Student Experience
International Student Advisory Board
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.
Aishwarya Anbu Chezhian ’26
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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