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SOAR Mentors 2024

SOAR Leaders are current Illinois Tech students who are ready to help you transition into the college experience. Each student attending SOAR is assigned a SOAR leader who will contact you before you arrive on campus or attend one of our virtual sessions. During your program, SOAR leaders will help you navigate the new student orientation experience and serve as your main point of contact. Got a question? Ask your SOAR Leader!

Want to be a SOAR Leader?

As SOAR Leaders you will be dedicated to helping orient incoming students to Illinois Tech. Our commitments are three-fold: to be connected, to be open-minded, and to serve as a guide to our community. We have all been new to Illinois Tech before. As incoming students join our campus this summer—whether in-person or virtually—you will be your first point of contact for student life. While our programming is designed to be engaging and interactive, admitted undergraduate students are at the center of it: talk to them, and listen to them. SOAR Leaders want to help admitted undergraduate students feel comfortable, safe, and ready to begin their time at Illinois Tech. 

Ready to be a SOAR Leader?

Your 2024 SOAR Leaders

Priya Rajendran

Major: Masters in Data Science 
Role: Head SOAR/GO Leader
Fun fact: Boba is my favorite

Hajar Albalawi

Major: Computer Information Systems
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I like to do my nails 

Christian Avilez

Major: Computer Science 
Role: SOAR Leader 
Fun fact: I can’t chew ramen

Beatriz Blanda

Major: Aerospace Engineering 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I can tell you the names of most objects in the night sky.

Aakansha Bora

Major: M.S Computer Science
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I am in a love-hate relationship with horror movies.

Nathan Documento

Major: B.S Business Admin and Psychology
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I love raves and currently learning how to DJ

Arshiya Duggal

Major: M.S Computer Science
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: Love dogs, naps and aesthetic cafes

Margarita Espana

Major: Architecture 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I love hiking and outdoor activities

Chirag Jethwa

Major: Architecture 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I am ambidextrous

Jackson Menendez

Major: B.S Civil Engineering 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I broke my arm trying to put on my helmet 

Varshitha Naini

Major: Aerospace Engineering
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I am Jack of all trades in extracurriculars.

Chris Ngirumpatse

Major: Aerospace Engineering
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I can speak three languages

Sehr Noor

Major: M.S Marketing Analytics
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I have the TV show Friends memorized

Riya Poudyal

Major: Computer Science
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I like watching series and currently I'm rewatching GOT and Modern Family.

Viri Pozos

Major: Cybersecurity 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I love pandas and cafes

Sreejan Shrestha

Major: Artificial Intelligence 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I am red-green color blind

Ella Slinn

Major: B.S Computer Science 
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I have dyed my hair blue, purple, red, and pink before.

Alex Sosa

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Role: SOAR Leader and Best Friend 
Fun fact: I got hit by a car, and broke the car (I am invincible)

Raskia Venkataramanan

Major: Computer Science 
Role: SOAR Leader 
Fun fact: I love building LEGO sets and solving jigsaw puzzles

Lily Watson

Major: Computer Engineering
Role: SOAR Leader
Fun fact: I played percussion and water polo