Meet the Mentors
Executive Board 2021-22
Prabhav
Prabhav Bhaumik
Lead Mentor
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Fun Fact About Me: I’m left-handed
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Climb the rock at the top of dragon’s tooth. The view is beautiful.
Rachel
Rachel Hoffman
Assistant Lead Mentor
Where you transferred from: Roanoke College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Fun Fact About Me: I’ve lived in Blacksburg my whole life!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Make sure you hike the cascades in the fall - it’s beautiful
Sarah
Sarah Gellert
Time Management Coordinator
Where you transferred from: Rider University
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Biological Science: Biomedical Option
- Fun Fact About Me: At Rider University, I played Division I soccer for a year before transferring to VT.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: If you are looking for a challenge, run the Hokie Half in the fall. I wouldn’t have wanted to run my first half marathon any other way! You get to run alongside fellow Hokies and you can feel the sense of pride associated with all aspects of Virginia Tech!!
Barbara
Barbara Sanchez
Marketing Coordinator
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Physics
- Fun Fact About Me: I really love to explore new places! I love walking around campus and the Blacksburg area just to enjoy the scenery and hope to find something new.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Visit the Farmer’s Market during the weekend! They have everything from antiques to locally grown food for sale, and even live music.
Haley
Haley Galliher
Events Coordinator
Where you transferred from: Virginia Highlands Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Psychology
- Fun Fact About Me: I am a big country music fan! My favorite band is Zac Brown Band
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Blacksburg has some of the best hiking trails to try out! My favorite is Dragon’s Tooth!
Mentors
Wynston Archer
Where you transferred from: Temple University
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Finance
- Fun Fact About Me: I have a Bernese Mountain Dog named Fletcher. My sister also goes to Tech with me!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I really like sushi and highly recommend Green’s Sushi Bar!
Iyana Ashraf
Where you transferred from: Rutgers University
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Accounting and Information Systems
- Fun Fact About Me: I love going hiking and being with nature!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: My favorite restaurant is Cabo Fish Taco
Mia Bostic
Where you transferred from: University of Virginia
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Applied Economic Management; with an emphasis in Environmental Economics
- Fun Fact About Me: I teach kids to surf!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: The farmer’s market is the best Saturday morning activity ever!
Ryan Buckingham
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Computer Science
- Fun Fact About Me: I have autism
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Eat eat eat! I am a huge foodie. There are tons of great restaurants in the area and you’re bound to find one you like.
Michael Casey
Where you transferred from: Thomas Nelson Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Management (MCA option)
- Fun Fact About Me: A connoisseur of Roman History; particularly the time of the Tetrarchy, the Late Republic and High Empire Eras.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: One of my favorite things to do in the local Blacksburg area is to go to Pandapas Pond and its surrounding area. There are many trails that you can walk or hike on depending on what you would like to do, and I highly recommend it!
Macon Clement
Where you transferred from: Southwest Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Second Year Junior
- Major: Meteorology
- Fun Fact About Me: I have read each book in the Harry Potter series at least 10 times.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Going for a run or hike at Pandapas Pond.
Erin Draxler
Where you transferred from: University of Oregon
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Sociology and Criminology with a Cinema minor
- Fun Fact About Me: I once swam with sea lions while snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Definitely try the hibachi at Kobe Japanese Express, then head across the street to get some bubble tea from Sushi Factory! Also, check out the Huckleberry trail!
Danielle Felder
Where you transferred from: Germanna Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Electrical Engineering
- Fun Fact About Me: I love adrenaline rush activities!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Walk, run or bike the Huckleberry trail!
Maggie
Maggie Frazier
Where you transferred from: Virginia Highlands Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Clinical Neuroscience
- Fun Fact About Me: I recently started an online business with my sister selling our handmade wood burned art pieces and decor items.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Check out some of the local businesses in Blacksburg. One of my favorite places is Idego Coffee. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and has great coffee!
Alejandro
Alejandro Gonzales-Vasquez
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Business Information Technology (BIT)
- Fun Fact About Me: I serve as the new member educator for the Delta Chi fraternity on campus
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Go hike Cascades with some friends and then go downtown to any restaurant! Also, checkout Gobblerfest when you get the chance and join some clubs or a sorority/fraternity.
Piper Hancock
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Biochemistry
- Fun Fact About Me: I like making model airplanes
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Mellow Mushroom has the best pizza in town!
Madyson Kent
Where you transferred from: William and Mary
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience with a Disabilities Studies minor
- Fun Fact About Me: I am absolutely terrified of heights, but I still love to go hiking and it is one of my favorite things to do at Virginia Tech!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Get involved with campus organizations that interest you! Putting yourself out there is so worth it in the long run! Also highly recommend picnics on the Drillfield.
Franz Kummerfeldt
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: History
- Fun Fact About Me: I’ve hiked a volcano in Guatemala that actually just erupted this past year!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I recommend going to a basketball game in the Spring semester! I was lucky enough prior to Covid to attend one and it was one of the most fun I have ever had!
Derick Michaux
Where you transferred from: Thomas Nelson Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Marketing Management
- Fun Fact About Me: My favorite movie of all time is Interstellar. If it’s not your favorite then we can’t be friends.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Hike Dragon’s Tooth and climb to the very top!
Keli Mohica
Where you transferred from: Radford University
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Human Development
- Fun Fact About Me: I have been to over 100 different coffee shops!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Try out the Cellar lunch menu!
Abby Parker
Where you transferred from: Ohio University
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Public Relations
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I love to indulge at Hello Bagel or grab a drink at Mill Mountain!
Nicola Parrish
Where you transferred from: Germanna Community College
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Construction Engineering and Management (CEM)
- Fun Fact About Me: I am on the Virginia Tech Rowing Team
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Try all the bars and restaurants downtown!
Marisol Rodriguez
Where you transferred from: Virginia Commonwealth University
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: Public Relations
- Fun Fact About Me: I can bend my fingers 90 degrees backwards
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I really like Roots Natural Kitchen!
Steven Rowen
Where you transferred from: George Mason
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Finance
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Football at Lane Stadium!
Bryce Shanahan
Where you transferred from: James Madison University
- Academic Year: Junior
- Major: HNFE
- Fun Fact About Me: I work as a student athletic trainer here at VT
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Get DP Dough for your midnight snack, it’s fantastic
Avni Singh
Where you transferred from: George Mason University
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Aerospace Engineering
- Fun Fact About Me: I’ve hiked the Inca Trail in Peru!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I would definitely recommend Macado’s – they have a TON of options and the décor inside is very eclectic
Vijay Sood
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Animal and Poultry Science
- Fun Fact About Me: I want to become a veterinarian for companion animals but have never owned a pet.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: Go to Carol Lee Donuts and watch the sunset from the Pylons.
Clara Waldron
Where you transferred from: The University of South Carolina
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Biological Sciences and Minor in English Literature
- Fun Fact About Me: I am an Irish American dual citizen!
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I enjoy grabbing coffee with my friends from Mill Mountain on North Main Street, swimming on Sunday mornings at McComas Gym, and going bouldering at Crimper's Climbing Gym in Christiansburg!
Melinda
Melinda Yeboah
Where you transferred from: Northern Virginia Community College
- Academic Year: Senior
- Major: Political Science with a Concentration in Legal Studies
- Fun Fact About Me: I have a Yorkie named Tiny because she’s so small.
- Recommendation of must do’s while at Virginia Tech: I recommend going to Next Door Bake Shop and Our Daily Bready & Bistro for the best breakfast! Blacksburg is filled with incredible scenery, so grab a blanket and a friend and watch the sunset on the Drillfield.