Departments

Connect Me’s five departments focus on handling specific pieces of the organization’s infrastructure to ensure that Connect Me succeeds in achieving its mission of supporting the community through free tutoring and mentoring. Each board member below dedicates an exceptional amount of time and effort to fulfill their essential role in the organization.

Department

Operations

Efficiency and organization are the hallmarks of our Operations Department. From managing schedules to streamlining processes, this team ensures that Connect Me runs smoothly, maximizing our impact on the community we serve.

Alexander Hu

Chair

Alexander Hu is a sophomore at the University of Michigan driven to leave a positive impact on education through computer science and engineering. Heavily inspired by Connect Me's mission of providing free educational services to the students of the world, Alexander joined the Operations Department, developing software applications to scale Connect Me further. Previously the Deputy Chair of Operations, Alexander currently serves as the Director of Operations and manages the tutor portal, a web application that provides a platform for managing tutoring sessions in an adaptable and efficient manner. Beyond Connect Me, Alexander is a member of the University of Michigan's Solar Car team and enjoys going on a run in his free time.

Mateo Atluri

Deputy Chair

Mateo is a junior at Harvard-Westlake School in California. He has a passion for math and science inside of school, while outside of school he enjoys playing basketball and the guitar. He loves to have fun with his younger siblings, being part of a family with 7 children. Joining Connect Me in the summer of 2024, Mateo's passion for tutoring has stemmed since his younger days of helping kids in his class succeed and learn better.

Silvana Solsoloy

Team Member

Silvana is a senior at Clovis North High School in Fresno, CA! She joined Connect Me in 2021 as a freshman and has since worked to help develop the organization inside and out by serving on the Admissions Committee and opening a Connect Me chapter in her school. She loved watching all her students grow throughout her time here, and hopes to continue tutoring after high school! Silvana enjoys traveling with family, hanging out with friends, and playing piano and violin in her philharmonic orchestra. Besides tutoring, she is very passionate about sleep research and climate change activism, and hopes to pursue medical research in the future!

Anikait Pundhir

Team Member

Anikait Pundhir is a senior at Northville High School striving to expand his reach as a tutor to underprivileged students in the community. Previously only a tutor, Anikait is now a member of the Operations Department, working towards the goal to optimize the tutor portal and create a Chatbot for all users of the application to have easy access to help when starting off as tutors. Outside of Connect Me, he is a hardworking student who enjoys learning chemistry and biology, staying active in tennis, and spending time with his loving family and friends.

Ashritaa Palavalli

Team Member

Ashritaa Palavalli is a motivated 9th grade student in the IB Diploma Program for the 2025–2026 school year. She is passionate about healthcare and hopes to become a surgeon. Ashritaa serves as an assistant Speech and Debate coach, tutors 2 students, is deeply involved with Connect Me, and volunteers on the Sacramento Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board. Through these roles, she has developed strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Outside of academics, she enjoys helping others, learning new things, and engaging with her community.

Lindsay Osei-Kwabena

Team Member

Lindsay Osei-Kwabena (an MSM senior) holds a position in Operations and is a seasoned tutor. She has given her all for Connect Me — efficiently tracking large volumes of meeting hours, error detecting for the Tutor Portal, tutoring national and international students, offering presentation advice for the received $10,000 grant of ConnectMe, and working on a nutritional guideline through a Stanford Medicine + Connect Me Health partnership, amongst others. She goes above and beyond, even outside the nonprofit, for example, leading her mental health coalition (HealthyMind), creating packages and presents for immigrants/refugees who need assistance, and orating for what is just.

Srihan Sankepalle

Team Member

Srihan Sankepalle is a dedicated high school junior with a passion for supporting others through tutoring and mentorship. With a strong interest in math and problem-solving, he enjoys helping students build confidence and achieve their academic goals.

Aditi Mahesh

Team Member

Aditi is a freshman at Michigan State University majoring in Electrical Engineering. She joined Connect Me as a tutor in 2024, and later became a member of the Operations Department in 2025. She has always been inspired by Connect Me's mission of making education accessible to all and is passionate about giving back to the community. Through her work with Connect Me, she hopes to continue making a meaningful impact by using her skills to support educational equity and help students around the world.

Sarthak Tayal

Team Member

Sarthak Tayal is a student at Novi High School who joined Connect Me to give back and support students in their academic journey. He serves as the secretary of his school’s Applied Mathematics and Computing Club, where he helps keep members informed and engaged. He also leads his school’s Valorant eSports team as captain, enjoying the teamwork and communication that come with competitive gaming. Sarthak is passionate about learning, problem-solving, and using technology to make a positive impact. In his free time, he enjoys photography, going to the gym, and exploring new ideas. He plans to study computer engineering and science.

Shiven Sadhu

Team Member

Shiven Sadhu is an aspiring ninth grader looking forward to major in something related to math, software, and hardware. His hobbies are video games, tennis, and basketball. He has one older sibling and he loves to listen to music while attending to a task.

Department

Admissions

The Admissions Department is the gateway to our organization, responsible for selecting dedicated tutors and mentees who embody our values of compassion and commitment. With a keen eye for talent, they ensure that every member of our community contributes to our mission with passion and integrity.

Yulianna Kowalczyk

Chair

Yulianna is a University of Michigan sophomore studying Movement Science on a pre-med track. She joined Connect Me in 2023 as a tutor and quickly sought leadership as the chair of the Admissions Department. Previously, she served as Secretary and is currently the Executive Board Vice President and the Director of the Admissions Department where she manages student-tutor pairings. Yulianna is also a volunteer for DMUM which is a student-run non-profit organization that helps raise funds for pediatric therapies at Mott Children's Hospital. Her favorite thing about Connect Me is being able to make a difference not only in her community but across the world!

Ashritaa Palavalli

Deputy Chair

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Claudia (Muyang) Wang

Deputy Chair

Claudia is a rising sophomore at Novi High School with a strong passion for service, education, and leadership. She joined Connect Me with academic goals in mind, but over time, has built meaningful connections with the students she tutors. Claudia has been part of the Admissions Department since Season 5 and is now serving as Deputy Chair for the 2025–2026 term. Outside of Connect Me, she is an accomplished violinist, pianist, competitive rock climber, and emerging composer. Claudia plans to pursue neuroscience and hopes to bridge the arts and sciences through both academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Amrutha Dara

Admissions Officer

Amrutha Dara, currently a senior, joined Connect Me as a freshman. Now she serves as one of the leads for the Dunlap Chapter, wanting to get more people involved with Connect Me. She’s an active member of HOSA, Speech Team, Science Fair, and Medical Club. In her free time, Amrutha enjoys playing golf, spending time with friends, and diving into a good book. Amrutha is very passionate about the sciences and would like to pursue the pre-med track in college.

Samaya Katikireddy

Admissions Officer

Samaya is a senior at Clovis North High School in Fresno, California. She originally joined Connect Me as a tutor, but she now also works with the Admissions Committee to help pair new students with tutors! Along with her passions within Connect Me, she is invested in her passion project that involves creating art to push for nationwide change, doing research on heart failure, and participating in various school clubs and teams. During her quiet hours, she finds herself going on walks, traveling, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and drawing.

Addison Duong

Admissions Officer

Addison Duong is a junior at Staten Island Technical High School with a strong passion for business and healthcare. She joined Connect Me in 2023 as a tutor and became part of the Admissions Department a year later. Addison actively participates in school initiatives such as DECA and developing a finance curriculum, reflecting her drive for leadership and innovation. Outside of Connect Me, she volunteers at healthcare centers and nursing homes. Addison hopes to pursue a career in healthcare administration, using her passion for service to improve patient experiences and drive meaningful change within healthcare systems.

Bianca Perry

Admissions Officer

Bianca Perry is a dedicated tutor who believes every student deserves a chance to feel confident in math and science. With a heart for service and a passion for education, she brings energy and encouragement to every session. Outside of tutoring, Bianca runs an environmental club where she teaches students how to fight climate change through action and awareness. She also volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse, combining her love for helping others with hands-on community support. Her goal is to inspire the next generation to lead with knowledge, kindness, and purpose.

Abby Barnes

Admissions Officer

Abby is a dedicated Asian American student with a strong background in academics, leadership, and social impact. Based in the greater Houston Area of Texas, she currently attends Dickinson High School as a 12th grader. She is an award-winning artist, finance student, and advocate. Besides art, she also loves to go hiking and practice martial arts. She hopes to study political science and economics in college and beyond and serves in the Admissions Department of Connect Me.

Bryan Hagood

Admissions Officer

Bryan is a senior at Deep Run High School in Richmond, Virginia. Last year, he was a founding member of his school’s Connect Me chapter and currently serves as the president. He is passionate about the environment and hopes to pursue a future career in marine science. Outside of Connect Me, Bryan is a consultant in his school’s Writing Center, is the team manager for his school’s volleyball team, and self-published a children’s book to promote environmentalism among youths in his community. Outside of academics, Bryan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging out with friends, and doing DIY crafts.

Jaeyeon Kwon

Admissions Officer

Jaeyeon is a senior at Northville High School for the 2025–2026 academic year. She joined Connect Me in 2024, and became part of the Admissions Department in 2025. Beyond Connect Me, she is involved in the National Honor Society, Connect Me Club Chapters Member, JV Girls Tennis, Brilliant Detroit tutoring, and serves on the University of Michigan’s Youth Board. While in Korea, she was recognized as a Student of Distinction for two consecutive years and received the Academic Excellence Award. Passionate about science and the brain, Jaeyeon hopes to pursue neuroscience or neurobiology in college.

Aahana Jain

Admissions Officer

Aahana is a freshman at Michigan State University majoring in neuroscience. She joined Connect Me as a tutor in 2022 and became part of the Admissions Department in 2023. She previously served as the Deputy Chair of the Admissions Department and is currently the Director of Partnerships. Throughout her time in Connect Me, she grew a strong bond with the student she tutors and became very passionate about giving back to the community. She hopes to continue to make a difference in her community throughout college.

Department

Partnerships

Collaboration lies at the heart of our Partnerships Department. By forging meaningful connections with like-minded organizations and individuals, this team expands our reach and amplifies our impact, creating a network of support that strengthens our collective efforts.

Aahana Jain

Chair

Bora Ozalp

Deputy Chair

Bora Ozalp is a high school junior at Detroit Country Day School with a 4.0 GPA. Passionate about machine learning and community impact, he has conducted research at Mayo Clinic and developed many AI projects. Bora co-founded multiple nonprofits, including 313co and Youth Bridge US to Turkiye, delivering aid and education to underserved communities. As Vice Chair of the ATAA Youth Committee, he’s spoken at UN events and led national outreach. He’s also a varsity athlete, a skilled coder, and a dedicated musician fluent in Turkish and proficient in Spanish.

Emily Menke

Team Member

Emily is a student at Northville High School and has been involved with Connect Me since 2022, supporting students through tutoring and mentorship. She began tutoring in middle school and continues to work with peers across academic subjects. Emily is a varsity soccer player and youth soccer coach, combining athletics with leadership experience. She has participated in the Interlochen Center for the Arts camp and the Alpha Young Writers Workshop. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, baking, and creative projects.

Rishan Patel

Team Member

Rishan Patel is a Junior at Northville High School. He is participating in the schools HOSA and DECA teams and is part of a non profit called Wellvoyant. He loves to play sports especially Soccer and Football. He wants to go into the medical field specifically anesthesia with the goal of helping other people.

Vrinda Uddaraju

Team Member

Vrinda Uddaraju is a sophomore at Deep Run High School with a strong passion to go into the healthcare and medicine field. She enjoys tutoring and teaching new subjects to students, and expanding the availability and accessibility of knowledge and STEM education to children. She is on the tennis team and participates in many clubs, including Robotics, Model UN, and Medical Club. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Rony Korab

Team Member

Rony is a freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He joined Connect Me back in 2021 to help the organization tutor as many kids as possible and has been with Connect Me since its founding. Recently, he won the NSHSS $10,000 Be More Grant for the organization. Outside of Connect Me, he does robotics, is a 2nd Degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is involved in many clubs and honor societies. He currently majors in computer engineering.

Department

Advertising

The Advertising Department is the voice of Connect Me, spreading awareness of our services far and wide. Through strategic campaigns and creative initiatives, this team ensures that those in need of our support know where to turn for free tutoring and mentoring opportunities.

Agastya Kukudala

Chair

Agastya Kukudala is a junior at Parkway West High School in St. Louis, MO. He joined the Advertising department two years ago after tutoring three students for half a year. As the president of several clubs and an intern at two organizations, he thrives in leadership roles and loves guiding teams to success. Beyond school, he plays tennis and also coaches local teenagers; moreover, he works as a tutor at Kumon, combining his love for teaching with his passion for mentorship. With a deep interest in marketing, finance, artificial intelligence, and education, Agastya is always looking for opportunities to grow and make an impact.

Leah Deutchman

Deputy Chair

Leah joined Connect Me during the summer because she wanted to help others and decided that tutoring was a great way to do that. She has been tutoring students ever since. She also joined the advertising department in November and is now Deputy Chair. Leah is exited for everything great Connect Me is going to accomplish throughout season 6!

Srinidhi Singirikonda

Team Member

Srinidhi has been a part of Connect Me for over a year now. Watching her students grow and become more confident in their learning has been one of the most rewarding parts of her experience. She is passionate about learning and always tries to make sessions fun and exciting. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys doing gymnastics and baking. But, Connect Me has definitely been one of the most meaningful things she has been a part of.

Lasya Jasti

Team Member

Lasya is a freshman at Dunlap High School. She enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music. She made it to state chess three years in a row in middle school, and was on her school’s scholastic bowl team. Her love for learning comes from the happiness she gets when she helps other people understand difficult concepts. Lasya hopes to teach students well during her time at Connect Me.

Ishaan Suneja

Team Member

Ishaan is a motivated Georgia student with a strong passion for community impact, equipped with skills in marketing, Python programming, machine learning, and tutoring. Known for a results-driven mindset and creative approach, Ishaan is prepared to contribute meaningfully to Connect Me’s Advertising Department and help expand its reach and influence among students.

Simran Rana

Team Member

Simran enjoys tutoring because she loves helping others feel confident in what they’re learning. She's patient, encouraging, and always try to make learning simple and clear. She also enjoys connecting with others and making learning feel less stressful and more fun. Outside of school, Simran enjoys baking and playing beach volleyball!

Department

Media

Visual storytelling and digital engagement are the specialties of our Media Department. From captivating graphics to compelling videos, this team brings our mission to life online, fostering connection and inspiration within our community and beyond.

Diksha Lal

Chair

Diksha is an incoming college freshman who has been a dedicated member of Connect Me since her freshman year of high school. Inspired by Connect Me’s mission, she implemented and managed a tutoring program for a nearby middle school to expand her impact and love for volunteering and education. Diksha is also an active leader in her school community, leading clubs focused on mental health and cultural awareness. With an interest in technology, innovation, and working with people, Diksha plans to pursue Computer Science and Psychology in college. In her free time, she enjoys doing photography, sketching realistic portraits, taking walks, listening to music, and doing henna.

Michelle Ke

Deputy Chair

Michelle is a senior at Central High School in Philadelphia and will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to study nursing in the fall. She enjoys math and science and has always been interested in healthcare. At school, she’s particularly involved in Science Olympiad and volunteering for the Red Cross Club. In her free time, she loves watching movies of all genres, doing arts and crafts, and reading.

Audrey Steele

Team Member

Audrey is a senior at Clovis North High School who passion for tutoring. She also enjoys being creative through a variety of mediums, including making social media posts in the Media Committee. Audrey looks forward to supporting Connect Me through bringing awareness of the work Connect Me does and how it impacts communities around the nation.

Keyya Dave

Team Member

Keyya Dave is a junior at Northville High School in Michigan who joined Connect Me Tutoring to share her love for learning and education with others. Over the past couple of years, she has served as a tutor and joined the Media Committee, helping expand the program’s impact. She is also the President and Founder of the Speak Now Club, an official campus action network from the National Organization for Women (NOW), a feminist organization promoting gender equality. Keyya is also president of her school's leading mental health awareness club, crew head for Northville High School's Drama Club, a member of HOSA, and has been participating in ballet since the age of four, currently competing in ballet as part of an intensive ballet program. In her free time, Keyya enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and traveling, and has a strong passion for chemistry. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in STEM while continuing to inspire others to embrace education and growth.

Deepika Rangaraaj

Team Member

Deepika Rangaraaj is a sophomore at Mission San Jose High School in California. She has been a part of Connect Me for over a year. Deepika joined Connect Me Tutoring in February of 2023. She is part of the Media Committee and has a passion for graphic design and art. Deepika currently tutors 3 students in English and Reading.

Swara Jasti

Team Member

Swara is a senior in high school from Dunlap, IL who has a strong passion for business and community impact. Through active roles in Varsity Speech and Debate, Newspaper Team, Create for Kids Peoria, Connect Me, and In White Coats, she has cultivated essential skills in public speaking, organization, and strategic planning. These experiences have allowed her to collaborate with a wide range of peers and contribute meaningfully to various initiatives.

Moira Du

Team Member

Moira is a freshman majoring in Health Science at university. She joined Connect Me because of her passion for writing and making a positive impact on readers around the world. She enjoys freelance writing, swimming, a bit of NBA, and reading in her free time.

Jaylene Marks

Team Member

Jaylene is a junior at Cypress Ranch High School. While serving as a member of the media department, she is also President of her high school’s chapter. She is Vice President of her school’s Red Cross Club and Director of Advertisement for Houston’s International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign for the Red Cross. In the future, she hopes to work in the medical field, specifically psychiatry. In her free time, she enjoys playing viola, baking, and hanging out with friends.

Department

Chapters

The Chapters Department is responsible for building and maintaining Connect Me’s dozens of chapters at high schools and universities across the US! By managing thousands of prospective volunteers, the Chapters Department ensures tutors have a local, in-person community to share their experiences with!

Aarav Shah

Chair

Aarav is a Georgia Institute of Technology student who joined Connect Me to make a difference in the community around him. Previously, he served as Deputy Chair of the Media Committee, Director of Media, and Executive Board Internal Vice President. He now serves as the Executive Board External Vice President and Director of Chapters, where he manages the organization's chapters around the country. Aarav also is a member of the Operations Department, where he works on technical innovations for the tutor portal and organization as a whole. Outside of Connect Me, he is an incoming Quantitative Analyst Intern at Bank of America this summer. Aarav also serves as the CTO for College Treehouse, a content creation team dedicated to making college applications and admissions accessible to everybody. He studies computer science and has participated in artificial intelligence and neuroscience research.

Vaibhav Bhaskar

Deputy Chair

Vaibhav Bhaskar is a curious and ambitious high school junior with a deep interest in finance, entrepreneurship, and social impact. He enjoys exploring how markets work, analyzing businesses, and finding creative ways to solve real-world problems. Outside the classroom, he’s passionate about helping others grow—whether through peer mentorship, nonprofit work, or simply sharing ideas. Vaibhav hopes to use his love for business to drive meaningful change and empower communities around him.

Caroline Canavan

Team Member

Caroline is a senior at Boston Latin School in Boston, MA, and joined Connect Me to share her love for learning with others. Outside of Connect Me, she is a part of Varsity soccer and lacrosse, sings in her high school choir, serves in student council, teaches sailing, and volunteers at her local preschool. Caroline also plans to pursue a career in engineering. As a member of the Chapters Department, she hopes to gain leadership experience and expand Connect Me.

Annabelle Ham

Team Member

Annabelle Ham is a junior at Novi High School. Through Connect Me, she discovered her love for tutoring and currently tutors two students. She joined the Chapters Department to help expand Connect Me further. She plays Varsity basketball and lacrosse, loves to cook, bakes the best cinnamon rolls, and has an eye for design. She plans to pursue a career in med after high school.

Lucia Hidalgo

Team Member

Lucia is a senior at Clovis North High School in Fresno, California. She comes from Chile and she is fluent in Spanish. After moving to the United States in 2022, Lucia quickly sought opportunities to make a positive impact in her community. She currently tutors math in Connect Me, volunteers at Saint Agnes Hospital, and assists at her local library. In her free time, she enjoys reading, conducting medical research for fun, playing the guitar, and participating in field hockey. Lucia plans to major in biochemistry and is considering a career as a doctor, medical researcher, or scientist.

Aishani Das

Team Member

Aishani is a junior at Colonie High who aspires to be a pharmacist in the future. She enjoys reading in her free time, especially the works of Frieda McFadden. Her conviction in the power of Krishna compels her to live in the moment and perceive rejection as redirection. She is always willing to embrace new ideas and work with various perspectives.

Anika Pathak

Team Member

Anika is a student at Meridian IB World School, who joined Connect Me in order to make learning more accessible to every student. She’s currently a member of the Chapters Department, in which she helps organize Chapters around the country. Outside of Connect me, she’s highly passionate about studying chemistry, and hopes to work in the field of medicinal research to make a positive impact on the world. In her free time, she enjoys baking and sewing!

Laura Carney

Team Member

Laura is a junior at Clovis North Highschool with a passion for tutoring. In school, she loves learning about history and biology and is apart of her Connect Me chapter. Outside of academics, she loves volunteering at her local children’s hospital, hanging out with friends, reading, watching tv, and going on runs.