Bridget Butler
Bridget is this year's co-head Echols Ambassador! She is a third-year student from Cleveland, Ohio, pursuing a double major in English and Economics. On Grounds, she is involved in the technical consulting organization “Become a Problem Solver,” TEDxUVA, the Multiple Sclerosis Society at UVA, Alpha Delta Pi, and the student investment organization “Smart Woman Securities.” In her free time, she loves reading, going for runs, and cheering on UVA Basketball at JPJ!
Emma Hinson
Emma is a grad student and our Echols Graduate Intern this year. She was an ambassador all four years of her undergrad and served as Head Ambassador in her third and fourth years. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health after earning a B.A. in Human Biology and is currently applying to dental school. During undergrad, she was involved in research with the Center for Healthy Brain Development, Chi Omega, and Madison House. In her free time, she also loves hiking with her dog, trying new restaurants around Charlottesville, and baking!
Ethan Selvers
Ethan is a second-year student from Westfield, New Jersey, majoring in Physics and Economics. On Grounds, he is a project leader in Virginia Consulting Group, an intern in UVA’s Athletic Communications department, and a member of Enactus. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar.
Laurel Sutphin
Laurel is a second-year Echols Scholar from Hillsville, VA. She is currently planning to double major in Economics and Mathematics. In addition to the ambassador program, she is a member of College Mentors for Kids, a mentoring program for Charlottesville elementary school students. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the local SPCA through Madison House. She is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America. For fun, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking, but also loves to stay inside reading and knitting.
Richard (Ruichong) Xu
Richard is a fourth-year from Ningbo, China. He is double majoring in Political Philosophy, Policy and Law, and Economics. Richard is also a language consultant for the VISAS program (Volunteers with International Students, Staff, and Scholars). In his spare time, he likes playing the violin, writing Chinese calligraphy, and cooking!
Paige Hutchinson
Paige is a current third year from Charlottesville, Virginia, majoring in English and Media Studies. At UVA, she leads a small group for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), is a member of Tri Delta, and works at Anthropologie. In her free time, she loves going on walks with friends, spending time outdoors and hiking, and exploring coffee shops!
Christina Abouzeki
Christina is a third-year student from Annandale, VA, studying Finance in the McIntire School of Commerce and English Literature. At UVA, Christina works as a student writer for UVA Today, the University’s official news source. She is also the Founder and Co-President of Sustainable Business Group, and Co-Director of Training and Development for the Virginia Case Club, supporting students preparing for internship recruiting across business roles. Outside of school, she enjoys discovering new coffee shops, growing her “books to read” list, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.
Sarayu Mandalapu
Sarayu is a second-year Biochemistry and Linguistics major from Richmond, VA. She currently does research in the Ribic Lab, is a Chemistry Teaching Assistant, and is president of a mural club. She loves creating art in her spare time, including painting and embroidery, and she also loves to read!
Joelle Aheto
Joelle is this year's co-head Echols Ambassador! She is a third-year from Leesburg, Virginia, double majoring in Human Biology and French. On Grounds, Joelle is involved in the Meriwether Lewis Institute of Citizen Development (MLI), serves as Ceremony co-chair for Third Year Council, is Rush Chair for Phi Delta Epsilon, is an RA at Kellogg, and volunteers as a research assistant in the Anderson Lab. In her free time, Joelle loves working out, dancing, reading, hiking, DIYing, hanging out with friends, and traveling!
Emily Hickey
Emily is this year's Echols Ambassador Social Chair! She is a second-year student originally from New Jersey, hoping to major in Human Biology on the pre-med track! Around grounds, she is a Peer Health Educator, conducts research at the Center for Healthy Brain Development, volunteers with Madison House at Adopt a Grandparent, is a member of the medical fraternity PhiDE, and is part of Greek life (Sigma Kappa)! In her free time, she can be found doing workout classes, trying new Charlottesville food spots, or walking Emma’s dog, Ollie!
Charlie Rubin
Charlie is a 3rd year from St. Louis, Missouri majoring in math through the College. At UVA, he is involved with the University Salsa Club, 180 Degrees Consulting, and UVA music through playing the harp. Outside of school, he is a huge fan of Jeopardy, watching old movies, and dancing.
Nina Islam
Nina is a third-year double major in Behavioral Neuroscience and Archaeology from Great Falls, Virginia. She has loved being an Echols Ambassador and meeting so many incredible people along the way! Outside of Echols, she scribes in the UVA Emergency Department, tutors ESL, and leads a skin cancer awareness and sunscreen access initiative here on Grounds. In her free time, you can usually find her with some friends working her way through Charlottesville’s seemingly never-ending list of hiking spots!
Spicer Edmonds
Spicer is a third-year student, originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, double majoring in Economics and American Studies. On Grounds, he is a Meriwether Lewis Institute fellow, a volunteer at Trailblazer Elementary School through Madison House, and is involved in Greek life. For fun, he loves listening to and playing music.
Addy Young
Addy is a third-year Echols Scholar from Arlington, VA, and is double majoring in Economics and Spanish. She is involved in BAPS (a technical consulting organization), VISAS, and currently interns at Wild Virginia, an environmental nonprofit. In her free time, she likes to run, read, do crosswords, and hang out with friends on the Corner.
Ahlam Idris
Ahlam is a current third year undergraduate student from Northern Virginia. She is majoring in Global Public Health and minoring in Data Science on the Pre-Medical track, with aspirations of pursuing a career in pediatrics. Some of her involvements on grounds include serving as the Secretary of The Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association, Director of Development for The Muslim Institute of Leadership and Empowerment, and Events Coordinator for The United Mission for Relief and Development. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her friends, listen to music, bake/cook, and binge-watch television shows.
Noah Weinstein
Noah is a second year from Bethesda, Maryland, majoring in physics with minors in data science and Spanish. Outside of Echols Ambassadors, he is a data analytics manager for UVA Baseball, an assistant in a mathematics research lab, and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In his free time, you can find him hanging out with his friends.
Macy Waid
Macy is a second-year student from Harrisonburg, Virginia, double majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Psychology. Around grounds, Macy is involved in University Dance Club, the Long-Term Memory Lab, and the Neuroscience Enthusiast Club. Outside of classes, Macy enjoys reading and running.
Mia Golden
Mia is a second-year Echols Scholar from Sacramento, California studying Economics and Applied Statistics with a minor in Government. She is an analyst with the Virginia Policy Lab, an intern with the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and an avid member of the UVA Rock Climbing team. In her free time, she loves to hike, try new coffee shops, explore Charlottesville, and spend time with friends.
Amory Kelly
Amory is a second-year from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She plans to double-major in Global Commerce and Foreign Affairs and is interested in minoring in Psychology or General Business. On Grounds, she serve on the Outreach Committee of Smart Women Securities, as social chair of her business fraternity, and as an active member of Pancakes for Parkinson's. She loves playing tennis, watching college basketball, trying new coffee shops, and reading historical fiction.
Nina Tobin
Nina is a second-year student from Baltimore, Maryland. She is currently studying Kinesiology on the pre-Physician Assistant track. At UVA, she is involved in Madison House, volunteering in the general surgery department of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. She is the Professional Outreach Chair of the Future Physician Assistant Society and is a member of the Best Buddies club! In her free time, she likes to go for hikes, try new coffee places, and spend time with friends.
Andrew Datch
Andrew is a third year economics major and real estate minor. He is Vice President of College Mentors For Kids, a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and also a member of Orthodox Christian Fellowship. In his free time, he loves to watch movies, play sports, and cheer for the Commanders!
Sara Meagh
Sara is a second-year Pre-Dental student from New City, New York, with an intended major in Global Public Health and a minor in Statistics. Outside of Echols Ambassadors, Sara serves as Vice President of Mentorship for UVA’s Autism Allies Club, volunteers with UVA’s chapter of Global Medical Brigades, and is a member of the Echols Council Social Committee. In her free time, Sara enjoys going for runs, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family!