Who We Are
SHARE Support Specialists
The Longhorn SHARE Project got its start in Fall 2021 in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten student leaders came together to form the Peer Support Student Advisory Group, which met weekly to share ideas, develop the infrastructure of the program, train in peer support skills, and seek peer feedback. The name “SHARE” was chosen to emphasize the reciprocal nature of peer support as well as the impact of social connections and community-care on mental health.
Meet our current SHARE Specialists
Maya Arredondo
she/her/hers
Spoken languages: French, English
Interests
- Motivation & goal-setting
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Academic stress/pressure
- Body image; Social anxiety/rejection
- Self-worth & confidence
- Social anxiety/rejection
- Managing anxiety
Biography
My name is Maya Arredondo, and I study International Relations, Sociology, and French and aspire to study law in the future. I joined SHARE with the aim of creating inclusive spaces that embrace my own lived experiences and the experiences of others. By bridging the gap between professional mental health services and community support, I hope to be a resource for all individuals. One of my goals is to increase awareness of the numerous resources available to students and to equip peers with the necessary tools to take care of themselves and others. Additionally, I aspire to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, fostering open and honest conversations. Through my empathetic approach, I want to empower those around me to engage in discussions and form genuine connections! I am an empathetic, encouraging, and motivated person for anyone seeking mental health support. I believe that together, we will make a positive impact on the well-being for our community and be agents of positive change in Texas and beyond.
Chandni Bhagtaney
she/they
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Academic stress/pressure
- Comparison/competition/social mediav
- Body image; Loneliness/isolation
- Self-worth & confidence
Biography
Hi, I’m Chandni, a junior pre-medical student from Sugar Land, Texas. I’m majoring in Public Health and I'm also in the Health Science Scholars Program. I joined SHARE because I wanted to further the efforts of the university to foster a safe space for discussions about mental health using peer-based support. I hope to make my fellow Longhorns feel less alone in whatever they’re experiencing and increase awareness about the resources that are available to them. I recognize the value of simply having someone to talk to, and I intend to lend an ear whenever possible.
Shreya Dheenan
she/her
Spoken languages: Tamil, English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Academic stress/pressure
- Exploring life purpose
- Identifying emotions
- Supporting friends/family
- Managing anxiety
Biography
Hi! I’m Shreya. I’m a junior Public Health student on the pre-med track. I love reading, watching movies/TV shows, cooking different cuisines, and I’m huge soccer fan! I joined SHARE to be a part of a supportive community that promotes mental health, especially in the stressful setting of a university. I hope to create a safe space at UT for my peers that can allow them to navigate their mental health journey in a comfortable and supportive environment!
Sydney Fuller
she/they
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- LGBTQIA+ concerns
- Building healthy relationships
- Social anxiety/rejection
- Self-worth & confidence
- Identifying emotions
- Managing anxiety
Biography
Hello! My name is Sydney and I am a second-year Psychology student. I joined SHARE to create welcoming spaces on campus that prioritize the mental well-being of fellow students. The various stressors and traumas that we face can be difficult to cope with, especially in unsupportive, stigmatizing environments. By providing compassionate support to my peers, I hope that I can help make coping with difficulties a little bit easier. My goal as a SHARE Support Specialist is to encourage experiences that foster safety and connection through authenticity and vulnerability. When connecting with my peers, I hope to reduce shame and amplify compassion toward oneself and others. As a queer woman who has struggled with my mental health, community care is and has been essential to my healing journey, and it brings me so much joy to be a part of a program committed to cultivating such care.
Grant Grissom
he/him
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Academic stress/pressure
- Adjusting to UT
- Social anxiety/rejection sensitivity
- Self-worth & confidence
- Supporting friends/family
- Managing anxiety
Biography
Hey! My name is Grant and I’m majoring in Radio-Television-Film. I joined SHARE my freshman year because I really resonated with the idea of promoting connectivity and establishing support networks through communities of shared experiences. I’ve always loved getting to meet people and finding ways to connect with them, and SHARE seemed like the best place to apply that desire to a mission that is for the betterment of my community. I hope that through this program I am able to help people take on new perspectives of the world around them, then use those perspectives to better connect with others. Coming from my own experience, I know how scary it is to watch things change around me, and I hope that through SHARE I can help facilitate that process for others and help them find support in situations where they may feel alone. Back home I’m in a band with my sister and some friends, so if you ever wanna talk music, I’m always happy to lend an ear!
Elyse Hopfe
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Comparison/competition/social media
- Adjusting to UT, Body image concerns
- LGBTQIA+ concerns
- Neurodiversity
- Living through traumatic experiences
Biography
My name is Elyse and I’m a Public Relations major! I decided to join SHARE to become a Support Specialist because of how crucial human connections are to our lives. I have always wanted and needed a space full of people who I can relate to and grow with… and here it is! I hope to make known to my peers that I am that someone who is waiting to understand them. Some facts about me are that I love fashion, I’m queer, I write fiction, I love TV shows, I have ADHD, I’m extroverted, and I’ve been into dance for over a decade.
Sandra Isiguzo
she/they
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Adjusting to UT
- Racial trauma/minority stress
- Embracing ethnic/cultural identity
- Finding community at UT
- Loneliness/isolation
- Identifying emotions
Biography
I’m Sandra Isiguzo, a fourth-year Neuroscience major pursuing a Health Communcation certificate. I’m from Houston, TX, and was raised in a Nigerian immigrant household. Growing up, I didn’t have the tools or space to openly express my emotions. I thought bottling them up was the best thing that I could do. At UT I quickly learned that was actually very detrimental to my wellbeing. SHARE allowed me to realize the importance of embracing vulnerability. I was given resources, tools, and a nonjudgmental space to talk about my feelings with my peers. There is something very empowering about having your feelings validated by others who have gone or are going through the same experiences. My goal is for everyone to have access to these little safe havens and to cultivate a space full of healing and growth.
Riley Jorgenson
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Academic stress/pressure
- Body image; Loneliness/ isolation
- Self-worth & confidence
- Managing anxiety
Biography
My name is Riley, and I am double majoring in Psychology and Human Development & Family Sciences. I am also in the Liberal Arts Honors Program. I joined SHARE because I wanted to join and help foster a community that makes me feel supported. Support and reciprocity have been crucial to my mental health journey, so I wanted to join a program that would allow me to share these values with others. My goal is to contribute my experiences to help support others in their journey. I am excited to meet new people, support my peers, and learn from their experiences as well. When I’m not in SHARE or school, I like to bake, read, watch movies, and listen to Taylor Swift or Harry Styles.
Harsha Ketavarapu
she/her
Spoken languages: English, Telegu
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Academic stress/pressure
- Adjusting to UT
- Loneliness/isolation
- Social anxiety/rejection
- Self-worth & confidence
Biography
My name is Harsha and I'm a Psychology major with a Journalism minor! I joined the SHARE Project because of my passion to connect with my peers and to create a more inclusive, uplifting campus environment. Throughout the program, I hope to encourage open-minded conversations about mental health and support my peers by reminding them that they're not alone. I believe that SHARE offers a unique opportunity for all of us to truly empower, learn, and grow from each other. For that reason, I am hoping that I can help foster community and provide a safe space for my peers to freely express their stories and identities.
Khanh Lai
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Comparison/competition/social media
- Body image
- Familial/cultural conflict
- Building healthy relationships
- Social anxiety/rejection
- Self-worth / Confidence
Biography
I’m a fourth-year Psychology major pursuing a Pre-Health Professions minor and certificates in Forensic Science and Health Communication. My own struggles with mental health made me want to support as many people as possible. I know how validating and comforting someone’s presence can be, and I’m hoping I can be that presence for my fellow UT students, especially those in the pre-health and/or STEM community. I joined a support group in Spring 2022 and it was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had since coming to college. It was a constant in my week when I could listen to others, be heard, and be accepted. This led me to join the Longhorn SHARE Project, and I'm incredibly excited to continue talking about mental health and increase our connections across campus.
Erin Lamas
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Overcoming mental health stigma
- Exploring meaning of life
- First-gen experiences
- Familial / cultural conflict
- Neurodiverse experiences
- Building healthy relationships
- Identifying emotions
- Supporting friends or family
- Managing depression, grief, or loss
- Mindfulness
Biography
Hello! My name is Erin Lamas and I am a third year Sociology major here at UT. I joined SHARE looking for a safe, inviting space to have open and meaningful conversations about mental health with other students, and I have absolutely found those aspects in SHARE. My goal is to create spaces for my peers to feel seen, heard, validated, and completely comfortable in sharing their experiences and struggles. I really prioritize inclusion and want to make sure no one is left feeling unheard. I'm a big people person, so I'm very excited to meet more students in the UT community and have healing, fulfilling conversations :).
Catherine Liu
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism / Fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Academic stress or pressure
- Comparison / Competition / Social media
- Body image concerns
- Social anxiety/Rejection sensitivity
- Self-worth / Confidence
Biography
Hi! My name is Catherine (she/her), and I’m a third-year Psychology major pursuing the Elements of Computing Certificate. I joined SHARE because I wanted to help create a space where fellow students could find connection, community, and support. I want to encourage open conversations about mental health and well-being, and I hope to positively impact other people’s lives the way that SHARE did for me. Outside of SHARE, I’m a research assistant at the Austin Thought Lab and the Clinical Neuroendocrinology Lab, and I’m the Creative Director of Silk Club. In my free time, I like to draw and crochet!
Dona Ravandi
she/her
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Motivation/goal-setting
- Exploring meaning of life
- uilding healthy relationships
- Managing anxiety
- Managing depression/grief
- Living through traumatic experiences
- Mindfulness
Biography
Hi there! My name is Dona. I'm majoring in Nursing, English Honors, and Public Health, and I'm so happy that you visited the SHARE website. I joined SHARE as a sophomore, looking for a community where I could help foster an inclusive environment for students to share (no pun intended) their experiences, learn from one another, and make lasting friendships. By increasing accessibility to these safe spaces, especially regarding our amazing SHARE Communities, I hope to positively impact my fellow Longhorns through this program!
Maumita Sadhukhan
she/her
Spoken languages: Bengali, English
Interests
- Motivation/goal-setting
- Perfectionism/fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Body image
- Family conflict
- Embracing ethnic/cultural identity
- Loneliness/isolation
- Self-worth & confidence
- Managing anxiety
- Mindfulness
- Physical wellness
Biography
Hey! I’m a third-year Public Health major pursuing certificates in both Children & Society (Bridging Disciplines) and Pre-Health Professions. I have always been interested in how people behave and respond to the environment around them, which is what led me to the Longhorn SHARE Project. I joined SHARE to help foster a more supportive community that is receptive to the mental health needs of students at UT Austin. I hope to both make my peers aware of the numerous resources available to them and to equip them with the necessary tools to take care of themselves and others. I know what it feels like to bottle up your emotions and feel alone, which is why I would like to facilitate safe spaces for students to just have someone to talk to and find a community.
Jennifer Solis
she/her
Spoken languages: Spanish, English
Interests
- Imposter syndrome
- First-gen experiences
- Social anxiety/rejection
- Self-worth & confidence
- Managing anxiety
- Mindfulness
- Physical wellness
Biography
Hi, I’m Jennifer, a junior pre-PA student from Richmond, Texas! I’m majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Sociology. I became a part of SHARE with the intention of nurturing a secure space to discuss mental health and advocating for the necessary resources to facilitate such conversations. My goal is to establish a welcoming haven where my fellow peers can openly share their challenges and concerns without fear of judgment. Outside of SHARE, I am the Vice President of the Latinx Health Professionals Organization (LHPO) and an undergraduate research assistant for Project JUNTOS, which focuses on the well-being of Latinx/Hispanic students.
Deepa Sunkad
he/him
Spoken languages: Hindi, Kannada, English
Interests
- Motivation / Goal-setting
- Perfectionism / Fear of failure
- Imposter syndrome
- Academic stress or pressure
- Overcoming mental health stigma
- Comparison / Competition / Social media
- International or immigrant adjustment
Biography
Hello! My name is Deepa Sunkad. I am a Sophomore Biology major on the Pre-Med track. I enjoy reading , music and volunteering! I am I joined the SHARE Projects with the goal of learning more about the fundamentals of mental health and help my friends and peers on their mental health journeys. As a part of the SHARE Project I want to help cultivate a sense of community among students and create a safe and inclusive space for everyone to navigate their own mental health journeys. I look forward to meeting everyone!
Elijah Woodson
he/him
Spoken languages: English
Interests
- Perfectionism / Fear of failure
- Academic stress or pressure
- Racial trauma / Minority stress
- Finding community at UT Austin
- Social anxiety / Rejection sensitivity
- Supporting friends or family
- Managing anxiety
Biography
My name is Elijah Woodson and I am a Sophomore Psychology B.A. major from Leander, (basically Austin) Texas! I joined SHARE because I was eager to find a space on campus where I could learn more about mental health and how to help my peers with their struggles. I love being part of SHARE because you are able to be your authentic self, and you can use that authenticity to relate to and help other members of the community! Outside of SHARE I am one of the Tuba Section Leaders of the Longhorn Marching Band, the Historian of LHBlacks, a member of the HOPE Lab, a lover of (almost) all music, avid sunrise/sunset enjoyer, and die-hard fan of In n Out!!
Program Staff
Adrian Lancaster, M.Ed
he/they
Peer Support Project Coordinator
Biography
Greetings! I’m Adrian, the founder and Coordinator of the Longhorn SHARE Project. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and earned an M. Ed. in Human Relations and a B.S. in Sociology. I’ve been working at UT Austin since 2015 prior to joining the Longhorn Wellness Center in May 2021. As a transgender person with lived experience managing anxiety and ADHD, it’s been a joy to build this program and mentor our amazing SHARE Support Specialists as they co-create inclusive, nonjudgmental spaces for Longhorns across campus to support each other through shared challenges. My other interests include storytelling, community-building, interpersonal communication, program planning, career guidance, and finding new ways to inspire exploration, growth, self-efficacy, and meaning-making in students so they graduate knowing their own worth.