Meet AVELA's Officers

Aisha Cora

President

Fourth year, electrical & computer engineering.
Involved with AVELA since freshman year.
Also involved with NSBE and WiSE.
Poetry enthusiast interested in traveling, TikTok, and advocacy.
Favorite artists: Burna Boy, Amine, Snoh Alegra.

Aisha Cora - President

Kyle Johnson

External Chair

Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering at the UW
Co-founder of the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) ✊🏾
Co-founder of A Vision for Engineering Literacy & Access (AVELA)
Enjoyer of big bowls of Jambalaya
Amatuer ankle breaker on any outdoor court

presentation

Samira Shirazy

Vice President

Kenyan 🇰🇪
Third year in Human Centered Desing & Engineering (HCDE)
Passionate about inclusive and equitable design practices
Amateur gamer & Lego builder
Favorite artists: Frank Ocean, SZA and Drake

presentation

Marisa Johnson

Event Chair Lead

Second year pursuing Informatics
Since freshman year, I have been involved with AVELA, and it has truly influenced my STEM interest.
I love doing outreach events and workshops with this RSO/nonprofit and am thrilled to be a part of the board!
A concert and travel enthusiast, who loves French fries!
Fav artist: Drake, Lil Baby, SZA, A Boogie wit da Hoodie

presentation

Amanual Ayalneh

Event Chair Support

First year undegraduate majoring in Informatics with a focus in Human Computer Interaction
Active member of AVELA, UW National Society of Black Engineers and the UW PM Association
Some of my hobbies are playing Basketball, playing board games and learning how to play new instruments
My favorite artists are Kanye West, Babyface Ray and Gunna

presentation

Ebubechi Abonyi

Media Coordinator

Second Year undergraduate with Architectural Design intended major
UW Alumni Ambassador
Nigerian 🇳🇬
Other involvements include NSBE and Mesh
Hobbies include sewing, painting, and making Tiktoks 😝

presentation

Ndeye Diop

Secretary Lead

Second-year undergraduate in Informatics
LSAMP Ambassador
Passionate about equitable tech and AI
Kombucha enthusiast
Favorite Artists: Burna Boy, Brent Faiyaz, Lauryn Hill

presentation

Anahi Villanueva

Secretary Support

Third year undergraduate in Informatics and Psychology.
Passionate about mentoring students and creating websites.
Through my years at the UW I have been involved in CAMP, UW FEEDBACK,
been an RA for the Yakima Valley Upward Bound Program, and I've been part of AVELA since 2021.
Hobbies include cooking, hanging out with friends, writing stories in Spanish, and coding.

presentation

William Vera Rincon

Treasurer

Undergraduate in Computer Science
Currently invested in learning about financial literacy and the integration of automatic systems to aid in individual specific budgeting
Passionate about solving puzzles, finding new ways to challenge myself, and picking up new hobbies
Hobbies include going to the gym, snowboarding, sneakers, investing, and playingmusic

presentation

Mussie H. Tsegay

Treasurer Support

Undergraduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Actively engaged in NSBE as a member of the professional development committee
Transferred from South Seattle College in Autumn 2022
As a hobby, I am a part-time Acrobatics and Artist with a passion for drawing and painting

presentation

Jainaba Jawara

Outreach Chair

Senior in Informatics
Passionate about data advocacy and STEM outreach
I love hiking
Netflix aficionado

presentation

Chelsea Gichohi

Outreach Support

Second year studying Computer Science.
Region VI Membership Chair in NSBE.
I'm passionate about utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in healthcare.
I love to travel and try new things!
My favourite activities recently have been riding ATVs and snowboarding.
Fav artists: Drake, Brent Faiyaz, SZA and Partynextdoor.

presentation