Summer Staff

Summer 2024 Residence Hall Director

Kelsey Bowers -

Graduate Assistant/Summer Hall Director

Hey y'all!! My name is Kelsey (she/her) and I'm one of the Summer Hall Directors for the Pre-College Program. I'm currently working on my masters degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs here at UConn and hold a graduate assistantship in the Pre-College Summer Office. I'm so excited to be co-supervising the amazing team of residential staff members we hired for this summer and seeing all of you wonderful program participants around the residence hall during PCS! In my spare time, you can find me hanging out with my cat and friends, listening to podcasts, visiting new places, and binging reality tv shows (ask me for recommendations!). I can't wait for another fantastic summer! 

COBY CASSELLS

Coby Cassells  -

Summer Hall Director

Hi everyone! My name is Coby Cassells and I will be one of the Summer Hall Directors at PCS! I recently graduated with a degree in history and am currently enrolled in the Neag School of Education for secondary history/social studies. Some fun facts about me are that I have lived in Storrs my whole life, this is my third year with the program (the other 2 years I spent working in the residence halls!), and that I love to play/watch soccer. I am very excited for this summer and to get to know all of you- if you ever need to talk sports, history, or anything in between- come find me!

Abby P

Abigail Piotrowicz -

Program Assistant

 

Yami Lopez

Yami Lopez-Ramos  -

Graduate Assistant

Hi everyone! My name is Yami (she/her) and I'm a graduate assistant for Pre-College Summer joining this summer! My hometown is Hartford, CT so shout-out to my city. After completing my undergraduate degree at UConn, I decided to continue my education in efforts to reach students like me and make a difference where it counts. I'm passionate about access to higher education and supporting students with their goals and desires 🙂 On my free time, I enjoy spending time with my puppy, Bean, taking her for walks and being outside while the weather is nice. Looking forward to an amazing summer with PCS!

catherine contreras

Catherine Contreras -

Student Administrative Assistant

 

Residential Counselor for Student Wellness
luis gonzalez

Luis Gonzalez

Hi everyone! My name is Luis Gonzalez and I just graduated with my Masters of Social Work, and I will be your Residential Counselor for Welfare for PCS this summer! I am from Hartford, CT and some fun facts about me is that I got my first tattoo in Hawai'i, I love to play volleyball and I love to try new foods. Also, I love to prioritize mental health so I look forward to working with everyone!

Daysha Hicks

Daysha Hicks

Heyy! My name is Daysha Hicks (she/ her) but you can call me De! I am excited to be apart of the PCS team. I am a Uconn Alumni with a Masters in Educational Psychology. I also just graduated from CCSU with my Advanced Official Certificate in Professional Counseling. In my free time I enjoy dancing, going to concerts and being by the water. Fun fact I have my motorcycle license. I look forward to working with each of you! 🙂

Hall Coordinators
Kimoya Bowman

Kimoya Bowman

Hello Hello! My name is Kimoya Bowman and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a recent graduate of this University but currently a graduate student at the University of Rhode Island obtaining my Master’s in College Student Personnel. I am also a Graduate Hall Director, who enjoys student-facing interactions and I can’t wait to enjoy our summer together! As a true Capricorn, when I’m not working, I’m spending time with friends and family, enjoying a laugh, singing to music and binge-watching anything REALITY! I’m super excited to get to know you all this summer!!

Kimoya Bowman

Jaelie Jackson

Hi folks! My name is Jaelie Jackson (she/her) and I will be one of the Hall Coordinators joining the PCS team this upcoming summer! I received my masters of arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs, focused on supporting students from marginalized backgrounds. I will be pursuing my PhD this upcoming Fall but until then, I am excited for a fun Summer! Outside of my professional work, I am a cat mom of one, love to crochet my loved ones gifts, and enjoy the sun!

Lucas Knight

Lucas Knight-Vezina

Hi! My name is Lucas Knight (he/him) and I am excited to join the Pre-College Summer team! I am a two-time graduate of UConn and now currently am a high school English teacher in Connecticut. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending my time outdoors. I am a big runner, climber, and my newest project is getting into triathlons. I am looking forward to meeting you all and can’t wait to spend our summer at UConn!

Jennifer Wu

Jennifer Wu

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer Wu (she/her/hers), and I am from Cheshire, CT. I am so excited to join PCS once again this summer and spend the last couple of months at UConn before moving to Ithaca, NY. I just received my Bachelor's degree in Finance with a minor in Management, and I will be pursuing my Master's degree in Hospitality Management at Cornell University this fall. In my free time, I enjoy trying out new recipes, playing ping pong, and getting boba with my friends. A fun fact about me is that I can wiggle my ears without touching them.

Summer Residential Assistants
Maxwell Arnold

Maxwell Arnold

Hello everyone! My name is Max Arnold (he/him) and I am excited to meet you all! I am a rising junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences majoring in actuarial science and minoring in anthropology. I enjoy meeting new people, listening to music, watching movies, and playing video games. I also enjoy swimming and playing water polo. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Alexander Brown

Alexander Brown

What up! My name is Alex Brown (he/him), and I am an upcoming sophomore Accounting major at UConn. I have a strong passion for rap music, fishing, and watching hockey. A fun fact about me is that I have seen Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage live. Can’t wait to meet y’all this summer!

Misa Chiu

Misa Chiu

Hello everyone! I'm Misa Chiu, a 19-year-old from Beijing, China. I'm thrilled to join you as the new pre-college summer RA. I have a deep passion for promoting health and well-being, so I am pursuing a major in exercise science. In my free time, I love immersing myself in music, whether listening to my favorite tunes or playing the piano. Music is a great way to unwind and express myself. I'm genuinely excited to be here, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to connect with every one of you!

 

Claire Hadley

Claire Hadley

Hey everyone! My name is Claire Hadley (she/her), and I’m a Chemical Engineering major. I’m a rising sophomore from Glastonbury, CT. I love music and dance - I’m a member of the UConn Chamber Singers and a piccolo player in the Marching Band, and I’m involved in several dance groups on campus. I also enjoy crocheting and making crafty things. I’m looking forward to having so much fun with you all this summer!

Rahma Ibet

Rahma Ibet

Hi! My name is Rahma Ibet and I am a first year at Uconn in the College of Engineering hoping to study Material Sciences and Engineering. In my free time, I love hanging out with friends and watching crime shows of any kind. The last few summers, I have been working as a camp counselor in my town, so I can’t wait to be working as an RA for PCS !!
Alaina Karp

Alaina Karp

Hi everyone! My name is Alaina Karp (She/Her) and I am super excited to join the PCS Team this summer! I am double majoring in Political Science and History. Some things I am involved with include being a Teaching Assistant for the FYE program at UConn, being on the UConn Gymnastics team, and being Communications Chair for First-Gen Society! I love hanging out with my friends, thrifting with my twin sister, discovering new songs and chilling with my dogs. My current favorite food (it changes a lot!) would have to be sushi! A fun fact about me is that I studied abroad in Costa Rica for three weeks while I lived with a host family!

 

Mehki Awuah

Mekhi Awuah

Heyy everyone! My name is Mekhi Awuah, or Khi (he/him), and I am so excited to be back at Pre-College Summer. I formerly attended UConn as a PNB major. Now, I am a rising junior at Long Island University studying Health Science and Clinical Psychology. I enjoy photography, exploring the outdoors, and fashion! A fun fact about me is that I used to be in a school choir in elementary school! I look forward to meeting you all!

 

Amitojeroop Kaur

Amitojeroop Kaur

Hey everyone! My name is Ami and I am looking forward to working with PCS this summer! I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in biology, and aspire to attend PA school in the future. I am from Southington, CT, and I enjoy reading novels (anything my Elin Hilderbrand recently!) and playing tennis.

Damonique Marsh

Damonique Maragh

Hi everyone! My name is Damonique Maragh (she/her/hers) and I am a rising sophomore majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology major on the pre-medical track. I was born and raised in St. Catherine Jamaica until moving CT and in my free time I enjoy binge watching tv shows, singing or spending time with my family and friends. I am so excited to meet you all.

 

jordan wabahati

Jordan Wabahati

My name is Jordan, I am a Philosophy Major here at the University Of Connecticut, and I am excited to meet everyone.

Nehe'Miah Moye

Nehe'Miah Moye

Hi! My name is Nehe'Miah (she/her), I'm from New Haven, CT, and I'm a sophomore majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences at the Hartford campus! I'm new to the PCS program, and I'm super excited to be part of the team! I'm a huge nature lover, so I enjoy a lot of hiking! I also love painting, listening to music (a lot of Drake and Kendrick recently), and watching old reality TV shows and Disney movies (television was at its prime in the 90's and early 2000's)!! I'm beyond excited to meet amazing new people and make new memories this summer!

 

Jieun Park

Jieun Park

Hello, I am Jieun Park (She/Her). I am a rising Junior with PNB (Physiology and Neurobiology) major. In my free time, I used to listen to music or cook. I am from Korea and would like to share Korean culture with other people. I am looking forward to meeting you soon!

 

Suzonna Shackford

Suzonna Shackford

Hey! I’m Suzonna (Suz) and my pronouns are she/they! I’m a rising sophomore double majoring in psychological sciences and human developmental family studies, as well as minoring in neuroscience. When i’m not in class or doing work i love to hang out with my friends, watch sports games (go huskies!), play video games, or reading! I am super excited to work with PCS this summer as i’m excited to meet new people and spend more time on this lovely campus. Fun fact about me is that I love tennis!

 

Akshitha Viswanathan

Akshitha Viswanathan

Hi 🙂 My name is Akshi Viswanathan (she/her/hers) and I am a rising senior pursuing a dual degree in music and marketing! In my free time, I love to sing & play piano. I sing recreationally in my a cappella group Drop The Bass, but I also perform at gigs every once in a while (I opened for UCONNIC this past April). A fun fact about me is that I release music under the stage name 'Tara Sunne!' I am so excited to meet everyone this summer!

 

Silas Haley

Silas Haley

Hi everyone! My name is Silas, my pronouns are he/him, and I am a rising Junior here at UConn. My majors are psychology and philosophy, and I have minors in mathematics and political science. In my free time, you'll find me reading a book, going on an adventure, or meeting new people. I love spending time outdoors, whether it is relaxing on a beach or doing an overnight hike. I am so excited to get to know each and every one of you, and I can't wait to create memories with you all!

 

Louis Dortenzio Jr

Louis Dortenzio

Hi, my name is louis Dortenzio jr, but everyone calls me Lou! I am a rising grad student majoring in secondary education: social studies. I am from a super small town called Easton in southwestern CT. I am so excited to begin my first year at PCS, and can’t wait to meet new people and make this summer an amazing experience for everyone involved! I love to hang out with friends in my free time, play sports like basketball or football, and spikeball on really nice days. I love getting to meet new people and am ready for a fantastic summer here!

 

Christopher Yan

Christopher Yan

Hi everyone, my name is Christopher Yan. I am a rising junior studying exercise science with plans to be a physical therapist in the future. I enjoy playing basketball in my free time, working out and listening to music. I can’t wait to meet you all and have a blast this summer.

 

Jesse Zuo

Jesse Zuo

Hi, my name is Jesse. I am a rising sophomore majoring in Analytic Information Management. In my free time I love to draw, watch Youtube videos, and hangout with my friends.

 

Italia Anaya

Italia Anaya

Hi! My name is Italia Anaya (She/They)! I am an English major with a Literary Translation and Writing double minor. I am looking forward to working with PCS this summer! I am originally from the smallest town ever in west TX. I love to hike and generally just be outside. I love picnics, and sitting out by mirror lake to read. My favorite genres are fantasy and sci-fi, but I read everything so please send me any and all recs! Also, if you ever need help figuring out where anything is on campus I'm the person to ask! I cannot wait to make memories this summer!