GEM Student Advisory Committee
The GEM Student Advisory Committee was formed during the Spring 2024 semester. The committee consists of nine members, ideally three per class year, and meets regularly to build community in the minor, to innovate programming, and to provide feedback to the Minor Coordinator and the Faculty Advisory Committee. They manage an instagram account and help promote the program to new students.
Finn Ahrens ‘26
Majors/Minors: Major in Economics and Minors in Data Analysis and Global Engagement
Where I’m From: Rye, NY
Why I’m doing GEM: Coming from an international background, I’ve always valued diverse perspectives and cross-cultural experiences. Through GEM, I hope to continue expanding my worldview and develop skills that will be invaluable in my future work.
A Fun Fact: I am a dual citizen. I have Dutch and American Citizenship. I also play lacrosse for the Netherlands Men’s national team.
Kenzie Kelly '25
Majors/Minors: I am an English Major and Global Engagement Minor
Where I’m From: Needham, Massachusetts
Why I’m doing GEM: I chose GEM because I wanted to further my Spanish immersion to look more globally at environmental issues and the geographical impacts.
A Fun Fact: I was born in London!
Henry Leighton '25
Majors/Minors: Science and Technology Studies and Hispanic Literature and Cultures double major, Global Engagement Minor
Where I’m From: Philadelphia, PA
Why I’m doing GEM: The Global Engagement Minor has opened the way for him to explore diverse interests such as through participation in the Summer 2023 and 2024 Critical Language Scholarship in Chinese.
A Fun Fact: A fun fact about Henry is that he went to a Spanish immersion elementary school where he learned math and science for the first time in Spanish.
Izzy Paez '26
Majors/Minors: Economics & Global Engagement
Where I’m From: Chappaqua, NY
Why I’m doing GEM: I chose to pursue GEM because I’ve grown up immersed in languages and cultural awareness and wanted to be in a space of people with these same values as well as wanting to continue to expand my lens of intercultural learning.
Kaya Waltzer '26
Majors/Minors: I'm a University Major in Urban Studies with a double minor in Global Engagement and IDEAS
Where I’m From: Springfield, NJ
Why I’m doing GEM: I'm doing GEM to add intercultural nuance to the urban issues I am interested in, and to join a community of like-minded people looking to expand and diversify their worldviews and cultural experiences.
Fun fact: I'm named after a Bob Marley song and album.