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Undergraduate Ambassadors

Ayan Agayeva

Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Majors: Computer Science
Favorite Place in KC: As someone who was born and raised in Kansas City, my favorite thing about the area is how diverse it is and that it never ceases to expand and grow. There are so many fun events, community engagements, and businesses to visit and continue to develop in the area. It is a perfect place to find and establish yourself with the perfect mix of both a city and suburban vibe.
Ask me about: Getting involved in SWE (Society of Women Engineers)

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: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

Sharli Brown

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Majors: Chemistry and Biology
Favorite thing about UMKC: I really loved the location in the city, and that the SSE was so strong in its sciences. I knew it would prepare me for post grad life and dental school!
Ask me about: Applying to dental school!

Bhavana Ediga

Hometown: India
Majors: Computer Science
Favorite Place in KC: My favorite thing about Kansas City is definitely the BBQ! Whether it's Joe’s Kansas City or Jack Stack, the rich flavors and the warm, welcoming atmosphere make it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy great food with friends.
Ask me about: Software development

Ethan Ford

Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite thing about UMKC: I'm a really big fan of the food. You can get anything you want in Kansas City and find a place that does it best. There's also a ton of things to do, whether you like going out or staying in, there's something for everyone.
Ask me about: Exploring aerospace engineering in the mechanical engineering program!

Adrina George

Hometown: 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: Places to visit in KC

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.

Sydney Hubbard

Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Majors: Electrical & Computer Engineering
Favorite thing about UMKC: UMKC is close and central to my family and offers great programs here for my needs. I would attend summer camps at UMKC when I was younger, and it really got me interested in engineering.
Ask me about: Renewable energy and robotics

Hanan Jan

Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Majors: Mathematics and Statistics with minors in Actuarial Science and Data Analytics
Favorite Place in KC: I love that Kansas City has a great food and arts scene. It’s a large city with a friendly feel, which helps me feel more at home as an out of state student.
Ask me about: Becoming an actuary!

Z Kemp

Hometown: Blue Springs, MO
Majors: Civil Engineering
Favorite thing about UMKC: The vibrant and diverse community I saw on my campus tour.
Ask me about: Trustee Scholars!

Kayla McKnight

Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Majors: Physics and Studio Art
Favorite Place in KC: The way the city looks at night, as well as the architecture.

Natilina Mussa

Hometown: Eritrea
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: Engineering majors

Sierra Schulz

Hometown: Independence, MO
Majors: Biology
Favorite Place in KC: Parade of Hearts and finding local stores and restaurants I didn’t know about.
Ask me about: Working on campus

Mya Thomas

Hometown: Columbia, MO
Majors: Earth & Environmental Science
Favorite Place in KC: I adore the pride locals have for Kansas City. From the sports teams to locally owned shops and restaurants, there is no shortage of love and support for this city.
Ask me about: Being a part of Roo Racing, our Baja Buggy team!

Taylor Trudell

Hometown: Knob Noster, MO
Majors: Earth and Environmental Science
Favorite Place in KC: I love the wide variety of restaurants to try! As I am from a very small town, I was limited in choices when eating out. I make it a mission to try new foods with my friends as often as I can.
Ask me about: Getting involved with Concrete Canoe!

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.