Meet SOCA
Founding Executive Members – Caelan Hidalgo Schick (MPIA); Adriana Bowman (MPA); Rhea Henry (MPA); I Younan An (MID); and Yeraldyn Pacheco (MPIA).
Current Student of Color Alliance's Executive Leadership Board:
- Tasha Mwanakalando
- Anisha Mallik
- Sarah Lamour
- Evelyn Zamora-Vargas
Meet the Student of Color Alliance's Executive Leadership Board
- Tasha Mwanakalando
-
Tasha Mwanakalando (she/her/hers) is pursuing a Master of Public and International Affairs with a major in Human Security. Her hobbies include singing, trying new vegan/vegetarian recipes, traveling and hiking. She joined SOCA because she truly values community and having people who share the same experiences as you. She wants SOCA to be a safe space for BIPOC students to be their full selves and be encouraged and supported through navigating not just grad school but everyday life.
- Anisha Mallik
-
Anisha Mallik is a joint-degree student pursuing a Master of International Development and a Master of Public Health, majoring in Human Security and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, respectively. Anisha’s passion is in sanitation and waste management, and she hopes to be part of the efforts to secure access to safe sanitation for all people. Anisha joined SOCA to find a community of BIPOC students who shared similar experiences. She envisions SOCA to continue being a force for good at GSPIA, holding space for BIPOC students and being a useful resource for all.
- Sarah Lamour
-
Sarah Lamour is pursuing a Master of Public and International Affairs with a major in Human Security. Her hobbies include cooking, painting, thrifting, and foreign language learning. She speaks French and Haitian Creole and is currently learning Amharic independently with the hopes of becoming a polyglot. Sarah joined SOCA because she wants to be a part of the active and continuous change toward a more inclusive environment at GSPIA. She hopes that the creation of safe spaces along with collaborative efforts with GSPIA administration and a more inclusive curriculum will have an invaluable impact on the experiences of BIPOC students and allies.
- Evelyn Zamora-Vargas
-
Evelyn Zamora-Vargas: The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Evelyn Zamora-Vargas was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and raised in Miami, Florida. She is a MPIA candidate pursuing a major in Security and Intelligence Studies. She completed a dual degree in Psychology and Philosophy at Pitt alongside certificates in Transatlantic Studies and West European Studies. Evelyn is proud of her Cuban heritage and in her free time enjoys salsa dancing and playing dominos. She joined SOCA because she wants to help make GSPIA a more welcoming and inclusive plan for BIPOC folk. She believes that by fostering understanding through education and exposure, our community can thrive and embrace diversity.
Connect with Us
Email: gspia.soca@gmail.com
Instagram: @soca_gspia
Facebook: SOCA: GSPIA Students of Color Alliance
Text or call SOCA Secretary Natividad Zavala: 971-599-9238