Meet Our Student Ambassadors
Ambassadors are volunteer undergraduate representatives who are open to sharing their experiences and offering insights about the Institute's undergraduate programs to prospective applicants. You can connect with them based on your program of interest, their major, or shared interests.
Sama Abusweireh
Sama Abusweireh is a third-year undergraduate studying economics. She has served as an organizer in our student-led speaker events, such as our fall student-led symposium "The Peace We Make." She wanted to become an ambassador to share is how international students can navigate
both the social and academic aspects of their transition to new national, cultural, and academic contexts while finding spaces that support their growth and respect who they are.
"Buffett has been such a warm, welcoming space where you’re encouraged to grow while still feeling fully seen and respected for who you are and where you come from. Starting as a member in the first student-led symposium working group, to now co-leading another and developing it with the Buffett committee to make it a long-term, sustainable initiative called the Global Affairs Leadership Fellows, really reflects how much the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs invests in its students and trusts them to lead meaningful work. I’m always happy to connect, especially if you’re looking for a supportive community that will challenge you, uplift you, and help you find your place."
Shail Belani
Shail Belani is a fourth-year undergraduate studying industrial engineering. He is an alumnus of the Elliott Scholars Program, through which he participated in an internship based in Salta, Argentina. He wanted to become an ambassador to support other students embarking on similar journeys in internationally focused scholarship.
“Between opportunities to hear from world-renown panelists at the Roberta Buffett Institute itself to the Elliott Scholars Program that allowed me to travel to Argentina, I think my opportunities with Buffett exposed me to really cool people with really cool life experiences and insights that I would have not otherwise had access through in my traditional curriculum.”
Dasha Dubinina
Dasha Dubinina is a third-year undergraduate studying journalism and environmental policy and culture. She is an alumnus of the Atlas Peer Mentorship Program and the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, as well as a contributor to student-led speaker events at the Institute. With the support of the research fellowship, she travelled to Denmark and Poland to visit headquarters of major media publications.
“As an international student, I’ve always been drawn to global research and activism. While Northwestern offers countless opportunities to explore these interests, it was the Roberta Buffett Institute’s genuine support for student passions that helped bring many of my projects to life and made me feel deeply connected to Buffett's community. If you're curious about opportunities, need guidance, or want to share an idea, reach out—we’ll find a way to make it happen together!”
Ines Gomez Gil Rivas
Ines Gomez Gil Rivas is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Radio, Television, and Film Studies. She is an alumnus of the Atlas Peer Mentorship Program, through which she found a sense of community mentors and mentees who were open to discussing issues, lifestyles, and perspectives of the world.
“As a Buffett Ambassador, I'd like to share not only how much it's meant to me in terms of both learning and building community and all the amazing resources it has, but also how Buffett staff is always willing to hear our problems and proposals, create a space for all interests and needs, and simply be there for us in times of both need and joy.”
Amelia Hasting
Amelia Hasting is a fourth-year undergraduate studying industrial engineering. She is an alumnus of the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. With the support of the fellowship, she travelled to Gothenburg, Sweden to work on a chemical engineering project with faculty at Northwestern and at Chalmers University.
“As a student who'd never done research or been out of the country prior to entering college, I'm familiar with how nerve-racking taking part in these programs can be. However, this program was such a wonderful opportunity to experience a new environment and engage in research with amazing people. The opportunity to pursue a funded research experience abroad wasn’t something I imagined would be possible as an undergraduate, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. I would love to share that gratitude with others by encouraging students to explore what the program offers.”
Mira Henchi
Mira Henchi is a fourth-year undergraduate studying anthropology and international studies. She is an alumnus of the Atlas Peer Mentorship Program and the Elliott Scholars Program, through which she participated in an internship based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“Taking my learning about international development from inside the classrooms of University Hall and 555 Clark in winter and spring all the way to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the summer was such an enriching and immersive experience. Doing the Elliott Scholars Program helped me learn not only about myself but about what community looks like, having spent two months in a tightly knit village living with a host family. Feel free to reach out if you need hyping up, want some tips for doing GESI over the summer, or have any worries that you need help letting go of!”
Ashley Kim
Ashley Kim is a fourth-year undergraduate studying journalism and art history. She is an alumnus of the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. With the support of the fellowship, she worked closely with filmmakers at Tongji University in Shanghai and leveraged her Chinese skills.
“The Roberta Buffett Institute is a wonderful campus resource, and I am lucky to have discovered its programming at an open house as a freshman. I feel like many students aren't aware of all the opportunities it offers until later in college, and I would love to help promote Buffett and be a resource to underclassmen who might not have research experience yet.”
Kathryn Jie
Kathryn Jie is a fourth-year undergraduate studying biological sciences and global health studies with minors in biotechnology and biochemical engineering. She is an alumnus of the Elliott Scholars Program, through which she participated in a summer internship in Salta, Argentina.
“The aspect of my experience I would be most excited to share with prospective students is how the program shows that development is not only about international projects but also about noticing opportunities for change in your local community. I would highlight how the case studies and discussions taught me to turn empathy into action, and how learning alongside a group of equally curious and passionate peers makes the work feel both rigorous and supportive. I would also be excited to share how the program builds lasting relationships—with classmates, faculty, and community partners—that continue to shape how you approach new challenges.”
Liana Liu Ioannides
Liana Liu Ioannides is third-year undergraduate studying journalism and math. She has helped spearhead student-led speaker events at the Roberta Buffett Institute.
“Buffett shines as a home for both learning and participation, with an incredible range of opportunities available for students to actively engage in international affairs! I am excited to actively encourage students to not only participate in Buffett's opportunities but also take the initiative to create new ones. When I reached out to Buffett with the idea of doing a peacebuilding/youth related event, the team responded enthusiastically by creating a student-led symposium.”
Haarika Palacharla
Haarika Palacharla is a fourth-year undergraduate double-majoring political science and comparative literary studies. She is an alumnus of the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, through which she developed research skills, connected with professors, and met students with similar interests.
“Through my research, I was able to learn a new way about thinking of materials as I worked in a field of studies that I typically am not a part of. That experience of learning about a new field would be something I would love to share with prospective students! I would also be excited to share exactly what I did as a research assistant and the process of presenting my work to the other fellows. Additionally, I would like to share what I learned about other fellows' projects and how I was able to build meaningful relationships with the other students in the program.”
John Sisco
Josh Sisco is a fourth-year undergraduate studying journalism, political science, and history. He is an alumnus of the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. With the support of the fellowship, he completed several research interviews while studying abroad in Berlin. He wanted to become an ambassador to share his experiences with the Institute with fellow students.
“The Roberta Buffett Institute has consistently been one of the most useful, accessible, open, and constructive parts of my experience at Northwestern. Through it, I have been able to meet fascinating people from around the world, trained valuable career skills, and worked alongside a wonderful community of people interested in engaging with the world beyond the borders of the United States.”
Mira Trofymchuk
Mira Trofymchuk is a third-year undergraduate double-majoring in journalism and international studies. She is an alumnus of the Atlas Peer Mentorship Program, which gave her motivation and inspiration to make a significant change not only in her community but also in the world more broadly.
“My experience with the Roberta Buffett Institute was transformative because by collaborating with new people and attending incredibly interesting events, Buffett gave me the perfect space to explore new ideas, broaden my horizons, and discover passions I didn’t even know I had. It opened doors to opportunities I never imagined and helped me grow both personally and academically. If you’re curious about diving into new experiences or want advice on making the most of what Buffett offers, I’d be more than happy to help!”
Yamandú Capalbo
Yamandú Capalbo is a third-year undergraduate studying journalism and linguistics with a minor in data science. He is an alumnus of the Atlas Peer Mentorship Program. Yamandú is interested in helping students take advantage of the many opportunities at the Roberta Buffett Institute.
“I’ve made so many great memories with friends at Buffett and gained a lot of meaningful insights. This space also gives me a real sense of belonging — it makes me feel seen and part of something. Please reach out if you’re looking into getting involved!”
