Jay Kihu, Executive Director
Years in WYSE: 4
“WYSE is easily the best decision I’ve made since coming to college. It’s a completely transformative experience and honestly a privilege to mentor girls with so much promise and surround myself with such capable women. The women in the organization are incredibly driven people I never would’ve otherwise crossed paths with. I’ve found lifelong friendship in the WYSE mentors and the girls in the program.”
Jay is a senior at 'SC studying Writing for Film and Television with a business entrepreneurship minor. She hopes to write the next big novel or screenplay and spend her millions vacationing in Barbados.
Years in WYSE: 4
“WYSE is easily the best decision I’ve made since coming to college. It’s a completely transformative experience and honestly a privilege to mentor girls with so much promise and surround myself with such capable women. The women in the organization are incredibly driven people I never would’ve otherwise crossed paths with. I’ve found lifelong friendship in the WYSE mentors and the girls in the program.”
Jay is a senior at 'SC studying Writing for Film and Television with a business entrepreneurship minor. She hopes to write the next big novel or screenplay and spend her millions vacationing in Barbados.
Carson Klasner, Administrative Director
Years in WYSE: 1
"I feel so grateful to be a part of WYSE and to have found an incredible community of strong, supportive women at USC and in the surrounding community. I am consistently amazed by the wisdom and compassion that the girls show in session. The sense of empowerment we are able to create is so unique, and I can't believe I get to be a part of it all!"
Carson is a senior pursuing a Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major with a Theatre minor, hailing from Webster, New York. Following graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and become an OB/GYN, working with women in underserved populations.
Years in WYSE: 1
"I feel so grateful to be a part of WYSE and to have found an incredible community of strong, supportive women at USC and in the surrounding community. I am consistently amazed by the wisdom and compassion that the girls show in session. The sense of empowerment we are able to create is so unique, and I can't believe I get to be a part of it all!"
Carson is a senior pursuing a Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major with a Theatre minor, hailing from Webster, New York. Following graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and become an OB/GYN, working with women in underserved populations.
Shabina Rayan, Budget Director
Years in WYSE: 4
"Ever since I joined WYSE my freshman year, I knew I had found my place at USC. The mentors all support each other and I consider them some of my closest friends at school. The mentees are full of life and always know how to make us laugh. WYSE has taught me the importance of female empowerment and the power of friendship. I could not be more lucky to be part of what I believe is the best organization on our campus."
Shabina Rayan is a senior studying computer science and business administration. After college she hopes to spend time backpacking around South America before she pursues a career in computer programming.
Years in WYSE: 4
"Ever since I joined WYSE my freshman year, I knew I had found my place at USC. The mentors all support each other and I consider them some of my closest friends at school. The mentees are full of life and always know how to make us laugh. WYSE has taught me the importance of female empowerment and the power of friendship. I could not be more lucky to be part of what I believe is the best organization on our campus."
Shabina Rayan is a senior studying computer science and business administration. After college she hopes to spend time backpacking around South America before she pursues a career in computer programming.
Brooke Wallace, Director of Recruitment
Years in WYSE: 3
"Finding out about WYSE my freshman year was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. I was lost and looking for not only a community, but one whose higher purpose was for the betterment of women through collectivity and education. There’s no doubt that I definitely found the best one. WYSE is so unique because all of our members operate on our foundational belief that girls are amazing, and deserve to be empowered. I love going to session because the girls that we mentor are not only there to learn, but to teach us new things about ourselves and different points of view. WYSE is the most rewarding organization I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ll be forever grateful for all of the friendships, experiences, and confidence that it’s given me.
Brooke is a junior from San Antonio, Texas, currently pursuing a double major in Economics and Gender Studies. After graduation she hopes to receive a Fulbright grant to be an English teaching assistant in Colombia.
Years in WYSE: 3
"Finding out about WYSE my freshman year was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. I was lost and looking for not only a community, but one whose higher purpose was for the betterment of women through collectivity and education. There’s no doubt that I definitely found the best one. WYSE is so unique because all of our members operate on our foundational belief that girls are amazing, and deserve to be empowered. I love going to session because the girls that we mentor are not only there to learn, but to teach us new things about ourselves and different points of view. WYSE is the most rewarding organization I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ll be forever grateful for all of the friendships, experiences, and confidence that it’s given me.
Brooke is a junior from San Antonio, Texas, currently pursuing a double major in Economics and Gender Studies. After graduation she hopes to receive a Fulbright grant to be an English teaching assistant in Colombia.
Olivia Landau, Bonding Director
Years in WYSE: 1
"I love WYSE because it allows me to speak about issues that are extremely important to me. It is so rewarding to talk to younger girls about self-respect and healthy relationships. Every week I look forward to connecting with new girls. "
Olivia is a junior majoring in NGOs and Social Change, minoring in Psychology. She is from Memphis, TN, and is interested in working for the Peace Corps or Americorps after graduation, but in general just wants to do something where she can travel abroad and work in international female empowerment and/or mental and physical illness relief. Olivia loves pastel album covers, being outdoors, and most importantly, her beloved fish named Flo.
Years in WYSE: 1
"I love WYSE because it allows me to speak about issues that are extremely important to me. It is so rewarding to talk to younger girls about self-respect and healthy relationships. Every week I look forward to connecting with new girls. "
Olivia is a junior majoring in NGOs and Social Change, minoring in Psychology. She is from Memphis, TN, and is interested in working for the Peace Corps or Americorps after graduation, but in general just wants to do something where she can travel abroad and work in international female empowerment and/or mental and physical illness relief. Olivia loves pastel album covers, being outdoors, and most importantly, her beloved fish named Flo.
Isabela Hoban, Special Events Director
Years in WYSE: 1
"I love mentoring and supporting our WYSE girls through this equally exciting and challenging time of their lives, as they navigate the challenges of middle school and prepare to transition to high school. I remember how tough middle school was for me, so I feel lucky to be a positive influence and role model for our mentees. It's really special to be part of such an amazing group of women who are all passionate about positive change and community engagement. I feel inspired every day to be the best version of myself and care for those around me."
Isa is a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Michigan double majoring in Physics and Computer Science. In the future, she hopes to get a Ph.D, learn Mandarin, live in Hawaii, grow above 5' tall, and visit outer space (in no particular order).
Years in WYSE: 1
"I love mentoring and supporting our WYSE girls through this equally exciting and challenging time of their lives, as they navigate the challenges of middle school and prepare to transition to high school. I remember how tough middle school was for me, so I feel lucky to be a positive influence and role model for our mentees. It's really special to be part of such an amazing group of women who are all passionate about positive change and community engagement. I feel inspired every day to be the best version of myself and care for those around me."
Isa is a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Michigan double majoring in Physics and Computer Science. In the future, she hopes to get a Ph.D, learn Mandarin, live in Hawaii, grow above 5' tall, and visit outer space (in no particular order).
Nina Regan, Outreach Director
Years in WYSE: 1
“I joined WYSE because I felt that I could give the most and get the most out of an organization focused on the unique problems faced by women-- and I was right! From the topics we discuss weekly to the relationships we form both with the mentees and with each other, I feel strongly that what we do is important for everyone involved, and that we are having an impact at such a critical and turbulent time in these girls' lives. It's a privilege to be a part of this organization, and I look forward to the many more reflections and sessions to come! "
Nina is a sophomore from Barrington, Rhode Island, double majoring in French and NGOs and Social Change with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. After graduation she hopes to become trilingual and fix America's prison system.
Years in WYSE: 1
“I joined WYSE because I felt that I could give the most and get the most out of an organization focused on the unique problems faced by women-- and I was right! From the topics we discuss weekly to the relationships we form both with the mentees and with each other, I feel strongly that what we do is important for everyone involved, and that we are having an impact at such a critical and turbulent time in these girls' lives. It's a privilege to be a part of this organization, and I look forward to the many more reflections and sessions to come! "
Nina is a sophomore from Barrington, Rhode Island, double majoring in French and NGOs and Social Change with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. After graduation she hopes to become trilingual and fix America's prison system.
Erin Silliman, Camino Nuevo School Site Director
Years in WYSE: 1
"I joined WYSE the Spring of my Sophomore year and was immediately welcomed into an environment of likeminded and empowering females, with the common goal of making a positive impact on young women. I look forward to WYSE each week for the energy in the room and genuine excitement of both mentees and mentors to connect with each other, cover important topics, and eat some snacks while we're at it."
Erin is a junior from Danville, CA pursuing a degree in Human Biology with a minor in Spanish. Her post-grad dream is either to attend medical school and become an OB/GYN or pursue a future in policy fighting for women's reproductive rights (but either way, she'll definitely end up living with a few cats).
Izma Shabbir, Para Los Ninos School Site Director
Years in WYSE: 3
“I joined WYSE during the spring of my freshman year and am so grateful that I did. WYSE continually inspires me to be a better mentor for the girls and allows me to reflect on my own middle school experiences. WYSE gives me the opportunity to see how the changing world affects our mentees and to build relations with girls who have different perspectives than I do. I have truly loved getting to know all of the WYSE girls over the past few semesters.”
Izma is a senior majoring in Economics with a minor in Global Health. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she moved to a suburb outside of Los Angeles when she was 9 years old. After she graduates, she wants to work as a consultant — a career that combines some of her favorite things: creativity, analytical perspective, and people skills.
Years in WYSE: 3
“I joined WYSE during the spring of my freshman year and am so grateful that I did. WYSE continually inspires me to be a better mentor for the girls and allows me to reflect on my own middle school experiences. WYSE gives me the opportunity to see how the changing world affects our mentees and to build relations with girls who have different perspectives than I do. I have truly loved getting to know all of the WYSE girls over the past few semesters.”
Izma is a senior majoring in Economics with a minor in Global Health. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she moved to a suburb outside of Los Angeles when she was 9 years old. After she graduates, she wants to work as a consultant — a career that combines some of her favorite things: creativity, analytical perspective, and people skills.
Shayna Goldberger, Vista Charter School Site Director
Years in WYSE: 3
"I joined WYSE because I thought it would be a fun way to meet new people and hang out with middle-schoolers. I never anticipated how much joy and insight this organization would bring into my life. Building relationships with the mentees and seeing them come out of their shells is so much fun, and being a part of such a thoughtful, empowering, diverse group of women at USC has changed my college experience. I leave session every week with a new perspective and a renewed energy, and always proud to be a WYSE girl."
Shayna is a senior studying Electrical Engineering. Hailing from Cambridge, MA, she hopes to work in space technology after graduation.
Years in WYSE: 3
"I joined WYSE because I thought it would be a fun way to meet new people and hang out with middle-schoolers. I never anticipated how much joy and insight this organization would bring into my life. Building relationships with the mentees and seeing them come out of their shells is so much fun, and being a part of such a thoughtful, empowering, diverse group of women at USC has changed my college experience. I leave session every week with a new perspective and a renewed energy, and always proud to be a WYSE girl."
Shayna is a senior studying Electrical Engineering. Hailing from Cambridge, MA, she hopes to work in space technology after graduation.
Gabby Fernandez, Crown Prep School Site Director
Years in WYSE: 2
"Being a student at USC comes with so many privileges and having been able to be apart of WYSE has been one of the greatest ones. There's not a lot on this earth that's more heartwarming than spending time with other college women who do nothing, but uplift and motivate each other on a daily basis. Being able to mentor middle school girls with these amazing women has taught me so much about about empowerment and what it means to be a role model. I'm so blessed to be a part of this organization and recommend it to everyone!"
Gabby is a senior double majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Narrative Studies. She is from San Pedro, CA, and hopes to become a digital news producer someday.
Years in WYSE: 2
"Being a student at USC comes with so many privileges and having been able to be apart of WYSE has been one of the greatest ones. There's not a lot on this earth that's more heartwarming than spending time with other college women who do nothing, but uplift and motivate each other on a daily basis. Being able to mentor middle school girls with these amazing women has taught me so much about about empowerment and what it means to be a role model. I'm so blessed to be a part of this organization and recommend it to everyone!"
Gabby is a senior double majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Narrative Studies. She is from San Pedro, CA, and hopes to become a digital news producer someday.