Dietrich School Student Ambassadors

Dietrich School Student Ambassadors 2023-24

2023-2024 Student Ambassadors

Ambassadors share their experiences in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences with prospective students, current University of Pittsburgh students and the university community. You'll get to know our student ambassadors in videos, webinars, and hopefully on campus! Ask them about their clubs, courses, campus life and more by reaching out to artsci@pitt.edu


Sindhuja Avadhanula (she/her)

Sindhuja Avadhanula

Me in a few words:  "A Menace to all the thinkers!"

  • Year of study: Senior (Pre-Law track)
  • Major: Sociology
  • Minors: Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies; Legal Studies
  • Certificate in Children’s Literature

Bio:  Hey everyone! My name is Sindhu Avadhanula and I am from Bear, Delaware. I am a senior in the guaranteed law program with hopes to pursue a dual degree and earn both my master's in social work and JD in law. On campus, in addition to being a Dietrich Ambassador, I work for the Office of PittServes to oversee the three largest days of service at Pitt and the Office of Residence Life as a Resident Assistant in Tower B. Off campus, I am a caseworker intern with TRAC Services for Families and a Bartender at Phipps Botanical Garden. My favorite Pitt tradition is belting out to Sweet Caroline at football games. I love to visit Uzima which is a really cute smoothie place down Fifth that promotes mental health!

List of Ambassadors


Bhaskar Chakrabarti (he/him)

Bhaskar Chakrabarti

Me in a few words:  "Living life fast, enjoying the journey."

  • Year of study: Sophomore (Pre-Med)
  • Major: Neuroscience
  • Minors: Chemistry; Applied Statistics
  • Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine

Bio:  Hey there, my name is Bhaskar, and I am from New York City! I am a current sophomore majoring in neuroscience with minors in chemistry and applied statistics and a certificate in conceptual foundations of medicine on the pre-med track. Outside of class, I do research on Multiple Sclerosis at UPMC, am Director of Logistics in the Science Olympiad at Pitt, and serve as a Frederick Honors College Research Peer Mentor. My favorite Pitt tradition is singing "Sweet Caroline" at football games! In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city of Pittsburgh on bike.

List of Ambassadors


Luciana De Jesus (she/her)

Luciana De Jesus

Me in a few words:  "Unexpected Brainiac and Resident Pop-Culture Historian."

  • Year of study: Junior
  • Majors: Classics; Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
  • Certificate in Writing

Bio:  Hi! My name is Luciana De Jesus and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m double majoring in classics and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies with a certificate in writing. Other than being a Dietrich Ambassador, I am involved with several clubs on campus, such as Ballet Club at Pitt and the Latinx Student Assocation. My favorite things to do around the Pittsburgh area are visiting the many museums in the area such as the Carnegie Museum of Art (free access with a Pitt ID!) and enjoying a nice day in Schenley Plaza. My favorite Pitt tradition is seeing the Victory Lights brighten up the sky after a big Pitt win! A must visit for the Pittsburgh area is definitely Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a beautiful place to enjoy greenery and visit the butterfly room.

List of Ambassadors


Megan Diston (she/her)

Megan Diston

Me in a few words:  "Ignoring my comedic destiny to be an English critic!"

  • Year of study: Junior
  • Major: Linguistics
  • Minor: Japanese
  • Certificate in Asian Studies

Bio:  Hi! My name is Megan Diston and I'm from all the way down in sunny Miami, Florida! I'm majoring in linguistics with a minor in Japanese and certificate in Asian studies. I'm also involved in various clubs, including Yinzlings (our linguistics club), MTC (our musical theater club) and Ballroom Club here on campus. My favorite Pitt tradition has got to be Fall Fest! We always get some of the best artists to perform and it's a welcome break in the long fall semester. Though, I'd say rubbing the panther statue’s nose, right by the William Pitt Union, for good luck during finals is a close second. That panther has never let me down yet. My favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh is to walk around Shadyside. That area is known for its amazing food spots that are too good to pass up, and you can always find something new! I can't wait to meet prospective students and explore if Pitt is the right fit for you together!

List of Ambassadors


Jordyn Drummond (she/her)

Jordyn Drummond

Me in a few words:  "Constantly seeking challenge and change."

  • Year of study: Senior
  • Majors: Communication; Psychology
  • Minor: Education
  • Certificate in Corporate and Community Relations

Bio:  Hi all! My name is Jordyn Drummond, and I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I'm a senior double majoring in psychology and communication, with a minor in education and a corporate and community relations certificate. I'm a member of a gender-inclusive service fraternity called Alpha Phi Omega (APO) and an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) for one of our first-year programs! I like all the Pitt traditions, but my favorite is rubbing the panther's nose! Rubbing the nose of the panther statue outside of William Pitt Union is said to give you good luck on exams. My favorite thing to do on campus is get Saxby's coffee and sit outside the Cathedral of learning.

List of Ambassadors


Henry Gifford (he/him)

Henry Gifford

Me in a few words:  "Always giggling pop-fanatic who's carefully carefree."

  • Year of study: Senior
  • Major: Psychology
  • Minor: Neuroscience

Bio:  Hi! I’m Henry from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, which is a short car ride from Philly. I’m a psychology major, also minoring in neuroscience. Around campus, I am a character in The Imagination Project, a member of the Psi Chi Society for psychology majors, involved in neuropsychology research on-campus and marketing research off-campus. My favorite Pitt tradition is definitely the Bigelow Bash every spring where a surprise celebrity musical artist arrives and performs right in the middle of campus. Everyone goes to the concert; I go for the vendors. My favorite spot in Pittsburgh is Peace, Love, and Little Donuts in the Strip District, which is the perfect place to go all year round if you have a sweet tooth.

List of Ambassadors


Ankita Kalasabail (she/her)

Ankita Kalasabail

Me in a few words"Lover of Coffee, Taylor Swift, & HGW (Hot Girl Walks)."

  • Year of study: Senior
  • Majors: Communication; Psychology

Bio:  I'm Ankita Kalasabail, a current senior from Wayne, PA! I am completing a double major in psychology and communications rhetoric. In addition to serving as a Dietrich Ambassador, I am a Resident Assistant with the Office of Residence Life and a Blue and Gold Society Ambassador! My favorite Pitt tradition would have to be either rubbing the panther's nose before finals or Paint the Town! My favorite place to explore in Pittsburgh is Shadyside!

List of Ambassadors


Varsha Kumaravel (she/her)

Varsha Kumaravel

Me in a few words:  "Charming challenge-seeker; another day, another slay." 

  • Year of study: Senior (Pre-Med)
  • Major: Psychology
  • Minors: Chemistry; Creative Writing
  • Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine

Bio:  Hi everyone! My name is Varsha and I am from Northern Virginia. I am a senior majoring in psychology, with minors in creative writing and chemistry, and pursuing the conceptual foundations of medicine certificate. In addition to being a Dietrich Ambassador, I am involved in The Pitt Pulse, Psychology Club, and I am an intern at West Penn Hospital. A Pitt tradition that I love is seeing the Victory Lights illuminating Cathy when we win a football game. The glow from Cathy always looks so beautiful at night! In my free time, I enjoy relaxing on Flagstaff Hill with a picnic blanket. The views from Flagstaff Hill, especially at night, are gorgeous, and I have made a lot of fond and heartwarming memories there!

List of Ambassadors


Dom Lee (he/him)

Dom Lee

Me in a few words:  "Started shy, turned a little crazy."

  • Year of study: Senior (Pre-Law track)
  • Major: Law, Criminal Justice, and Society 

Bio:  Hi! My name is Dom and I am from Nottoway, Virginia. I am majoring in law, criminal justice, and society on the pre-law track. I am involved in the American Sign Language Club, Psychology Club, Virginia 4-H, and Pitt Residence Life. My favorite Pitt Tradition would be the Laser and Fireworks show that occurs every year during Homecoming Week. My favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh is to try new and different restaurants scattered throughout the city with my close friends!

List of Ambassadors


Shanthi Mayadam (she/her)

Shanthi Mayadam

Me in a few words:  "Currently girl-bossing a little too hard."

  • Year of study: Junior (Pre-Med track)
  • Majors: Microbiology; Psychology
  • Minor: Chemistry

Bio:  Hi everyone! My name is Shanthi Mayadam, and I am currently a junior double majoring in microbiology and psychology, with a minor in chemistry (on the pre-medicine track). My future academic goals include getting my master’s in school psychology, and then going to medical school. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so I am well-versed in the Pittsburgh area, and I love sightseeing and trying new places! Some of my favorite activities in Pittsburgh are riding the Monongahela Incline, walking on the North Shore, and shopping at Southside Works. When I’m not out relaxing, you will find me at the UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals as a student volunteer, an Alto I with Pitt’s Treble Choral Ensemble, or a Facilities Attendant at any of the many Pitt Campus Recreation Facilities. My favorite Pitt tradition is singing Sweet Caroline (a must on game day).

List of Ambassadors


Cassady Tercek (she/her)

Cassady Tercek

Me in a few words:  "Living, Laughing, Loving, and Hailing to Pitt."

  • Year of study: Senior
  • Major: Economics
  • Certificate in Public and Professional Writing

Bio:  Hi! My name is Cassady, and I’m a senior, majoring in economics and pursuing a public and professional writing certificate. My hometown is Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On campus, I’m an editor at Forbes and Fifth, a student organized undergraduate research journal, and I'm a part of Women in Economics and Pitt Ballet Club. Off campus, I work with Creative Citizen Studios, and I am a member of CrossFit Athletics. My favorite Pitt tradition is enjoying the view of victory lights shining from the top of Cathy after a Pitt football win. My favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh is bike in the Southside!

List of Ambassadors


Emma Whittaker (she/her)

Emma Whittaker

Me in a few words:  "Enthusiastic altruist and shameless art nerd."

  • Year of study: Junior
  • Majors: Anthropology; Museum Studies
  • Minor: Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies  

Bio:  My name is Emma and I am a junior from Ardmore, PA. I am currently studying anthropology and museum studies with a minor in gender, sexuality, and women's studies. I am also involved in the Treble Choral Ensemble at Pitt and am a volunteer mentor with Strong Women Strong Girls, a non-profit that provides after-school programming for elementary school girls in Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, I love hiking in Schenley Park and grabbing gelato at Mercurio's, my favorite restaurant in Shadyside. My favorite Pitt tradition is Lantern Night, an event for alumnae to pass on the "light" of learning to the incoming class.

List of Ambassadors