Fall Class of 2020
Jaida Abbas
Graduation: Spring 2022
Jaida is a third year Political Science major with a minor in Public Service and Leadership. She serves as the Deputy Public Defender in the Tampa Executive Branch for USF Student Government, a Peer Mentor for the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Treasurer for First Amendment Forum, an MSC Advisory Board Member, and a member of the Equity and Inclusion Work Group under the Task Force on USF Digital Communities. Jaida is dedicated to serving her community through volunteering at The Poynter Institute, the YMCA, and an internship for Sen. Rouson in St. Petersburg. Upon graduation, she is planning to attend graduate school to earn a Master of Public Policy with an interest in becoming a public servant.
Sharu Abraham
Graduation: Spring 2023
Sharu is a second year Honors student studying Computer Science. In addition to her academics, she is actively involved on campus through various organizations, including Student Government, Engineering Student Council, Engineering Expo, and the Student Investment Club. Upon graduation, Sharu is planning on pursuing a career in software engineering.
Carter Bedinghaus
Graduation: Spring 2022
Carter is a junior at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee studying Marketing with a minor in Biology. During his time at USF, Carter has served as Senate President in Student Government, Community Leader with the Orientation Team, President of the Pre-Dental Society, and Recruitment Officer for the USF Ambassadors. Carter is committed to the betterment of his community. He shows his bull pride by mentoring younger students and cheering on the USF Basketball Team. Upon graduation, Carter aims to enter dental school in the fall of 2022.
Yovela Debesay
Graduation: Spring 2022
Yovela is a second-year student pursuing concurrent degrees in Economics and International Studies. She currently serves as a Senator in Student Government, the Vice President of Membership for the Student Alumni Association, the Vice President of Professional Development for Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Inc., as well as serving as the Treasurer for both the African Students Associations and the United Nations Association here at the University of South Florida. Yovela has completed an internship with AT&T and served as a fellow for the United Nations Association national chapter. Upon graduation, she is planning to attend graduate school to pursue a Master’s of Science in Foreign Service.
Veronica Diaz
Veronica is a third year Industrial Engineering major and Economics minor. She is the current Vice President of the Young Life ministry here on campus, and the Historian of the USF Salseras, a Latin performance-dance organization. Veronica also serves as an Orientation Leader for transfer students. In Student Government’s 60th term, she served as the USF Senate’s Policy Committee Chairwoman. Veronica worked with Raytheon’s Intelligence and Space Business Unit in a three-month- long externship and presented the findings at the 2020 Industry Consortium. This summer, she will be working with AdventHealth to improve their strategic planning and supply chain operations. Upon graduation, she plans on working full-time in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
Graduation: Spring 2022
Stephanie England
Graduation: Spring 2024
Stephanie is a first-year student in the Judy Genshaft Honors College and is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently involved with the Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Mechanical Electrical Computer Hub, American Red Cross Club and Engineers Without Borders. Stephanie is an intern with the University of South Florida Student Government as part of the Street Team and she has participated in Operation: Global Action for Fall 2020. Upon graduation, she is planning to attend graduate school at the University of South Florida.
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Brooke Fasano
Graduation: Spring 2022
Brooke is a third year Cellular and Molecular Biology major with a minor in Deaf Studies. She is the president of the Pre-Medical American Medical Student Association, Events Co-Chair on the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council, Co-founder of the non-profit organization Muffled, and Resident Assistant for the Honors Living Learning Community. Following graduation, she hopes to attend medical school where she will train to become a pediatrician.
Dipti Karnani
Graduation: Spring 2021
Dipti Karnani is a fourth year international student from Belize studying Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Public Health. During her time at USF, Dipti serves as the International Student Liaison of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity and a freshman mentor within the Dean’s Student Leadership Society for the College of Arts and Sciences. She has also worked as an orientation leader for transfer and international students and volunteers her time at the BRIDGE Clinic within the Morsani College of Medicine. This year, Dipti has been chosen as a National Transfer Student Ambassador by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students and is one of their scholarship recipients for 2021. Apart from her academics, Dipti commits her time as a research assistant within the USF EcoFem lab.
Andrew-Paul Griffis
Graduation: Spring 2022
Andrew-Paul is a third-year student majoring in Economics and Political Science. He is second year Resident Assistant in the Judy Genshaft Honors College Living Learning Community, Associate Justice on the USF Supreme Court, and a member of the University Conduct Board. Andrew-Paul has completed the Legislative Internship Program with the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners. Upon graduation, he is planning to pursue graduate study in Economics and Finance.
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Eric Kastelic
Graduation: Spring 2022
Eric is a third year Geology major minoring in Geographic Information Systems. At USF he is active with Geology Club, the Geosciences Graduate Student organization, the Geology alumni society, and Outdoor Club. Eric works in the USF Stable Isotope Lab and does Research with the Rains Ecohydrology Lab. Eric was selected for a US-UK Fulbright Commission Summer Institute at the University of Exeter studying climate change. Upon graduation, he is planning to attend graduate school to study Hydrology.
Riffatul Islam
Graduation: Fall 2022
Riffatul is a second-year, pre-medical student majoring in Biology at the University of South Florida. He is currently a USF Ambassador, Campus Council Representative of USF’s Student Government, and Orientation Leader at his campus of Sarasota-Manatee. In addition, Riffatul is part of the USF Red Cross Club and NSLS. He is also part of the Judy Genshaft Honors College and has received certifications, such as the UnDocuAlly certification. Upon his graduation, Riffatul pursues to enter medical school to become an internal medicine physician and aims to aid in poverty-stricken countries.
Claire Mitchell
Graduation: Spring 2022
Claire attends the University of South Florida as a double major in Biomedical Sciences and International Studies. Claire has been involved in numerous leadership and developmental roles on campus such as HHMI STEM Academy, Emerging Leaders Institute, and as an officer of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Claire has been involved in Student Government for the past three terms serving previously as a Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences in her first two terms and serving now as the first consolidated Student Body President and university Board of Trustee member. Upon graduation, Claire hopes to attend medical school at the University of South Florida and pursue a doctoral degree with a specialty in neurology.
Connor Murray
Graduation: Spring 2023
Connor is a second year student pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Health Sciences. He is currently serving as a Resident Assistant with the Judy Genshaft Honors Living Learning Community in Juniper Hall, is a tutor with the Dr. A.N.V. Rao Gurukulam program, and is a proud member of the USF rock climbing club. Connor currently works as a research assistant with Moffitt Cancer Center, and upon graduation plans to pursue a degree in clinical neuropsychology.
Jessica O'Bryan
Graduation: Spring 2021
Jessica is a third year Biomedical Sciences major. She is the current Director of Administration of the USF Ambassadors, Director of New Member Engagement of Golden Key Honor Society, Student Athlete with the USF Cross Country and Track and Field teams, Resident Assistant, and serves on the Student Government Advisory Board. Upon graduation, she is planning on applying to medical school.
Molly Orlick
Graduation: Fall 2023
Molly is a first year Biomedical Sciences major. She is a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College and a Provost scholar. In 2016, Molly started a book drive for economically disadvantaged students where she has collected, and continues to collect, over 2,000 new and gently used books. Molly is currently assisting with research through USF’s College of Medicine. She worked as a Congressional intern for U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor. Additionally, she enjoys volunteering for several organizations in the Tampa Bay area. Upon graduation, Molly is planning to attend medical school.
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Martin Recalde
Graduation: Spring 2021
Martin is a senior Chemical Engineering student, also minoring on Economics, born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. He is currently the Chairman of the Policy Committee and, Senator in the 1st consolidated Student Government Senate. Martin is also currently an Engineering Ambassador. In the past he has been involved as President of Bull Campus Civitan and as Vice-Chair of the Engineering Funding Council. Furthermore, he has been able to complete 3 internships with Textiles Recalex, Bausch + Lomb and Eli Lilly & Co. Upon graduation on May 2021, Martin is planning to apply his knowledge on the industry and also pursue an MBA.
Sam Rechek
Graduation: Spring 2023
Sam is a sophomore pursuing concurrent degrees in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Economics. He came to the University of South Florida as a National Merit Scholar. He is the founder and president of the First Amendment Forum student organization at USF, a member of the Dean’s Student Leadership Society, and the current Director of Engagement and University Affairs at USF Tampa Student Government. He has completed internships with the Hillsborough County Commission and with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and he does research with Dr. Stephen Neely on the Sunshine State Survey and selective exposure on social media. In the future, he hopes to complete a J.D./Ph.D fellowship before a career in Legal Philosophy.
Andrea Rodriguez
Graduation: Fall 2021
Andrea is a Senior studying Environmental Science and Policy at our St.Petersburg campus. During her time at USF, Andrea has served as the Director of Sustainable Initiatives and a Governor for USF Student Government. She also has received recognition for her research on the ‘ORCA Biodigester’ Project. With her passion for improving the Tampa Bay Community, Andrea is an ideal candidate for the Order.
Jessica Senatus
Graduation: Summer 2021
Jessica is a third year Business Analytics and Information Systems major concentrating in Cybersecurity. She is the current Tampa Deputy Financial Officer for the 1st consolidated Student Government term, a member of the Business Honors Program, Corporate Mentorship Program, and a Cloud Security Analyst intern for Cyber Florida: The Florida Center for Cybersecurity. Jessica believes in spreading love and joy wherever she goes as she believes those two attributes are the recipe to revolutionizing the world. In the future Jessica would like to go to Law School to obtain her J.D./LL.M. in National Security Law so that she can work within the Government Sector as an asset to her country. Jessica hopes to one day start Philanthropy efforts where she can help send students to College as she believes there is no greater gift than Education.