CLA's Student Ambassadors

2023-24 Ambassadors

Tanvi Abraham (she/her)

Hometown: Chaska, Minnesota

Major(s): Philosophy
Minor(s): English, Political Science

If you have studied abroad/away ...
1. What type of coursework or experience was it?
2. Where did you do it? (city/state/country)
3. What did you do that was most beneficial to you? (at least two or three sentences)

My coursework when I studied abroad in Spain was mostly all over the place but focused on Liberal Arts as only one class related to my minor of Poltical Science. I went to Barcelona for my study abroad and the most beneficial thing I did was really immerse myself by going to different places within Barcelona.

Elizabeth Longo (she/her)

Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Major(s): Strategic Communications
Minor(s): UX Design, Interdisciplinary Design and Museum & Curatorial Studies

What would be your opening sentence to welcome a new student to CLA if you met them face-to-face?
I would ask them why they choose the U and how I can help them in their experience as a CLA student.

Aishik Das (he/him)

Hometown: Kolkata, India

Major(s): Economics and Psychology
Minor(s): Mathematics

As a CLA student, what are you most proud of CLA for?
The options and flexibility I have. I am also proud of being a part of a big campus community.

Inga Capistrant-Kinney (she/her)

Hometown: Minnetrista, Minnesota

Major(s): Theatre Arts & American Studies
Minor(s): N/A

Who is your favorite professor in CLA and why?
My favorite professor is Dr. Jennifer Pierce, in the Sociology and American Studies departments. She values the voices of her students and is always updating her lecture material to apply to current-day events!

Valerie Nguyen (she/her)

Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota

Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Creative writing, Neuroscience

As a CLA student, what are you most proud of CLA for?

The research opportunities. the ability to branch out my interests, and the people. Meeting people from different backgrounds and other ways of thinking helps me be a creative thinker.

Clara Jünemann (she/her)

Hometown: Hamburg, Germany

Major(s): Psychology BS, Pre-Med Path
Minor(s): Art and Fashion Studies

As a CLA student, what are you most proud of CLA for?
I’m proud to be in CLA and to be able to receive a holistic educational experience during my time here. I think CLA has always been very open to letting students explore their career interests and encourages us to find what we are interested in. At first I was a little uncertain about having two minors that don’t specifically relate to my career interests, but the support of my advisors helped me to recognize the advantages that this has as well!

Morgan Moldenhauer (she/her)

Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin

Major(s): Human Physiology
Minor(s): Health Psychology

What should students from places like your hometown know about the Twin Cities?
The Twin Cities may seem like such a big school, and while it is in size and student count, the community within the university makes it feel so much smaller.

Joslyn Blass (she/her)

Hometown: Singapore

Major(s): Political Science & Strategic Communications
Minor(s): N/A

If you have done an internship ...
1. What was the company/organization?
2. Where was it? (city/state/country)
3. What did you do that was most beneficial to you?

Government Relations internship with Invariant in Washington, D.C. During this internship, I was able to learn the ins and outs of the Congressional process at the Federal level. I also met with many key players in the political sphere in DC. I worked on Congressional markups and hearing summaries, engaged with clients, and conducted research on policy

Griffin Mckinney (he/him)

Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Major(s): History
Minor(s): Geography

If you have studied abroad/away ...
1. What type of coursework or experience was it?
2. Where did you do it? (city/state/country)
3. What did you do that was most beneficial to you?

I studied in Barcelona, Spain. While there I studied history courses at a Barcelona college, and took business courses at the host university. I'd say the most beneficial thing was the opportunity to travel. School was great, but seeing life elsewhere was much more enriching

Brandon Balma (he/him)

Hometown: Lonsdale, Minnesota/Ft. Myers, Florida

Major(s): Political Science
Minor(s): Public Health

As a CLA student, what are you most proud of CLA for?
I'm most proud of CLA for harboring an inclusive and diverse setting for its students to take advantage of. These settings promote excellence and community building, which I have found so useful as a young professional.

Kaia Brands (she/her)

Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota

Major(s): Political Science & History
Minor(s): Media and Information (Communications)

What is your favorite CLA Core Competency and why?
Although they are all important in their own right, my favorite Core Competency is Analytical and Critical Thinking. Though focused towards career readiness, analytical and critical thoughtfulness is a beneficial skill in every facet of life. No matter what field or specialty you choose to work in, you need to be able to have these skills to mitigate and avoid issues, as well as it becoming an increasingly important skill tested in job interviews today.

Goldy Gopher peering out from behind column

Emily Chan (she/her)

Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota

Major(s): Developmental Psychology, Asian Studies
Minor(s): N/A

If you have had a research experience ...
1. What type of research was it?
2. Where did you do it? (organization, location)
3. What did you do that was most beneficial to you?

Undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Ferguson's Culture Family and Life Lab at UMN Institute of Child Development for Project UNITE. The most beneficial part of this experience has been being able to take part in a hands on research experience. I also find that I have a better understanding of my course work as a whole because this research experience has showed me how empirical data translates into real world situations.

Shania Mendoza-Smith (she/they)

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Major(s): Linguistics
Minor(s): Chinese (Language Certificate)

What should students from places like your hometown know about the Twin Cities?
It’s very busy in the best kind of ways! It takes some time getting used to the rush of the city, but once you do it’s hard to forget a time where you didn’t.

Minah Elsawy (she/her)

Hometown: Giza, Egypt / St. Paul, Minnesota

Major(s): Statistical science
Minor(s): N/A

What is your favorite CLA Core Competency and why?
My favorite CLA core Competency is Engage in diversity. I grew up with a diverse culture so that was incredibly important for me to experience as an adult.