Graduate Student Ambassador Program
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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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay. 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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay’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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay.
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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay. 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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay.
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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay.
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 ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay, 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 -
If you serve as a Graduate Student Ambassador, you will receive the following benefits:
- You and your work will be featured on the Office of Graduate Studies website and social media channels.
- You'll receive a free customized Graduate Student Ambassador CSUEB sweatshirt.
- You can provide input to the Graduate Advisory Council, the group made up of the coordinators of all the graduate programs on campus.
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If you are selected as a Graduate Student Ambassador, you will be asked to:
- Attend at least 2 graduate student events each semester (ex. Graduate Student Welcome event, Grad Slam competition, End of year celebration.)
- Help to promote Grad Studies events and programs by posting on your own social media channels.
- Agree to complete a video interview that can be posted on the Grad Studies website.
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To be eligible to serve as a Graduate Student Ambassador, you should:
- Be enrolled in a graduate program (Master's, Doctoral, Credential, or Certificate) at ÍÑ¿ã°É Bay.
- Plan to graduate no sooner than Fall 2025.
- Be available to start serving as Graduate Student Ambassador early in Spring 2025.
If you are interested in serving as a Graduate Student Ambassador, please complete .
We hope to have our ambassadors in place by the beginning of third week of classes.
Thank you for supporting the Office of Graduate Studies and your own graduate programs!