Eleanor Steiner (she/her) is a fourth-year Human Biology Major and Spanish Minor in the College of Arts and Science. Eleanor serves as the Executive Director of the UVA Community Food Pantry, an open-access food support resource for students on Grounds. Nationally, 23% of college students experience food insecurity, and at UVA, 41.2% of incoming students in 2023 expressed concern over their food insecurity status over their four years. All students without demonstrated need have access to the pantry.
Hoos Serving
Every other week, UVA Public Service recognizes students involved in public service in various ways, whether through volunteering, community or civic engagement, activism, social entrepreneurship, service-learning coursework or research, and other co-curricular service activities and interests.
Virginia is a second-year Government major in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is a Tom Tom Founders Festival Food and Workshop Fellow and member of the Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) Advisory Board. Read on to hear more about her involvements at the University and in the community.
Miranda is a fourth-year English major in the College. She is the program director for HELP Line at Madison House, a volunteer-run confidential telephone service for UVA students (434-295-TALK). She also is the co-chair of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), a peer education group that aims to reduce the negative outcomes associated with alcohol or other drug use.
Rachel Newman is a fourth-year in the School of Engineering, majoring in biomedical engineering. She is the head program director for the Madison House recreational therapy program. Through the recreational therapy program, volunteers interact with individuals with physical or mental disabilities, helping others learn and develop essential life skills.
Charlotte Robbins (she/her/hers) is a third-year in the McIntire School of Commerce, concentrating in finance on the global commerce track and minoring in psychology. Charlotte has been co-president of Autism Allies since January 2021, and before that, served as treasurer in 2020. She also was the philanthropy treasurer of Zeta Tau Alpha from January through December of 2020.
Emily Gruzdowich (she/her) is a second-year at the Darden School of Business concentrating in corporate innovation and strategy consulting. Emily serves as the Logistics VP for Building Goodness in April (BGiA), a student-run nonprofit focused on improving living conditions for low-income families across Charlottesville. Emily also is involved with Cycle for Survival and Angel Tree. Upon graduation, Emily plans to hold strategic roles in health-tech, with a focus on products that elevate our well-being.
Vedat Dilek is a fourth-year in the McIntire School, majoring in Commerce with a Finance concentration. Vedat is the co-president of Blossom Together, a student-led humanitarian organization that supports living standards in third-world African countries. Founded in 2018, Blossom Together has raised nearly $200,000, worked in five different countries, and partnered with reputable institutions like the World Bank. After graduation, Vedat will go into investment banking.
Sami Kandil is a fourth-year in the McIntire School, majoring in Commerce with a Finance concentration and Real Estate track. Sami is the co-president of Blossom Together, a student-led humanitarian organization that supports living standards in third-world African countries. Founded in 2018, Blossom Together has raised nearly $200,000, worked in five different countries, and partnered with reputable institutions like the World Bank. After graduation, Sami will go into investment banking.
Kathryn Chung (she/her) is a third-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, double majoring in biology and neuroscience. Kathryn is the president of the UVA chapter of the Hearts 4 Homeless organization, co-president of Nu Rho Psi (national neuroscience honor society), an Intro Chemistry I and II Lab TA, and an EMT at the Lake Monticello Fire and Rescue Squad.
Eli Ratzlaff is a recent graduate from UVA (CLAS '20) who majored in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law with a minor in History. While at UVA, Eli volunteered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and a tutor for elementary school children through Madison House. After graduating, Eli continued to serve in Charlottesville as an AmeriCorps Member at the IRC. He now serves as part of the Economic Empowerment team in the Charlottesville office, where he helps recently-resettled refugees and asylees reach economic self-sufficiency, find employment, and become financially literate in a culture that might be radically different from what they're used to.
McKenzie Samuels (she/her) is a second-year in the College of Arts & Sciences intending to double-major in Public Policy and African and African-American studies. McKenzie is a Peer Advisor through the Office of African American Affairs, a Resident Advisor, and an executive board member of SOCA (Student Organization of Caribbean Awareness) as Special Events Coordinator.
Lauren Cochran (CLAS '22) is a double major in Public Policy and Leadership and African-American & African Studies on the pre-law track. Her various involvements on Grounds exemplify civic engagement and public service. In addition to serving as a Peer Advisor and Tri-Chair of Selections for the Office of African-American Affairs Peer Advising Program, Lauren is a Fellow of the Meriwether Lewis Institute for Citizen Leadership, a University Judiciary Committee counselor, Student Advisor on the UVA Democracy Initiative Student Advisory Board, and Director of Undergraduate Relations for Black Student Leaders in Public Policy.