The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy has selected a group of undergraduate students to serve on its inaugural Student Advisory Board.
To give Vanderbilt students a voice and to develop more appealing programming, the Unity Project has enlisted the input of these undergraduates. Board members will advance the Unity Project’s mission of enhancing Americans’ capacity for civic engagement by contributing their ideas and expertise to the project’s research and programming while participating in opportunities that engage with the project’s co-chairs and speakers.
Chosen through a competitive application process and representing a wide variety of academic disciplines, the Student Advisory Board reflects the diversity of opinion and experience inherent in Vanderbilt’s undergraduate population.
The Student Advisory Board will also advance the new Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative, supporting civil discourse and evidence-based conversations across campus.
Meet the Student Advisory Board:
Andrew Kyung is a junior from Demarest, New Jersey, studying political science and American studies. At Vanderbilt, Andrew serves as a research assistant at the Department of Political Science, is an undergraduate fellow at the Robert Penn Warren Center and is deeply involved in several student organizations. As a part of the Student Advisory Board, he aspires to cultivate a better understanding of what Vanderbilt students are seeking from constructive political discourse. His goal is to provide a platform for accomplished professionals from across the country who can address the undergraduate student body’s burning questions.
Evan Quesada (he/they) is a junior at Vanderbilt University studying law, history and society, and gender and sexuality studies with a minor in political science. Quesada grew up in Milford, Connecticut. At Vanderbilt, Quesada is the advocacy chair of the Philippines Intercultural Student Association, a member of the Health and Wellness Committee in Vanderbilt Student Government and a member of the Asian American Student Association. Quesada is excited to be a member of the Student Advisory Board and work alongside fellow students, faculty and staff on the Unity Project.
Ilana Drake is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in public policy studies and English. She is an activist and writer from New York City. She served as a United Nations Association of the United States of America Global Goals Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 4, Education, during the 2022–23 year and is a UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities. Ilana has advocated for numerous issues, including educational equity, inclusion and gender rights. Ilana’s writing on policy-related issues has been published internationally, and she has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Teen Vogue. Ilana was a part of the Clinton Global Initiative University 2023 cohort, where she worked on youth activism and education. In addition to serving on the Unity Project’s Student Advisory Board, Ilana is a Unity Lab trainer. Ilana is an alumna of Seeds of Peace and has participated in international and domestic dialogue. Ilana also serves as a YR Media National Youth Advisor.
Disha Nambiar is a sophomore from Sacramento, California. She is majoring in economics and public policy studies, with a minor in data science. At Vanderbilt, Disha is a member of Vanderbilt Student Government, Rem and Company, WRVU and Double Major A Cappella. In her free time, Disha enjoys watching soccer and 2000s romcoms. She is excited to serve on the Student Advisory Board and conduct research related to current events.
Ochuwa Garuba (she/her) is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University double majoring in public policy studies and law, history and society with a minor in data science. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she is passionate about making a difference in her hometown and communities across the United States and abroad. At Vanderbilt, Ochuwa serves as the attorney general of Vanderbilt Student Government, works as a research assistant at the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, co-chairs the Community Engagement and Advocacy Committee in Vandy Votes and participates as a member of Women in Government’s Public Service Committee. She has also interned at Triumph Strategies and Leading Change–Africa and has served as an election clerk in her hometown. In her free time, Ochuwa enjoys listening to music, exploring Nashville and playing Sudoku. Ochuwa is excited to be a member of the Student Advisory Board and looks forward to planning events and conducting research with the Unity Project.
Nick Geoghegan is a junior at Vanderbilt University studying Political Science and American Studies. Nick is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and he is now interning with the governor of Tennessee, participating in the Unity Lab and serving as a member of the University Appellate Review Board. Nick enjoys golfing, working out and daily walks to Starbucks. He is excited to be a part of the Student Advisory Board and is thrilled to conduct research and help design fun and inclusive events with the Unity Project.
Clementine Kay Shao (she/her) is a senior at Vanderbilt University studying creative writing with a minor in medicine, health and society. Clementine is an Annexstad Scholar and a previous Peabody Honors Scholar, and her campus involvements have ranged from intramural basketball, Strike and Theta, to AKPsi and Philosophy Club. While her career has mainly transpired at a financial technology start-up, she hopes to become an artist-in-residence at a creative writing fellowship program. Most of her time is spent on walks with friends, discussing new literature, research and product ideas.
Ainsley Gill is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in political science and law, history and society with a minor in gender and sexuality studies. She is a captain of the Vanderbilt Debate Team and a member of Women in Government, Tour Guides, the Vanderbilt Political Review and Undergraduate Honor Council, and she enjoys dancing with Vanderbilt Ballet Theatre. In her free time, she loves watching baseball, going to concerts and trying new restaurants around Nashville. Ainsley is excited to be a part of the Unity Project and foster productive dialogue on campus.
Farouk Ramzan is from San Antonio and is majoring in psychology and economics in the College of Arts and Science. In his free time, he fishes, does film photography, writes novels, screenplays and shoots skeet. He is interested in a vast era of topics ranging from statistical theory to architecture to Russian literature.
Scout Halligan (she/her) is a second-year Chancellor’s Scholar studying political science, economics and data science at Vanderbilt University. She works as a residential adviser and is involved with Amnesty International and the Vanderbilt Prison Project. Scout is passionate about democracy and human rights, and she plans to pursue a career in law. In her free time, Scout enjoys crosswords, music and walks. A Nashville native, Scout is honored to be a part of the Student Advisory Board and looks forward to contributing to events and conducting research with the Unity Project.
Isabel Serraty (she/her) is a freshman at Vanderbilt University majoring in law, history and society. Isabel is originally from Brooklyn, New York. She is a participant of the Association of Latin American Students, and she enjoys playing volleyball, astrology and watching movies. Isabel is excited to be part of the Student Advisory Board and can’t wait to establish a sense of community and open discussion among students through the Unity Project.
Nelly Zerbib (she/her) is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in economics with minors in data science and cinema and media arts. She is currently in Paris, France, but has lived primarily in the United States. She is involved in Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations and Chabad General Board and is an Interfaith Scholar. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, discussing foreign affairs and karaoke. Nelly is thrilled to serve on the Student Advisory Board and looks forward to advancing the Unity Project’s mission.
Ayden Leibert is a freshman at Vanderbilt University studying economics and political science. Ayden is originally from Atlanta. He is interested in political strategy and finance, and he enjoys playing golf and traveling. Ayden is thrilled to be part of the Student Advisory Board and is excited to program events and conduct research with the Unity Project.