Who We Are

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
Hi, I’m Chandni and I’m a sophomore pre-medical student from Sugar Land, Texas. I’m majoring in Public Health and I'm also a part of the Health Science Scholars Program. I joined SHARE because I wanted to further the efforts of the university to foster a safe space for discussions about mental health using peer-based support. I hope to make my fellow Longhorns feel less alone in whatever they’re experiencing and increase awareness about the resources that are available to them. I recognize the value of simply having someone to talk to, and I intend to lend an ear whenever possible.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Mandarin/Chinese, English
I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology seeking a minor in Educational Psychology, expecting to graduate in May 2023. I joined the SHARE Project in hopes of creating a more supportive environment for peers to share their experiences and to facilitate the de-stigmatization of mental health diagnoses. Moreover, I believe that a peer-led support space is very helpful to have peer-to-peer discussions and make students connect together.

(she/they)
Spoken languages: English
My name is Maze, and I’m a 5th year Health Promotion and Behavioral Science major. I joined SHARE because it seemed like a really good way to help students like me. I also hope to go into social work in the future and eventually become a therapist specifically for queer/trans individuals, and this seemed like a good way to practice the skills I will need in the future while growing and helping my community in the present.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
I’m a third-year Journalism major pursuing a Bridging Disciplines certificate in Public Policy. I joined SHARE to become part of a community of students that are welcoming and supportive. I hope to impact my peers through SHARE by offering a non-judgmental ear to talk to and helping foster conversations concerning mental health. Outside of SHARE, I'm the social director of Texas Belles and a participant in a number of environmental groups and projects around campus and Austin.

(she/her/hers)
Spoken languages: English
I’m Kym, a senior Government major with a minor in Journalism and Media. I came from a small town with a graduating class of 40 people, and I’m the only one from my school to attend UT. I was feeling numb and lonely about managing the stress and anxiety that comes with being a first-generation college student who is solely financially responsible for tuition, fees, and cost of living. The stress of significant life changes can be lonely even when surrounded by loving and supportive people. I joined Longhorn SHARE so I could help create an open space for people with similar life experiences/issues. I am a firm believer that a support group doesn’t just bring together a group of people – it also draws together their wisdom. I’m currently preparing to take the LSAT to go to graduate/ law school while working multiple jobs.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
My name is Lindley and I'm a Psychology major with a Government minor! I joined SHARE because I think having a space to connect and heal with fellow students is so important to one's mental health in college, and I wanted to be able to help create that space. I also want to help dismantle the stigma around mental health and be able to have open and honest conversations about it. I hope that my vulnerability and empathetic approach to conversations empower those around me to engage in discussions and lead to genuine connections. As someone who has had an uphill battle with mental health for most of my life, I think that this program is so beneficial and necessary on a campus as competitive as UT's.

(she/her/ella)
Spoken languages: Spanish, English
My name is Alison and I am a first generation, queer, immigrant student studying Government. This summer I interned for the Excellence & Advancement Foundation which allowed me to explore and connect with the Youth of my community, organizing experiences to achieve change. When I am not studying for exams, I like to write for my blog “Amplify Your Voices” reflecting on my experiences because I want to lift the voices of the people who are often not heard or seen, everyone’s expertise and voices matter. I joined SHARE because I am passionate about uplifting the voices of my community and providing support through advocacy, expertise, and active listening.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Spanish, English
Ana Guevara is a fourth-year Human Development and Family Sciences Major with a minor in Business. She joined the SHARE program to help others and empower them through tough times. She has a strong passion for more mental health awareness on campus. She hopes to give her peers confidence in themselves and to lend them an ear when they need to talk. She works as a mentor in the CNS TIP program helping freshman through their transition academically and mentally.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
I am a third-year student pursing a Biology degree within the College of Natural Sciences, expecting to graduate in Spring 2024. I joined the Longhorn SHARE Project because I want to help improve students' mental health at UT and loved the idea of sharing experiences to build a community. I hope to impact other students by helping to create a safe space where people can feel at ease talking about their experiences, and I want to help end the stigma against talking about mental health.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
My name is Elyse and I’m a Public Relations major! I decided to join SHARE to become a Support Specialist because of how crucial human connections are to our lives. I have always wanted and needed a space full of people who I can relate to and grow with… and here it is! I hope to make known to my peers that I am that someone who is waiting to understand them. Some facts about me are that I love fashion, I’m queer, I write fiction. I love TV shows, I have ADHD, I’m extroverted, and I’ve been into dance for over a decade.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Hindi, English
Hi, I’m Nimisha, a 4th-year Psychology student in the College of Liberal Arts pursuing a certificate in LGBTQ Studies where I’m on the executive team for SAGE (Students' Association of Gender Studies Engagement). I am also a student intern with the Longhorn Wellness Center and an intern with Equality Texas (the largest social and political advocacy organization for LGBTQIA+ rights in Texas), as well as the Mental Health Ambassador for Women in Gaming and the President of Voices Against Violence. I joined the original Peer Support Student Advisory Group last year to help build a program that would increase peer support and connection on campus by dismantling power dynamics that exist between students and decreasing shame through vulnerability and authenticity. This year in SHARE I hope to create a welcoming and safe environment where people can share their concerns, worries, joys, and more with a community of peers who empathize with them.

(he/him)
Spoken languages: English
Hello! I’m Leo, a Junior from Houston, TX majoring in Mechanical Engineering while pursuing a minor in Business and a certificate in Elements of Computing. I decided to join SHARE because I wanted to be a part of offering more mental health services at UT. I’m excited to meet people through this program and have the opportunity to share my experience as well as learn from the experiences of others.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
Hi! I’m Brinda, a senior BSA Nutrition major with a certificate in Medical Spanish in my last year at UT! I joined SHARE for many reasons, but primarily because of how powerful yet overlooked I believe proper mental health care/attention can be, and how I wanted to be that difference in at least one person’s life at UT. I hope to impact peers through this program by being a relatable, resourceful, and overall comforting person to talk to about anything mental health-related. Fun fact about me: I am still in the process of working on myself, so (apart from my training through the program) I really won’t be “senior” to anyone involved in my SHARE Community! I hope everyone entering my space can leave each meeting feeling heard, supported, more confident in themselves, and ultimately, less reliant on external sources to experience that.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Telugu, English
Hello, I’m a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Human Development & Family Sciences with a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences. I am a part of the Health Science Scholars Program and expect to graduate in Spring 2024. I joined the Longhorn SHARE Project hoping to help foster connections between students at UT and encourage discussions and support surrounding mental health and stigma. I’m also a peer mentor at the Biodiversity Discovery FRI lab and a research assistant at the Legare Lab in the Center for Applied Cognitive Science. I believe that peer support can be very important and I’m excited to utilize my own experiences to provide support for other students.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
I’m a third-year Psychology major with a Pre-Health Professions minor. I’m also part of the Jefferson Scholars Program and plan to graduate Spring 2024. My own struggles with mental health made me want to support as many people as possible. I know how validating and comforting someone’s presence can be, and I’m hoping I can be that presence for my fellow UT students, especially those in the pre-health and/or STEM community. I joined a support group in Spring 2022 and it was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had since coming to college. It was a constant in my week when I could listen to others, be heard, and be accepted. This led me to join the Longhorn SHARE Project, and I'm incredibly excited to continue talking about mental health and increase our connections across campus.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Spanish, English
Hi, I’m a Senior from Spring, TX studying Human Development and Family Sciences. I’m also part of TIP in the College of Natural Sciences and I expect to graduate in Spring 2023. My goal to bring mental health awareness to STEM-related fields on campus led me to join the Longhorn SHARE Project in Fall 2021 as a member of the original Peer Support Student Advisory Group. In addition to SHARE, I’m a TIP Mentor in CNS and taking four freshmen under my wing as they adjust to UT. I’m also the President for Latinx Health Professionals Organization and I volunteer for a research project called EarlyBird at Dell Med. My personal experiences have made me more understanding of others’ needs, and I hope to continue to serve my community.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
is a third-year Journalism major with an Entrepreneurship minor. Julia was born and raised in Texas, originally from San Antonio. What brought Julia to the SHARE Project was her personal experience with mental health combined with the desire to meet her community and help continue UT's prioritization on mental health support. Not to mention, the peer-to-peer aspect that adds a newness to it all. Julia is excited to really help her peers and hold meaningful conversations and connections.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
Hello! I’m a second-year undergraduate Psychology student currently pursuing a Certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. I joined the Longhorn SHARE Project with the goal of facilitating a space to uplift and support the conversation of the various voices that make up UT Austin's diverse student body. Through discussion and peer support, I aim to help Longhorns not feel alone in their mental health journey and life experiences, as well as help foster a strong sense of community. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work towards the de-stigmatization of mental health on campus.

(she/they)
Spoken languages: English
I’m a second-year Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences major following a Speech-Language Pathology tract. I joined the SHARE Project after noticing that UT had limited mental health resources that were affordable and non-clinical. I hope to empower peers with practical and applicable skills to relate to and support each other. I’m passionate about creating spaces on campus for queer folks and being a listening voice to everyone I meet. I’m also the New Member Educator for Texas Bluebonnets, an assistant for the Texas Leadership Education and Development Office, and an early childhood education teacher at the UT Child Development Center.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Bengali, English, Spanish
I’m a second-year Public Health major pursuing certificates in both Children & Society (Bridging Disciplines) and Pre-Health Professions. I have always been interested in how people behave and respond to the environment around them, which is what led me to the Longhorn SHARE Project. I joined SHARE to help foster a more supportive community that is receptive to the mental health needs of students at UT Austin. I hope to both make my peers aware of the numerous resources available to them and to equip them with the necessary tools to take care of themselves and others. Outside of SHARE, I'm a member of Austin Sunshine Camps, Longhorn EMS, and Caduceus, and I’m a design manager for Texas Triple Helix. I also work in the Aptamer lab as an undergraduate researcher. I intend to use what I learn in SHARE to become an empathetic healthcare provider in the future.

(he/him)
Spoken languages: Spanish, English
Hello! My name is Eugene. I am a 4th year student in Communication and Leadership here at UT Austin, and I am so excited to participate as a peer supporter for the Longhorn SHARE Project! I joined SHARE originally because the concept was something I hadn't heard of before. UT offers a variety of options for student resources, but the SHARE Project is different. I wanted to learn more about it, and eventually I interviewed, took the class, and I am now starting up as a SHARE Support Specialist in the Fall! Throughout the program I have been exploring different parts of my identity from my Mexican-American background, along with my life as a first-gen student and an immigrant.

(he/him)
Spoken languages: Turkish, English
Hi, I’m Kaya (pronounced KIE-uh), a Psychology B.S. major in my Junior year pursuing a minor in Business. I joined SHARE to assist my fellow Longhorns in learning how to manage academic stress and overall mental health in a post-pandemic world. I’m planning to pursue a career in multicultural psychotherapy and hope to bring a multicultural understanding to peers in the program. In addition to SHARE I’m also a research assistant for Project SEED and Dr. Echols’ Accent Study in the Language Development Lab. When I'm not in school I love hiking, paddle boarding, and exploring the local music scene so feel free to ask me anything about the Austin life!

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English, Spanish
Hi, I’m Caroline! I’m a senior Neuroscience major from Toledo, Ohio and I’m interested in public health and policy work. I joined the Longhorn SHARE Project to expand student access to support on UT’s campus and learn new strategies to support myself and my loved ones. I love that SHARE allows for peers with similar identities and experiences to connect on such a large campus. Decentralizing mental health resources and supporting peer-to-peer mutual aid networks is extremely important to me. In my free time, I love trying new cobbler recipes, doing embroidery, and watching documentary series about cults and extreme beliefs!

(he/him)
Spoken languages: English
I was lucky enough to be placed at the SHARE program as my 1st year internship in the MSSW program here at UT. I have been a part of the addiction and recovery field for the past 8 years, which has instilled a passion for assisting and educating families, friends, and communities about recovery. I'm looking forward to leading a SHARE community for Graduate Students, where we can help each other balance school, stress, and life together. Outside of school, I'm usually watching sports or just hanging out with my fiance and our rescue animals.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
Hello, I’m Isabel, a Junior majoring in Plan II who moved to the U.S. from London just over two years ago for freshman year. Community care has long been close to my heart and is what ultimately drove me to the SHARE Project: a wonderful avenue through which a rich campus culture of mutuality and informed compassion might blossom. Though far from the only tool for communication, words have power to fight stigma, aid healing processes, and ultimately change the world – both what it is and how it is perceived. I hope that through peer-to-peer discussions, words may unravel the inaccessibility, stigma, and systemic obstacles that obstruct dialogue about mental health within and beyond the university. Apart from SHARE, I am a professional journalist, Lead Plan II Mentor, volunteer, research assistant, dancer, and Planet Longhorn member.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
Hello, my name is Tavia (tay-vee-uh) Wilson and I’m from Abilene, TX. I will be a junior this fall, majoring in Sociology and Government. I joined SHARE because I aspire to bring mental health awareness to our campus, as mental health is often overlooked. Additionally, I am passionate about creating a space for other students to navigate all things mental health by establishing community/support groups amongst other things. Navigating your mental health can be challenging and even scary, so I aspire to create a space of comfort, understanding, and openness as we process our own struggles.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: English
I’m Kayla, a third-year Marketing major in the McCombs School of Business. I joined the Longhorn SHARE Project to help others and contribute to the UT community, but since learning more about the countless mental health obstacles that students face and how peer support can make a great difference, I’ve become especially passionate about bringing peer-based mental health support to students across campus. Outside of my involvement in SHARE, I also manage communication and outreach for UT Toastmasters, a student organization for improving public speaking skills.

(she/her)
Spoken languages: Farsi, English
I’m Donya, a third-year Nutrition major on the pre-med track. I grew up in Austin and I enjoy concerts, sports, volunteering, and being outdoors. At UT, I’m a part of UT for Me Dell Scholars program and the American Medical Student Association. I’m also a research assistant in the Gray Lab, which studies genetic implications on musculoskeletal disorders using zebrafish and mouse models. As a peer in SHARE, I hope to cultivate a community of love through diversity, self-awareness, and empowerment.

(he/they)
Hello, I’m Adrian! I’ve been working with and supporting UT students in various capacities since 2015. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and I have an M. Ed. in Human Relations and a B.S. in Sociology. As a transgender person with lived experience managing my own anxiety and ADHD, it’s been a joy to build this program and mentor our amazing SHARE Support Specialists as they co-create inclusive, nonjudgmental spaces for Longhorns across campus to support each other through shared challenges. My other interests include storytelling, community-building, interpersonal communication, program planning, career guidance, and finding new ways to inspire exploration, growth, self-efficacy, and personal meaning-making in students so they graduate truly knowing their own worth.