Quinnipiac University

Student Experience

International Student Advisory Board

Members of the International Student Advisory Board pose for a photo on the quad

Student Experience

International Student Advisory Board

The mission of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) is to give international students at Quinnipiac a platform to share their experiences with the university and advocate for their needs to ensure a vibrant and inclusive campus experience for all students. You can reach out to the ISAB directly to share your ideas, experiences or concerns. 

Email isab@qu.edu

Aishwarya Anbu Chezhian ’26

Aishwarya Anbu Chezh

Countries of Origin: India/Singapore 

Academic Program: BS in Biomedical Sciences, Class of 2026 

Pronouns: She/Her

About Aishwarya: “I was born in Chennai, India, but I grew up in Singapore and live there. In QU, I am involved in many clubs, I am the President of ISA, Vice President of Ballroom Dancing Club, I am also a member in other clubs like the Biomedical Sciences Club, ASA, and more! I am passionate about implementing changes that will help others, and my favorite places in the local area are the Sleeping Giant and Wentworth's ice cream shop.” 

Languages: English, Tamil, Mandarin, a little bit of Spanish and French 

Damla Gunes ’25

Damla Gunes

Country of Origin: Turkey

Academic Program: BS in Applied Business, Class of 2025

Pronouns: She/Her

About Damla: “I am Damla Gunes, and I’m originally from Bursa, Turkey. I’m currently a junior in the 3+1 program majoring in applied business and minoring in CIS while pursuing an MBA. I’m also on the QU volleyball team and co-president of DEI for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). I’m passionate about sports, languages and promoting cultural understanding. I love spending time in the student center or grabbing coffee from coffee shops near campus.” 

Languages: English, Turkish

Scarlet Kelly ’28

Scarlet Kelly

Country of Origin: Cameroon

Academic Program: BS in Biomedical Sciences, Class of 2028

Pronouns: She/Her

About Scarlet: “Hi, my name is Scarlet Kelly. I was born in Douala, Cameroon, and I completed my high school journey at Mercy High School in Middletown, Connecticut. I am a biomedical sciences major in the 4+1 program. I am also a part of the Student Government Association and the International Student Advisory Board at QU. My favorite place on campus is my dorm.”  

Languages: English, French 

Laura Lima ’27

Laura Lima

ISAB Co-Chair

Countries of Origin: USA/Brazil 

Academic Program: BS in Biomedical Sciences, Class of 2027 

Pronouns: She/Her

About Laura: “I was born in the US. I have met many individuals who come from different parts of the world in my classes, clubs and while working as an Orientation Leader. Although I was born in America, I know the struggles my family went through when coming to a new country not knowing what to expect or not knowing anyone. I want to help students feel comfortable and connected to Quinnipiac. I want them to feel that this is their ‘home away from home,’ a place that values their presence and their culture.” 

Languages: English, Portuguese 

Alexandra (Alex) Martinakova ’26

Alexandra Martinakov

Country of Origin: Slovak Republic 

Academic Program: BA in English & Journalism, Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/Her

About Alex: “I was born and raised in the Slovak Republic. I lived in Romania for a year and now this is my third year in the U.S. I am currently the Editor-in-Chief of The Quinnipiac Chronicle, the student-run newspaper, and I've also worked as a Global Partner for the last two years. I love sitting out on the quad during warmer seasons and either work or hang out with friends.” 

Languages: Slovak, Czech, English, German and Romanian

Blenda (Bree) Mutuma, MS ’26

Blenda Mutuma

Country of Origin: Kenya

Academic Program: MS in Business Analytics, Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/Her

About Bree: “I am an international student born in Kenya, Africa. Now I’m at Quinnipiac, diving deep into business analytics. You can usually find me enjoying food at local Mexican restaurants, taking peaceful walks in nearby parks or soaking up the chill vibes by the pond on campus. I’m passionate about cultural connections, data-driven solutions and making the most of this amazing journey!”  

Languages: English, Spanish and Swahili 

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Runesu, MS ’26

Elizabeth Runesu

Country of Origin: Zimbabwe 

Academic Program: MS in Business Analytics, Class of 2026

Pronouns: She/Her

About Lizzy: “I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, where I developed a passion for business analytics and risk management. At Quinnipiac, I’m a graduate student pursuing a master’s in business analytics. I’m passionate about using data to solve real-word problems. My favorite place on campus is the library, where I enjoy both studying and relaxing. Off-campus, I love exploring local restaurants and the hiking trails around Connecticut.”  

Language: English

Zolta Sitkei, MBA ’26

Zolta Sitkei

ISAB Co-Chair

Country of Origin: Hungary 

Academic Program: MBA, Class of 2026 

Pronouns: He/Him

About Zolta: “I was born in Budapest, Hungary, and lived there most of my life. I lived in France for half a year and I traveled as much as I could, so if we meet, tell me where you are from so that I can visit there. I love walking, spending time with friends and drinking tea. I used to play a lot of sports when I was younger, some of them professionally. Now I play just for fun. I am passionate about art and I like to go to galleries. At QU, you can find me at the School of Business trying to figure out the code for my locker because I forgot it.” 

Languages: Hungarian, English and French

Yusuf Usman, MS ’25

Yusuf Usman

Country of Origin: Nigeria

Academic Program: MS in Cybersecurity, Class of 2025

Pronouns: He/Him

About Yusuf: “I was born in Nigeria and have lived in various places, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and now the USA, where I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Quinnipiac . At QU, I’m deeply involved as a research assistant, contributing to cutting-edge research in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. I’m passionate about cybersecurity and the innovative use of AI and machine learning to secure cloud environments and combat phishing attacks. One of my favorite spots on campus is the School of Engineering, where I collaborate with fellow students on exciting projects.” 

Languages: English, Hausa and Fulani

Additional Information