Graduate student ambassadors
Representing tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators
The University of Florida Warrington College of Business knows that we attract an exceptional group of driven, dedicated, creative and collaborative graduate students.
Statistics tell you part of who they are and why they’re here. Our Graduate Ambassadors will tell you the rest — whether you’re thinking about where you’ll go for your master’s or what to do once you’re here.
On campus, our Ambassadors bring together and guide all graduate students — master’s, MBA, doctoral, combination and online — while representing Warrington at information sessions and through the UF and greater Gainesville community. Learn more about what they do and the best ways to reach out.
A student perspective of our graduate programs
Businesses depend on collaborative teams, mission visibility and community awareness. You’ll find that our Graduate Ambassadors embody these characteristics, no matter if they’re giving you a preview of our programs or helping you adjust to life on campus.
Representing our master’s and MBA programs
A personal perspective says so much more than numbers. Ambassadors provide this angle during information sessions and one-on-one meetings, talking about their experiences in and outside the classroom and what drew them to Warrington.
On the UF campus
Business knowledge benefits a range of backgrounds and helps pave the way to leadership roles in many fields. If you’re a current UF student considering graduate studies, speak with an Ambassador about how a master’s degree from Warrington builds upon and enhances your major.
Meet with a Graduate Ambassador
Our Ambassadors have spent at least a semester on campus — where they’ve completed assignments, joined student organizations, and signed up for recruiting events — and they’re ready to tell you all about it.
For prospective students
Move past the comparison stage by attending an information session or requesting a virtual meeting. Consider arriving with questions about courses, career and professional development, or life in Gainesville.
For current students
Curious about combination programs, electives, sponsored projects or studying abroad? Browse the lists of program Ambassadors below to send an email, connect on LinkedIn or request a call. Also feel free to stop by their table inside Hough Hall or any on-campus event where they’re present.
Please note
Student Ambassadors are not admissions representatives and cannot provide answers to questions about resumes, work experience, test scores or the graduate application. Please bring these and similar inquiries to your program’s admissions coordinator.
Meet our current Ambassadors
See who represents your program and how to contact them.
Executive Board
Vanessa Williams
Executive Director & Online Liaisons Director
MSM
Vanessa’s LinkedIn
Email Vanessa
Jillian Sullivan
Director of Operations
MS in Marketing
Jillian’s LinkedIn
Email Jillian
Brooke Buchheit
Public Relations Director & Campus Outreach Director
MIB
Brooke’s LinkedIn
Email Brooke
Sia Rajput
Student Engagement Director
MSM
Sia’s LinkedIn
Email Sia
Alex Kintzele
Community Engagement Director
MS in Marketing
Alex’s LinkedIn
Email Alex
Chloé Clark
Multicultural Excellence Director
MSM
Chloé’s LinkedIn
Email Chloé
Campus Outreach Ambassadors
Alexzandria Simon
MSMar
Alexzandria’s LinkedIn
Email Alexzandria
Andrew Nunez
MIB
Andrew’s LinkedIn
Email Andrew
Caitlyn Crossley
MIB
Caitlyn’s LinkedIn
Email Caitlyn
Marley DeKriek
MSMar
Marley’s LinkedIn
Email Marley
Nicole Muscolino
MIB
Nicole’s LinkedIn
Email Nicole
Noelia Hidalgo
MSM
Noelia’s LinkedIn
Email Noelia
Community Engagement Ambassadors
Anthony Zacarias
MIB
Anthony’s LinkedIn
Email Anthony
Bree Daerr
MSMar
Bree’s LinkedIn
Email Bree
Christopher Rosato
MSMar
Christopher’s LinkedIn
Email Christopher
Nicolas Trujillo
MIB
Nicolas’ LinkedIn
Email Nicholas
Paulina Llorens
MIB
Paulina’s LinkedIn
Email Paulina
Multicultural Excellence Ambassadors
Cecilia Le
MSMar
Cecilia’s LinkedIn
Email Cecilia
Dhruti Patel
MIB
Dhruti’s LinkedIn
Email Dhruti
Melody Para
MSMar
Melody’s LinkedIn
Email Melody
Miroslav Konderla
MIB
Miroslav’s LinkedIn
Email Miroslav
Nandini Kumar
MIB
Nandini’s LinkedIn
Email Nandini
Nataliya Shvachka
MIB
Nataliya’s LinkedIn
Email Nataliya
Student Engagement Ambassadors
Alexandra Sholtis
MSMar
Alexandra’s LinkedIn
Email Alexandra
Andrea Paipa
MIB
Andrea’s LinkedIn
Email Andrea
Ashley Goldstein
MIB
Ashley’s LinkedIn
Email Ashley
Marina Barbara
MIB
Marina’s LinkedIn
Email Marina
Michael Pribe
MSM
Michael’s LinkedIn
Email Michael
Patrick Garcia
MSM
Patrick’s LinkedIn
Email Patrick
Samuel Frempong
Samuel’s LinkedIn | Samuel’s Email
Desired industry: Finance, investment banking, energy
Clubs involved in: MBAA Target & Forecasting Officer
Why UF? After working for almost a decade in the corporate world, I decided to further my career and build a strong network of accomplished alumni. UF is close to family, [has an] impressive ranking in accredited sources, and I’m passionate about promoting diversity by attracting more international students.
Preferred name: Samuel
Favorite thing about Gainesville: Perfect blend of small-town with rich culture and experiences. Natural beauty with energy from students.
Previous organization and role: Finance Manager, Baker Hughes
Michelle Finn
Michelle’s LinkedIn | Michelle’s Email
Desired industry: Energy, engineering, or consulting.
Clubs involved in: GCAP
Why UF? I am a double-gator, about to be triple-gator. I have gained incredible knowledge through each degree earned at UF. Additionally, the MBA program has a great ROI.
Preferred name: Michelle
Favorite thing about Gainesville: Family-friendly parks and a surprising amount of playgrounds in the area.
Previous organization and role: Research and Development Engineer, Jacobi Carbons
Réka Holicsek
Réka’s LinkedIn | Réka’s Email
Desired industry: CPG, entertainment, aviation
Clubs involved in: MBAA Gator Nights Co-Chair
Why UF? As a soon-to-be double-gator, my time at UF has been transformative. During my exchange semester and graduate studies in the MIB program, I fell in love with everything UF and Gainesville have to offer. Choosing to continue my education with the UF MBA program — Florida’s top MBA program with its small cohort size and great ROI — was an easy decision.
Preferred name: Réka
Favorite thing about Gainesville: Food spots, Florida Gators Gymnastics meets
Previous organization and role: Anheuser-Busch InBev Austria – Sales & Marketing
David Hurst
David’s LinkedIn | David’s Email
Desired industry: BioPharma or otherwise closely related to science. I want to provide business support for smart people doing cool science.
Clubs that you’re involved in: GCAP Co-Captain
Why UF? It was a no-brainer — I’m a third-generation and double-gator. I’ve been working across the street in education, interacting closely with undergraduate and graduate students in Warrington.
Preferred name: David
Favorite thing about Gainesville: Businesses stay open late.
Previous organization and role: Manager, Study Edge
Jeremy Kleiman
Jeremy’s LinkedIn | Jeremy’s Email
Desired industry: Engineering/manufacturing
Clubs involved in: Jewish Association of MBA Students Chair
Why UF? After completing an undergraduate degree from UF and having lived in multiple other countries and cities, I knew the only place that I wanted to return to for my MBA was the University of Florida. Besides the great statistics the program boasts, the people and culture here are amazing!
Preferred name: Jeremy
Favorite thing about Gainesville: The conglomeration of diverse, intelligent, and friendly people.
Previous organization and role: Senior Process Engineer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
Carson Neil
Carson’s LinkedIn | Carson’s Email
Desired industry: Medical Technology — I want to build financial wealth for companies in the medical technology space.
Why UF? Frankly, it was the perfect culture that I was looking for, and I saw myself seamlessly fitting in with current students and alumni. On top of that, as a top 30 MBA program offering me a full scholarship, it was a pretty easy decision.
Preferred name: Carson
Favorite thing about Gainesville: Tons of outdoor adventures to explore.
Previous organization and role: Digitas, Search Marketing
Bri Urukalo
Bri’s LinkedIn | Bri’s Email
Desired industry: Medical technology, CPG, or travel
Clubs involved in: Cohort Representative
Why UF? When I visited UF for the first time, I knew it was the ideal fit for me. Gainesville has such great energy, and I knew being here would help me grow into the type of leader I want to be! I truly love it here.
Preferred name: Bri
Favorite thing about Gainesville: The people I’ve met.
Previous organization and role: Associate Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual
Luke Cullen
Combination degree student
Data Science
Luke’s LinkedIn
Rohan Anil Dayma
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Rohan’s LinkedIn
Matthew Friedman
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Matthew’s LinkedIn
Chris George
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Chris’ LinkedIn
Florence Hu
Traditional master’s student
Information Technology
Florence’s LinkedIn
Sourab Kasimahanthi
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Sourab’s LinkedIn
Romtin Kharrazi
Combination degree student
Data Science
Romtin’s LinkedIn
Kaushik Nakka
Traditional master’s student
Business Analytics
Kaushik’s LinkedIn
Rimi Nandy
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Rimi’s LinkedIn
Rupakali Padira
Traditional master’s student
Business Analytics
Rupakali’s LinkedIn
Vyom Purohit
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Vyom’s LinkedIn
Venkatamanas Raghupatruni
Data Science
Venkatamanas’ LinkedIn
Rahul Singh
Traditional master’s student
Data Science
Rahul’s LinkedIn
Kara E. Klemeyer
Kara’s LinkedIn
MSRE Lead Ambassador
Location: Florida, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas
Interests: Financial Analysis, Asset Management, Development, CRE Investment, Private Equity
Spencer F. Petermann
Spencer’s LinkedIn
MSRE Lead Ambassador
Location: Florida
Interests: Acquisition & Development, RE Private Equity
Jaime C. Holland
Jamie’s LinkedIn
Why become a Graduate Student Ambassador?
Lean into your leadership abilities while serving as the mouthpiece and go-to information resource for Warrington’s graduate programs. Additional benefits include:
Provide guidance to current students
Incoming students arrive with lots of questions about classroom expectations, finding internships and networking. Our Ambassadors have answers or can point to additional resources.
Build our community
Make sure everyone among our graduate population feels included. Throughout the year, you’ll maintain a calendar of social events, like bowling or karaoke nights, hold hybrid study sessions with online students and lead professional development workshops.
Engage our community partners
Give back to the Gainesville community as a volunteer while simultaneously strengthening Warrington’s local partnerships. Graduate Ambassadors have previously performed service for The Big Event, Habitat for Humanity and Food4Kids.
Represent your fellow students
Act as a liaison for Warrington’s graduate population by communicating their collective interests to faculty, staff, and other program stakeholders and working with academic advisors to enrich the student experience.
Get professional experience
Add project management skills to your resume, plus letters of recommendation and references from local organizations. This combination often gives you an edge when securing an internship or full-time role.
Broaden your network
Every handshake turns into a potential connection. Being an Ambassador often means that faculty, fellow students, and industry professionals know your name, and you’ll have access to exclusive networking events.