Experiential Education Ambassadors

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the CWRU experience. In fact, over 98% of the Class of 2025 participated in experiential education, with nearly 73% engaging in multiple types of opportunities. Experiential Education (ExE) Ambassadors serve as a bridge connecting peers to these transformative opportunities early in their college journey.

Learn more about our 2026-2027 cohort of ExE Ambassadors below!

Joelle Aghachi

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: Chemical Biology Major, French Minor
Career Interest Areas: Healthcare (Pre-Med)

Shilpi Bardhan

Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors/Minors: Finance and Mathematics
Career Interest Areas: Business & Consulting

Shilpi Bardhan is a third-year student at Case Western Reserve University studying Finance and Mathematics. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, she spent the summer of 2026 as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Baird and will return to the firm's Chicago office next summer.

On campus, Shilpi serves as President of Women in Finance and FinTech Vertical Head of the Weatherhead Fund. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Outside of school, she enjoys cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners and watching the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Natalia Catarisano

Grad Year: Fall 2027
Majors/Minors: Mechanical Engineering
Career Interest Areas: Engineering, Tech, & Data; Science & Research

My name is Natalia, and I'm a senior studying mechanical engineering at Case! This year I've been fortunate to complete a few co-ops/internships, including roles at FedEx and MSA Safety, and I'm currently interning at the NASA Glenn Research Center this fall. I also studied abroad in Madrid, which pushed me outside my comfort zone and shaped how I approach both engineering and my community. My professional goal is to work in the public sector in either sustainability or aeronautics and potentially attend grad school later down the line. I joined ExE because I'm a big advocate for experiences like co-ops, volunteer work, and study abroad. I truly believe they shape you as a person, both personally and professionally. I can confidently say that my current opportunities have all come from taking advantage of these experiences and the offices here at CWRU. I want to share my experiences and show that your college path doesn't have to be linear or as rigid as one may think!
 

Interests: Thrifting, crafting, collecting physical media, watching movies, and going on walks!

Ingrid Chabalier

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: Economics (Quantitative Methods track) and Psychology; secondary major in Business Management (Organizational Leadership track)
Career Interest Areas: Business & Consulting; Education, Nonprofit, & Social Impact

I’m an international senior student from France and Spain studying how people make decisions, through economics, psychology, and organizational leadership. My learning has happened across three countries and many settings. I did my international baccalaureate at UWC Dilijan in Armenia, spent my Junior year studying abroad at the London School of Economics, and have interned in audit, accounting, clinical psychology, and a hardware startup. During one of my more social impact-focused internships, I have also had the opportunity to design the curriculum of and teach my own course for middle schoolers of the Greater Cleveland area. This year I am tutoring French and Spanish at the Multilingual Writing and Speaking Center, starting the Honors in Economics sequence by designing my own behavioral economics experiment at the Weatherhead School of Management. After graduation, I want to build a career in business and consulting, using insights on human behavior to solve problems and hopefully having a positive social and/or environmental impact. I am thus also very drawn to education, non-profit, and social impact work in combination with my majors. 

Interests:  I love trying out/ practicing all kinds of sports (from soccer to horse riding, including volley and swimming) and regularly hike with a group of friends back in Europe! I am always up to talk about diverse social issues and learn about different cultures and religions! 

Fun fact: I was a former glider-pilot trainee!  

Isabelle Cutlip

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: Psychology & Spanish
Career Interest Areas: Education, Nonprofit, & Social Impact

As a senior psychology student hoping to pursue a clinical psychology PhD, I’ve used my time at CWRU to get involved in both research and in-person work with the populations I hope to serve. In the SOAR lab, I contributed to undergraduate research that built my technical skills in REDCap and Qualtrics, along with my communication and teamwork. Through clinical internships with the Cleveland Clinic Children’s STP program, I gained hands-on experience supporting young people with ADHD, which I’ve continued to assist with into my senior year. Furthermore, volunteering at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (UH), through one of my courses, has deepened my commitment to public service and patient-centered care. Together, these experiences have shown me how research and clinical work strengthen each other, as well as solidifying my passion for psychology. While my future goals center on clinical practice and research, I ultimately hope to return to academia and advise students, which is what drew me to serve as an experiential education ambassador. CWRU offers an abundance of opportunities, but with so many resources on campus, it can be difficult to know where to start, especially for underclassmen. I hope to help the Career Center connect students with those opportunities and speak with prospective students and others who are interested. 

Fun Fact: My favorite Mitchell's ice-cream flavors are black raspberry chocolate chip and chocolate peanut butter cup.  

Kaivalya Gupta

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: Systems and Control Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Minor inApplied Data Science
Career Interest Areas: Engineering, Tech, & Data; Business & Consulting

I’m a senior studying Systems & Control Engineering and Electrical Engineering with a minor in Applied Data Science. Throughout my time at CWRU, I’ve used internships and leadership opportunities to explore how engineering, data, business, and collaboration can come together in a career. Varying experiences across product development, healthcare analytics, data consulting, and student leadership have helped me learn both the kinds of technical problems I enjoy solving and the environments in which I enjoy solving them. After graduation, I hope to work at the intersection of data, technology, and consulting, building technical solutions while working closely with clients and teams.

I became an ExE Ambassador because career development has been important to me since I first came to CWRU, but I still had to learn how to navigate the resources and opportunities available to me by showing up, asking for help, trying things, making mistakes, and continuing to improve. I want to encourage other students to explore early and not limit themselves to what they think they “should” do, because every experience can teach you something about what you enjoy, what you don’t, the skills you want to develop, and how you like to use them. College is a chance to keep doing, learning, and adjusting your direction as you figure out where you want to go next.

Interests/Fun Fact: I enjoy going to the gym in the morning, exploring hole-in-the-wall restaurants, golfing occasionally, and spending time with my family and friends 

Yeonjin (Jin) Kim

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: Mechanical Engineering; Minors in Biomedical Engineering and Business Management
Career Interest Areas: Engineering, Tech, & Data

Hi! I am interested in joining industry in medical devices or mechatronics post-graduation and am passionate about serving the community around me and continuous learning! For the Spring and Summer of 2026, I worked as a Mechanical Engineering Co-op at Johnson & Johnson MedTech on the R&D Orthopedics Power Tools team. I have also been part of Project WHEELS, a research project developing a ride-on car for children with neurological impairment, as an undergraduate research intern at MetroHealth and the CWRU ESCE department. I am excited to be part of ExE because during my time at CWRU, extracurricular activities helped me discover what type of person and leader I want to become! Whether the activity was related to my career path or not, the experiences shaped me to be more well-rounded and adaptable. I am excited to guide and help others who are looking to step outside of their comfort zone and shape their own undergraduate journey!

Interests / Fun Fact: I went to the Miami F1 Grand Prix this year! 

Duoyue (Lucy) Ma

Grad Year: Spring 2029
Majors/Minors: Nursing (BSN); Minor in Nutrition
Career Interest Areas: Healthcare

My name is Duoyue Ma, but I go by Lucy, and I am a nursing student at Case Western Reserve University. Through my clinical experiences and job experiences at University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, I have gained hands-on patient care experiences and collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Beyond healthcare, I have served as a Virtual Spartan Ambassador with the CWRU Office of Undergraduate Admission and as a mentor in the USNA Club for freshman nursing students. These experiences have helped me develop my communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills while exploring opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. My long-term professional goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to gain greater clinical decisions and advance patient care beyond the bedside to make a broader impact on a patient's wellbeing as a whole. 

My name is Duoyue Ma, but I go by Lucy, and I am a nursing student at Case Western Reserve University. Through my clinical experiences and job experiences at University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, I have gained hands-on patient care experiences and collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Beyond healthcare, I have served as a Virtual Spartan Ambassador with the CWRU Office of Undergraduate Admission and as a mentor in the USNA Club for freshman nursing students. These experiences have helped me develop my communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills while exploring opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. My long-term professional goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to gain greater clinical decisions and advance patient care beyond the bedside to make a broader impact on a patient's wellbeing as a whole. 

Fun Fact: I come from Houston Texas, so at first I was really excited for the snow in Cleveland but not anymore because it’s too freezing for me. 

Malaya Purvam

Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors/Minors: Biology and Psychology; Minors in Chemistry and Cognitive Science
Career Interest Areas: Healthcare (Pre-Med)

My name is Malaya Purva and i'm a junior at Case Western Reserve University double majoring in Biology and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Cognitive Science on the pre-med track! Throughout my time at CWRU, I've had the opportunity to explore my interests through biomedical research, clinical shadowing, volunteering, and student leadership. From conducting neonatal research at University Hospitals to shadowing healthcare professionals at Cleveland Clinic and working with students through mentorship and outreach programs, I've really enjoyed learning about the different ways I can make a positive impact on others. In the future, I hope to attend medical school and become a physician, with particular interests in gynecology, pediatrics, and immunology.

Experiential education has been one of the most meaningful parts of my undergraduate experience, allowing me to explore my interests beyond the classroom while developing both personal and professional skills. As an ExE Ambassador, I hope to help other students discover opportunities that align with their interests, encourage them to explore unfamiliar fields, and make the most of the resources available at CWRU.

Interests / Fun Fact: Outside of academics, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and listening to music! I am also passionate about working with children and helping younger students develop confidence in their abilities, particularly through STEM education and mentorship.

Amanda Setiawan

Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors/Minors: Chemical Engineering
Career Interest Areas: Engineering, Tech, & Data; Business & Consulting

Amanda Michelle Setiawan is a third-year Chemical Engineering student pursuing a minor in Marketing at Case Western Reserve University. Passionate about bridging technical knowledge with business strategy and real-world impact, Amanda actively seeks opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through internships, leadership, community engagement, and international experiences.

Throughout her time at CWRU, Amanda has embraced experiential learning through a variety of roles, including serving as a Commercial Sales Intern at GE Vernova, an R&D Intern at Novagard Solutions, and a Digital Marketing Intern at Applied Industrial Technologies. She also expanded her global perspective by studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. On campus, Amanda has served as an Orientation Leader, Supplemental Instruction Leader, University Program Board Director, and PRISE Fellow, where she developed Re-FRESH, an initiative addressing student access to fresh produce. She is passionate about encouraging fellow students to explore experiential learning opportunities, step outside their comfort zones, and discover how their academic interests can translate into meaningful professional and personal growth.

Gavin Trosch

Grad Year: Spring 2029
Majors/Minors: Mathematics, Finance, and Philosophy
Career Interest Areas: Business & Consulting; Government, Law, & Policy

I am a member of the varsity soccer team and the Weatherhead Fund here at Case Western. I initially thought I wouldn’t have time for an internship on top of both, but I found my opportunity at Encore Industrial Co. through the university’s experiential learning resources. There I screened grants for portfolio companies and led the application that won OrderMatic the 2026 Morgan StartUp Grant, which showed me I could do real work as a first-year student. I hope to build a career in the investment space, and it is important to remember that you don’t need the perfect title or a free schedule to start, only the willingness to go find the opportunity.

I became an experiential education ambassador because my experience was wonderful and life-changing. When I first decided to do the micro-internship program I just wanted something for my resume. After doing it, my ideas and plans for my future completely changed. I think it is integral to students' growth to get a feel for the field they will be entering and not just choosing something because of how it seems from the outside.

Interests / Fun Fact: I have been to 20+ National Parks. I love Literature. 

Aishwarya Vedula

Grad Year: Spring 2029
Majors/Minors: Nutritional Biochemistry and Humanities & Technology; Minor in Applied Data Science
Career Interest Areas: Healthcare (Pre-Med)

Aishwarya Vedula is a second-year student at Case Western Reserve University majoring in Nutritional Biochemistry and Humanity & Technology, with a minor in Applied Data Science. She is passionate about the intersection of healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship, with particular interests in developing patient-centered technologies, exploring innovative approaches to healthcare challenges, and making healthcare more accessible. Outside of academics, she is involved in research and developing healthcare-focused initiatives.

Sharara Barakzai

Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors/Minors: MS in Molecular and Cellular Biology of Disease
Career Interest Areas: Healthcare (Pre-Med)

My name is Sharara Barakzai. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology from the University of California, San Diego, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology of Disease at Case Western Reserve University. I also serve as the Master’s student representative for the Department of Pathology. I will soon be starting glioblastoma research at Cleveland Clinic under Dr. Justin Lathia, as well as clinical work at University Hospital. After completing my master’s, I plan to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician.

Hands-on experiences have shaped every step of my path, from working with brain tumor specimens in the lab to caring for patients in the hospital. They helped me see how what I learn in class connects to real patients, and I want to help other students find those same opportunities.

Interests / Fun Fact: Outside of academics, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and listening to music! I am also passionate about working with children and helping younger students develop confidence in their abilities, particularly through STEM education and mentorship.