Building Belonging Fellows

The Office of Student Engagement, Affinity, and Inclusion (OSEAI) strives to give a voice and platform to those who may otherwise feel unheard. In partnership with OSEAI and D'Amore-McKim leadership, the Building Belonging Fellows aide OSEAI program development and implementation to ensure that all students have positive experiences at D'Amore-McKim.

The Fellows are the heart of OSEAI. They are advisors, ambassadors, and community builders who share a passion for OSEAI's mission and are empowered to contribute their ideas, feedback, and values. Working as a cohort, the Fellows model the D'Amore-McKim community ideal: supporting each other with open and honest conversations to make way for creative and inclusive innovation on their project teams.

OSEAI is committed to supporting the Fellows' professional growth by providing leadership development, corporate mentorship and team building opportunities—empowering them to become successful, compassionate, global leaders. Fellows are awarded a stipend for their contributions.

Meet the Fellows

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Accounting 
Minors in Business Leadership & Human Capital and Communications 

Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Jephte came to Northeastern because he was extremely interested in the co-op program. He had the opportunity to spend his first semester in college abroad as a student in the N.U.in program. Once he got back to the Boston campus, he joined the Finance and Investment Club, Economics Society, the Dream Mentorship program, and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. After his time at Northeastern, he hopes to pursue his CPA certification and work in tax services at an accounting firm. 

BS in Business Administration
Concentration in Accounting 
Minor in Leadership & Human Capital

Raised outside of New York City, Manisha was looking to fall in love with another city that attracts people from all over the world when thinking about where to go to college. As a first-generation student, attending college was a non-negotiable goal—but which college to attend was up for negotiation. Manisha joined Northeastern because of its global community and opportunities. She even started her Northeastern experience abroad as a N.U.in student in London. Manisha arrived in Boston after her semester abroad looking to get involved and find an inclusive environment away from home within her Northeastern community. She became the Treasurer of NU Stage and a Chair for the Student Alumni Ambassadors and actively participates in a few other campus organizations. Manisha joined the Building Belonging Fellows because she understands the importance of fostering an inclusive community in shaping a positive student experience. This fellowship provided her with the opportunity to do just that, and she is so grateful for the chance to build belonging in D'Amore-McKim. 

BS in International Business 
Concentration in Marketing 
Minor in Consulting 

Born on the far-east island of Taiwan, Aaisha considers herself to be a third-culture kid: Her family comes from India, but she grew up in the UAE and Germany. During her spare time, you can find her writing and editing articles as one of IDEA's marketing associates or attempting a new crafty activity like knitting. She is passionate about finding places for people to belong and is a big fan of learning about new cultures. As a Building Belonging Fellow, she hopes to make D'Amore-McKim a place for people to call their home away from home. 

BS in International Business 
Concentration in Supply Chain Management 
Minors in Law & Public Policy and Global Fashion Studies 

Mya is the Founder of jetnoire.com, an online fashion brand specializing in women's wear. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and she came to Northeastern on a whim. She had never been to Boston, but loved the idea of a co-op program. During her time at Northeastern, she dove headfirst into campus life. Mya is actively involved with the NU Alliance of Civically Engaged Students, Residential Life, Fashion and Retail Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Social Justice Resource Center. After her time at Northeastern, she hopes to continue scaling her brand and enter the private equity sector managing portfolios for a variety of clients. 

BS in Business Administration  
Concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Marketing 

Jessica is passionate about social impact and the idea of business being used as a platform to drive positive change in the world. She is very excited to be a Fellow and have the opportunity to help develop programs for students with underrepresented and marginalized identities. Along with completing three great co-ops at TJX, Quick Base, and VMware, Jessica is very grateful for the extracurriculars she has been involved in at Northeastern. Along with being a Fellow, Jessica is a D'Amore-McKim Delegate (TA & Mentor) for the course Personal Skill Development, a mentor to freshmen students interested in entrepreneurship through the PAC program, and a co-facilitator for a leadership workshop through LEAD360. She is also looking forward to starting her role as a Research Assistant for the International Business & Strategy department in Spring 2021. 

BS in Business Administration  
Concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship 
Minors in Art and Arabic  

Vietnamese-born, Irish-raised, Arizona-grown, and California-based–Ciana grew up with the influences of many identities, namely that of the Southwest. Growing up with primarily immigrant friends and as an immigrant herself, Ciana found a passion for minority empowerment, which started with her high school involvement in nonprofit management that manifested in Boston through March For Our Lives. From studying abroad in Amman, Jordan, to having two co-ops on each coast of the U.S., Ciana's says the best part of her Northeastern experience has been the relationships and community she's found here. The Building Belonging Fellowship has allowed Ciana to create lasting bonds with an amazing group of people and to lead an affinity-based mentorship group for current freshmen. In her free time, Ciana loves to draw (visit her portfolio), penny-board, and spot dogs from obscure distances. 

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Finance 
Minor in Consulting 

Cameron is a second-year student at D'Amore-McKim studying business administration with concentrations in finance and marketing analytics. Home for him is a small town in upstate New York called Clifton Park. He absolutely loves this fellowship because he's able to use the platform to build up inclusivity within D'Amore-McKim and facilitate meaningful relationships between students with varying affinities. 

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Management Information Systems  
Pre-Medical Track 

Originally from Spotsylvania, Virginia, Khailah saw her future in a fast-paced, innovative city, eventually choosing to come to Northeastern to study in a fast-paced, innovative city. At Northeastern, she has been involved in numerous on/off campus organizations: a mentor for Partners for Youth with Disabilities, the active Co-captain of the Varsity Women's Track and Field Team, a member of the Women in Business Club, and a D'Amore-McKim Building Belonging Fellow. After her time at Northeastern, Khailah aspires to climb through medical school and start her career in medicine focusing on closing minority disparities in healthcare treatments and utilizing more data centered technology to save lives.

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Marketing 
Minor in Sports, Media, and Communication 

Annie was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was determined to head east for college. On campus, she participates actively in Strong Women Strong Girls (SWSG) where she is a cohort leader and mentor to elementary school girls around Boston. When she is not studying or participating in SWSG activities, Annie can be found working out, socializing, and knitting. Annie is focusing her studies in marketing and sports communication, and is particularly enthusiastic about marketing opportunities and the world of digital media. Being a Building Belonging Fellow fits well with Annie's passions, as she has diversity, equity, and inclusion experiences in previous work environments and in high school. She is excited and feels quite fortunate to continue that work at D'Amore McKim. 

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Finance 

Born in Nigeria, Miracle has lived in New York, Copenhagen, and New Castle and has a long list of countries and cities she'd like to visit. She is involved in Women in Finance, No Limits Dance Crew, and runs a social impact venture called OpportuniMe. She wrote her first book last summer and plans to write more in the future along with building a career in the finance industry. Giving back to the community is very important to her, and she volunteers with organizations like Science Club for Girls and Budget Buddies, which are focused on economic empowerment and gender equality.

BS in Business Administration and Political Science 
Concentration in Entrepreneurship 

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and since having moved over 8 times across the world throughout Mexico, the Czech Republic, and four states in the U.S.A., Julia has never really known where she knew where she would be the next year. However, since coming to Northeastern, things have become much more stable. She has felt like her time at Northeastern has allowed her to grow and better know herself—although she will never adapt to the cold. Julia is passionate about three things in life; ensuring all people get a fair chance in life (human rights), animals (especially dogs), and politics. Hopefully one day these passions will take her to a job where she can seamlessly combine them all and help make the world a better place.

BS in Business Administration 
Concentration in Marketing Analytics 

After being born, raised, and schooled for 12 years in Quito, Ecuador, between a new country and a different culture, coming to Northeastern was a challenge for Adriana. It was difficult for her to think of Northeastern as her new home. Nevertheless, Northeastern has opened the door to millions of possibilities and connections and she has never felt more confident about herself. Adriana has been able to learn beyond the horizons of the classroom, which fulfills her passion for learning. She is grateful to have encountered such wonderful opportunities and plans to take advantage of all of them. She wants to make this time a great experience that will guide her in the future.

BS in Business Administration  
Concentration in Finance 

Born and raised in Singapore, Vidhya moved across the world to join the Northeastern community. Living in Boston has been a welcome change, and she has enjoyed her experience so far, including even the weather. Northeastern has provided her with plenty of opportunities including volunteering experience and co-op, which has enabled her to grow and thrive in this new environment. When she is not in classes, Vidhya is an avid reader of fiction and enjoys watching nature documentaries. The Building Belonging Fellowship is an exciting venture for Vidhya, as she loves the idea of helping make D'Amore-McKim a more inclusive environment, and she hopes to apply what she learns to her future.

BS in Business Administration and Political Science 
Concentration in Entrepreneurship  

Born and raised in South Boston, Chloe loved her city so much that she chose to continue her education here. After attending a Boston Public High School and being a first-generation college student, transitioning into a private university was difficult. However, now she feels that Northeastern is a home. In terms of her career, Chloe hopes to combine her passion for both business and fashion in her career. She also wants to help students with similar backgrounds adjust to college life. She hopes to create a more inclusive and collaborative environment for both her current peers and incoming students as a Building Belonging Fellow at D'Amore-McKim

Fellowship Program Highlights & Future Initiatives

  • Proposed affinity-based mentorship program for first-year students that resulted in the launch of the PAC Program; serve as peer mentors in the program
  • Established “Gratitude Awards” to recognize faculty for inclusive teaching strategies 
  • Led “Amplifying Black Voices: The Black Student Experience in D'Amore-McKim” community conversation series that was offered to faculty, staff, student leaders & senior leadership in Summer 2020.  
  • Launched and led informal faculty coffee chat series to amplify diversity, equity & inclusion research and encourage dialogue with faculty outside of the classroom 
  • Facilitate small group discussions & reflections as part of five-part Building Inclusive Communities Series for student leaders
  • Developed & maintain a database of diversity internships, leadership programs & conferences 
  • Assess current programs; drive new program ideation and innovation
  • Serve as student advisers to D'Amore-McKim's Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Council 
  • Future initiative: develop affinity-based mentorship and community-building programs to support students with underrepresented and marginalized identities (including low-income & first-generation college students) 
  • Future initiative: establish a gallery of student artwork that celebrates diversity and belonging