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Meet the Team
Meet the people who make The Uplift Fellowship possible!
Fundraising and Grant Coordinator
Gloria Ruiz is a third-year at Columbia University majoring in political science with a concentration in educational studies. She is a proud first-generation/low-income(FLI) student and is interested in expanding access to higher education for FLI students and immigrant youth as a future educator. She is excited to join the Uplift community because she believes that quality education and mentorship is a right for all regardless of economic or immigration status.
Fundraising & Grant Director
Irene Lee is a sophomore in the Columbia University - Juilliard School exchange program majoring in economics and political science. Her peer mentors most shaped her experience growing up, and she joined the Uplift Fellowship as a way of being able to continue forming those special friendships with people in her community and also to be that mentor that can change someone's life. In her free time she works as an editor for the Kitchen Table Quarterly literary magazine; her hobbies include cooking and traveling.
Events Coordinator
Amanda R. Chapa is a current sophomore at Columbia University, hailing from Sullivan City, TX. She is currently double majoring in Sociology and Ethnicity and Race Studies. At The Uplift Fellowship, Amanda serves as one of the program's Even Coordinators.
Events Coordinator
Nakai Moore is a sophomore at HBCU North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. He is a first generation college student, with intentions to go to law school for international law. He has a goal to work within the United Nations.
Research Director
Andrea Victoria Bedoni is a senior at Florida International University, majoring in Biological Sciences and Molecular Biology and preparing to begin her Masters in Science in Biotechnology at Northeastern University this upcoming fall. Looking forward to becoming a key player in the Genetics Technology industry, Andrea extends her passion for innovative solutions and scientific research in finding ideal opportunities for underrepresented students seeking higher education.
Research Director
Jose Gonzalez is a sophomore at Columbia University majoring in Ethnicity and Race Studies with a Special Concentration in Public Health. As someone who up in a predominately Hispanic and immigrant community, Jose is dedicated to uplifting and representing marginalized and undocumented individual. Therefore, through Uplift I hope to be able to reach those from marginalized communities and give them the resources they need to pursue their higher education.
Mentorship Director
Orchy Chanda is an undergraduate junior at Columbia University, majoring in Psychology and Human Behavior. As the Mentorship Director for the Uplift Fellowship, she is passionate about guiding mentees throughout their college journey, ensuring they have the support and direction needed to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Mentorship Director
Areli Sanchez is a junior at Columbia University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Sociology. As a Latina and a proud first-generation, low-income college student (FGLI), she is deeply committed to empowering young children from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM. Through her involvement with SHPE and RoboGals, Areli has actively engaged with diverse communities and organized outreach initiatives. As part of Uplift, she is excited to support underrepresented students in their pursuit of higher education, drawing on her own experiences and understanding of FGLI students' challenges.
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