Staff

Your Urban Engagement Coordinators:

Good evening. You are now reading the Coordinator Biography of Conor Thomas Leo Sullivan. Excellent choice. Now a senior film major in the College of Communications, I began my illustrious career at Boston University when I arrived from the hardy suburb of West Babylon, New York. A screenwriter, poet, budding rapper, and breakfast cereal connoisseur, I would describe my emotional state as “super pumped” to coordinate the newly renamed Urban Engagement issue area. Alongside the venerable Miguel Omar Valdez, I hope to bring a focus to the educational and personal aspects to the broad scope of Urban Engagement. This concludes the biography. Thank you for reading.

My name is Miguel Omar Valdez and I am currently a junior in Boston University’s School of Management studying Finance. Raised in New York City, I hope to bring my own flare to FYSOP and the Urban Engagement issue area. Everyday I’m inspired by my mom in order to succeed and hope to inspire freshmen in the same way. During my free time I enjoy watching/playing sports, listening to hip-hop music, and just chillin’.

Here’s a few of our amazing fystaff!

Steph Braman
College of Arts and Sciences: Sociology, School of Education: Deaf Studies.
Class of 2013
South Dennis, MA
“Comfortable as old jeans. Clear as water. Confident as the oak tree. Deep as the well.” Alias: Bray. I have to watch Garden State every 6 months just to live. I want to be like Sam but most days I feel more like Largeman. Some people tell me I’m the female incarnate of Holden Caulfield. Spoken Word Poet // Christian // Liberal // LGBT Ally // Former Clown // Advocate for Deaf Culture // Athlete // Musician // Rebel // Honest // Shameless. I do not place my worth in what I can do, but in who I am. When I die, please write “A Good Friend” under my name, that’s it. My friends are my family for whom I would give my life. I am not conventional. Voted “Most Likely to do What She Wants” in 2011. Be patient, I am trying to learn how wings work in the wind. Aggressively pursing justice in a broken world with personal sacrifice, humility, Truth and Love. I am unrelenting. I am radical. Always have a battle cry. Never cease to swing.
http://www.stephsense.blogspot.com

Ben Brondsky
CAS Psych. ’15
Circleville, NY
I’m excited to be on Fystaff this year and see the other side of the coin. The best moment for me during FSYOP is when everyone stops being awkward and actually likes each other (looking forward to that). I’m glad I’m in Urban again because we can literally do anything and go anywhere to help out in Boston. My favorite part of Boston is the North End; it reminds me of Italy a little. I’ve been to Italy, Australia, England, and the Dominican Republic. I hope to go to more countries. Any travelophiles are welcome to talk to me. I like going to all the fancy restaurants here and watching BU hockey kick ass. If I could be one Avenger it would be Iron Man because we’re both sarcastic and cynical. My advice to freshmen would be: DON’T go to Blanchard’s. Also, BU takes some time to get used to, just be open and give it a chance. Can’t wait to meet everyone!

Taylor Delosh
CGS; occupational therapy; 2015
West Roxbury Ma 02132
Favorite books are the Hunger Games and Twilight, but I’ll read almost anything. Favorite movie-Mean girls; music-an Irish band called the Wolfetones and anything that’s country; fysop- I’m excited to meet everyone and go to all the sites; to give back to the city.boston- Boston harbor and Quincy market; aspirations-to work with people who have spinal cord injuries; shoe size- 3; tattoo-a dragonfly and a shamrock;bu- the friends I have made; freshman-don’t be afraid to try new things and make new friends; smells-the ocean

Alyssa DeRosa
CAS, History & International Relations, 2015
Colts Neck, New Jersey
I love traveling, Jane Austen novels, watching football, and spending time at the Boston Commons. I am incredibly excited to make new friends and give back to Boston during FYSOP.

Alex Falco
COM 2015 Journalism Major, International Relations Minor
North Salem (It’s in Westchester), New York
I come from a small country town a little north of NYC that happens to have not a single stoplight. My favorite movies are Dazed and Confused and Apocalypse Now and I am a huge F. Scott Fitzgerald fan. BUTV 10 will soon be taking over my life as I already write for one show and intend to start more when the year comes around. I have a black belt in martial arts and love having a challenge with anything I do. I love walking around Boston with my camera on nice days so make sure you take advantage of the city. I super excited to meet everyone for FYSOP and did urban as a freshman last year so I am hoping this will be just as awesome.

Evan Kuras
CAS Biology (Ecology) Junior
Yorktown NY
Favorite book – the Westing Game by Ellen Raskin; movie – the Jungle Book; artist – Thelonious Monk; summer activity – in Washington DC studying decomposition. dream tattoo – probably a bird; last country visited – Dominican Republic; favorite fruits – nectarines; secret fear – that my secret fear is discovered; sport – running; in my pocket – 36 cents; favorite TV show – Avatar, Last Airbender (and Legend of Korra by extension); advice – check out http://www.bucultureshock.com! (official blog of the Howard Thurman Center at BU – I’m a writer). Can’t wait to meet you in August!!!

Matthew Larkey
CAS, Neuroscience, 2015
Warren, New Jersey
Hey I’m Matt and this is my second year of FYSOP! I love volunteering and I’ve been involved with the CSC since I was a freshman in FYSOP last year. I’m so excited to be in the city of Boston because it has a lot to offer without being too overwhelming.
Just nearby the BU campus are some of my favorite concert venues, which host some amazing artists, where I’ve met so many exciting people there. Also nearby is my favorite movie theater, Coolidge Corner, where they show great cult films at midnights on weekends, ranging from Mean Girls to Kill Bill. My own personal favorite is Blue Velvet directed by David Lynch. I’m also involved with BU’s radio station WTBU and some of my favorite music artists are Erykah Badu, Massive Attack, and M.I.A. My advice to freshmen is to go out and explore! Find on campus groups that suit your interests because you are likely to meet some people who could very well end up being your best friends (that’s how I met mine!) Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people and get excited for your own FYSOP experience!

Krystle Lischwe
COM 2014 PR major
Hatboro, PA
I like anything that has to do with food, travel, Criminal Minds (the show on Ion TV, not the actual brain..) and Philadelphia sports. I love to try new things and explore the world around me. In fact, one of my goals in life is to touch foot on each continent (only considering Antartica to see some penguins!) and swim in each of the seven seas. Last summer I went abroad to London with the CGS natural science program (gotta love Professor Busher!) and I am still REALLY upset I missed the Olympics by one year! Thankfully, I have my Legendary FYSOPers to help me move on!

Caitlin Lyons
CAS, International Relations and Italian Studies, Sophomore Class of 2015
Greenlawn, NY (Long Island)
Hi, I’m Caitlin Lyons and I’m from Laung Oiiland (spelled and pronounced without the New York accent, I’m from Long Island). I’m so excited to be a part of FYSOP Urban Engagement. One of my favorite parts of being at BU is not only being at an amazing school with incredible people, but being in Boston itself. I’m excited to see new parts of Boston and directly give back to our city. There are a few things you should know about me: I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, Hell’s Kitchen, Adele, and Broadway musicals. I did FYSOP last year as a freshman and had an incredible experience. I got to help my community in new and exciting ways and met my best friends through the program. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and I know this year’s FYSOP will be amazing. I can’t wait to meet all of the incoming freshmen and staff members and start a week of Urban Engagement!

Nicolette Maggiolo
Sargent College, Nutrition, 2015
Pearl River, NY
Hey guys! I’m SO excited to be on the Urban Engagement staff this year! As an incoming freshman last year, I volunteered with the Hunger issue area and made some of my best friends through FYSOP. This week
will be a great start to your life as a Terrier, so I hope you’ll be open to the experience and take everything in! About me… well, I would love to evenetually work as a Registered Dietitian in either a
hospital or with athletes. Don’t let my career goals fool you though, I am a total sucker for ice cream or froyo! I grew up living in both Jersey and New York, so I don’t really have a “hometown.” Depending on the day, I’ll either tell you I’m from Jersey or NY. At the end of the day, I am a die-hard Yankees & Giants fan! Sorry to all you Red Sox and Patriots fans… As for living in Boston, I love to just hop on the T to go explore the city, or rollerblade on the esplanade. One of my claims to fame is being a Terrier Fan of the Month last fall, so I challenge YOU to embrace your inner Terrier pride and attend as many games as possible! Lastly, I’m an EMT, I like to take long walks on the beach, feet gross me out, and my favorite childhood show was 7th Heaven. Can’t wait to meet all of you!

Jessica Minzola
CAS/SMG, Cultural Anthropology/Business, 2014
Hazleton, PA (near Scranton- where ‘The Office’ takes place)
Favorites: book- The Book Thief, movie- Labyrinth, place in Boston- the North End, superhero- Wonder Woman.
Advice for freshmen: take advantage of all the awesome opportunities you’ll have here! Go out and explore the city- especially explore the North End and get some canolis from Mike’s. =] Join a bunch of clubs- you’ll get some free food and maybe meet your new best friend, roommate for next year, etc. And just enjoy these next four years!

Stephanie Moses
CAS, Undeclared, 2015
Lawrenceville, NJ
Hello! I enjoy hanging out with my friends, laughing, and the smell of bonfires. I love to play music, go to lots of concerts, and listen to one of my favorite musicians, Ingrid Michaelson. My lucky numbers are four and eleven. I am excited for all aspects of FYSOP! I especially look forward to discovering the meaning of Urban Engagement through service. My advice to incoming freshman is to get involved, explore Boston, and go to Zinga.

Alex Nawar
CAS, Political Science, 2014
Savannah, GA
I’m a political science major, but I’m really interested in international development and human rights. This is my third year doing Urban. I love Urban because you get to see all different parts of Boston and learn about about the people that live here. When I’m not exploring Boston, I love to read (Faulkner, anyone?), drink coffee, and listen to music.

Elizabeth Pettinicchi
Hospitality Administration 2014
Cheshire (The Chetto), CT
Here is a little bit about little old me: I’m really into reading and loved the Hunger Games and Girl With a Dragon Tattoo Series, but my all time favorite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns. As for movies, my favorite is Elf, doesn’t matter the season I will watch it, and yes I say every line! I am so excited to be doing FYSOP again and part of Urban Engagement. I’m looking forward to impacting the area I live in while making connections not only with the incoming first years, but also with the community. I know we can all make a difference and I can’t wait to start. My favorite part of Boston is definitely the Waterfront. There are great views of the water and amazing food! I am a big foodie and love trying new things, which is a big part of why I love to travel. A goal of mine is to visit the world and I want the number of countries I visit to always be greater then my age. I have traveled to Hawaii, Bahamas, St. Johns, various US states, Canada, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Italy, Spain, and Amsterdam. I am doing study abroad in the spring semester with Semester At Sea and will get the opportunity to travel the southern hemisphere. SO EXCITED HOLLA! If I wasn’t afraid of needles and once I have travel the world I want to get a tattoo of the world to represent this accomplishment…..might be 90 when it happens but what the hey why not. Can’t wait to get started and meet everyone else. WOOO FYSOP URBAN ENGAGEMENT!

Kiana Sarabia Strayhorn
COM, Magazine Journalism, 2013
Oyster Bay, NY
Hey guys, excited for FYSOP??? I know I am, I love FYSOP. I love FYSOP on my pancakes. I love it on pizza. And I take FYSOP and put a little bit in my hair when I’ve had a rough week. What do you think holds it up so slick? Get ready for the best week of your college career cause when I’m not writing articles for magazines or powering through all seven seasons of How I Met Your Mother, I am reconnecting with my FYSOP friends and reminiscing on the awesome community service we did in just a few days. My favorite part of FYSOP is the friends that I’ve made from it.

Alyssa Sarkis
SED, Math and Special Education, 2014
Boston, MA
I was born in, raised in, and apparently, am never leaving Boston. I love everything about this city and I am so excited to get the first years engaged in my hometown. When, I’m not obsessing over BU and Boston Bruins hockey, I’m usually focusing on SED Student Government (I’m the president this year! I can’t wait!) , BU Student Government, or the Catholic Center. Some of my favorite memories from my first year at BU were FYSOP (of course!), Dance Marathon, and going to all the BU hockey
games, especially the Beanpot. The best piece of advice I could give is to step outside your comfort zone, be open to trying new things, and meet as many new people as possible. BU is such a diverse campus, so explore all aspects of it!

Roshni Singh
Sargent College 2014
Major: Human Physiology
I love dancing so one of my favorite things at BU is my dance team, BU
Chankaar, an all-female Indian fusion group. I listen to all types of
music, but I have a special place in my heart for Nicki Minaj. I
enjoy watching reruns of Boy Meets World, Desperate Housewives, and
How I Met Your Mother. My favorite course at BU so far was Systems
Physiology. One of my favorite places on campus is Shelton Hall’s 9th
floor study lounge. My advice to freshmen is to keep yourself involved
in new clubs and events, and to not be afraid to socialize with new
people. As an advocate in Health Leads, I’ve gotten the chance to
visit parts of Roxbury and the BU Medical Center campus but I still
have much to explore. I can’t wait to meet everyone and to discover
Boston together!

Sam Straitz
CAS, Economics, 2015
Sykesville, MD
I can’t wait to be a part of Urban Engagement to explore and serve in areas of Boston that students aren’t usually exposed to. I’m really interested in developmental economics, public health, and Arabic and at BU I’ve had the chance to take classes in all of these subject areas. Boston is such a fun city to discover! I love the arts and sports and I would definitely recommend going to the Symphony, the Boston Ballet, the MFA, and cheering on the Red Sox at Fenway. Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies and a great way to see new parts of Boston is eating your way through Ethiopian, Cambodian, Malaysian, and other awesome restaurants. FYSOP was the best start to freshman year I could have hoped for and I’m looking forward to August and meeting you all!

Danny Traub
ENG, Mechanical Engineering, 2015
Chicago, IL.
I am a huge fan of nights out on the town. I love dancing, going out
to a nice dinner (the few times my wallet can afford it), or just to
walk around the city with my friends. I’m also a huge movie buff. My
favorite movies are Life is Beautiful, The Departed, V for Vendetta,
Good Will Hunting, and 500 Days of Summer. I’m very active in the
Admissions Office and Hillel. I’m also an avid broomball player. I
highly suggest everyone to play broomball at least once, easily the
best sport on the planet. So I’m really excited for my second year of
Urban. I think we will have a fantastic time helping out around
Boston, getting to know each other, and having some pretty crazy
adventures along the way. Can’t wait to meet everyone in August!

MJ Vasquez
SMG 2015
Sunrise , Florida…but actually Pompano Beach, Florida 😉
5 feet 3 inches and proud. I am the worst at memorizing movies, songs, actually anything, so if you try quoting a movie in front of me you’ll probably get a fake laugh out of me. I’m super excited about everyone becoming friends during FYSOP week! My favorite spot in Boston is on the top of the CAS building where you can see the whole city. Shoe size is 8, just in case anyone is feeling generous and wants to buy me new shoes;) I also likes pictures in case anyone wants to buy me a Nikon, or 3.. up to you. To all the freshmen out there, I would have to advice you to pick the right classes, so you can enjoy your super sweet freshmen year! Also, take pictures of everything, it’s so much fun looking back at pictures from freshmen year!

Kiera Vinson
CAS, Political Science 2013
Hotlanta, GA
Being that I’m a rising senior, I’ve been feeling kind of old lately. I’m no wiseman (or woman) but I feel I’ve learned a lot during my past three years at BU. First off, I’ve mastered the art of cereal mixing in the dining halls. Rice Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, and just a hint of Frosted Flakes are a great start or finish to the day. Secondly, the best place to people watch is by the glass window thingy in the George Sherman Union in front of the Starbucks. BU students and faculty are weird and it is very entertaining. Lastly, there is nothing at BU like FYSOP. I recently returned from studying abroad in Italy and while I learned a beautiful language, stuffed my face with pasta, and adapted to a completely different culture, I couldn’t wait to return back to Boston and start my last FYSOP. I love Boston and I think one of the main reasons is because of FYSOP. It forces students to get out into the city and the surrounding areas and do things they would probably never do. While I’ve volunteered on my fair share of farms due to FYSOP, I’m pretty excited for Urban Engagement because, well, we live in an urban setting. There is a lot going on in every neighborhood of Boston and I’m excited to learn as much as I can. One of the best things about FYSOP is that I LEARN from it and it’s not the type of textbook learning. I learn about myself, others, Boston, and I learn to be inspired in a new way. It’s no secret, I, like many other college students, want to save the world. Every year FYSOP confuses me and makes it harder for me to figure out what issue to tackle first but every year I come back for more because I don’t mind the confusion.
O, one more thinig. There is nothing like seeing Adam Weaver in a pair of jorts. Nothing.

Emma Walters
CAS, International Relations and Religion
Winslow, ME
HELLO! I make funny faces, funny noises and all around funny mannerisms (or at least I find them funny…). My patronus (or spirit animal for all those who are not Harry Potter fans) will forever be an otter for no other reason than the fact that they hold hands while sleeping as to not drift apart. I love hugging, kindness, warm souls, obnoxiously loud laughs (with a good snort) and colossal smiles. Bring me an assortment of cheeses (make sure there’s blue!), a baguette, and serenade me with a little Joni Mitchell and I will love you forever. Warning: I love singing so much that I often sing without being conscious of it. Sorry in advance. Much love.

Adam Weaver
SED, English Ed, 2013
Bethlehem, PA (you know, where Jesus was born)
I’m Ron Burgundy? No I’m not, I’m Adam Weaver? Yea, that’s it. Here is a list of random facts about me: I ate oatmeal for breakfast this morning. I have four tattoos. I have prank called the CSC a few times today. Once I ate 97 chocolate chip cookies in one sitting. I was only four days late in sending this bio to my coordinators. This is my third FYSOP. And one time I laughed so hard a threw up.
Yup, that’s me in a nutshell. But in all seriousness, I could not be more excited to be spending my third and final FYSOP in the Urban Engagement Issue Area. Urban Engagement gives us all the opportunity to help support communities in the Boston area. The disparities around us are all too easy to see, and Urban Engagement allows us to connect people in need with organizations and services that can help them. We have the opportunity to go into communities and help build them up from the inside, which sounds pretty amazing to me.
So that all said, I just want to give freshman a piece of advice: Go with it. Let’s be honest, meeting up with close to 1500 strangers can be just a little bit awkward. It will be at first, but go with it. Be open to what happens and don’t be afraid to let loose. Being yourself only makes it easier to meet people who are like you. Voila, best friendships are formed. Also, give Kiera Vinson lots of hugs, she loves them.

Anna Weingord
CAS Environmental Analysis and Policy major class of 2015
Locust Valley, NY (Long Island)
I was a fellow urb freshman last year and absolutely loved it. You get to give back to the Boston community, learn about your new city, and get college-oriented all in the best ways possible. This summer I am a kayaking counselor at a sleep-away camp up in Maine and am having the time of my life. I’d probably say my favorite movies are Stand By Me and The Princess Bride (corny 80s humor apparently just gets me I’m not sure why). But yes, I CAN’T WAIT to meet the new legends of BU. Have an amazing summer, soak it all up, and get excited for for some legend–wait for it–dary experiences.

Lulu Xu
CAS Biology (soon-to-be SAR Human Phys) 2015
Belmont, MA
So this morning I was going to go forage in the refrigerator for food when I noticed a spider sitting on the door by the handle. I decided I actually wasn’t hungry. Besides dealing with arachnophobia, I play quidditch, dance, and bake, but I mostly play quidditch. If you like Harry Potter, I’ll automatically like you. You can even test that fact. Urban is the best because you get to explore all parts of Boston and see why living in a city is so great as opposed to being secluded in a tiny college campus. You all should join BU’s Dumbledore’s Army to continue making a difference after FYSOP!