Student Spotlight

Alex Burijon on a fence in front of Blue Ridge Mountains

Alex Burijon (they/them) is a third-year majoring in Music and Classics (Greek and Latin). They are currently a Director of the Arts Agency of Student Council, a committee which fields student concerns within the arts and spearheads advocacy projects to bargain with authoritative figures. He is also the Treasurer of the all-gender a cappella group Harmonious Hoos, a collective of fiercely individual musicians sharing their passion for music with surrounding communities.

Tyler English headshot

Tyler English (he/him) is a third-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences. Tyler is a University Achievement Award Recipient, majoring in Global Public Health and Chemistry on the pre-medical track. He is involved in various CIOs on Grounds, including serving as the Vice President of a newly established FGLI CIO, First of the Family.

Abigail Gruener
Abigail Gruener is a third-year student double-majoring in Economics and Environmental Thought and Practice. She is currently the Vice President of SWAP, a CIO dedicated to providing free clothing to students on Grounds. She is also a counselor for Camp Kesem, a free summer camp for children whose parents have cancer, are in remission, or have passed away. She is on the Green Leader Advisory board and works at Public Lands.
Brookelyn Mitchell
Brookelyn Mitchell (she/her) is a third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences. Brookelyn is an Echols Scholar, double-majoring in Politics and Environmental Thought & Practice with a minor in Religious Studies. Brooklyn is involved in various activities and organizations, including serving as the President of FLIP, the Chief of Cabinet for Student Council, an Office for Sustainability student employee, a Newcomb Operations Assistant, and a student rep on the Hoos First Advisory Board.
Lidya Niguse

Lidya is a third-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Government with a minor in Leadership and Public Policy. She is an Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association (EESA) executive and a Public Engagement in Looking, Listening, and Learning Laboratory (PEGLLLLab) research assistant.

Lidya loves classes in the politics department, and a fun fact about her is that she is a 2x intramural co-ed basketball champion!

Cooper Cramer

Cooper Cramer is a fourth-year in the College studying economics and in the Batten School's Accelerated Master of Public Policy program. Cooper has been a member of Class Council, Club Spike Ball, the Hoo Crew, Chi Alpha, and an Economics Major to Major Peer Coach. Cooper also has volunteered through Madison House in local a middle school's after-school program. His favorite classes have been "Public Choice" with Professor Lee Coppock and "Lessons in Leadership: JFK" with Professor Larry Sabato.

Mira Manalastas

Mira Manalastas is a fourth-year majoring in cognitive science and studio art. At UVA, Mira is involved in the Asian Student Union and the Virginia Fencing team. Mira spent the summer in Los Angeles volunteering at 826LA, a program that provides free programming for students ages 6–18, and a crisis text line. Mira also recently accepted an internship offer at RevoGens, a mental health coaching platform. Mira's favorite spots on Grounds is the Fine Arts Library and Bodos, and a favorite class is Minds, Persons, and Machines with Professor Zachary Irving.

Lily Roberts

Lily Roberts (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year student in the School of Architecture pursuing a Distinguished Major in Urban + Environmental Planning and a minor in Dance, Design, and Architectural History. As the 2022-2023 Student Member of the Board of Visitors, Lily represents all undergraduate and graduate students here at UVA and at UVA's College at Wise to the Board of Visitors. She also works as a Senior Resident (SR) in Housing and Residential Life.

Annie Zetkulic
Annie Zetkulic is a fourth-year student in the College majoring in Spanish and Global Public Health. Annie is the newly elected president of the Student Disability Alliance (SDA), a community comprised of UVA students living with disability and/or chronic illness.
Gabrielle Oliver
Gabrielle Oliver is a fourth-year student in the Curry School of Education from Upper Marlboro, MD, majoring in Youth and Social Innovation and Psychology. She is one of the chairs for Academic Support in the Peer Advising Program.