Student Profile:

Year: Graduate Student
Major: Doctor of Medicine
High School: Dr. Phillips High School
Hometown, State: Curitiba, Brazil / Orlando, FL

What I love most about Wright State University is its diverse and supportive community, along with the dedicated faculty, which creates an ideal environment for pursuing a medical education. The university's strong focus on community impact and driving positive change in healthcare is truly inspiring.

Student Profile:

Year: Third-year
Major: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
High School: Dhahran Ahliyya Schools
Hometown, Country: Khobar, Saudi Arabia

My love for Wright State stems from its unique ability to foster growth every single day. Whether it's within the university or out in the world, Wright State encourages us to seize opportunities and, better yet, create our own based on our passions. It's this constant reminder to evolve and innovate that truly sets Wright State apart for me.

Biography:

Sukai Ceesay is a second-year MPA student from The Gambia, West Africa, where she completed her undergraduate degree in political science. Before pursuing a master’s degree at Wright State, she worked for three years as a customer service representative and two years as a Health Information Specialist. Sukai is a strong and vocal student advocate who often takes leadership roles. She takes pride in her personal achievements, including continually developing effective communication skills, willingness to engage as a student leader, and being awarded merit scholarships from both her department and college. In her spare time, she enjoys attending various social events and hanging out with friends.

Biography:

Camaia Smith is a second-year master’s student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program from Cincinnati, OH. Camaia currently serves as a Graduate Assistant for Graduate Student Success at the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies. In the past, she has been an advising intern for the College of Science and Mathematics. She received her bachelor's degree in digital media and journalism from Central State University. Along with being a GA, Camaia also serves as an intern for the Office of Residence Life. Upon graduation, she is interested in working in student engagement, disability services, and academic advising. Outside of school, Camaia enjoys watching TV, spending time with family and friends, and regaining strength with walking.

Biography:

Sifat Mahmud holds a master's degree in professional banking from the University of Dhaka (Bangladesh) and a BBA in International Business from AIUB (Bangladesh) and has over 10 years of experience in banking and analytics. He came to Wright State to pursue an MS in Marketing Analytics and Insights, where he has made notable contributions to campus life, including roles as an RSCoB Graduate Academic Researcher, as a Student Safety Advocate for the Police Department, and as a Student Development Officer for the Annual Giving Department. He was also a plenary speaker at Wright State’s Celebration of Research 2023 and was featured on Wright State’s official YouTube channel and in UCIE newsletters. Sifat’s achievements include strategic market research and analysis using unique business models that increased sales at HSBC and Boost Engagement, LLC. Sifat is fluent in English, Bengali, and Hindi, and he enjoys traveling, rock music, and singing.

Biography:

Vamsi Krishna Sai Thota is a master's student in Computer Science at Wright State University, driven by a strong passion for generative AI and machine learning. With a background in Information Technology from his undergraduate studies in India, Vamsi has gained practical experience working as an Application Developer for DBS in India. Currently, he is serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Python Programming course, where he enjoys contributing to student learning. Previously, he worked as an ODE High Dosage Tutor, assisting elementary students in math and vocabulary. Outside of his academic pursuits, Vamsi enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, and exploring new technologies in the AI space. Vamsi is very excited about joining the ambassador’s team and contributing to student success.

Biography:

Mounika Thatikonda is a driven Graduate Research Assistant pursuing her thesis under Dr. Fathi Amsaad's guidance and a dedicated Graduate Teaching Assistant at Wright State University. Her teaching expertise spans both undergraduate (CS 2200 - Discrete Structures and Algorithms) and graduate levels (Distributed Computing CEG 7370 and Information Retrieval CS 7800). Beyond academia, Mounika's creative spirit shines through her love for travel, art, and craft, including painting and mandala arts. She's also an adventure-seeker, always eager to explore new interests. She recently discovered a passion for strength training at the gym, teaching her valuable lessons in discipline and consistency. An avid reader, Mounika enjoys devouring books on various subjects, further fueling her curiosity and growth. As a skilled communicator and empathetic leader, she is eager to serve and support fellow graduate students as a Graduate Ambassador, fostering a sense of community, inclusivity, and excellence.

Biography:

Nancy Johnson has been the administrative assistant at Counseling & Wellness Services since October 2023. Nancy is a retired speech pathologist, not only providing communication support for her students, but also documenting and maintaining student educational plans, evaluation reports and other student data to comply with state and federal guidelines in special education. In her current role here at CWS, she manages the front desk, answers the phone, schedules students for mental health services and processes necessary client paperwork. Nancy is an advocate for mental health services and enjoys her role supporting staff and students. In her spare time, she volunteers for a local cat rescue.

Biography:

Audrey Akers has worked in private practice settings for years, specializing in working with anxiety disorders, depression, relationships and well-being, and women’s issues across the lifespan. She operates from a Person-Centered clinical framework, with an emphasis on integrated feminist theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, including mindfulness and motivational interviewing skills, as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training. Audrey advocates for the counseling profession and is pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. In her free time, Audrey enjoys hiking and traveling with her family.

Biography:

Sara Baker has been a registered nurse for over 10 years, specializing in public health and health promotion since 2020. Her current role includes supporting student, staff, and faculty well-being through education, outreach, and connection. Sara loves collaborating on creative ideas to promote wellness, and she enjoys learning from others’ experiences and expertise. Her door and inbox are always open for students, staff, or faculty with ideas on how we can best support wellness here at Wright State. Away from work, Sara enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and dogs, and is always ready to learn a new craft.