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Undergraduate Ambassadors

Abrahim Ansari

Hometown: Olathe, KS
Majors: Biology (pre-dental track)
Favorite thing about UMKC: I chose UMKC because it has strong programs in biology and chemistry, and it also has a great dental program. I thought it would be an ideal place to complete my undergrad and prepare for dental school.
Ask me about: Preparing for dental school!

Billie Asralt

Hometown: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Majors: Computer Science
Favorite Place in KC: I absolutely love how warm and welcoming everyone in Kansas City is—it's a place where people genuinely make you feel at home.
Ask me about: Being an international student

Angel Baldovinos

Hometown: Columbia, MO
Majors: Computer Science
Favorite Place in KC: The vibrant culture around community is what I moved here for. I’m very happy that I get to apply my skills with other likeminded people to better serve the people around me.
Ask me about: First Gen Roo and Men of Character Academy

Antonia Garcia

Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Majors: Biology and Chemistry
Favorite thing about UMKC: I chose UMKC because of its strong commitment to diversity, the numerous opportunities the school provides for students to grow personally and professionally, the many resources available to support students’ success, and its reputation as a commuter-friendly institution.
Ask me about: KC restaurants (I'm VP of the Plant Based Food Club!)

Adrina George

Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Majors: Biology with a Chemistry minor
Favorite thing about UMKC: I chose UMKC because of its supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on learning and community involvement.
Ask me about: Being an out-of-state student

Adrija Ghosh

Hometown: West Bengal, India
Majors: Computer Science
Favorite Place in KC: The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, which is my all-time favorite, has a distinctly contemporary feel. The city's commitment to public art is evident in the numerous murals and installations that enhance its cultural appeal.
Ask me about: Doing research with DSAIC

Kayde Musgrove

Hometown: Webb City, MO
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Place in KC: My favorite thing about Kansas City is downtown. I love living downtown especially with the streetcar attachment. The hustle and bustle of the city is something I'll never get over.
Ask me about: Baja Racing Team!

Natilina Mussa

Hometown: Eritrea/South Dakota
Majors: Electrical & Computer Engineering
Favorite thing about UMKC: I chose UMKC because it's a great science and engineering school plus it was close to home.
Ask me about: Getting involved on campus

Artemis Nowrouzi

Hometown: Shiraz, Iran
Majors: Biology with a Business minor
Favorite Place in KC: What I love most about Kansas City is that it’s right in the heart of the USA, no matter where you want to go, it never feels too far.
Ask me about: UMKC Honors Program

Andrew O'Dell

Hometown: Fort Osage, MO
Majors: Chemistry
Favorite thing about UMKC: I chose UMKC because it strikes the perfect balance. It’s large enough to offer endless opportunities, incredible faculty, and strong academic programs, but small enough that it’s easy to build genuine connections with professors and classmates. I also love being in Kansas City, which is full of both professional opportunities and fun things to do.
Ask me about: Serving as president of a student organization

Payden Pietrusinski

Hometown: Wentzville, MO
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Place in KC: I chose UMKC because I was impressed with the opportunities within the engineering program and the cross country and track team. I also love the class sizes and the campus location.
Ask me about: Being a student-athlete

Makayla Schulz

Hometown: Fort Osage, MO
Majors: Environmental Studies
Favorite Place in KC: My favorite thing about Kansas City is our yearly Parade of Hearts, where artists from both Missouri & Kansas capture the essence of the city and the vast groups within it. Every summer, there are massive sculptures hidden around the vast metro area that display community pride in race, language, mental health, healthcare, our sports teams and so much more. I love these so much, I even applied for my own design about Kansas City and Autism. The Parade of Hearts is perfect because it shows the love, creativity, and passion that this large city possesses.
Ask me about: Working on campus!

Bailey Sharp

Hometown: Warsaw, MO
Majors: Civil Engineering
Favorite Place in KC: My favorite thing about Kansas City are the endless things to try - whether that be activities or food. In addition, there are so many great opportunities here, even while you’re in school!
Ask me about: Doing an internship

Graduate Ambassadors

Photo of Graduate Ambassador Bhavani Adula

Bhavani Adula

Email: ssegradambassador@umkc.edu
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Majors: Master of Science in Computer Science

I am from Hyderabad, India, a vibrant city known for its iconic Charminar and world-famous biryani (though I’m a vegetarian!). I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Computer Science with a Data Science emphasis. Pursuing a master’s degree has always been one of my biggest goals, and UMKC stood out for its unique and culture-rich environment. Kansas City has been a wonderful part of my journey with its welcoming community and peaceful parks.The buzzing neighborhoods here truly make it feel like home. I bring strong leadership and sharp communication skills that help me connect, collaborate, and support others. I love singing and dancing, and I’m always up for lively conversations about music (especially Blackpink!). Cooking excites me, I enjoy experimenting with flavors, and Dubai chocolate is my absolute favorite. I also have fun hunting for the best shopping deals and never say no to a cozy cup of ginger tea.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about student life at UMKC, academics, food, music, or cultural experiences!

Photo of Graduate Ambassador Harshitha Behera

Harshitha Behera

Email: ssegradambassador@umkc.edu
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Majors: Master of Science in Computer Science
I come from Hyderabad, India, a city celebrated for its culture and cuisine. I'm pursuing my master's in computer science with a specialization in Data Science. My passion lies in IoT, AI, and ML; diving into these fields feels like solving a thrilling puzzle every day. Beyond academics, I enjoy painting, baking, and shopping. The campus community wraps you in warmth, UMKC has been amazing—I’ve made wonderful friends, enjoyed the diverse community, and grown so much academically.  Also, working as an Events Lead and Student Lab Assistant has been a rewarding journey, helping me connect with incredible people while building communication and leadership abilities.