Pegah Arani

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Psychology & Criminology

Minors: Political Science

Hometown: Sandy, Utah

Fun Fact: I visited Australia recently and hung out with some Kangaroos which later ended up chasing me! In addition, I speak the language of Farsi fluently.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: What inspires me to #bethesolution is my passion and goal of helping others in society from the knowledge I have acquired through my studies. It's important to me to help better communities by creating positive & helpful environments, knowing that my studies will one day be able to aid others in this way motivates me to continue to be the solution. Further, the hard work and scarifies my family has made for me in order to receive a college education inspires me as well. Understanding what higher education can create for my family continues to push me and encourage me.

Fall 2024 only

Ashley Carras

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Honors Psychology, Human Development

Hometown: Riverton, UT

Fun Fact: I have been to Disneyland over 100 times!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: My family and my community inspire me to #bethesolution. I know what is like to struggle and I see it in my community. Being apart of the solution is helping others advocate for their needs and be apart of creating change. I believe that having hope that things can be different is incredibly important, and I want to cultivate this among my community and peers. My family has taught me the importance of advocating for others, having grace under pressure, and the importance of following your dreams.

Tiare Couto

Class of 2027

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: ENVST and Political Science

Certificate: Climate change

Hometown: North Shore, Oahu Hawaii

Fun Fact: I fluently speak Portugese!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: Growing up within a community that entailed a melting pot of many cultures, caused me to become a person of versatile perspectives. I find it extremely important to always acknowledge all views, and to make everyone feel welcome where they are. Helping others find their place in their passion inspires me to #bethesolution. I am a huge advocate for environmental justice and believe that there is much room for growth. Seeing what people can do individually and as a team through the several amazing outlets right here at the University of Utah makes me so excited to see what positive environmental impacts we can make!

Fall 2024 only

Siena Crivac

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Health, Society, & Policy and Psychology

Hometown: Draper, Utah

Fun Fact: I have 3 dogs and I love to travel!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I'm inspired to #bethesolution as I am passionate about the healthcare field and would love to help promote equitable change and accessibility for those needing access to healthcare, whether that be through helping with policies or helping create more equitable innovations in the health realm.

Lily Donis

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Health Society & Policy

Minors: Psychology and Sociology

Certificate: Quantitative Analysis

Hometown: Hillsboro, OR

Fun Fact: I'm a beekeeper of Mason Bees!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I am inspired to #bethesolution by seeing what impact can mean. I've had many amazing opportunities to volunteer and intern for an Oregon State Senator back in my hometown, and seeing how I can support others, and as a result help different people and communities grow is something I am extremely grateful for and hope to continue doing well into my future!

 

Hailey Howard

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Anthropology with Cultural Anthropology Emphasis and Political Science

Hometown: Draper, Utah

Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I love a good mango smoothie.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I am inspired to #bethesolution to make my family proud. I am a first-generation college student and love to work hard to make a difference. Additionally, being the solution, to me, is helping my community and developing deeper understandings and bonds interpersonally. To provide help to my community through my majors is extremely inspirational. I am looking forward to giving back to the community through the CSBS Ambassador program!

Liv Inman

 

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Anthropology-Health Emphasis; Health, Society, and Policy

Minors: Political Science

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

Fun Fact: I love the movie Monsters University

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I'm deeply motivated to #bethesolution, drawing inspiration from the resilience of women confronting disparities within the medical community. Whether in the role of a patient, doctor, or administrator, women often find themselves navigating a labyrinth of challenges, where advocacy becomes not a choice, but a necessity multiplied tenfold. In their journeys, these women exemplify strength, determination, and the unwavering commitment to create a more equitable healthcare landscape. I aspire to honor the legacy of the women who came before me by walking in their footsteps and forging ahead, carrying their invaluable contributions forward towards a brighter future within the healthcare system.

Jenny Nguyen

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Psychology

Minors: Sociology, English, Honors Integrated Minor in Health

Hometown: West Jordan, Utah

Fun Fact: I'll purposely let pizza sit out for hours because I think it tastes better cold.

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: My dad inspires me to #bethesolution. Coming from an immigrant background and working tirelessly day in and day out to get me through school, having his support has motivated me to perform to the best of my ability 24/7. His work-ethic and resilience is my biggest inspiration, and I am passionate about modeling that behavior in my own projects. As a CSBS ambassador, I hope to connect with students who come from similar backgrounds in order to dismantle or alleviate any hurdles that may interfere with their ability to receive a proper and fulfilling education. I recognize the sacrifices that my dad has made for me to be here, and I want to be that empathetic shoulder for other students in my similar situation to turn to as well.

Ella McDonald

Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois

Fun Fact: I founded and play on the Women’s Club Basketball team at the U!

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: The pre schoolers at The Sammy Center inspire me to #bethesolution. I am an intern at the Sammy Center which focuses on the belief that every single child is amazing and should be given the opportunity to reach their highest potential. The students at the Sammy Center are the most loving and nurturing people I have ever met, they brighten my day every time I work there. They have inspired me because they help me to understand and learn from their experiences, which have shown me how powerful and important love and empathy is. They have encouraged me to wake up each day with an open mind and realize everyone deals with daily struggles, but the people around us can make those struggles less difficult.

Ella Sjoblom

Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Political Science (Public Policy emphasis) and Economics (Statistical Analysis emphasis)

Hometown: Holladay, UT

Fun Fact: I interned with the US Department of Commerce in Washington DC

What inspires you to #bethesolution?: I get inspired by working with other individuals who advocate for data driven public policy solutions!