Graduate Assistants

Mariama Abubakri came to Charlotte from “the Boro” to complete her Masters of Public Health at the amazing University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Mariama received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from East Carolina University. She is also an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna! Mariama’s hobbies include but are not limited […]

Bushra Alsaftawi is a first-year graduate assistant for Learning Strategies at the University Center for Academic Excellence. She finished undergrad with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and an Arabic Studies Minor. She is passionate about higher education and assisting students as they navigate their individual experiences through college and is pursuing an M.Ed in Educational […]

Pennda is a first-generation American from Niger. Before becoming a graduate assistant for Student Success, she was a mentor for S.O.S. as well as a mentor/mentee in the Passport Program. Pennda is a dual master’s student pursuing programs in Criminal Justice and Ethics & Applied Philosophy. She is also pursuing a certificate in Crime Analysis. […]

Austin Butler is a first-year graduate assistant for the Peer Assisted Learning Program at the University Center for Academic Excellence. Austin completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at UNC Charlotte in May of 2022, and he is now pursuing a Master’s in Anthropology and Non-Profit Management. Before becoming a Graduate Assistant at UNC Charlotte, Austin […]

Rosalba Barojas Chavarria (she/her/hers) is a graduate assistant for the Student Success program within the University Center for Academic Excellence. Rosalba completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2022 and took a gap year where she worked as a clinical informatics specialist. Through this experience, she gained an interest in electronic health […]

Bryce Hoggard (he/him/his) is a graduate teaching assistant for the Student Success program in the University Center for Academic Excellence. Bryce graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Psychology. During his undergraduate studies, he was a research and teaching assistant for biopsychology, which influenced him to continue his academic pursuits in the realms […]

Lainey Horton (she/her/hers) is a graduate assistant for the Learning Strategies program at the University Center for Academic Excellence. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2024 with a BA in Communication Studies and a BS in Psychology. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a Mental Health Peer Educator at the Center for […]

India McCoy (she/her/hers) is the Graduate Assistant for Learning Strategies and Instruction. India has come to UNC Charlotte to complete her Masters of Arts in Anthropology. India received her Bachelors of Arts from Mary Baldwin University in Anthropology and Sociology. India has a strong interest in traveling across the world and learning about different cultures. […]

Emma Nantz (she/her/hers) is a graduate assistant for Tutorial Services within the University Center for Academic Excellence. She graduated from Catawba College in 2024 with a BS in Business Administration and Spanish. During that time, she was a supplemental instructor for Spanish and enjoyed being active in the tutoring offerings on campus. Emma is currently […]

Enny Ogunyemi is excited to join the UCAE staff as a Learning Strategies Graduate Assistant. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from UNC Charlotte and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Science. Enny’s academic journey has been complemented by her extensive involvement with UCAE, where she previously served as a Success […]