Meet the 2026-2027 College of Sciences Student Ambassadors
Get to know the College of Sciences Student Ambassadors, a team of Knights who bring their unique experiences and perspectives to representing the college, building community and connecting fellow students with opportunities.
Written by Emily Dougherty | Published: October 27, 2026
For students in the College of Sciences (COS), finding a community can be just as important as finding their academic path. The College of Sciences Student Ambassadors are working to make that experience easier by helping fellow COS Knights build connections, discover opportunities and find their place within the college.
The ambassadors represent the College of Sciences’ student body and host student engagement opportunities. They also serve at events, receptions and meetings, connect with donors and alumni, and advise the COS Dean’s Office on behalf of the student body. Along the way, they gain leadership experience, build professional networks and connect with faculty, college leadership and the broader community.
COS Faculty Fellow for Student Engagement Dr. Karen Motarella says the ambassadors also host fun monthly events designed for all COS students to unwind and get to know each other.
“COS Student Ambassadors host events the entire semester to facilitate student engagement and connection such as a monthly “Knight Break” where students can play games, puzzles, and have a snack with each other,” Mottarella says.
For many ambassadors, however, the role is about something more personal: giving other students the sense of belonging that helped them thrive at UCF.
“I hope to help students develop friendships and know they always have a place in COS,” says forensic science sophomore Alyana Jansen. “I will work towards showing those in COS that being the biggest college doesn’t mean we can’t be connected as a community and build the sense of solidarity that made UCF feel like home to me.”
That sense of connection can be especially meaningful for students navigating a new university. Kelly Thach, a senior biology major on the pre-med track, hopes to help incoming students, including first-year and transfer students, make UCF their home.
“As a first-generation pre-med student, I know how meaningful it is to have someone who believes in you, and I want to be that person for other students while helping them find their place at UCF,” she says.
Nafisaba (“Megh”) Nazmul, a senior studying psychology, draws on her experience as an international student and understands the importance of finding community in a new place. She hopes to help fellow students build those connections while strengthening relationships between students and faculty.
“I want to encourage international students to meet others and feel like they have a community to turn to,” Nazmul says. “I also hope to connect students and faculty more by giving students an outlet to express their appreciation to them.”
Mottarella says along with building a strong community for students, the ambassadors are also creating ways to show appreciation to the faculty and staff who go above and beyond supporting their students.
“In the fall and spring semesters they host Snowing and Blooming Appreciation on Faculty & Staff, where they give students the opportunity to submit expressions of appreciation to faculty and staff who have really had an impact on them, in the fall and spring semesters,” she says. “They create certificates with the students’ words of appreciation and send them to faculty or staff.”
The ambassadors also bring their individual experiences and interests to the role. Kaly Waterfield, a sophomore majoring in mathematics, hopes to represent women in STEM and encourage more women to participate in college activities, while visual communication senior Ezinaye Ibiam wants to advocate for communication majors and help others understand their field within COS.
“Many students don’t realize the connection between COS and communication, and I want to help change that by sharing my experience and educating others about the value of this major,” she says.
For first-generation and transfer students, the opportunity to support others can also be a way to give back. Nazmul hopes to be the person who believes in others and helps them find their place at UCF.
Tianna Harris, a senior studying psychology, shares a simple philosophy for building those connections.
“I believe one smile can be the beginning of a meaningful and lasting connection,” she says.
Through mentorship, student engagement and everyday interactions, the COS Student Ambassadors hope to strengthen the community they are part of and help fellow Knights feel welcomed, supported, represented and connected.
To learn more about the COS Student Ambassadors click the link: https://sciences.ucf.edu/student-ambassador/
Meet the Student Ambassadors
- Jade Ali, Senior, Psychology
- William Manaute Barry, Senior, Biology
- Kathryn Buchmeyer, Junior, Advertising and Public Relations
- Brady Dingmann, Junior, Physics
- Tianna Harris, Senior, Psychology
- Ezinaye Ibiam, Senior, Visual Communication
- Alyana Jansen, Sophomore, Forensic Science
- Rajan Jinadra, Senior, Data Science
- Drew Jonsson, Senior, Forensic Science
- Sion King, Senior, Data Science
- Andy McNeal, Junior, Psychology Pre-med
- Nafisaba (Megh) Nazmul, Senior, Psychology
- Bianca Nunez, Senior, Political Science
- Isabel Price, Senior, Psychology
- Bryanna Sparks, Junior, Biology Pre-health
- Kelly Thach, Senior, Biology
- Axani Turin, Senior, Forensic Science
- Danna Arrieta Ventura, Junior, Chemistry
- Ornella Vintimilla, Senior, Psychology Pre-med
- Kaly Waterfield, Sophomore, Mathematics
Upcoming Events
COS Space Game Spirit Flag & Sign Making
- Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
- Time: 6-7 PM
- Location: UCF Foxtail/Kelly’s Bakery in UCF Spirit Shop Knights Plaza (near Addition Arena)
COS Pickleball Palooza
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: TBD
- Location: Recreation and Wellness Center Tennis Court
Knights De-Stress Express: Games, Snacks, Relax
- Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
- Time: 12-1:30 PM
- Location: Student Union Pensacola Board Room 222