IMJR Mentors

Makenzie Cossette

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Law and Society

Other Major: Political Science

makenzie.cossette@uconn.edu

I am excited to be an IMJR mentor because I think it will be so rewarding to be able to guide students who are new to the program who share similar academic interests and goals. I feel like I have learned a lot through the classes I have taken for my individualized major and I will be able to give some helpful advice about what classes to take and how to go about creating your schedule each semester. I am excited to share some of my recommendations for the best law-related courses I have taken across the different departments and help other students to thrive!

Zachary Demanche

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Cybersecurity, Crime and Justice

Minor: Computer Science

Zachary.demanche@uconn.edu

I want to become an IMJR mentor because I deeply enjoy helping the younger generation and believe in the importance of giving back to the UConn community. This mentorship opportunity is particularly meaningful to me because it allows me to support and guide students in areas, I am passionate about, such as the Information Technology and computer science. I am excited to share my knowledge, experiences, and resources to help others navigate their academic and professional journeys while contributing to a community that has shaped my own growth.

Justin Guinta

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Criminal Behavior

Other Majors: Sociology, Psychological Sciences

justin.guinta@uconn.edu

I want to be an IMJR Mentor to be able to provide support and resources to students like myself and demonstrate that there are so many unique opportunities within this program — all it takes is a bit of passion and hard work to achieve them. Having gone through my first three years of my undergraduate experience, I have already walked in the shoes of new mentees and would like to provide the best support possible so that new mentees are not starting completely from scratch. Being a mentor also gives mentees a person to ask questions or give career recommendations, which I view as extremely beneficial

Medha Illindala

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Sociocultural Politics of Medicine

medha.illindala@uconn.edu

I want to be an IMJR mentor to highlight the benefits of doing an individualized major and share that the process does not need to be very complicated! Creating my own major was really fun and I am very happy with the outcome. I'm really excited to receive my diploma with a degree that's unique to me and my interests, and I want to be able to help others do the same and dive into their passions!

Natasha Khetan

Expected Graduation: May 2027

IMJR: Disability Studies

natasha.khetan@uconn.edu

I am so excited to be an IMJR program mentor! When I was in the process of developing my individualized major, I personally faced challenges with the process, such as having difficulty finding advisors and deciding which classes to take. I want to support other aspiring IMJRs as they develop their majors.

The IMJR program has given me the opportunity to delve into topics that I find both important and interesting, and I want to give back to the program by helping other students craft their own unique educational journeys.

Ahmya Mccoy

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Fashion Business Inclusivity Studies

ahmya.mccoy@uconn.edu

I am deeply passionate about serving as an IMJR mentor, where I can inspire and guide others in creating a major that is truly unique and tailored to their interests. As a soon-to-be graduate, I understand firsthand the challenges of navigating through uncertainty when choosing the right major. Having mentors during my own journey not only helped me shape my academic and career path but also supported my personal growth.

Through this program, I found inspiration to study abroad and connect with people from diverse backgrounds, all while enriching my understanding of my chosen field. I am eager to provide hands-on support and make a meaningful impact on someone else’s journey toward building their future.

Annabel Molina

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Crime, Justice, and Youth

annabel.molina@uconn.edu

As an IMJR student myself, I understand that the process itself can seem like a lot, but in the end, I feel so excited that I am leaving UConn with a major unique to me where I got to learn so much more through my classes than I would've have as any other major. Having a mentor would have been very helpful for me when I first learned about the program, so I am looking forward to supporting those going through the application process, making it a fun and not so stressful experience!

Alexsia Newman

Expected Graduation: May 2026

IMJR: Developmental Neuroscience

alexsia.newman@uconn.edu

When I was looking into being an individualized major, I was unsure what it was and how I could achieve my goal. I always wanted to learn about the connection between mind and body but there was no major to help me explore this. I worked to get into the IMJR univ course and my future started to make sense. I want to be able to be a helping hand for each part of the IMJR application process. An extra set of eyes on the essay and plan of study would have been helpful during the time that I applied. I also had no idea how to pick classes or find advisors. As someone who already went through this experience, I believe I can make it a less stressful process!

Lourdes Richards

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Crime, Law and Justice

lourdes.richards@uconn.edu

I chose to be a mentor to provide prospective students with the necessary information and support to create a major that fits all of their interests! As a transfer student who bounced around many different majors, I wish I had known about the IMJR program sooner. The application process can be stressful, though I hope to offer support through the entire process. Lastly, I hope to connect with and mentor more students that have similar interests in criminal justice and the legal system

Isabella Rubin

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Reproduction and Youth Health

isabella.rubin@uconn.edu

I have always known I wanted to be a doctor, but I have never known what pathway to take. When I discovered the option of completing an individualized major, I was so excited to learn how to complete it but at times it was challenging not knowing certain things. I had one friend who was an upperclassman who was also an individualized major who helped me grow and discover my major as whole. Now I want to pass along my knowledge, ideas, and experiences that an individualized major gives!

Sydney Seldon

Expected Graduation: May 2025

IMJR: Sustainable Communities

Other Majors: Environmental Science and Sustainable Community Food Systems

sydney.seldon@uconn.edu

I love chatting with people (in general) and especially with those who care about cultivating communities of care centered around sustaining both people and the planet. As an IMJR Mentor, I hope to encourage and support others with similar disciplines as mine as they are transformed by their coursework, which inevitably leads to transforming their relational networks and the world around them.

Individualized & Interdisciplinary Studies Program

Makenzie Cossette

Zachary Demanche

Justin Guinta

Suheera Haq

Medha Illindala

Natasha Khetan

Ryan Krishna

Kevin Ly

Ahmya Mccoy

Annabel Molina

Alexsia Newman

Mukrim Rahman

Lourdes Richards

Isabella Rubin

Sydney Seldon

Antonia Tzepos