IMJR Mentors

Expected Graduation: May 2027

IMJR: Human-Computer Interaction & Design

The Individualized Major Program has allowed me to navigate my diverse academic and career goals through mentorship, intentional course planning, and the freedom to pursue interdisciplinary interests. ’m excited to support upcoming IMJR students by sharing insights from my own experience, offering guidance through the application process, and helping them feel empowered to take ownership of their educational journeys. My goal is to be a resource and a source of encouragement as they build majors that are as unique as their ambitions.

Expected Graduation: May 2029

IMJR: International Governance and Sustainability Politics

Other Major: Marketing

winnie.s.chen@uconn.edu

Creating my individualized major has allowed me to pursue all of my interests from multiple disciplines and explore a diverse range of my dream careers. It has also opened up doors to many opportunities and experiences at UConn, including unique courses, organizations, and a community of like-minded peers. As an IMJR mentor, I hope to encourage other students that find themselves between multiple disciplines, and support them in building a major that encompasses their passions and aspirations.

Expected Graduation: May 2029

IMJR: Disability and Queer Activism

Other Major: English

iue25001@uconn.edu

The Individualized Major Program was a highly transformational experience. Through the program, I discovered my passions and what goals I wanted to accomplish in my UConn journey and in my post-graduate life. The program also gave me the freedom to do numerous things such as determining what disciplines I want to study and what classes I would like to take. I wanted to become an IMJR mentor because I know creating your own major can be a challenging process. I experienced challenges myself, with my biggest one being finding the appropriate advisors for my major. By being an IMJR mentor, I can help prospective individualized major students find their advisors, create their plans of study, and overcome any other challenges they might face. I also want to give back to the Individualized Major Program by helping future students design their own majors and succeed in their UConn journeys.

Expected Graduation: December 2027

IMJR: Diversity in Sports

iue25001@uconn.edu

I came to UConn as a transfer student, and my major at my previous institution wasn't offered at UConn. Because of this, I decided to take the opportunity to explore creating my own major. Feeling a little lost, I went through a lot of different titles and themes until I created a major that was feasible. I decided to become a mentor to help other prospective IMJR students with niche themes narrow down their proposals.

Expected Graduation: May 2027

IMJR: Nutritional Psychology and Disordered Eating

Other Major: Molecular and Cell Biology

seth.friedeman@uconn.edu

I wanted to become an IMJR Mentor because I want to support others who choose to take a passion, interest, or project and transform it into a unique plan of study. Through creating my Individualized Major Plan of Study, I learned about the multitude of unique and exciting courses that UConn has to offer, many of which I wouldn't be able to take without finding out about the IMJR Program! I want to help others combine their diverse interests, and take their first steps towards one of UConn's most rewarding opportunities!

Expected Graduation: May 2027

IMJR:Healthcare Policy, Law, and Immigration

sanjana.gade@uconn.edu

I want to be an IMJR mentor because I find it extremely empowering and rewarding for students to create their own, personalized academic journey to their unique interests; therefore, I would love to support them in the process. Exploring an IMJR opens up tremendous opportunities to network and seek diverse experiences, reinforcing existing and creating new passions. Ultimately, I hope to give back to the program what it has given me, sharing my resources and advice to ensure students become successful in their educational and professional careers within and beyond the program.

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.

Expected Graduation: May 2028

IMJR: Human Health and Medical Sciences

ack23011@uconn.edu

I am excited to participate in the IMJR Mentor Program because the IMJR has shaped my time at UConn! The IMJR program helped me incorporate many diverse aspects of healthcare into a pre-med major that felt right to me. I love to help other students find their passion in education through the process. As a mentor, I am more than happy to share everything that I learned through the IMJR process and work to help make your experience in the program as beneficial as possible!

Expected Graduation: May 2028

IMJR: Neurological Pathophysiology

anshul.patel@uconn.edu

I'd like to support students who are trying something different and are still figuring out where their interests lie. Having built my own individualized major around my research, I know how valuable it is to shape a course of study around a genuine question rather than a predefined track. I want to help students make sense of their own research and design a major around it, so they can engage with their work more deeply and get more out of it at the undergraduate level.

Expected Graduation: May 2029

IMJR: Crime, Law, and Justice

Other Major: Political Science

zwg24005@uconn.edu

The individualized major program has made it possible for me to become fully educated in my undergraduate experience. The IMJR program allowed me to put every discipline that I am interested in my course work. As a pre-law student, I wanted to become an IMJR mentor because I know many other students are seeking similar individualized majors as I have, and I would love to help them achieve that.

Expected Graduation: May 2028

IMJR: Global Health and Youth Development

Kew23009@uconn.edu

I am so excited to be participating in the IMJR Mentor Program! As an IMJR student who recently completed the application process, I am familiar with the steps and strategies needed to create a strong plan of study and succeed in the program. As a biology tutor and a UNIV 1789 facilitator, I have a deep passion for helping students reach their academic and personal goals. I am thrilled to be adding IMJR Mentor to that list and to support others in shaping a major that truly fits their interests. I look forward to working with prospective IMJR students and helping them bring their unique visions to life.

Expected Graduation: May 2027

IMJR: Justice through Law and the Arts

ada.yeung@uconn.edu

One of the things I value most about the IMJR program is our ability to explore multiple areas of study and create an academic path that reflects those connections. I would love to help students navigate those possibilities and think creatively about how their interests can come together in a meaningful plan of study. As a mentor, I can also help students look for relevant courses, recommend classes based on their interests, and connect them with faculty who may be able to further guide their academic goals. I hope to make the IMJR process feel more approachable while helping students see the many possibilities available to them!

John Asobayire

Ava Bouchard

Winnie Chen

Ashley Cruz

Jaylyn Davis

Erika Echegoyen

Temisan Ekperigin

Seth Friedeman

Sanjana Gade

Aishna Goyal

Kelly Gutsfeld

Natasha Khetan

Ava Kolp

Ryan Krishna

Anshul Patel

Daniella Valerio

Kathleen Whisler

Ada Yeung