Aaishanni Agny is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Prior to this, Aaishanni worked in high-risk and low-income populations, premier private schools, nonprofit organizations, and rural communities in her home country, India. Here, she was exposed to the struggles – both systemic and individual – that people face every day. Her academic interests lie at the nexus of education, mental health, trauma healing, and identity. She is keen to find evidence-based solutions to build compassionate communities while engaging in work that directly promotes social justice, more inclusive pedagogy, and emotional resilience. Aaishanni is passionate about exploring ways to live sustainably, weaving kindness into daily life, and talking about the complex and continuous process of self-love and care.
Ana S. Aponte González is a junior at Syracuse University studying Communications and Rhetorical Studies, and Women and Gender Studies, with a minor in Public Communications. Ana has been involved in the Puerto Rican Student Association and La Casita Cultural Center as a means of promoting Puerto Rican, Latin American, and Caribbean culture on campus and in the surrounding Syracuse community. This involvement led her to be involved in this research project under the Lender Center for Social Justice, and with the support of The SOURCE office for undergraduate research at SU and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
Roselynne Hodges is a third-year design student from Boston, MA. She is majoring in Environmental and Interior Design and minoring in Architecture. Her interests include sustainable design and volunteering in her community. She has always had a passion for connecting with her local community and surrounding environment. At Syracuse, Rose was fascinated by the large refugee population. She was curious to learn more about this community and how to help them. Working with the Lender Center for Social Justice has opened her eyes to the many different struggles that refugees and other underrepresented communities in Syracuse face every day.
Iona Volynets is a junior from Washington, DC majoring in History and International Relations with a Museum Studies minor. They are passionate about the intersection between culture, arts, heritage, and public service. They are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to put this interest into practice by focusing on culturally competent food and health programs for the women of the Northside. In addition to their role as a Lender Center fellow, they are an intern at the Shaw Center for Public and Community Service, where they help promote connections between students and nonprofits in the Syracuse community.