Maysoon Idrees

Anjana Mahesh

Hi everyone! My name is Anjana Mahesh, and I’m one of the freshman committee members of D&I this year. On campus I am also involved with ResLife as the tower C Vice President in hall council, and I’m also the housing vice chair of FT&T at SGB. Some of my favorite things to do are: go to Milkshake Factory , chat with friends in Frick Fine Arts library, and listen to Indian music!! As a member of SGB and D&I committee I am excited to be a part of the process of making our campus a better place and making sure everyone from all walks of life feel welcome on our campus!

Year: Freshman
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Pitt Email: anm470@pitt.edu
School: Dietrich school of arts and sciences
Major: Biology and Math on premed track
Fun fact: I am a Carnatic music vocalist
On campus, I can be found in the Frick Fine Arts library with friends!
Favorite class taken at Pitt: Foundations of bio with Dr. McGreevy!
Favorite TV show(s): The Office
Favorite movie(s): Dangal
Favorite book(s): The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk by Sudha Murthy and Wings of Fire by Abdul Kalam
Favorite quote(s):
“Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
“As a child of god, I am greater than anything that can happen to me” — A.P.J Abdul Kalam

Birizibe Gnassingbe

Hi, I’m Birizibe (briz-bee)! I grew up in Pittsburgh, but I currently live in Maryland. In addition to being on this committee, I’m also the President of The Minority Association in Computing, I’m a UTA & tutor in SCI, and conducting research in a few departments. In my free time, I love music, podcasts, movies, and being with my friends. And I’m really passionate about helping underserved communities, so I’m very excited to be on this committee!

Year
Senior
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Pitt Email
big14@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
School of Computing & Information and Dietrich
Major(s)
Computer Science & Political Science. Africana Studies minor
Fun fact
I’m from Togo in West Africa
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
3rd floor in WPU
Favorite class taken at Pitt
Intermediate Programming with Java
Favorite TV show(s)
How I Met Your Mother
Favorite movie(s)
Gone Girl
Favorite book(s)
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Favorite quote
“ It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you are not. “ -Basquiat
“ I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again. “ – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jericho Ellis

Hi! My name is Jericho Ellis and I am from Mount Laurel, NJ. I am African American, Native American, and Filipino. Some of my hobbies include reading, meditation, going to the gym, and traveling. Some of my favorite destinations that I have been to so far are the Dominican Republic, Cancun, and Jamaica.

Year
Senior
Pronouns
He/Him/His
Pitt Email
jee73@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
Dietrich
Major(s)
Psychology
Fun fact
I can play alto saxophone.
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
Hillman
Favorite class taken at Pitt
Biopsychology
Favorite TV show(s)
All American
Favorite movie(s)
The Hate They Give
Favorite book(s)
Things Fall Apart
Favorite quote
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Kayla Pierre

Hi! I’m Kayla Pierre, a senior in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences! I’m studying Political Science and Economics with a certificate in Global Studies. In my free time I enjoy working out, spending time with friends, crocheting, and reading.
Year
Senior
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Pitt Email
kap221@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
Dietrich
Major(s)
Political Science and Economics
Fun fact
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
3rd floor Hillman Library
Favorite class taken at Pitt
20th century African American Literature
Favorite movie(s)
Remember the Titans
Favorite book(s)
Their Eyes were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston

London Wright

My name is London Wright, I am a senior majoring in Information Science and minoring in Africana Studies. I am from Pittsburgh, PA. This is my second year serving as a committee member for Diversity and Inclusion on SGB. Outside of academics, I love to socialize, discover new artists for music, and watch docummaries of all kind! I am excited to make an impact with SGB for a inclusive and multicultural environment here at Pitt!
Year Senior
Pronouns She/her
Pitt Email lmw136@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.) School of Computing and Information
Major(s) Information Science
Fun fact I was named after the a football player- London Fletcher who is retired from the Rams
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus) 2nd Floor of Posvar
Favorite class taken at Pitt Afro-Latinos in the U.S.
Favorite TV show(s) Blackish, Queen Sugar, Insecure
Favorite movie(s)
Dream Girls
Favorite book(s)
Seven Days In June, Song of Solomon, Native Son
Favorite quote
“The greatest gift is not being afraid to question.” – Ruby Dee

Lorena Ye

Hi! My name is Lorena Ye, and I’m a sophomore in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. I am currently a biology major pursuing a Global Health certificate, and I am planning to minor in Computer Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. Outside of school, I love to run, crochet, draw, and try out different cafes/food places around Pittsburgh. As a member of D&I, I am excited to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for students of different backgrounds at Pitt!
Year
Sophomore
Pronouns
she/they/them
Pitt Email
loy8@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Major(s)
Biological Sciences
Fun fact
I love to make amigurumi (little crochet animals)
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
On the third floor of Hillman
Favorite class taken at Pitt
Introduction to Poetry Writing
Favorite TV show(s)
Avatar the Last Airbender
Favorite movie(s)
Moana
Favorite book(s)
The Giver, Percy Jackson series
Favorite quote
Well-behaved women seldom make history.

Matt Nzasi

Hey guys! My name is Matthew but I go by Matt. I’m in the class of 2025 and I go by (He/Him). My Pitt email is mmn50@pitt.edu so feel free to contact me anytime! I was admitted into the College of Business Administration with a major in Finance and Business Information Systems. One fun fact about me is that I warm my cereal up in the microwave prior to its consumption. On campus I can be found at the William Pitt Union, or Posvar. My favorite class at Pitt so far has been Microeconmics. I don’t watch a lot of television but I enjoy Black Mirror and Holes is a pretty good movie too. My favorite book is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. My quote to live by is “So early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.”

Sefakor Agbemadzo

Hi! My name is Sefakor Agbemadzo and I am a senior at the University. My major is in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chemistry but my main focus is public health. My driving force for pursuing my degree is to help underrepresented communities when it comes to creating public health policies and the divide in healthcare. Outside of school I have a passion for baking and cooking. I also love hiking and going for night walks with friends. I hope that on the committee I can help create a place for discussion!
Year
senior
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Pitt Email
saa220@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
College of General Studies
Major(s)
Criminal Justice w/ Minor in Chemistry and Certificate in Community Health Assessment
Fun fact
I’m double jointed in my fingers.
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
Floor 25 in Cathy or the Frick Fine Arts Building
Favorite class taken at Pitt
Language of Medicine
Favorite TV show(s)
Modern Family & The Midnight Gospel
Favorite movie(s)
The Princess and the Frog & Soul
Favorite book(s)
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in A Changing World
Favorite quote
We only borrow the people we love for a short time.

Sydney Morris

Hi! My name is Sydney Morris and I am a senior at Pitt. I am majoring in Africana Studies with a minor in Chemistry and certificates in global health and sports studies. I am passionate about addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in the field of sports medicine along with increasing minority representation in Orthopedics through my sports medicine program for high school students. Outside of school, I am a huge football (Dallas Cowboys) fan , and I also enjoy art and cooking. I am excited to return this year as a member of the committee and hope to leave a lasting impact in my final year at Pitt.
Year
Senior
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Pitt Email
SEM228@pitt.edu
School (Dietrich, Swanson, etc.)
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Major(s)
Africana Studies (social science concentration) w/ Minor in Chemistry and Certificates in Global Health and Sports Studies
Fun fact
I was a violinist for eight years and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York
On campus, I can be found… (favorite spot on campus)
David Lawerence or anywhere outside near Cathy
Favorite class taken at Pitt
African American Health Issues
Favorite TV show(s)
How to Get Away With Murder, Greys Anatomy and Private Practice
Favorite movie(s)
The Polar Express
Favorite book(s)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Favorite quote
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson