Women's League of Rutgers University

 Established 1932
 

Zoe Byham, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), Class of 2024, major in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behaviors.

Zoe has been involved in service that reflects her dedication to solving the climate crisis. Through her Congressional Internship in summer 2022 in the office of Cory Booker, Zoe worked on environmental, transportation, and infrastructure policy issues while connecting with constituents. This fall (2023), she is interning with the Rutgers Office of Climate Action (OCA), working on a research project about the history of sustainability at Rutgers. In addition,  Zoe serves on the OCA Student Advisory Board, and she was asked to be a student member on the New Brunswick Climate Action Group, one of the four chancellor units for the OCA. This summer she will intern in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Office of the Secretary, working on internal sustainability operations. Zoe also founded the group, Climate Reality RU, and because of her involvement in climate action on campus, Zoe was chosen to represent Rutgers at the White House for the White House forum on campus and community climate solutions. Finally, she serves as a Student Ambassador for SEBS.

 

Karissa Eng, Rutgers Business School, Class of 2024, major in Supply Chain Management.

Karissa plans to pursue a career in the procurement field of supply chain management within the medical industry. Passionate about healthcare as well as environmental conservation, Karissa has interned at three organizations, each one expanding her knowledge about how supply chains work: Barnet Products, Unilever, and Werfen. In her statement, Karissa writes that “it is one of my goals . . . to be part of a company that researches and develops treatments for diseases.” Though she herself does not study medicine, she feels she can still help people by understanding their needs and negotiating with suppliers. She writes, “The act of helping others really resonates with me and is why I want to go into the medical industry.” With all that in mind, Karissa’s work with the Rutgers chapter of the American Cancer Society club is deeply important to her. She serves as the secretary on the leadership board and she is working on developing new ideas for the club, for example, she organized a project by reaching out to local salons and partnering with them to ask clients to donate hair to cancer patients.

 

Andrea Ferreira School of Arts and Sciences, Douglass Residential College. Class of 2025, major in Political Science.

Andrea Ferreira is passionate about the intersections of art, social justice and community building, which have led her to become involved in student leadership and community Service. She currently serves as President of the LGBTQ Governing Council, working to organize community-wide events and planning initiatives to improve students’ experiences and safety on campus, and she represents the Governing Council at monthly Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Council Meetings. In addition, she serves as a Diversity Peer Educator, with the goal of “fostering inclusive and brave conversations.” Andrea also interns at the New York Civil Liberties Union, assisting the NYCLU’s fundraising department with their Artist Engagement Program and their annual Fundraising Sing Out For Freedom concert. She also volunteers with Pittie Party Rescue, caring for cats awaiting adoption; and finally, she’s been serving as a beekeeper’s apprentice on campus under Professor Javier Robles.

 

Kevin Gendi, School of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2024, major in Exercise Science.
Early in his sophomore year, Kevin joined the Applied Metabolism and Physiology Lab to learn more about clinical research. Though he felt at first that he was not prepared for the responsibility, he worked and asked questions, and his confidence grew. Kevin then chose to shadow his local primary care physician, a career he had long considered pursuing. He followed the physicians and nurses closely, observing their interactions with patients and the many procedures. By paying close attention, he began to learn the ins and outs of a doctor’s office, common medications, conditions, and symptoms, along with their terminology. Kevin now volunteers with the Rutgers Culture of Health School Program, through which volunteers teach health lessons about balanced diets and physical education to elementary school students. During the quarantine, Kevin started volunteering as a Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line, to help with the mental health crisis resulting from the lockdowns. He also serves as a church deacon, where he guides younger deacons and helps teach Sunday school lessons. Finally, Kevin serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program.

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Nabeeha Mamun, School of Engineering, Class of 2026, major in Biomedical Engineering.

Nabeeha works with several programs and organizations at Rutgers. Through the Rutgers Society of Women Engineers (SWE), she volunteers at outreach events and runs the Industry Mentorship Program. She also serves as an Ambassador for the School of Engineering, helping admitted and prospective students navigate their interests, and she is the Public Relations Chair of the Rutgers Biomedical Engineering Society. This past summer, she served as a Counselor for the Academy at Rutgers for Girls in Engineering and Technology, mentoring middle and high school students who are interested in engineering. Nabeeha is also a member of Rutgers e-NABLE, a club that makes 3D printed prosthetics for children in need. Through her commitment to mentorship, empowerment, and community engagement, she hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers. Looking ahead, Nabeeha will continue to explore her interest in health care, researching solutions to medical problems in order to improve the lives of patients.

 

Ishva Mehta, School of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2025, major in Economics.

Over the last few years, Ishva has interned with several organizations involved in social impact and public service. One is The Girl Scouts of the USA, where she helped digitize their signature cookie sales program for daughters of American military personnel and diplomats stationed abroad, resulting in a 30% sales increase for the Girl Scouts. Another is iCivics, where she worked as a Project Management Intern, supporting civics educators in the Civics, Service, and Leadership Program. As a non-native English speaker, Ishva’s experience led her to found Write & Co, creating and sharing free digital English-learning toolkits and resources for non-English speakers. On campus, she is involved with Teach for America, tutoring elementary school students. Finally, she volunteers at her local public library part-time to promote this invaluable asset to individuals and families in her community. In the long run, she envisions a career at the nexus of social impact and technology.

 

Erin Quinn, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Class of 2024, major in Plant Biology.

Erin Quinn serves as president of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity on the Cook Campus, a fraternity that focuses on the Rutgers Gardens. Members volunteer almost every weekend, doing general landscaping tasks, such as mulching, weeding, pruning, watering shrubs and plants, completing new plant installments, and working with staff to beautify the gardens. Among her other duties as President, Erin coordinates volunteer work and schedules and the annual New Member Retreat. In addition, Erin has served as a SWAT team volunteer, working year-round to organize the Rutgers MARK Conference, America’s largest and most immersive student-run leadership event. Finally, Erin volunteers for her elementary school’s local soup kitchen by organizing food drives and doing food deliveries to those in need.

 

Abbey Reisler, School of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2024, major in Communication.

Abbey Reisler currently interns at NBC Universal as a Late Night and Specials Publicity Intern. In addition, she serves as President of the Student-Organized Rutgers Against Hunger, or SORAH. Through SORAH she has witnessed firsthand the impact that collective action, including education, outreach, and activism, can have in addressing the pressing issues of hunger in the community. SORAH aims to connect students to local volunteer opportunities at soup kitchens, food banks and pantries, and other anti-food insecurity institutions. They also organize awareness campaigns on the issue of food insecurity within New Brunswick. They have coordinated an on-campus food drive for the Rutgers Food Pantry and they work continuously with Elijah’s Promise Community Kitchen, where they package and donate snack packs. Abbey hopes to use these experiences to build a meaningful career in public relations.

 

Ethan Rust, School of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2024, major in Genetics.

Ethan Rust is completing a major in Genetics with a minor in public health, and is enrolled in the Genetic Counseling Certificate Program.  This Fall, Ethan is applying to graduate programs in Genetic Counseling, with a long-term plan to attend medical school and become a pediatric geneticist. At Rutgers, Ethan works as a Sexual Health Education Student Coordinator with the Rutgers University H.O.P.E. Program (Health Outreach, Promotion, and Education Program). He also serves as a student leader organizing comprehensive sexual health education and HIV test counseling services for students. In this role, Ethan provides confidential testing and counseling services to Rutgers students, referring patients to needed resources. Through a special project, he also implemented outreach strategies resulting in six times the previous number of students tested at pop-up HIV testing clinics. In addition, he serves as President of the College Support Program through the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), working with and coordinating mentorship services for autistic students at Rutgers. Ethan also works as a Resident Assistant (RA) in a Rutgers Residence Hall.

 

Jaime Sarcoma, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 6-yr. PharmD Program, Class of 2026.

Jaime Sarcoma volunteers for the Rutgers Prescription Drug Abuse and Overprescription Awareness (PDAOA) club, a role she considers her most  important. As Vice President, she serves the New Brunswick and Highland Park communities through education, visiting the local high schools and giving classroom presentations to educate students about the opioid epidemic and how to use Narcan to save an individual who has overdosed. They educate Rutgers students, as well, about the opioid epidemic through weekly meetings; and they have donated utensil bundles to the Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick. Meanwhile, as President-Elect of the School of Pharmacy’s Academic Mentoring Program, Jaime helps schedule tutoring sessions, train tutors, and aid students in the school’s pathophysiology course. Jaime also works as a student member of the School of Pharmacy’s Advising Committee, and she is a general member of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA). She also participates in a pediatric research project investigating a post-COVID illness currently affecting adolescents and children, called Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, which lacks definitive diagnostic criteria in the Emergency Department. Jaime and her fellow researchers are working to determine the best criteria for doctors to properly evaluate MIS-C patients for effective treatment.

 

Averielle Van Horne, School of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2024, majoring in Asian Studies.

Averielle Van Horne majors in Asian Studies with a regional focus on Japan and the Japanese language. She minors in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. As a student of Japanese, she served as an ALC (Department of Asian Languages and Cultures) Ambassador, and promoted the ALC Department and Japanese programs through tabling at Rutgers events and speaking to students. This year she provides Japanese tutoring every Tuesday as a part of the Japanese Conversation Club Executive Board. Each week she plans language-learning activities for beginner-level students, including students taking Japanese 101 and 102. Her minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has led to volunteer work related to women’s rights, as well as club involvement with the organization Feminist Liberation of Rutgers. Averielle helped plan and execute several charity events through Fem Lib, such as a jewelry-making fundraiser for The Afiya Center, a black women-run organization focused on reproductive health and justice, and in April, Avrielle helped host a clothing drive for a women's shelter based in South Jersey.