my friends. I am so excited to be an ambassador again this year and serve alongside Dr. Bill.

Ralph Liu

Heya! My name is Ralph Liu – I’m a third year Biology major and Sociology minor with Pre-med intent. My hometown is the sort-of-quiet Marietta, Georgia – so there’s been a lot to explore in this historic city of Athens! During my time here, I have been involved with organizations such as AMSA, the Anime Club, and Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital. With this coming year, I’ll also be an Honors Teaching Assistant! I really enjoy listening and telling stories with people, and I have been getting deep into cycling the steep hills found around here. You’ll usually find me zipping around campus by bike, but I’m always down to stop and chat! My favorite saying is “Sing loudly, sing boldly – for no one else knows the lyrics but you.” In college, you’re writing your own story, and as a Dean of Students Ambassador, I hope to help students find their community, passions, and goals in that journey!

Nyia Mainor

Hello, My name is Nyia Mainor! I am a fourth-year student at the University of Georgia majoring in Health Promotion with a minor in Health Policy and Management. Outside of the classroom , I love to support various organizations on campus and try new things . A few of my favorite organizations that I have participated in and or have been a member of include: Georgia Daze Minority Recruitment, African Student Union, Black Educational Support Team and Shop with a Bulldog. I am also a student employee at the university as a desk assistant in the East Campus Village. A few fun facts about me would be that I love to dance (I try different styles but special emphasis on tap) , play tennis and spend time with friends and family. I can most definitely say that Home is definitely where the Arch Is! I am beyond thankful for the friends that I have made , the BUGA community , as well as the opportunities this illustrious university has given me so far ! It has been a pleasure lighting up Stanford, tailgating, discovering Athens , as well as making new memories every chance that I get. I cannot wait to begin my journey with the Dean of Students program so that the University of Georgia feels like home to all students!

Elizabeth Moshiri

Hi! My name is Elizabeth Moshiri and I am a second year intended Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in Math and Science. I am a staff member for The Backpack Project, Inc. and serve on the executive board for Shop With A Bulldawg. I am also involved with The Backpack Project of Athens, UGA IMPACT, and Persian Student Union. I love volunteering around Athens, cooking, and math! My favorite UGA traditions are lighting up Sanford at the beginning of the 4th quarter and ringing the chapel bell. It is so exciting to have the opportunity to connect other students with all the resources and events the Office of Dean of Students has to offer!

Nusrath Naurin

Hi everyone! I’m Nusrath and I am very excited to be a part of the Dean of Students Ambassador family this year. I’m originally from Bangladesh but have lived up in Norcross, GA my entire life. I’m currently studying International Affairs and Political Science with a minor and Spanish. I love reading, photography, and going on long walks. I have really enjoyed my time here at UGA so far, and have a strong passion for helping fellow students navigate college and supporting the Athens community.

Fatime Niane

Hi everyone!! My name is Fatime Niane and I am super excited to serve as an ODOS Ambassador for this school year. I am a current sophomore here at UGA where I am double-majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice. I also have a minor in Law, Jurisprudence, and the State. I am involved with several different organizations on campus. Some of which are SGA, RHA, Dean William Tate Honor Society, Georgia Daze, and SPIA Ambassadors. I love to make an impact on campus in any way that I can, especially by making others feel warm and wanted. I only hope to increase that impact through my time as an ODOS Ambassador! I thoroughly enjoyed much of the programming from ODOS as a freshman and hope to add on and be a resource to the student body!

William Redding

I am a third-year student from Cordele, GA majoring in Linguistics and International Affairs while obtaining a Music Business Certificate. In addition to the Dean of Student Ambassador Program, I am involved in Georgia Daze Minority Recruitment, Black Affairs Council, and UGA’s Diva Dawgs Step Team. What most excites me about being an ambassador is being able to connect and serve other students to the best of my ability. Fun facts about me are that In my free time you can always find me making or singing music, Huskies are my favorite type of Dawg, I was actually born in Virginia, and Chinese food is my favorite type of food! If you see me on campus say hey!

Farzeen Salewala

Hi! My name is Farzeen Salewala and I am a second-year majoring in Finance and Real Estate, minoring in Studio Art, and pursuing an Entrepreneurship Certificate. I am an RA at OHouse and am involved in many organizations such as Society of Entrepreneurship and Women in Finance. In my free time, I enjoy running, baking, and attending campus events. I am so excited to be a Dean of Students Ambassador and can’t wait to meet new students.

Drehanna Smith

Hey everybody! I am a Springfield, Massachusetts native, but raised as an Atlanta, Georgia peach. I graduated high school from KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. I am currently majoring in Communication Studies here at the University of Georgia. I am involved in a lot of organizations on campus such as the Diva Dawgs, Caribbean Student Association, leadership @ UGA Society of Entrepreneurs, and Georgia Daze Minority Recruitment. I did all of this while juggling two jobs on campus so feel free to reach out for work-life balance advice. My favorite quote is “I am not telling you it’s going to be easy. I am telling you it’s going to be worth it.” which has taught me that it takes hard work and perseverance to achieve all my goals. In my free time, I like to dance with CaribSa’s Vibez dancers, workout at Ramsey, watch movies at Tate, listen to music, and cheer on the Dawgs at basketball games.

Sophia Steed

Hi friends! I am a second-year Public Relations major, minoring in videography. Even though I’ve added “y’all” to my vocab, I am actually from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I’ve quickly fallen in love with the spirit of Athens and the DAWGS in my past year. I am involved in Student Alumni Council on campus and as an intern for Watkinsville First Baptist Church. I will also be working in media for the Dean of Students this year. In my free time, I’m a huge fan of windows-down sunset drives on Whitehall Road, fangirling over Frozen 2, and anything involving ice cream. My favorite part about UGA is the home and family that it has gifted me. I’m excited to finally see a football game, and kick off a year full of laughter and smiling faces.

Cassie Turner

Hello everyone, I am a first-generation, fourth-year Marketing student at UGA. When I transferred last year, the Dean of Students Ambassadors enhanced my transition experience and I’m excited to be help create a positive experience for others. I am also a Mentor Program Ambassador as well as the recruitment chair and alum representative for my sorority, Xi Delta. In my free time, I love to read, spend time with friends, and watch UGA sports. Around Athens, I like to study at Sips and go to Bruster’s for dessert. My favorite UGA tradition is the “Calling of the Dawgs” before football games. My advice to new students is to get involved on campus early so that you can experience all that UGA has to offer.

Suvitha Viswanathan

Hi, I’m Suvitha Viswanathan! I was born in India, but I’m also a long-time Athens native, going on 18 years. In addition to being a Dean of Students Ambassador, I am a teaching assistant with the Honors Program and a CURO undergraduate researcher. This coming year, I’m also grateful for the opportunities to serve as co-president for PERIOD at UGA and as a Public Service and Outreach (PSO) Scholar. Off campus, you can find me at the Athens Farmers Market with my family’s small bakery business or as a volunteer at Mercy Health Center. I’m super passionate about writing and music. A few fun facts about me: I was born on St. Patrick’s Day, both of my parents went to UGA for graduate school, and I absolutely adore hiking and exploring new trails! To my fellow Dawgs: there are unlimited resources and opportunities (on and off campus) and I’m beyond excited to share my experience and empower my peers as we connect on campus.

Josh Weingrad

I was born and raised in Clarksville, Maryland which is a small town about 40 minutes from Baltimore. I am a huge sports fan. I spend my Saturdays in the fall watching the Dawgs and my Sundays watching the Ravens. My house was close to the mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, and the beach, so in my free time I try to be outdoors. I play Club Lacrosse for the University of Georgia and love to travel around and see different schools. I am very interested in computer science and law and want to study these two fields as I continue at the University. I love all types of music, but my favorite genre is country. My obscure piece of advice to freshman would be to attend as many away games as possible because it’s a great way to see new places and nothing beats watching the Dawgs come away with a win in enemy territory.