Ariana Alvarez

STEAMBASSADOR

School: University of Illinois Chicago | Education | Senior
Career Pathway: Education | Culinary | Law & Government
Superpower: Encouraging leader who is dependable, adaptable, communicative, positive, and comfortable supporting others through challenges.
Why PE: PE complements Ariana’s teacher preparation by giving her additional experience engaging diverse young people, leading activities, and supporting student development.
Future Goal: Successfully complete student teaching, graduate in Spring 2027, and continue taking on new challenges as an educator.

David Bellini

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Harry S Truman College | Basic CAD Drafting Certificate
Career Pathway: Computer-Aided Design | Drafting | Technology
Superpower: Adaptable collaborator who communicates well, maintains a positive attitude, and is a strong listener.
Why PE: PE provides David with opportunities to strengthen workplace skills while demonstrating how technology, creativity, and design come together through CAD.
Future Goal: Secure a CAD internship or job, complete his certification, and move toward greater professional and financial independence.

Jessica Cervantes

STEAMBASSADOR

School: George Mason University | Accounting | Second Year
Career Pathway: Accounting | Healthcare | Technology
Superpower: Adaptable learner who is open to exploring how analytical and technical skills can apply across different fields.
Why PE: PE allows Jessica to maintain a connection to STEM and youth development while continuing her college education and broadening her professional exposure.
Future Goal: Continue progressing toward graduation while maintaining strong academic performance and exploring future career possibilities.

Kaleb Dunn

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Triton College | Music Technology | Junior
Career Pathway: Music Technology | Arts & Media
Superpower: Creative technologist who combines communication, creativity, adaptability, teamwork, dependability, and problem-solving.
Why PE: PE gives Kaleb an opportunity to show young people that STEAM includes creative technology and that music, media, and technology can come together in meaningful careers.
Future Goal: Complete his Music Technology studies, gain internship experience, and move toward a career that provides both financial stability and personal fulfillment.

T’Felicz Gant

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Malcolm X College | Returning Student
Career Pathway: Nursing | Healthcare | Entrepreneurship | Education
Superpower: Caring leader who is dependable, adaptable, positive, creative, collaborative, and a strong listener.
Why PE: PE gives T’Felicz an opportunity to build professional experience and serve as a role model while pursuing a healthcare career.
Future Goal: Progress toward completing nursing training and earning her nursing certification.

Gia Griffin

STEAMBASSADOR

School: University of Illinois Chicago | Kinesiology/Physical Therapy | Sophomore
Career Pathway: Healthcare | Physical Therapy
Superpower: Collaborative communicator who listens well, works effectively with others, and brings creativity to her work.
Why PE: PE gives Gia an opportunity to strengthen leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills that are important in both youth development and healthcare careers.
Future Goal: Have a successful sophomore year, improve academically, and develop strong professional relationships and leadership experience.

Trent Harding

STEAMBASSADOR

School: University of Illinois Chicago | Computer Engineering | Freshman
Career Pathway: Engineering | Computer Science
Superpower: Dependable problem-solver who communicates well, adapts to change, listens carefully, and works effectively on teams.
Why PE: PE provides Trent with a supportive professional community as he transitions into college and gives him opportunities to reinforce his technical interests through mentoring.
Future Goal: Successfully complete his first year of college and establish a strong foundation in computer engineering.

Gizel Ivel

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Arrupe College of Loyola | Criminal Justice | Second Year
Career Pathway: Criminal Justice | Education | Law & Government | Entrepreneurship
Superpower: Youth-centered communicator who is dependable, creative, adaptable, collaborative, and motivated by seeing others grow.
Why PE: Gizel sees success in the growth of the students she serves. PE provides her with a setting where she can help young people gain knowledge, confidence, and stronger interpersonal skills.
Future Goal: Continue progressing through college while becoming a stronger mentor and seeing measurable growth in the young people she supports.

Cornelius “CJ” Macon, Jr.

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Unity Environmental University | Wildlife Conservation | Freshman
Career Pathway: Wildlife Conservation | Environmental Science | Technology
Superpower: Persistent explorer who brings creativity, dependability, organization, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving.
Why PE: PE allows CJ to connect his passion for wildlife and environmental science with youth education while gaining meaningful hands-on leadership experience.
Future Goal: Gain direct field experience in wildlife conservation and identify career opportunities in wildlife technology and environmental fieldwork.

Devontae Mitchell

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Malcolm X College | Forensic Science | Junior
Career Pathway: Forensic Science | Biology
Superpower: Thoughtful listener who values persistence and following through on difficult goals.
Why PE: PE gives Devontae continued exposure to science while creating opportunities to develop his leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.
Future Goal: Continue advancing toward his forensic science degree while becoming more independent and following through on the goals he has set for himself.

Ja’Misha Murdock

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Harold Washington College | Early Childhood Education | Freshman
Career Pathway: Education | Entrepreneurship | Culinary
Superpower: Entrepreneurial educator who combines leadership, creativity, communication, organization, and a natural ability to motivate others.
Why PE: Jamisha’s interest in education makes PE an ideal setting to strengthen her teaching and facilitation skills while gaining experience working directly with young people.
Future Goal: Continue progressing toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education while growing professionally and building on her entrepreneurial experience.

Liliana Lopez Nino

STEAMBASSADOR

School/Training: Preparing to enter EMT school
Career Pathway: Healthcare | Entrepreneurship | Arts & Media
Superpower: Dependable, creative leader who brings strong communication, organization, problem-solving, teamwork, and content-creation skills.
Why PE: PE gives Liliana a place to strengthen her leadership while exploring healthcare, entrepreneurship, and creative career opportunities. It also provides access to mentorship and resources that can support her transition into EMT training.
Future Goal: Successfully begin EMT training while continuing to explore business, entrepreneurship, and audio engineering opportunities.

Morgan Neuman

STEAMBASSADOR

School: George Westinghouse College Prep | Grade 12
Career Pathway: Healthcare | Environmental Science | Entrepreneurship | Psychology | Education
Superpower: Emerging leader who combines communication, creativity, organization, public speaking, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Why PE: PE gives Morgan paid leadership experience while helping her explore multiple careers and navigate the important transition from high school to college.
Future Goal: Graduate from high school, successfully transition into college, and develop a clearer understanding of the academic and career pathway that best fits her interests.

Racheal Olujide

STEAMBASSADOR

School: University of Illinois Chicago | Architecture | Master’s Program
Career Pathway: Architecture
Superpower: Motivating leader with a strong sense of dependability and commitment to achieving long-term goals.
Why PE: PE provides Racheal with an opportunity to share architecture and design with young people while strengthening leadership and mentoring experience.
Future Goal: Continue progressing through her graduate architecture program and move closer to entering the profession.

Neehal Rajesh

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Illinois Institute of Technology | Cybersecurity | Sophomore
Career Pathway: Cybersecurity | Technology
Superpower: Growth-minded mentor who combines leadership, communication, creativity, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Why PE: PE gives Neehal a place to develop the mentorship skills he wants to strengthen while applying his growing cybersecurity and technology knowledge.
Future Goal: Become a stronger mentor and secure internships or co-op opportunities that prepare him for a professional cybersecurity career.

Ronal Rajesh

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Illinois Tech | Fourth Year
Career Pathway: Engineering | Computer Science | Cybersecurity
Superpower: Analytical problem-solver with strong listening, adaptability, communication, and teamwork skills.
Why PE: PE gives Ronal opportunities to translate technical knowledge into experiences that build communication and leadership—skills that will complement his engineering and technology background.
Future Goal: Strengthen his communication skills while continuing to prepare for internships and professional opportunities in technology.

Andres “Andy” Rivera

STEAMBASSADOR

School/Training: Exploring college, trade school, apprenticeships, and internships
Career Pathway: Engineering | Technology | Psychology | Skilled Trades | Arts
Superpower: Creative communicator who works well with others, maintains a positive attitude, enjoys presenting, and brings strong listening skills.
Why PE: PE gives Andy a structured environment to explore several interests while receiving mentorship and gaining meaningful professional experience.
Future Goal: Identify a clearer educational and career direction and begin taking concrete steps toward a career that provides greater stability and opportunity.

Fernando Rivera-Ruiz

STEAMBASSADOR

School/Training: Exploring Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Career Pathway: Aviation Maintenance | Skilled Trades
Superpower: Reliable team player who brings leadership, adaptability, positivity, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Why PE: PE allows Fernando to strengthen professional and leadership skills while pursuing a technical skilled-trades pathway that can also inspire younger students.
Future Goal: Enroll in aviation maintenance training and move toward becoming a full-time A&P mechanic.

William Slaughter

STEAMBASSADOR

School/Training: College graduate
Career Pathway: Cybersecurity | Computer Science | Entrepreneurship
Superpower: Community-minded technology leader with strengths in communication, organization, teamwork, adaptability, content creation, and leadership.
Why PE: PE provides William with continued professional experience, mentorship opportunities, and a platform to use his technology skills to make a positive impact on younger students.
Future Goal: Secure a full-time entry-level position in IT or cybersecurity, increase his financial independence, and continue making a difference in his community.

Lidia Swire
STEAMBASSADOR

School/Training: College graduate
Career Pathway: Healthcare | Youth Development
Superpower: Impact-driven leader who is dependable, positive, adaptable, creative, communicative, and committed to supporting young people.
Why PE: Lidia values the impact she can make on young people’s learning. PE gives her continued opportunities to mentor, lead, and create meaningful experiences for youth.
Future Goal: Continue making a measurable impact on young people while pursuing full-time professional opportunities.

Nakia White

STEAMBASSADOR

School: Community college student
Career Pathway: Mortuary Science
Superpower: Versatile leader with strengths in teamwork, public speaking, creativity, organization, communication, and problem-solving.
Why PE: PE provides Nakia with structured work experience, supportive leadership, and opportunities to continue building transferable professional skills as she clarifies her college and career direction.
Future Goal: Become established in college, gain greater clarity about her major, and succeed in a positive environment with strong leadership and expectations.