Meet SOCA
Founding Executive Members – Caelan Hidalgo Schick (MPIA); Adriana Bowman (MPA); Rhea Henry (MPA); I Younan An (MID); and Yeraldyn Pacheco (MPIA).
Current Student of Color Alliance's Executive Leadership Board:
- Matt McKenzie
- Samiksha Raikar
- Ehryn Ortega
- Essifash Glah
- Devisha Bisaria
Meet the Student of Color Alliance's Executive Leadership Board
- Matt McKenzie
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Matt (he/him) is a Master’s in Public and International affairs candidate with a concentration in Human Securities and a minor in Energy and the Environment. He comes to GSPIA with a diverse background as a community organizer and storyteller. Some of his hobbies include reading, being outside and trying out new food places. He is very excited for the year and all of the amazing memories we will make and programs we will have.
- Samiksha Raikar
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Samiksha (she/her) is doing her Master’s in Public and International Affairs with a concentration in Human Security. She was born in India, raised in Singapore. She can speak 4 languages and is currently learning Spanish in grad school. She joined SOCA because she aims to create a safe space for the BIPOC students and their allies with collaborative efforts from the GSPIA administration. She believes this platform will allow the community to embrace diversity.
- Ehryn Ortega
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Ehryn (she/her/ella) is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Development with a concentration in Human Security and a Master’s in Public Health. In undergrad, she was an active member of her college’s BSU, Latinx Student Union and worked for three years at its Multicultural Resource Center. Ehryn hopes to support SOCA in planning and putting on events that foster a sense of community and belonging amongst GSPIA’s BIPOC student population. In her free time, Ehryn loves to read, bake and enjoys spending time in nature.
- Essifash Glah
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Essifash (she/her) is in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, studying International Development. A goal of hers and SOCA’s is to strengthen community and influence change by working with leadership to address concerns related to diversity, social justice, equity, and inclusiveness. She'd like to use her skills as Data Analyst to support SOCA in collaborating with the larger Pittsburgh community as well as the students of the University of Pittsburgh. Some of her biggest hobbies are reading, photography and traveling; recently she did a solo trip to Costa Rica!
- Devisha Bisaria
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Devisha (she/her) is pursuing a Master of Public and International Affairs with a major in Human Security. She is a member of the working group GEPA and is a participate in The Hesselbein Forum Leadership Program. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago and has worked with the non-profit City Year as a Team Leader. She strives to work in the non-profit sector on an international level and has joined SOCA to improve the diversity and inclusivity efforts of GSPIA and to help students from all backgrounds feel as though GSPIA is a place of growth and success.
Connect with Us
Email: gspia.soca@gmail.com
Instagram: @soca_gspia
Facebook: SOCA: GSPIA Students of Color Alliance