Simon Wang

Hey ya’ll! My name is Simon Wang, and I’m a sophomore serving on First Year Council. I spent my freshman year at Ithaca College before transferring, so this is my first semester here at Pitt where I’m majoring in Economics in Psychology. Outside of SGB, I’m involved with Behavioral Economics Club, Bridge Pittsburgh, and Ping Pong Club and serve as a research assistant with Learning Imaging & Family Experience (LIFE) Lab. I got involved with FYC to represent transfer students in SGB and improve resources for new and existing members of the transfer community. That said, whether or not you transferred to Pitt, I’m here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out – I’d love to connect and hear your story!

Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: he/him
Pitt Email: sbw39@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Major/minor/certificate(s): B.S. Psychology, Economics
Fun fact: Taylor Swift went to my elementary school, and we share 4th and 6th-grade teachers.
On campus, I can be found: At the Pete, Cathy, or Hillman 4th Floor
Favorite class you’re taking at Pitt: Intermediate Macroeconomics
Favorite TV show(s): The Office, Community, The Mandolorian
Favorite movie(s): OG Star Wars trilogy, Goodwill Hunting, Spider-Man No Way Home
Favorite book(s): Current Top 3 are A Children’s Bible, Nudge, Range
Favorite quote: “You have power over your mind, not outside events – realize this and you will find strength” – Marcus Aurelius

Jordan Slagle

Hello!! My name is Jordan Slagle, and I am a Freshman at Pitt. I will be serving on the First Year Council. I am a Political Science and Economics double major. I am from a small town an hour north of here. But my father was in the military, so I moved around. I am still trying to find other clubs on campus that fit my interest, so if anyone has any cool club recommendations, please reach out! My interests outside of academics are sports (especially football), playing video games, and reading. Other than that, if you feel like something at Pitt needs to be addressed, please reach out!

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: He/Him
Email:jss171@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich
Major(s)/minor/certificate: Economics and Political Science
On Campus I Can Be Found: In my dorm studying
Favorite class taken at Pitt: Intro to Global Studies
Favorite TV show(s): West Wing, Pretty Little Liars
Favorite movie(s): Captain America, Captain America The Winter Soldier
Favorite book(s): The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton, The World: A Brief Introduction by Richard Haass
Favorite quote: “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

Grace Shain

Hi everyone! My name is Grace Shain and I am a freshman at Pitt. I am planning on majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track with minors in Chemistry and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. I am an avid reader and in the spare time I do have, I can always be found reading a book. Outside of reading, my other hobbies include watching Criminal Minds and spending time with my cats.

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: They/Them
Email: gms144@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich
Major/minor/certificate: Biological Sciences (minors in Chemistry and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
Fun fact: My cat Bubs joined me in my move to college and is the best roomie
On campus I can be found: Taking Bubs on walks in her backpack
Favorite class taken at Pitt: Seminar in Composition: Gender Studies with Dr. Chalk
Favorite TV show(s): Criminal Minds, 911
Favorite movie(s): Brother Bear
Favorite book(s): Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Favorite quote: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

Jade Shaibani

Hi everyone! My name is Jade Shaibani and I’m a freshman serving on first-year council this year. I’m so excited to work with everyone on SGB and contribute to Pitt’s amazing campus. I’m super passionate about equity within the education system and using our voices as students to serve underrepresented groups within Pitt’s community. My time at Pitt so far has been awesome and I look forward to meeting so many new people.

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: She/Her
Email: Jas857@pitt.edu
School: Computing and Informatics
Major: Computer Science
Fun Fact: My 3 sisters and I all have names that start with J
On campus I can be found: At Posvar trying to find hidden study spots
Favorite class at Pitt: Intro to Programming
Favorite TV show: Avatar the Last Airbender
Favorite movie: Interstellar
Favorite book: The 5 people you meet in heaven
Favorite quote: “Everything is possible. The impossible just takes longer”- Dan Brown

Kavish Saini

Hello! I’m a freshman bioengineering major interested in working with medical devices. Currently, I’m a part of BMES and Archery Club. I also have two cats named after Cocopuffs (One is coco and the other is puff). I’m looking forward to getting more involved within the student government board and bringing a positive change to the university.

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: He/Him
Email: kavishsaini@pitt.edu
School: Swanson
Major/minor/certificate(s): Bioengineering
Fun fact: I play the ocarina and am learning
On campus I can be found: At any study lounge nearby
Favorite class you’re taking at Pitt: General Chemistry 1 with Wagner
Favorite TV show(s): Breaking Bad, Community, and Hunter x Hunter
Favorite movie(s): Interstellar, Goodfellas, and Whiplash
Favorite book(s): The Godfather and Life of Pi
Favorite quote: “I’m here for a good time not a long time”

Sanai Overton

Hi everyone! My name is Sanai Overton and I am currently a first-year student majoring in Political Science on a Pre-law track. I’m grateful to have been offered a position on the First Year Council and I’m excited to serve as a member of the Wellness Committee. ​Outside of school, I love cooking, playing video games, and exploring inner cities! I especially love visiting downtown Philly during the holiday season, as I’m a sucker for festivities. Overall, I genuinely look forward to beginning my Pitt journey while being a part of SGB this year.

​Year: Freshman
Pronouns: she/her
E-mail: sao94@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich
Major: Political Science
Minor: Sociology
Fun fact: I’m an Eagles fan!
On campus I can be found: Staggering up cardiac hill
Favorite class taken at Pitt: Intro to Psychology
Favorite tv show(s): Stranger Things, The Walking Dead
Favorite movie: Any Avengers/MCU movie
Favorite book: The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite quote: “If you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise.” – Rupi Kaur

Abigail Mendoza

Hello everyone! My name is Abigail (Abi) Mendoza, I am a freshman and my major is Nursing.
I am from a small town in South Carolina called Hilton Head, so you can say that this is a
complete new scenery for me. You can most likely find me in office hours for all my nursing
classes, at Cathy for some studying or exercising at the gym! Along with the First Year Council I
am also the representative of the first year BSN Dean Advisory Board. I love helping in any way
I can, I believe that the world needs a little more love and I believe that our board this year will
be able to accomplish it!

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: she/her
Pitt Email AJM392@pitt.edu
School: School of Nursing
Major/minor/certificate(s): Nursing
Fun fact: I love anime and kpop!
On campus I can be found: In my professors’ office hours or the gym
Favorite class you’re taking at Pitt: Microbiology
Favorite TV show(s): Demon slayer, Hunter x Hunter, Haikyuu, and Mob Psycho 100
Favorite movie(s): Sing 2, Cars 2, and Endgame
Favorite book(s): Purple Hibiscus and Just Mercy
Favorite quote: “Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Simran Mashru

Hey! My name is Simran Mashru, and I am a Freshman at Pitt on First Year Council this year. I am a Microbiology Major with a minor in Economics. Originally, I am from Chester County, PA which is about an hour outside of Philadelphia. At Pitt, I am also Community Outreach Chair for Hindu Students Council and a part of the Dental Science Club. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and exploring the city. I am really excited to be a part of first year council and make an impact on the Pitt community.

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Email: srm208@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich
Major/minor/certificate: Major in Microbiology Minor in Economics
Fun Fact: I listen to the same two songs while studying.
On campus I can be found: Studying at Cathy
Favorite class you’re taking: First Approaches to research
Favorite TV show(s): Gossip Girl, Criminal Minds
Favorite Movie(s): Black Panther
Favorite Book(s): Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Favorite Quote: “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take – Lewis Carroll

Raafay Khan

Hi! My name is Raafay Khan and I’m a freshman serving on the First Year Council. I’m majoring in Political Science and Economics on a pre-law track, and am also passionate about anti-corporate politics and criminal justice reform. On campus, I’m involved in the Muslim Student Association, College Democrats, and am on the Mock Trial team. Having done lots of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work in the past, I hope that on FYC I can help make SGB even more accessible to underrepresented student groups, as well as make Pitt more appreciative of all people and what makes them unique. Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas!

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: He/him
Email: rak256@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich
Major/minor/certificate(s): Economics (major), Political Science (major)
Fun fact: I’m a dual citizen of the U.S. and Pakistan
On campus I can be found: on the 3rd floor study lounge of the WPU, or trying new foods and restaurants nearby (anywhere but The Eatery…)
Favorite class you’re taking at Pitt: World of China: The World of Love, Loyalty, and Power in Traditional Chinese Fiction
Favorite TV show: Better Call Saul
Favorite movies: Interstellar, La La Land, and Whiplash
Favorite books: The Great Gatsby and These Truths
Favorite quote: “We are not witnesses to history; we are it’s authors”

Rand Hasan

Year: First year
Pronouns: she/her
Email: rsh44@pitt.edu
School: School of Computing and Information
Major/minor/certificate(s): Computer Science
Fun fact: My ethnicity is Kurdish.
On campus I can be found: Eating something from Cathy or the WPU in the quad.
Favorite class you’re taking at Pitt: CS441: Discrete Structures for Computer Science
Favorite TV show(s): Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, The Crown, Gilmore Girls, Never Have I Ever
Favorite movie(s): Don’t Look Up
Favorite book(s): Tale of Two Cities, The Great Gatsby, Les Misérables
Favorite quote – “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”