Student Alumni Ambassadors

Ebubechi Abonyi

Class Year: Second Year (Sophomore)
Hometown: Moses Lake, Washington
Major: Architecture
What do you love most about the University of Washington? One of the aspects that I love most about the University of Washington is its remarkable ability to offer a plethora of opportunities that cater to a wide array of interests. The university’s expansive and diverse nature creates an environment where virtually every student can find something truly engaging and enriching. With its extensive range of academic programs, extracurricular activities and vibrant campus life, the University of Washington stands as a beacon of learning that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures the individual passions and aspirations of its students.
What is your dream job? My dream job is to become a Commercial Architect.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? I think that it is important for students to connect with alums and the UWAA because there are a lot of resources that students can gain by doing so. I also think that this is a great way of fostering community and expanding your connections.
In my free time, I like to:  I find immense joy and fulfillment in the realm of creativity. I dabble in different creative avenues such as painting, drawing and embroidery, and right now my current obsession is sewing. This recent obsession has opened up a whole new avenue of creativity for me, inviting me to experiment with different stitching techniques, explore diverse materials and bring to life garments that reflect my personal style.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I went to a boarding school in Nigeria when I was in middle school.

Monse Diaz

Class Year: Second Year (Sophomore)
Hometown: Prosser, WA
Major: Nursing
What do you love most about the University of Washington? The thing I love most about the University of Washington is the scenery and all the places there are to study!
What is your dream job? My dream job is to become a trauma nurse, then eventually become and EMT/Firefighter.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? I think it’s important to connect with alums so that they continue to know what it is that is going on at the University of Washington. As well as continue to connect with current students as well.
In my free time, I like to: Crochet, go to the gym and hang out with friends.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I speak three different languages: English, Spanish, and French.

Makayla Hsu

Class Year: Third Year (Junior)
Hometown: Marysville, WA
Major (and minor): MCD Biology (Bioethics)
What do you love most about the University of Washington? The community and opportunities! Although I’ve been in Washington for quite some time now, I have made so many new friends after entering the UW, and being a part of different Registered Student Organizations and activities has created a really great community for me. There are also tons of different opportunities here, academic and extracurricular, so I always find myself learning something new and improving.
What is your dream job? I want to become a physician! I think it really encompasses my academic interests as well as my desire to pursue a career where I get to meet and form meaningful connections.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? Everyone goes into college with a different background. Some students already have a specific goal and plan while others are still exploring their options, but both groups could benefit greatly through connecting with alumni. Students have a chance to gain internships and jobs in their desired fields or explore career options and hear about previous experiences at the UW that could guide their own. Connecting with the UWAA is such a great idea for every student regardless of their plans.
In my free time, I like to: Look for new cafes and restaurants! I have a huge sweet tooth so I love dragging my friends out to try new desserts and drinks with me. I also really enjoy reading or playing games at home.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I used to make Instagram story filters; my most popular filter reached over 1.7 million views!

Anya Kasturi

Class Year: Fourth Year (Senior)
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Major: Biochemistry
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love the student life at the UW! It is amazing to see so many people who have different pathways and opinions on campus. I also love that there is always a place for someone at the university!
What is your dream job? Helping people! I really want to pursue a career in medicine.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? I think it is an important connection so students can be more prepared for their future!
In my free time, I like to: I love hiking and visiting National Parks. An ideal day would be to visit new National Parks and hike all day long. The air in the hiking trails is always so crisp and fresh.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I have the biggest crush on Jason Momoa and found out only a year ago that we have the EXACT same birthday! 🙂

Gianna Lampert

Class Year: Second Year (Sophomore)
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Major (and minor): Business Administration (Certification of International Studies in Business)
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love how there is something for everyone at the UW, whether it is RSOs, sports or Greek life. Everyone can find a group of people that share common interests; if that group does not already exist, they can make it themselves. (All you need is five members to create an RSO!)
What is your dream job? To found and be the CEO of my own company.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? Alumni can be vital to a student’s academic and post-academic careers because they have experienced everything students are currently going through. Alumni can advise students going down a similar path as them and help students discover opportunities they didn’t even know existed.
In my free time, I like to: Explore Seattle! I love visiting touristy spots like Pike Place and Gas Works Park with my friends. I can’t wait to explore more this year and hopefully go on hikes and check out some of the Washington islands!
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I love traveling! I have traveled to 10 countries and can’t wait to visit many more.

Katherine Li

Class Year: Fourth Year (Senior)
Hometown: Morgantown, WV
Major: Finance
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds! Currently working as a resident advisor, I get to talk to many people who have different pathways and am glad to know that there is always a place for someone at the university. I also love seeing the wildlife around campus!
What is your dream job? Financial Analyst
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? The UWAA provides programs that would allow students to connect to alumni who were once in their shoes. It will help students get a clear understanding of the range of real-world setting applications for their degrees and career interests as well as creating meaningful connections that would last a lifetime.
In my free time, I like to: I enjoy doing a lot of physical activities such as working out, playing basketball, and hiking. I also enjoy spending time with my friends.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I love roller coasters and I want to try bungee jumping once.

Trevor Marquis

Class Year: Third Year (Junior)
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Major (and minor): General Biology (Business)
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love that the UW is such a large university and there are so many people and organizations to get involved with. Connecting with others about professional and personal interests has been a highlight of my time here. It’s elevated my academics by giving me access to study groups and lots of extra resources. It also means there are always new opportunities to pursue so you can continue bettering yourself in and out of the classroom.
What is your dream job? I would love to work as a physician and then transition into a more global health policy-centered role later in life.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? Connecting with alumni is a key component to success before and after graduating. Alumni can help mentor you with the experience they had in school and offer strategies to excel. All students come in with a fresh perspective and it can be extremely helpful to have someone guide you both in academics and extracurricular activities. Once you’ve created that connection, it can then lead to many opportunities after graduation like internships, jobs, or higher education.
In my free time, I like to: Stay active outdoors. I love hiking, spikeball, skiing and volleyball. I also love to read and I’ve recently been listening to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I love hiking and the longest I’ve hiked in one day was 23 miles!

Nicole Nobbay

Class Year: Fourth Year (Senior)
Hometown: Des Moines, WA
Major: Informatics Human-Computer Interaction
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love the commitment that the UW has to building community within the students, staff and alumni of the UW through events, opportunities and resources shared. The beauty of campus can be found anywhere!
What is your dream job? Traveling UX Designer!
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? The UWAA can connect students with a variety of opportunities, resources and programs that can support students in their learning through college and beyond. This connection can help strengthen and build students’ experiences with career development, networking, personal growth and so much more!
In my free time, I like to: Work on my Bullet journal, paint, make collages, try out new baking recipes, play volleyball, rewatch my favorite tv shows, find new boba places and crochet cute clothes!
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I went to the One Direction concert when 5 Seconds of Summer opened for them 🙂

Jade Wells

Class Year: Second Year (Sophomore)
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Major (and minor): Earth and Space Science (Marine Biology)
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love both the community and the location here at the UW! Moving to Washington from Arizona was a tough adjustment, but everyone on campus was super welcoming and friendly!
What is your dream job? My dream job is to be an astrobiology researcher at NASA. I have always loved exploratory sciences! I also have a passion for teaching young children about science and hope to make a lasting positive impact on NASA’s community outreach programs in the future.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? I believe that networking, especially in college, is very important. Not only can current students gain the opportunity to land internships with UW alumni, but we can also all learn from their past experiences and gain new insight into our prospective careers. The UWAA also offers many opportunities to engage with the UW community as a whole; whether that be clubs, volunteering opportunities, or just getting the chance to meet new people!
In my free time, I like to: I really enjoy traveling, hiking and exploring downtown Seattle!
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I have my scuba diving certification and have been diving in Hawaii and California!

Noah Yamashita

Class Year: Fourth Year (Senior)
Hometown: Sammamish, WA
Major: Finance
What do you love most about the University of Washington? I love how the school has so many clubs, sports and opportunities for students to be as involved as they want. Even though the UW is such a large school, there are so many spaces and niche groups for students to find community. Not to mention an awesome Husky Stadium right on Montlake.
What is your dream job? Helping others with a focus in finance.
Why do you think it’s important for students to connect with alums/the UWAA? The UWAA provides events for both students and alumni to stay connected. Students can gain great exposure to future careers they are interested in and have access to valuable networking opportunities.
In my free time, I like to: Hit the slopes, win intramural championships and work with the Husky Football Team.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I went skydiving last summer and would go again.

Responsibilities:

• Encourage today’s students to see themselves as future alumni and valuable lifelong members of the UW community
• Promote UW Alumni Association student programs, such as Huskies@Work, Husky Socials and UW Husky Landing, at campus events and via social media
• Host alumni, prospective students, university officials and students at UWAA and Seattle-area events
• Ensure the success of UWAA events through participating in day-of event coordination
  Provide insight and feedback on student interests and trends

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop campus/community relation skills essential to fostering positive relationships with UW/UWAA community constituents (students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents & friends)
• Improve marketing & promotion techniques as part of the goal to connect the UW student population with UWAA’s student programs/membership
• Learn effective event management practices (set-up/tear-down, greeting/hosting, tabling)
• Gain an in-depth understanding of the University of Washington Alumni Association from both a student and alumni perspective
• Meet, interact, and network with the University of Washington Alumni community of over 500,000

Considerations:

• Will be expected to work at least 20 hours/quarter
• Must intend to work three consecutive quarters during the first year of employment
• Must be able to attend ambassador training and monthly meetings
• Expected to represent the UWAA, its mission, values, and programs in a positive manner
• A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required to operate the UWAA van
• Ability to lift 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally for event setup/tear down