Graduate School Access Fund

Ta’Von Amir ’25

Major: Metaphysical Arts
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Music 

Transdisciplinary social-practice artist and award-winning author, Ta’Von is a force of healing change. A first-generation student endowed as a Point Scholar and an Office of Undergraduate Studies Scholar, Ta’Von is completing a baccalaureate in a self-initiated field of inquiry: metaphysical arts. Ta’Von utilizes sound, installation art, and visceral performance as sites for individual, collective, and intergenerational healing and access points where the physical, political, and spiritual meet. With GSAF’s support, Ta’Von looks forward to enrolling in a graduate program that can be used as a stage or arena whereupon healing is clarified, digested, and strum.

Jose Arriaza ’25

Major: Geography
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Media Studies

Jose is interested in sound design, education, and grassroots organizing. Throughout his time at Colgate, he has worked on building a STEM-based curriculum with Professor Harpp and Professor Gardner through the Virtual Galápagos project and a sound design project funded by the Benton Scholars program. In this endeavor, he created soundscapes inspired by the sounds and music he encountered during his study abroad experience in London in the fall of 2023. His passion for grassroots organizing stems from being born and raised in Miami and working with several organizations in the nonprofit sector to advocate for the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline and equitable education. At Colgate, Jose has served as a curatorial assistant at the Longyear Museum of Anthropology, an arts and humanities intern, and a student leader in multiple organizations, including the Latin American Students Organization, Queer Trans People of Color, and as a publicity director for WRCU 90.1 FM. Jose intends to pursue a master's degree in media studies to further his passion for innovation and the arts.

Leila Bekaert ’25

Major: Film and Media Studies 
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Film Post-Production and Archival Studies

Leila’s shared passion for film and museum studies has led her to pursue their unique intersection, majoring and minoring in both disciplines. In the fall of her junior year, she participated in the NYC Film and Media Study Group with the Gotham Film Institute, leading to the opportunity to attend the 77th Cannes Film Festival this past summer. Along with exploring the current film industry, she has volunteered as a collections intern at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester to explore media archives. At Colgate, she has worked as a projectionist at Golden Auditorium, a teaching assistant for film and media classes, and at the Digital Learning Media Center. She hopes to continue pursuing her shared passion for film at a graduate school for film archives and preservation or in post-production film. 

Brianna Botello ’25

Major: Spanish and Africana and Latin American Studies
Hometown: Houston, TX
Intended graduate academic discipline: Spanish and Portuguese Literature

Brianna is a first-generation Office of Undergraduate Studies Scholar passionate about pursuing doctoral studies to break traditional approaches to studies of gender violence and masculinity in contemporary Latin American literature. This summer, Brianna worked as a research assistant in Colgate's political science department, where she conducted research alongside Professor Ibarra del Cueto on the reconfiguration of Mexico’s political party system after the 2024 electoral period.

Currently, she is working alongside Professor Osvaldo Sandoval-León compiling research on the gendered and racialized violence of Afro-Uruguayan communities during the Uruguayan dictatorship. At Colgate, Brianna serves as president of Sigma Delta Pi, language ambassador for the W. M. Keck Center for Language Studies, program assistant for the Africana and Latin American Studies Program, and Spanish coordinator for the World Languages Program through the Upstate Institute. Additionally, she serves on the National Board of Student Advisors for the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Having spent several years of her childhood living in Mexico, Brianna re-entered the U.S. education system, navigating a new culture and environment shaped by anti-immigrant sentiment. These personal experiences have deeply influenced her perspective, driving her to consider her role in academia and inspiring her to become a guiding light for future generations of scholars within her community. Brianna hopes to secure a professorship after her doctoral studies.  

Ana Luisa Furiati ’25

Major: Psychological Science and Philosophy Double-Major
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Entertainment Law, Music Business

For Ana Luisa, music is more than an art form, it is an energy that shapes human connection. Raised in Venezuela and trained at the Conservatory of Music Vicente Emilio Sojo, she developed a profound fascination with music’s ability to synchronize people — a question that drives her psychological science honors thesis. At Colgate, she explores this topic as music director at WRCU, vice president of the Spanish Language Debate Society, and an outdoor educator, constantly drawn to environments where intellect, creativity, and leadership converge. Her interest in the evolving music industry led her to roles as a social media marketing intern and an international law intern, where she gained firsthand experience in digital strategy and legal research. Preparing for law school, Ana Luisa intends to make an impact in the intersection of law, music, and innovation. She is committed to shaping the future of music publishing, ensuring the industry's evolution alongside technology and the preservation of music as a creative force and a legal asset.

Anthony Garcia ’25

Major: Sociology and Educational Studies
Hometown: East Los Angeles, Calif.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Social Policy and Justice (Master’s of Public Policy)

Anthony is a first-generation QuestBridge scholar dedicated to advancing educational attainment and mobility within immigrant communities. As a scholar-activist, Anthony draws on the legacy of Chicano resilience from his East Los Angeles roots, merging his academic positionality with grassroots activism. At Colgate, Anthony builds upon these commitments through leadership roles in the Brothers’ and Men of Color Success Network, QuestBridge Scholars Network, and First@Colgate. His passion for public policy grew after a prestigious legal internship at Kivu Immigration Law, where he shifted from legal practice to policy reform as a pathway toward social justice. Moving forward, Anthony intends to pursue graduate studies in Public Policy, focusing on Immigration, Education, and Social Justice Policy. As a Grad School Access Fellow, Anthony also hopes to inspire perseverance for other minority scholars.  

Boyana He ’25

Major: Environmental Studies and Economics
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Intended graduate academic discipline: Environmental Management and Policy

Boyana is an international student from Shanghai, China. She’s passionate about sustainability and public policy and focuses on institutional environmental initiatives. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in this field of study, such as a master's in Environmental Management or Environmental Policy. At Colgate University, she pursued a double major in Environmental Studies and Economics. She is working on two independent research projects on environmental policy analysis through quantitative and qualitative research methods. She also developed skills in climate action planning and data-driven environmental management through her three years of working experience at the Office of Sustainability. She aspires to become a sustainability director in higher education and advance environmental stewardship and equity.

Ahmed Ayub Khan ’25

Major: Biology and Computer Science
Hometown: Jauharabad, Pakistan
Intended graduate academic discipline: Computational Biology

Ayub is an international student from Pakistan, with an interest in problem-solving and mental health that has led him to major in biology and computer science, and to investigate biological problems through computational techniques in his research. Consequently, he plans to pursue a PhD in computational biology in the U.S. Over the summer of 2024, Ayub worked at Colgate in Professor Ahmet Ay’s systems biology lab to extend his thesis on microRNA biomarkers of dementia and write a comprehensive manuscript. He is now in the process of making it his third published paper in the field in early 2025. Ayub wishes to unravel the genetic basis of psychiatric and neurological disorders during his research career, and one day help develop more effective therapeutic interventions for these conditions. He also has a long-term goal of teaching in a university setting.

Emma Lewis ’25

Major: Biology
Hometown: Vestal, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Biological Oceanography

Emma’s passion for the environment and for learning and sharing knowledge has led her to study oceanography. She is particularly drawn to this discipline for its vast implications for climate change. She developed this appreciation for marine systems in her semester abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, and coursework at Colgate. She is currently working on an interdisciplinary thesis within the biology, geology, and physics departments to investigate and assess the impacts of climate change on the diversity, biomineralization, and genetic population structure of mollusk shells from around the globe. She intends to pursue a PhD in oceanography and conduct research on coral reef restoration or marine phytoplankton dynamics. Along with her academic pursuits, Emma is a dedicated student leader in Colgate’s Outdoor Education program and enjoys playing basketball and crocheting in her free time.

Maggie Manzella ’25

Major: Art History
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Architecture

Maggie’s passion for drawing has led her to pursue a path in architecture. Through her experiences at Colgate as the president of the Student Activities and Tri Delta, she hopes to continue her work on cultivating inclusive spaces throughout her studies. Community housing is her intended research topic during graduate studies. To prepare for graduate school, Maggie completed an Introduction to Architecture Studio course through Columbia University this past summer. The intense program on top of her full-time position as a pharmacy technician provided insight into the typical studio environment in a graduate program. Maggie intends to pursue a master’s in architecture and is prepared to enter a program in the fall of 2025.

Bryan (Tai) Pham ’25

Major: Asian Studies: China and Mandarin
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Intended graduate academic discipline: Asian Studies

Tai is a first-generation college student who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at the age of seven. He is active in speaking and debate clubs at Colgate University and serves as president of the Model United Nations, participates in the Colgate Model Arab League and the European Simulation, and has won awards at various conferences. Tai has represented Colgate as a delegate in numerous cities and countries, showcasing his leadership in these roles. He is deeply involved in cultural organizations, holding prominent positions in clubs such as Colgate Vietnamese Society. Since his freshman year, Tai has been a language ambassador at the Keck Center for Language Study and a Chinese tutor. His involvement extends to working as an editorial assistant for the East Asian Studies monthly newsletter. Additionally, he is set to become an intern at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. 

Tai has received various State Department scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship, Rangel and Pickering Fellowship alternate, which funded his study abroad in Taiwan. During his time abroad, he interned with the nonprofit organization, IPower, and collaborated with NGOs across Taiwan to promote experimental education models. Tai is returning to Taiwan for the final semester of his senior year through the Boren Scholarship. He aspires to become a foreign service officer after graduation, focusing on U.S. policies in East Asia, particularly the evolving national identity of Taiwan. He hopes to serve as an ambassador or diplomat in Asia, representing the United States.

Lily Spinner ’25

Major: Biology 
Minor: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Law

Lily is passionate about the law and has a special interest in women’s rights and reproductive rights, and is planning to attend law school after graduation. She aims to use her legal education to challenge discriminatory policies and amplify the voices of those whose rights have been marginalized or disregarded. At Colgate, Lily takes an active role in leadership, heading a mentorship program for fifth-grade girls and serving as a civic engagement intern for the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. Last summer, she interned at her local district attorney’s office and the Ronald McDonald House. These vast experiences allow her to pursue her passion for helping others and enacting positive change in her community.

Aleksia Taci ’25

Major: Art History, Chinese
Hometown: Tirana, Albania
Intended graduate academic discipline: Fashion and Costume History

Aleksia is interested in pursuing a master’s in fashion and costume history. Her experience researching Renaissance Venetian fashion at the Cleveland Museum of Art as the fashion curatorial intern in 2024, affirmed her passion for studying dress and dressing practices. At Colgate, Aleksia has had the opportunity to help curate two textile exhibitions that explore historical and contemporary weaving practices. Her senior thesis is the first academic inquiry into contemporary fashion designer Robert Wun’s collections and will be presented at the Costume Society of America’s 51st Annual National Symposium. Aleksia hopes to study his work in more depth during her graduate studies.

Anzi Wang ’25

Major: Philosophy, Computer Science
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Intended graduate academic discipline: Computational Psycholinguistics

Anzi aims to pursue a PhD in computational psycholinguistics. Currently, she is interested in how people’s beliefs are reflected in day-to-day linguistic behavior, especially beliefs people are not conscious of. Her research uses misalignments between model predictions and empirical data to study how humans and language models process sentences, and she hopes to further explore this area through graduate studies. Her thesis is one of the two student projects funded by the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Scholar program this academic year. Anzi is also passionate about political philosophy and films.

Oscar Brown ’26

Major: History
Hometown: Cumberland, ME
Intended graduate academic discipline: LGBTQ+ History 

Oscar’s passion for historical research, public history, and social activism continually influences his work exploring underrepresented stories in LGBTQ+ history. In the summer of 2024, he was the recipient of the Walter Broughton ’63 Fellowship for undergraduate research supporting his project “Campus Places and Queer Spaces: Gay and Lesbian Visibility at Colgate University, 1965–1985.” He has since presented this research at three conferences, including the American Historical Association’s 2025 annual meeting in Manhattan.

He adores working in museums and has felt fulfilled in several different roles with University Museums at Colgate since his arrival as a transfer student in the fall of 2023. Most recently, he co-curated the Longyear Museum of Anthropology’s exhibition “Unraveled: Labor and Meaning Behind the Weaving.”

Oscar is also an active student leader on campus, working with the Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, and with Lambda, the Student Government Association, Trans* Advocacy Group, and the Colgate Historical Society. 

Bailey Cooper ’26

Major: Spanish Literature
Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Linguistics 

Bailey is passionate about linguistics, which stems from her personal experience with language learning as a transracial adoptee from China. Having navigated multilingual environments from an early age — speaking Mandarin, English, and Spanish, as well as studying Latin and Greek — she is deeply interested in how sociocultural factors shape language acquisition, maintenance, and erasure.

At Colgate, she works as a research assistant at the Center for Language and Brain alongside Professor Spencer Kelly and Professor Yukari Hirata, exploring the intersection of hand gestures and East Asian languages. She is currently conducting independent research on the sociocultural factors impacting bilingualism and second-language acquisition. Bailey hopes to pursue a PhD in linguistics, specializing in phonetics and phonology, with the goal of advancing language revitalization and accessibility for linguistically marginalized communities.

Brennan Donnelly ’26

Major: Biochemistry, Neuroscience
Hometown: Middleton, Mass.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Medicine

Brennan is passionate about pursuing a career in medicine and will be pursuing an MD program after graduation. Through experiences with her own family members, Brennan has seen firsthand the impact that a great medical provider can have on patients and their families, and she aims to offer this sense of hope and comfort. This past summer, Brennan conducted medical research at Massachusetts General Hospital and has gained incredible patient-centric experience through her work with Colgate Sports Medicine. She is interested in a variety of medical specialties, including neurology and oncology. She is excited to explore more areas of medicine throughout medical school and is passionate about helping patients and their families.

Ashley Espinal Nuñez ’26

Major: Educational Studies, Africana and Latin American Studies
Hometown: Poinciana, Fla. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Education

Ashley is a Dominican migrant whose passion for education has evolved into a deep commitment to understanding the experiences of children of immigrants. Growing up in a family that made significant sacrifices, she has always been drawn to questions of identity, belonging, and the weight of expectations. With the support of the Graduate School Access Fund, she hopes to further her academic and creative work, ensuring that the voices of immigrant families are heard and valued in conversations about education and identity.

Throughout her time at Colgate, she has been deeply involved with First@Colgate, both as a program assistant and as a member. This experience has connected her with many first-generation students who, like her, navigate the duality of being immigrants while adjusting to life at Colgate. Additionally, she has served as a community leader, working to foster spaces where students from diverse backgrounds feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Nayda Farnsworth ’26

Major: Computer Science, Mathematics
Hometown: Middletown, Conn. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Mathematics (combinatorics and graph theory)

Nayda, a Wei Ren Endowed Scholar, is keen on logical puzzles and problem-solving. This interest led her to double major in mathematics and computer science. With extensive research experience in both fields, she plans to pursue a PhD in mathematics, focusing on combinatorics and graph theory.

During the summer of 2023, Nayda joined Professor Gabriel Sosa Castillo’s lab, where she studied monomial orderings and earned a nomination for the 2025 Goldwater Scholarship. The following summer, she participated in the Computing for an Equitable Energy Transition Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at UMass Amherst, exploring distributed machine learning techniques. This past fall, Nayda took part in Colgate’s Combinatorial Problem Solving Extended Study to Japan, researching spectral graph theory and presenting in Tokyo and Osaka. Currently, she is extending her work with Professor Castillo in commutative algebra and graph theory, while also investigating combinatorial optimization techniques alongside Professor David Perkins. This summer, she will conduct research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, before applying for doctoral programs in the fall.

Outside her academic pursuits, Nayda is the coxswain for Colgate’s Division I Men’s Rowing team and has been recognized as an Empacher-Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete. She is also actively involved in teaching and volunteering at Colgate, maintaining a long-term goal of teaching at the university level.

Jaquelin Guevara ’26

Major: Spanish, Sociology
Hometown: Scranton, Pa. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Immigration Law

Jaquelin, the eldest of five and a first-generation college student, finds strength in her parents’ sacrifices after immigrating from Mexico. Their perseverance instilled in her a deep commitment to justice, ignited at 14 when she witnessed her father struggle through the immigration system. Seeing the injustices faced by immigrant communities, she vowed to become a relentless advocate for those silenced and pushed aside.

At Colgate, she is a language ambassador for the Keck Center, a Spanish tutor, and secretary of Sigma Delta Pi, while actively engaging in the Model Arab League and European Simulation. Last summer, she worked as a legal assistant at TMH Law, conducting country condition research, interviewing clients, and translating documents. After Colgate, she hopes to pursue law school to turn her passion into meaningful advocacy.

Ekra Hoque ’26

Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Intended graduate academic discipline: Biochemistry and Women's Health 

Ekra Hoque is a biochemistry major with a minor in women's, gender, and sexuality studies at Colgate University. Her research interests focus on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying women’s health challenges, particularly in areas such as hormonal regulation, metabolic disorders, and reproductive health. During the summer of 2024, she worked with Professor Anthony Chianese to develop Ruthenium-based catalysts for industrially relevant chemical reactions and investigate their reaction mechanisms. Additionally, during her study abroad at the National University of Singapore, she conducted research on activated carbon-based adsorbents to evaluate their efficiency in purifying microplastics from water. She is deeply passionate about research as a tool for scientific discovery and societal impact and plans to pursue a PhD in biochemistry to contribute to the development of targeted biochemical interventions for health conditions that disproportionately affect women.

Sia Hu ’26

Major: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science
Hometown: Nanjing, China
Intended graduate academic discipline: Applied Mathematics

Sia is an international student passionate about computational engineering, mathematical modeling, and machine learning, with a strong interest in applying these fields to real-world problems. Her research focuses on mathematical biology, ODE/PDE, and dynamical systems, particularly in studying nonlinear dynamics in biological contexts and combinatorial optimization. At Colgate, she has been actively involved in research, exploring models in biological systems and working on combinatorial approaches to problem-solving. Over the summer, she conducted research at Ay's Systems Biology Lab on zebrafish segmentation analysis, utilizing deep learning and mathematical modeling to study developmental patterns. Beyond academics, Sia serves as a teaching assistant, a student leader in multiple campus organizations, and an admissions ambassador. She enjoys solving mathematical puzzles, traveling to explore new cultures, and singing as a dedicated member of the University Chorus.

Rachael Martinez ’26

Major: Psychological Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies
Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Risks, Security, and Politics; emphasis on Education

Through her experiences at Colgate as a Division I volleyball player, scholar, and leader, Rachael has embraced the liberal arts tradition and developed a strong interest in the higher education system. Her coursework has provided her with the opportunity to analyze and research various aspects of education, focusing on its accessibility, the legal framework surrounding higher education institutions, and the challenges currently facing the system. Rachael plans to attend graduate school to explore how political decisions shape policies, funding, and the structure of education. Following that, she intends to pursue law school with a focus on the intersection of law and education, aiming to improve educational equity and effectiveness in America. Rachael attributes her holistic growth to the unwavering support of her teammates, coaches, professors, and other mentors within the Colgate community who have helped shape her both personally and academically.

Zemira Meade ’26

Major: Neuroscience, Africana and Latin American Studies
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Public Health and Addiction

Zemira is the proud daughter of West Indian immigrants. Due to her intersectional identity and growing awareness of racial discrimination in health care, she intentionally double majored in neuroscience and Africana and Latin American studies. After Colgate, she will pursue a master’s in public health, followed by a doctoral degree. Her intended research scope is addiction, placing a well-needed emphasis on racially marginalized groups.

At Colgate, Zemira has actively supported Colgate's people of color community through leadership roles as the creative chair and later president of Sisters of the Roundtable. She has served and is currently serving on the Black Student Union and Caribbean Student Association e-boards, respectively. Outside of cultural organizations, she has volunteered with COVE, contributing to her desire to address the spoken and unspoken challenges many communities face. She has also served as an EEG lab assistant for Professor Bruce Hansen’s visual perception and cognition lab.

Last summer, Zemira interned at New York Presbyterian Hospital, gaining first-hand insight into the many disparities within health care. This summer, she will further navigate her public health interest by interning with the Community Action Partnership under the Upstate Institute. She will analyze community data, using it to help implement programs to best serve low-income families in the Herkimer and Oneida communities. 

Katie Nettles ’26

Major: History, Educational Studies
Hometown: Oswego, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Education

Katie is passionate about pedagogy and education as a transformative space. In her time at Colgate, Katie has explored this passion through academic and professional pursuits. As a pedagogical partner for the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research, Katie was able to think critically about teaching practices in real time, working in collaboration with her faculty partner to improve student experiences. This summer, Katie is working with the nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves through Colgate’s Manzi Fellowship. She feels deeply aligned with their mission of teaching history in a way that is grounded in the present and looks forward to learning from them. Katie believes that there is a great responsibility that comes with being a teacher and plans to pursue an MA in teaching to best prepare for this responsibility. 

Hannah Richards ’26

Major: Economics
Hometown: Berea, Ky. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Law

Hannah is passionate about the law and has a special interest in the accessibility of financial services for the deaf community. She plans to attend law school upon graduation and aims to challenge discriminatory policies in corporate finance law while also exploring different fields of law. Currently, Hannah is interning with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Division of Financial and Administrative Management and is interested in pursuing similar work in the future. At Colgate, Hannah enjoys serving as an industry group manager for the Investment Group, working as a peer speaking consultant in the Writing and Speaking Center, and performing as cheer captain of the Pom Team. These various experiences allow her to continue to develop her communication and leadership skills, which she knows will support her in pursuing the next level of education. 

Ellie Stokes ’26

Major: Art, Art History
Hometown: Waldorf, Md. 
Intended graduate academic discipline: Architecture 

Ellie is an art student with a passion for sustainability and design, which has inspired her to pursue a master’s in architecture. Her interest began with a drafting and design program in high school and continued through her architecture studies at Colgate University and interior design courses during a summer abroad in Milan, Italy. She plans to focus her graduate studies on sustainable residential architecture, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. This summer, she will further prepare for graduate school by taking an introduction to architecture studio course at the University of Maryland. At Colgate, she is a member of the Women's Varsity Soccer team, where she also serves as the team’s career ambassador, as well as an active participant in Raiders of Color Connect.

Riley Taylor ’26

Major: Geology, Natural Sciences
Hometown: Canton, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Hydrology 

Riley is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in hydrology and hydrological processes. At Colgate, she developed a passion for geology through research projects looking at Antarctic sediment and water, and studying Oregon’s Alvord Desert as a Mars analog with Professor Joe Levy. Her love for the outdoors contributes to her love for geosciences and, outside of academics, she is the vice president of Colgate’s Hiking Club. This role has developed her leadership skills while encouraging her to explore her hydrological interests outside of coursework and research. She intends to begin graduate school in the fall of 2026.