Meet your Journey Leaders

Journey leaders are students in New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) that help welcome our newest class of CU Buffs to campus. Journey leaders will be at your summer orientation helping you find your way around, learn about campus and connect with other new Buffs. Check out the following info to start getting to know the journey leaders.

Interested in becoming a journey leader?

Fill out the journey leader interest form

Journey Leader Mentors

Connor Tarbert

He/him

New students can talk to me about food recommendations, sports (CU, Denver, and DC area), skiing, hiking, study abroad locations, movies and getting involved on campus.

Connor is a third-year student from Highlands Ranch, CO, majoring in International Affairs. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader Mentor, he is involved in the Conference on World Affairs and is a College of Arts and Sciences Honors Scholar. Connor is very excited to serve as a mentor this summer and to welcome students to campus!

Connor Tarbert

Sahithi Govardhanam

She/her

New students can talk to me about the commuter experience/resources, international student experiences, pre-med, movies/TV shows, languages, crocheting and South Asian dance.

Sahithi is a senior majoring in Integrative Physiology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader Mentor, she is involved in Off-Campus Life and serves as a Beyond Campus Advisor. Although deeply invested in her pre-med studies, Sahithi is excited to welcome students to campus this summer in her role as a mentor!

Sahithi Govardhanam

Sami Zebroski

She/her

New students can talk to me about commuting to campus, classes and sports.

Sami is a junior from Idaho Springs, CO, majoring in Psychology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader Mentor, she is an honors student and the president of her fraternity. In her free time, Sami enjoys reading, writing, and gaming!

Samantha Zebroski

Miquela Abeyta

She/her

New students can talk to me about living in Williams Village, coming from a rural area to the city and great places to get food.

Miquela is a junior from Alamosa, CO, majoring in Integrative Physiology and pursuing a Certificate in Public Health. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader Mentor, she is involved in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). In her free time, Miquela loves attending concerts, running, walking and going to the gym!

Miquela Abeyta

Returning Journey Leaders

Azucena V. Flores Young

She/her

New students can talk to me about how to join a student club, ways to spend free time on campus and the CU Recreation Center.

Azucena is a junior from Oaxaca, Mexico, majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Business. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is actively involved in various activities across campus. In her free time, Azucena enjoys weight training, reading and watching crime documentaries!

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Lisca de Jager

Any pronouns

New students can talk to me about Residence Life, Club Sports, Residence Hall Association (RHA), Community Council and working at the Recreation Center.

Lisca is a junior from the Foothills area of Colorado, majoring in Psychology and Art Practices with a minor in Leadership Studies. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the Residence Hall Association, the National Residence Hall Honorary and the Swim & Dive Club. In her free time, Lisca enjoys video games, creating art, photography and public speaking!

Lisca de Jager

First-year Journey Leaders

Georgia Lujan

She/her

New students can talk to me about music, business, and sports

Georgia is a sophomore from Aurora, CO, majoring in Business with a minor in Music. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is an intern for the Leeds Office of Advancement. Georgia is also involved with Radio 1190, the Music Industry Club and Women in Business. In her free time, she loves reading, writing, going to the gym and exploring anything music-related!

Georgia Lujan

Olivia Nusbaum

She/her

New students can talk to me about environmental studies, business, Community Council, intramurals and the best food on campus.

Olivia is a sophomore from Denver, CO, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Business. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved with Community Council and the Sustainable Business Club. In her free time, Olivia enjoys photography and playing volleyball!

Olivia Nusbaum

Shrey Tejani

New students can talk to me about adjusting to college life as an international student, getting involved on campus, time management, finding community and navigating STEM courses as a first-year student

Shrey is a sophomore from Mumbai, India, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, he is a Resident Assistant (RA) and is involved in CU Racing as well as the NASA Space Grant DemoSAT program, where he serves as Systems Lead. Outside of class, Shrey enjoys reading about space exploration and working on electronics projects!

Shrey Tejani

Jordan McPhee

She/her

New students can talk to me about film/television, media, comics, D&D and pop culture.

Jordan is a sophomore from Centennial, CO, majoring in Media Production with an emphasis in Documentary Studies. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the Student Ambassador Program. In her free time, Jordan loves expressing her creativity through filmmaking, art, and collecting!

Jordan McPhee

Nadia Janus

She/her

New students can talk to me about the transfer experience, having family across the country, on-campus jobs, living in Williams Village, resources for disability accommodations and any stressors or worries for the upcoming semester

Nadia is a junior from Massachusetts and Missouri, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the Tea Club and works as an Assistant II at the William Village Dining Center. In her free time, Nadia loves reading, thrifting, hiking and playing Minecraft and Stardew Valley!

Nadia Janus

Katie Barcroft

She/her

New students can talk to me about Greek life, on-campus jobs, scholarship opportunities, Williams Village and general campus things.

Katie is a sophomore from Dallas, TX, majoring in Strategic Communications with a minor in Business. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is an officer and active member of Delta Delta Delta and works at the Department of Theater and Dance costume shop. In her free time, Katie enjoys sewing, hiking, skiing, singing, dancing and watching theatre!

Katie Barcroft

Lily Cox

She/her

New students can talk to me about photography, media production, hiking, kayaking, skiing, French, travelling, reading, theatre and knitting.

Lily is a junior from Charlotte, NC, majoring in International Affairs and Media Production. Along with being a Journey Leader, she contributes to social media and outreach at the Basic Needs Center and is active in the French Club and the ForeverBuffs Mentor Program. In her free time, Lily loves reading, exploring and getting creative!

Lily Cox

Tyler Bendell

She/her

New students can talk to me about on campus programs and opportunities.

Tyler is a junior from Florence, CO, majoring in Psychology with minors in Leadership and Sociology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is an outreach ambassador for the Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program and a student in both the Honors and President’s Leadership classes. In her free time, Tyler enjoys music and gardening!

Tyler Bendell

Sofia Reyes

She/her

New students can talk to me about outdoor activities, movies, books, the bus system in Boulder, study abroad, on-campus job opportunities, adding majors/minors and finding off-campus housing.

Sofia is a junior from Aurora, CO, majoring in Environmental Studies and Media Production with minors in Geology and Spanish. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved with Student Ambassadors, the Environmental Center and Backcountry Squatters. In her free time, Sofia enjoys running, hiking, snowboarding, reading, crafting and spending time with friends and family!

Sofia Reyes

Amelia McCrory

She/her

New students can talk to me about anything CU Boulder related.

Amelia is a sophomore from Valdosta, GA, majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Outside of class, Amelia plays violin in the Campus Orchestra!

Amelia McCrory

Megan Welly

She/her

New students can talk to me about anything CU Boulder related, especially having a campus job.

Megan is a sophomore from Aurora, CO, majoring in Integrative Physiology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she works at the Waltz Music Library, and is involved in the Honors Residential Program (HRAP) and Women’s Network. In her free time, Megan enjoys playing volleyball, making bracelets and hanging out with friends!

Megan Welly

Estefania Ibarra Luna

She/her

New students can talk to me about traveling, studying abroad and navigating the first-generation college experience at CU Boulder.

Estefania is a senior from Loveland, CO, majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved with the UMC Board, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center and is an active member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. Her favorite hobbies include traveling, journaling, crafting, watching Chinese and Korean dramas and skincare!

Estefania Ibarra Luna

Prarthana Mathad

She/her

New students can talk to me about the Leeds School of Business, Professional Greek Life and finding community on campus

Prarthana is a sophomore from Colorado Springs, CO, majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Analytics and Management and a minor in Leadership Studies. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in Women in Business, the Women’s Network and Delta Sigma Pi. In her free time, Prarthana enjoys music, reading and spending time with friends!

Prarthana Mathad

Katherine Simmons

She/her

New students can talk to me about events on campus and what it’s like living in a residence hall

Katherine is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Anthropology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she works on campus through the Residence Hall Association and is involved with the Film Buff Club. In her free time, Katherine enjoys going to the gym and playing pool at the Connection!

Katherine Simmons

Leia Sterling

She/her

New students can talk to me about anything CU Boulder related 

Leia is a sophomore from Denver, CO, majoring in Integrative Physiology. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she mentors for the Program for Excellence in Academics & Community (PEAC). In her free time, Leia enjoys swimming, drawing, shopping, going to the gym and exploring the outdoors!

Leia Sterling

Destiney Micou

She/her

New students can talk to me about anything CU Boulder has to offer.

Destiney is a sophomore majoring in Secondary Education and English. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the African Student Association, Black Student Association and Diversity Scholars Program. In her free time, Destiney enjoys singing, dining out, watching movies and tanning outside!

Destiney Micou

Daniel Mandeville

He/him

New students can talk to me about traveling and pets

Daniel is a junior from Longmont, CO, majoring in Chinese Language and Asian Studies. He served as an orientation leader in high school and is excited to help new students as they begin their journey at CU Boulder! Daniel commuted from Longmont during his first year and initially started as an Exploratory Studies major before declaring Chinese Language and Asian Studies.

Daniel Mandeville

Jake Lewis

He/him

New students can talk to me about engineering, living in Williams Village, Greek life, work-life balance and being an in-state student.

Jake is a junior from Evergreen, CO, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Business. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, he is an active member of Sigma Chi. In his free time, Jake enjoys exercising, fishing and cooking!

Jake Lewis

Sophia Storms

She/her

New students can talk to me about the Music Industry Club, Leeds School of Business and Williams Village.

Sophia is a sophomore from Houston, TX, majoring in Accounting and Finance. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, she is involved in the Music Industry Club. In her free time, Sophia loves to run, write songs and play the guitar!

Sophie Storms

Mario Andreev

He/him

New students can talk to me about residence life, athletic events, academics, social life on campus (e.g. making friends, joining clubs, exploring Boulder) and the recreation center.

Mario is a sophomore from Northglenn, CO, majoring in Exploratory Studies and on track to complete an Intra-University Transfer (IUT) into the Leeds School of Business. In addition to serving as a Journey Leader, Mario participates in intramural sports, attends sporting events and explores a variety of clubs. In his free time, he enjoys attending campus events, working out, playing sports and spending time with friends!

Mario Andreev