Hibba Ahmed

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Criminology

Minors: Strategic Communications

Hometown: Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Fun Fact: I was born in Pakistan and lived there until I was six years old.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: As a first-generation immigrant student from Pakistan, my parents inspire me to #bethesolution. Their sacrifice, and hard work push me to pursue a higher education, and turn their dreams and my dreams into reality. My father and mother both have contributed to my ability to go to school, and gain college experience. Shoutout to my mom and dad, always. I am also motivated by the amazing and dedicating communities of Muslims and Pakistanis in Utah, and back home in Pakistan.

Callie Avondet

Class of 2024

Majors: Sociology and History

Minors: Political Science

Hometown: Highland, UT

Fun Fact: I speak Haitian Creole fluently.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"-Nelson Mandela Historically and today, students have been a powerful force for societal change. From March for our Lives to the Greensboro Sit-Ins to the 1968 LA Walkouts, students show that they are powerful and active members of society as students. But most schools are not supporting students the way they should, especially students of color. These student activists and more, and gaping educational inequalities inspire me to #bethesolution

Celine Cardeña

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Sociology, Certificate in Community Engaged Learning

Hometown: Logan, Utah

Fun Fact: I love a variety of music genres ranging from heavy metal to opera and much more!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: Someone who inspires me to #bethesolution is my grandma, she taught me how to be able to educate people within my community to know their strengths. I want to be able to help build people to love themselves, and be involved.

Kara Esplin

Class of 2024

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Geography | International Studies, focus in Human Rights | Peace and Conflict Studies, emphasis in Global Perspectives

Minors: Portuguese and Brazilian Studies 

Hometown: North Ogden, Utah

Fun Fact: I have a pet fish named Fishtopher!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I work as a victim advocate, which grants me the privilege of witnessing the remarkable depths of strength and power that exist within each of us. The resilience and determination of the survivors I serve constantly inspire me, and their courage motivates me to fight for a safer and more equitable world for all individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities. Witnessing the transformative power of healing reinforces my resolve to #bethesolution.

Melody Liu

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Health, Society, and Policy & Pre-Nursing 

Minors: Medical Humanities 

Certificate: Health Communication

Hometown: Bay Area, California

Fun Fact: My superpower is sleeping. I can sleep at my desk, in my closet, on any kinds of transportation, during concerts, etc. And I sometimes turn on auto-reply and can potentially have a conversation when someone tries to talk to me while I am falling asleep.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I am inspired to #bethesolution in healthcare because of the education I got in college, where I learned about the social determinants of health in life, the flaws in our profitable disease care system, and the inequity that takes place in terms of quality, accessibility, and affordability. I believe that justice in healthcare is possible through many small steps which will eventually benefit the self-sacrificing providers and vulnerable patients who both deserve better, and will result in a healthier community, reducing the disparities. And I am inspired to #bethesolution in healthcare not only in a systemic sense but also on a personal level. I learned about how America is unique and beautiful in the way that there is intersectionality in identity and different perspectives on health and provider roles as well. I want to be a compassionate, open-minded health provider, equipped with cultural humility skills when I give service to others and communicate with others, so that I am able to provide better, more holistic, personalized care for diverse patient populations, increasing their experience satisfaction and health outcome.

 

Adamaris Martinez

Class of 2024

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Health, Society & Policy and Sociology

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Fun Fact: In my free time, I rescue baby squirrels.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I am inspired to #bethesolution as I am passionate about the need to bring quality healthcare to our local communities who have little or no access to it. I want to show other young women that they do have the ability to follow their passion and converted determinations by actively becoming involved and understanding the power behind their voice.

Matthew McFarland

 

Class of 2024

Pronouns: he/him/his

Majors: Major in psychology major

Minors: Criminology

Hometown: Layton, UT

Fun Fact: I’ve lived in 3 countries.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: To build a better community for students and help them achieve their goals.

Maggie Mitchell

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Environmental Studies and Sustainability emphasis Food systems and community 

Minors: Spanish

Hometown: New York, New York

Fun Fact: I care for over 20 different species of plant and enjoy learning about foraging and gardening in my spare time.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: Community is an integral part of a sustainable future and working with their support has always been something that inspires me. As much as 'saving the planet' is a component of environmentalism, we are part of the tenants that live here and so we have to acknowledge and care for each other in order to move forward in saving the home we share. Tight knit groups are the groundwork for this and offer so much more than just surviving on our planet but also living vibrantly with each other.

Alex Turner

Class of 2024

Majors:Economics and Environmental & Sustainability Studies with an emphasis in Conservation & Land Management

Minors: Urban Ecology

Hometown: El Segundo, California

Fun Fact: I work with the Edible Campus Gardens where my favorite thing to grow (and eat) are tomatoes!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?:Resilient communities are made through collaboration and contributions from a diverse set of perspectives. I believe the formulation of comprehensive solutions requires input from as many backgrounds as possible, and am inspired by the potential of a new generation of leaders who prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and creativity that will support a more compassionate and comfortable world for all.