Student Profiles

Meet our interns!

The Diversity Outreach interns are current undergraduate students who work closely with the Undergraduate Admissions Office to recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds. Our students help us to identify, recruit, and yield prospective high school students from historically underrepresented groups at Cornell (African-American, Latino/a, Native American, first-generation college, and high-need students). Our interns serve as liaisons between the Undergraduate Admissions Office and the student body. They also work closely with groups across campus on outreach efforts.

Amelia Samuelu

Amelia Samuelu

College and Class Year: College of Arts and Sciences, 2019
Major: Sociology
Minor: Latino Studies, Inequality Studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Activities: CU IMAGE e-board member, Cornell PISA co-founder, Cornell’s Mi Comunidad member, Flora Rose Scholar, Arts & Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council member, Into the Streets volunteer
Favorite Cornell Classes: Latinos in the United States, Mesoamerican Arts & Architecture of Pre-Columbian America 
Top 5 Things to do:
  • Relaxing with friends after a long round of prelims.
  • Going to the Ithaca Farmer’s Market. 
  • Exploring the nooks and crannies of Cornell’s extensive campus.
  • Creating art of Cornell’s scenic views with friends.
  • Sleeping in on Saturday mornings.
Why I wanted to be an intern: I find pleasure in being an intern at the UAO because I can help incoming students make the confident decision of choosing Cornell as not only their school, but their home. One of my biggest worries before committing was not being able to find a supportive community. However, my tour guide during Diversity Hosting made it clear that there was a home for each person. Alex, my tour guide, was an influential factor in my decision to attend, and I want to offer that same encouragement to students who are like me. 
 
What I do as an intern: I lend a helping hand at the UAO to make sure that things run smoothly, such as outside correspondence with high schools and overnight bus stays. Besides writing emails and answering questions, I help introduce students to Cornell through welcome talks and campus tours. Anything else the Office needs assistance with, I am happy to comply.
 

Brendon Gauthier

 Brendon Gauthier

College and Class Year: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2021
Major: Animal Science
Hometown: Opelousas, Louisiana
Activities: MASS (Minority Animal Science Students), Meinig Family National Scholar
Favorite Cornell Classes: Introduction to Psychology, Domestic Animal Biology
Top 5 Things to do:
  • Talking and telling jokes with other students/friends.
  • Playing basketball and working out.
  • Interacting with the animals on Ezra’s Farm.
  • Sitting and enjoying the beautiful scenery on campus.
  • Eating as much as I can in the dining halls.
Why I wanted to be an intern: The desire to give back and help others resides deep within me. It is a privilege to be a Cornell student. I want to show those potential students who may not think that they have what it takes to succeed here or think that Cornell is out of their reach how possible it really is to become a Cornellian. The Undergraduate Admissions Office provides me with the opportunity to do just that.

What I do as an intern: I work in a variety of ways here, but my main focus is to interact with prospective students. I aid in the planning and management of community-based organizations, high school, and individual visits to campus. I also engage with prospective students via Skype, Google Hangouts, and emails. Last but not least, I assist with day-to-day tasks in the office.

Calista-Rae Campbell

 Calista-Rae Campbell

College and Class Year: College of Arts and Sciences, 2021
Major: Linguistics, Cognitive Science, and Anthropology
Hometown: Waimea, Hawaii
Activities: Theatre, Fencing, and I hope to join the Cornell Ballroom Team
Favorite Cornell Classes: Introduction to Cognitive Science, Modern Chinese History, Introduction to Linguistics, and Olympic Fencing
Top 5 Things to do:
  • Spend all your Big Red (dining) Bucks at Trillium in Kennedy Hall.
  • Take study breaks in Collegetown.
  • Join as many clubs/organizations as possible.
  • Spend a summer here!
  • Lounge around on the Arts Quad.
Why I wanted to be an intern: I was invited to the Diversity Hosting program last April 2017 and was convinced that I wanted to be a part of the team that made programs like this possible. Many people helped me when I came to Cornell for the first time, so helping prospective students transition into Cornell is my way of giving back. I was fortunate enough to attend the Pre-Freshman Summer Program. I look forward to sharing my experiences with prospective students.
 
What I do as an intern: I respond to emails coming from prospective students to answer their questions about life here at Cornell. I hope to make a positive difference for prospective students who may be having some uncertainty about attending this amazing university.   
 

Carlos Ventura

Carlos Ventura

College and Class Year: SC Johnson College of Business, 2020
Major: Applied Economics and Management (Marketing and Finance)
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Activities: CU IMAGE, Quisqueya, Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, Intermural Volleyball
Favorite Cornell Classes: Race & Ethnicity in the United States, Latinos in the U.S., Intro to Marketing, Intro to Finance, Spreadsheet Modeling
Top 5 Things to do:
  • Play sports- I like trying new sports and staying active.
  • Hang out with friends, whether that be at the movies or just sitting and talking. It’s nice to have people you like around you.
  • Watch TV and play video games—I don’t like being stressed, so it’s important for me to stay relaxed.
  • Help people solve their problems. Just like I don’t like being stressed, I don’t like others being stressed. I like helping people out through tutoring, giving advice, or even just being there to listen.
  • Eat and sleep—it’s the best combination, especially on the weekends.
Why I wanted to be an intern: I understand how it feels to be applying to colleges and feeling clueless. I had never visited colleges before applying and I knew little about the application process. I left it up to my counselors and the admissions staff at universities to help me get through it. Being an intern at the Undergraduate Admissions Office allows me to act as that bridge. I am able to work with prospective students every day and help them feel comfortable in choosing Cornell.
 
What I do as an intern: My main task as an intern is to help prospective students. I support the admissions staff by aiding prospective underrepresented students and their families throughout the application, admissions, and matriculation process in hopes of increasing multicultural/underrepresented student enrollment. We answer any questions students may have about Cornell and help organize group visits and overnight stays with the admissions office. I also assist with marketing and social media content development.

 

Maria Silvestri

Maria Silvestri

College and Class Year: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2021
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education
Hometown: La Romana, Dominican Republic
Activities: CU IMAGE, Cornell Orientation Steering Committee
Favorite Cornell Classes: America's Promise: Social and Political Context of American Education, Food Safety Assurance
Top 5 Things to do:
  • Hang out with my dog, Nina.
  • Studying at Collegetown Bagels - I love the environment there.
  • Help fundraise and spread awareness for Hogar del Niño.
  • I love cooking and trying new recipes.
  • Playing Just Dance on the Wii with my housemates.
Why I wanted to be an intern: I’ve been a part of CU IMAGE since freshman year, and I attended Diversity Hosting Month as a senior in high school. As an intern, I get to delve deeper into what it means to bring diversity onto campus and make Cornell feel like a home for every student that steps foot here.
 
What I do as an intern: I help with a little bit of everything, wherever I’m needed in the office. I talk to prospective students, whether it be at information sessions or over the phone, and help plan bus groups visiting campus.