Cassie Kyaw

Program Director

Year: 4th Year
Major: Human Developmental Sciences, Minor in Biology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite memory was when we taught the students a TikTok dance! They really came out of their shells, and I loved seeing their personalities shine! 

Divya Selvam

Secretary

Year: 4th Year
Major: Neurobiology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: Being a part of StRIVE has been a rewarding experience for me due to the direct impact I get to make on the students and the lasting connections with the team that embodies compassion and empathy. ​

Joseph Kennedy

Treasurer

Year: 3rd Year
Major: Neurobiology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite memory is from this year when the TRACE students actually remembered me from when we were back in person because it made me feel good about what  we do and I could see it meant something to them. 

Yakta Syed

Public Relations/Event Coordinator

Year: 3rd Year
Major: Neurobiology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: I am so grateful to have found StRIVE and have loved my experience in it, as I have found it to be an extremely rewarding experience. My favorite part is the lasting connections and friendships I've made with students and fellow coaches, as well as seeing the last impact on students, watching them learn and thrive over the course of a quarter. 
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Anjali Iyangar

Internal Communications 

Year: 3rd Year
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite part of StRIVE is the humanity of every individual involved - from the students who teach me to be more empathetic, to the team of coaches that are the embodiment of compassion. 

Josie Re

Social Chair

Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: I remember over two years ago in May of 2019, we had our annual StRIVE field day. All of our coaches and students across all classrooms got to go to the beach in Mission Bay. It was really special meeting so many students from different classrooms that I had not met before. 

Ariel Cohen

Head Coach
Year: 4th Year
Major: Global Health
​Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite memory from StRIVE was fostering new and meaningful relationships with individuals with disabilities. It has positively impacted the way I view myself and the ones around me. 

Gillian McMahon

Head Coach
Year: 4th Year
Major: Math-Applied Science with a focus on Biophysics and Biochemistry
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My Favorite StRIVE memories are all the dance parties we have with StRIVE and TRACE students!

Jordan Lee

Head Coach
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Design and Interaction
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite memory from StRIVE was when my cohort did a blindfolded obstacle course. 

Linnea Hilderbrand

Head Coach
Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite experiences in StRIVE would be when the students who don't usually participate themselves come out of their shells and participate! It is so exciting when students are able to become more comfortable with the coaches, and it is reflected in their participation and experience. 
Mohnish Alishala
Head Coach
​Year: 2nd Year
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: I love how I can meet and learn to interact with different types of people. My favorite memory of StRIVE so far was in my first in-person outing. There was a student who was really grumpy and didn't want to interact with anyone else. I tried really hard to talk to him but he would just give me a cold shoulder. Eventually we bonded over Pokemon and Nintendo DS and he slowly started to talk to everyone else, including the other coaches. My heart warmed to see him open up. 

Nikhila Yerabandi

Head Coach
Year: 4th Year
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite memory from StRIVE is when I made a presentation on public speaking, and I spoke about how I was able to overcome my fear of public speaking. Afterwards, a student told me that they struggle with public speaking too and that they were really glad I talked about it. 
Zara Nazir
Head Coach
Year: 4th Year
Major: Cognitive Neuroscience, Minor in Music
Favorite Memory/Part in StRIVE: My favorite part about coaching in StRIVE is seeing the students' eyes light up and how genuinely happy they are to see their coaches. TRACE students help coaches just as much, if not more, than we help them and it is an absolute delight to work alongside them!

Robert She

Founder and Former Director
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Robert recently graduated from UCSD with a degree in Biochemistry/Cell Biology, and a minor in Global Health and in Philosophy. He is interested in researching the biochemical basis of neuropathies but sees the need to help those affected with such conditions immediately and more importantly, personally. With the help from San Diego Unified School District’s TRACE program and from the generous funding by the Strauss Foundation for Public Service, he created StRIVE as an opportunity for other passionate undergraduates to help alleviate social issues faced by people with disabilities. Outside of StRIVE, Robert is a pre-med student, a community service hobbyist, and a guy with a surfboard who thinks he’s a surfer.

Timothy Liu

                      Former Director
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Tim is a bioengineering: biotechnology major from Muir college. He is interested in pursuing a career as a physician, with a yet undetermined focus. His favorite element of StRIVE is the hands-on volunteering, and the opportunity to watch his TRACE students and fellow coaches grow.

​Kate Nations

Former Director
Kate had served STRIVE tirelessly and always with enthusiasm and passion. She had given her all when coming up with our curriculum for the year and pours her heart into each one to make sure that all the skills and lessons would be applicable to the range of students that we want to see excel and strive towards a live of independence. One of her favorite moment during her time as director was when she was talking about healthy eating with her class and then ensued to make their own smoothies. She found happiness that she was making an impact by teaching something that they can make at home, easy and healthy to make, and it was an activity which the students really enjoyed. It showed her that STRIVE can be an organization that can help change the lives of our students by teaching them useful tips and life habits. 

Kate is currently working steadfastly in her post-bachelors program at SFSU and loves delving deeper into her career field. One word of advice that really rings with her that she would love to share with everyone one is, "Don't do anything for a resume. This might seem like a radical idea, especially if you're pre-med like I am. Life is too short to be living for your ten year plan. I'm not saying [to not] volunteer, take internships, or get entry level jobs in your field. But if you don't enjoy doing those "resume builder" activities, don't sink your time into them. You probably won't enjoy the career they're leading you to either. Invest your time into things you enjoy and everything else will work itself out." That by far possibly has to be the best quote that can apply to just about everyone and is the path to inspire true passion and energy for the career that we will be working towards.

Meena Kian

Former Director

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​Meena is a third year diving deep into the brains, studying physiology and neuroscience. Her goal is to help bridge the gap between abled and disabled communities through an environment that fosters inclusion, collaboration, and compassion. She is continuously inspired by the growth of our students and the extent to which they enjoy spending time with the coaches. She is tirelessly working now to study neurodegenerative diseases as well as autoimmune disorders. 

On her free time, she likes to write poetry and surround her world with symbolism and imagery. She manipulates words and charges them with emotions that every word would strike everyone down to the heart. Her pen is as smooth as her mind and everything comes naturally to her just as ink flows out from her pen. She would also love to write out great works in front of a fireplace and allow her mind take over. 
Jasmine Elisha
Former Director
Jasmine is a fourth year devoting her studies into human development. As she is achieving to attain her degree within that field, her goal is to oversee child development and facilitate the process which kids gain the necessary skills to maximize their full potential. She is also striving to create bridges of connections and a sense of community for young adults, especially for those within StRIVE. 

Jasmine is a character who is always committed and dedicated into her work and commitments, however whenever she needs a time to relax and unwind, she finds solace and tranquility either at the top of a mountain of Mt. Soledad overlooking the city of San Diego or watching others soar high above in the big blue sky at the Gliderport. You might just be able to catch a sunset with her some time!