Student Spotlight

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 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. Picnicking around the Lawn with friends is one of his favorite things to do, usually after stopping at Bodos and Grit on the Corner. After graduation, Cooper intends to pursue a career in strategy and management consulting.

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 (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 is a fourth-year student in the College majoring in Spanish and Global Public Health. In addition to her past work with UVA Public Service as the marketing and communications intern, Annie also has worked with Orientation and New Student Programs as a Summer Orientation Leader, a Peer Health Educator with the Office of Health Promotion, and now serves as 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 is a fourth-year student in the 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 Office of African American Affairs’ (OAAA) Peer Advising Program. Gabrielle also serves as a representative of the Curry School as a Curry Student Ambassador.

On Grounds, she is a Class of 2021 Fourth Year Trustee and a member of Black Voices Gospel Choir serving as the Vice President of Musical Development for the past two years. She is also a member of the NAACP Executive Board. Gabrielle has volunteered with Madison House and City of Promise, where she tutored middle and high school students in Charlottesville. After graduation, Gabrielle intends to pursue a career within the medical field with interests in psychiatry, pediatrics, and neurology.