Jeni Olney, M.Ed

Director for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Jeni is a highly skilled and deeply engaged student affairs leader who values the significance of transformative educational experiences conjoining academic and co-curricular opportunities with entrepreneurship education. She believes that students have the ability to self-author their education and connect their passions with scholarly engagement when fusing opportunities for self-directed learning with an entrepreneurial mindset. As the Director she empowers students and staff to create a more just and sustainable world which serves as the foundation of the programs offered through Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship in LSA.

She has experience in entrepreneurship curriculum and program development, organizational strategy, and student development. Jeni earned her M.Ed in Counselor Education from Clemson University and a B.S. from Grand Valley State University.

Aja Gore (she/her)

Associate Director

Aja Gore is a dedicated and passionate advocate for student success. With a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership from Oakland University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University, Aja brings extensive experience in higher education and student development.

Throughout her career, Aja has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments for students. At her previous institution, she excellently managed the Black College Institute, a high-impact summer program, and provided holistic support to marginalized students, ensuring their academic, personal, and professional success. She crafted and implemented innovative programs aimed at enhancing student retention and fostering a strong sense of belonging among underrepresented populations.

Aja's passion for student success extends beyond higher education institutions. As the founder of Fostering Brilliance Tutoring Services, she designs curriculum and tutors students in subjects like Math, English, and Spanish, emphasizing the importance of personal and academic growth. However, through her time at optiMize she has began to rebrand her own business to cater to the needs of her stakeholders. Her hands-on experience with AmeriCorps Playworks-MI further reflects her dedication to creating positive learning environments for underrepresented and urban communities.

With a proven history of facilitating leadership programs, advising student organizations, and championing diversity and inclusion, she is committed to empowering students through innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives. As she stepped into her new role, Aja's holistic, student-focused approach aims to drive social innovation and create impactful opportunities, fostering an environment where every student can thrive.

In her free time, she likes to dance, read, and paint. She is a fur momma to a Golden Shepherd named Athena. She is the oldest of three. She is a big foodie and sweets are her weakness. She loves fashion and has a large shoe closet (mainly of heels). She is passionate about advocacy and student success.

Dallas McGhee-Henry (he/him)

Community Partnerships Manager

Dallas McGhee-Henry is a writer, photographer, painter, and filmmaker interested in the intersection between art and social change. Currently doing art as passion work, Dallas practices art as a mode of release while also being thrilled with always giving himself challenges. Always excited to improve himself and his art form, Dallas takes in his plethora of inspiration and doesn’t limit himself all in the pursuit for fun and change. He believes that art can be a part of everyone’s life, and everyone can be an artist. Being an advocate of art liberation, Dallas works to one day be a part of something bigger than himself, an art movement allowing artist to collaborate and successfully create work to uplift voices create more opportunities for the artist community at large!

Dallas works as the Community Partnerships Co-Manager, working internal and external partnerships at the University of Michigan, specifically to help transfer and community college students succeed in Higher Education with 5+ years of experience in student success, artist development, and entrepreneurship incubation.

Bella Santana (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Design

Email: isabesan@umich.edu

Hometown: Redondo Beach, California

Transfer Institution: El Camino College

Major: Double major in English Literature and Latin American & Caribbean Studies

Chris Ghersi (he/him)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Feedback

Email: cghersi@umich.edu

Hometown: Warren, Michigan

Transfer Institution: Macomb Community College

Major: Biology

Gianina Medina Neste (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Org Culture

Email: gmmedina@umich.edu

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Transfer Institution: N/A

Major: Biology (pre-dental)

Jada Pledger (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Social Media

Email: jpledger@umich.edu

Hometown: Akron, Ohio

Transfer Institution: Fordham University at Lincoln Center

Major: Communication and Media Studies

Kwadwo Dankwa (he/him)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Multimedia

Email: kdankwa@umich.edu

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Transfer Institution: From Amherst, Massachusetts

Major: Computer Science

Logen Nordmark (he/him)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Administrative

Email: logenn@umich.edu

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Transfer Institution: Grand Rapids Community College

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) — pre-med track

Marissa Kintz (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Resources

Email: makintz@umich.edu

Hometown: Canton, Michigan

Transfer Institution: Oakland Community College

Major: Biology

Nadwa Atwi (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Administrative

Email: nadwa@umich.edu

Hometown: Tyre, Lebanon

Transfer Institution: Henry Ford College

Major: Biomolecular Science

Noah Spicer (he/him)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Community Outreach

Email: njspicer@umich.edu

Hometown: Plymouth, Michigan

Transfer Institution: Schoolcraft College

Major: Political Science

Samiha Rahman (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Fellow — Logistics

Email: samehada@umich.edu

Hometown: Hamtramck, Michigan

Transfer Institution: University of Michigan - Dearborn

Major: Economics

Ryan Noble (he/him)

Bridge Scholars Program Lead

Ryan is a first-generation college student from Detroit, Michigan, who is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan on a full-ride scholarship. Being apart of optiMize since 2021 starting as a Teachers Assistant and now working with Bridge Scholars Plus currently, he believes in restorative education to give students the access and exposure that they need to be successful by implementing new programs and pipelines to ensure success in and out of college.

Ava Himelhoch (she/her)

President — Social Innovation Challenge

Hi! I'm Ava, a student at Michigan studying psychology and cognitive science. I'm from Grand Blanc, Michigan. You should book office hours with me if you have questions about the more technical aspects of the social innovation challenge, anything that we've covered in workshops or pods, or would like to learn more about what the Social Innovation Challenge is like at optiMize. I joined optiMize's because I wanted to find a way to make a broad positive impact in the world and I loved the opportunity to interact with so many projects instead of starting my own. Since then, I've learned so much about entrepreneurship and its intersection with social impact while also having a ton of fun growing close with the optiMize community. I also love to read, ski, cook, bake, travel, drink tea, and play board games!

Alicia Jackson (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Coordinator — Community College Outreach

eMerge Lead

Hello! My name is Alicia Jackson, and I am majoring in political science with a minor in community action and social change at the University of Michigan, currently in the final year of my bachelor’s degree. After transferring from Henry Ford College, I’ve channeled my passion for understanding political systems toward dismantling oppression. As an OptiMize community college coordinator, I mentor students through their academic journeys, helping them navigate the complexities of transferring, identifying their passions, and turning those passions into impactful community projects.

Gold’Ann Mesaros-Winckles (she/her)

Bridge Scholars Program Lead

Gold'Ann, also known as Goldie, is a dedicated and compassionate junior at the University of Michigan. She is pursuing a double major in psychology and Spanish, driven by her genuine interest in understanding and advocating for others. Gold'Ann's journey as a former foster child, adoptee, and first-generation student has instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and a strong desire to create a supportive community for her peers at UofM. To this end, she actively participated in the Social Innovation Challenge with OptiMize and, alongside her partner Dawn Jula, co-founded Roots & Wings, a student-led initiative providing a nurturing environment for fellow students.

Aside from her academic and community involvement, Gold'Ann has always found solace and joy in artistic pursuits, particularly singing, dancing, and acting. These creative outlets have not only been sources of personal fulfillment but have also contributed to her ability to connect with others and express herself effectively.

Cadence Glass (she/her)

Organizational Culture & Wellness Lead

Cadence is a sophomore at the University of Michigan's College of LSA, majoring in Biology, Health, and Society. She’s all about community, working within Org Culture and Wellness committee as part of optiMize leadership. When she is not working at optiMize, she's likely dancing, skiing, or taking long hikes outdoors (you can always find her in the Arb!) Cadence has been a Michigan fan from the start and lives for all things UofM. Go Blue!

Sara Hollingshead (she/her)

Transfer Bridge Coordinator — Mentorship

Accessibility & Inclusion Committee Lead

Sara is an International Studies student at the University of Michigan, having transferred from Washtenaw Community College. She first became involved with optiMize in 2022 through the moMentum Fellowship and has continued her engagement through the Transfer Bridges Fellowship. Currently, she serves as a Transfer Bridges Fellowship Coordinator, as well as the lead for the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee and the Transfer Student Mentorship Coordinator. She also works as a Peer Mentor at Transfer Connections through the Office of New Student Programs. Outside of school and work, she loves to read Asian American literature, crochet, scrapbook, and discover new music!

Kavya Doshi (she/her)

Creative Lead — Social Innovation Challenge

I’m Kavya Doshi, a student at the University of Michigan pursuing a dual BS in Organizational Studies and Cognitive Science. My experience spans business strategy, research, and creative leadership, with a focus on startups, sustainability, and consulting. As the Creative Lead for the Social Innovation Challenge at optiMize, I enjoy designing workshops, refining social media strategies, and helping people turn their ideas into reality.

Outside of work, I’m a classically trained Hindustani vocalist, a passionate foodie, and a travel enthusiast. I love discovering new flavors and cultures,. I love fitness and dance. Joining optiMize has been a fantastic journey, allowing me to combine my creativity and passion for social impact with the opportunity to help others bring bold ideas to life.

Reasons to Book Office Hours with Me!

• Creative Problem Solving: Got a roadblock with your project? I’m always ready to brainstorm fresh, creative ways to overcome challenges.

• Pitch Practice: Need help refining your pitch? I can give you pointers on how to communicate your idea clearly and compellingly.

• Social Media Strategy: I’ve worked on social media strategies that drive engagement—let’s chat if you're looking to boost your project’s online presence

Michael Wilson (he/him)

Peer Mentor, Cohort 11 Fellow

Michael Wilson is a senior at the University of Michigan studying public policy with a minor in business. He has gained practical experience by working at law firms, lobbying groups, and legal journals, deepening his understanding of legal frameworks and advocacy. Additionally, Michael has contributed to fundraising efforts for non-profit organizations, aligning with his passion for public service and social impact. His optiMize project centered around disability advocacy, focusing on increasing access to higher education for people with disabilities. Outside of optiMize, Michael serves as the president of the Michigan Mock Trial team. In his free time, he enjoys visiting coffee shops or indulging in oatmeal raisin cookies. Michael is excited to work with optiMize participants, particularly on public speaking, pitching, fundraising, political engagement, and stakeholder engagement.

Mikayla Misiak (she/her)

Creative Committee Lead — Design

I’m a Plant Biology and PITE double major with a minor in Urban Planning. I've worked in the design and creative teams at optiMize for the last four years, and have expertese in marketing, design, and leadership structures. Im passonate about enviormental stewerdship and sustainible development. Feel free to book me for office hours or send me an email if you'd like to chat!

Homayra Adiba (she/her)

Peer Mentor, Cohort 12 Fellow

Homayra Adiba is a documentary photographer and storyteller who was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is currently practicing multidisciplinary art while being a full-time student of anthropology at the University of Michigan.

​Her work "Where Blue Birds Fly" is an ethnographic documentary exploring the relationship of the citizens of Dhaka city with their rooftops and has featured in Lensculture, Internazionale Magazine, Better Photography Magazine, F-STOP Magazine, The Floating Magazine, and numerous others. 'Where Blue Birds Fly' was part of the Chennai Photo Biennale, Angkor Photo Festival, Objectifs’ Women in Film & Photography Showcase'.

Her work "Gone With Wind" was supported by the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge where she was recognized as a fellow for summer 2024. During the fellowship, she established the project in collaboration with multiple stakeholders and is now working towards the publication of the book.

As a student leader, Homayra practices her passion through her advocacy. She graduated from Schoolcraft College with associate in Fine Arts and as the Valedictorian. While studying there, she not only served as the president of PTK Omicron Iota Chapter and as a staff writer for Schoolcraft College but also engaged in conversation and panel discussion with students, faculty, and administrations regarding the struggles and hardships first-generation college students, elderly students, nontraditional college students, MI-Reconnect college students face. She co-founded WeConnect to help MI-Reconncect students find support from peer mentorship.

As a transfer student at the University of Michigan, Homayra aims to support fellow students by being a peer mentor at optiMize and by advocating for nontraditional students at the University of Michigan.

Homayra's sculpture "A Letter to My Father" is currently open for public view at the Livonia campus of Schoolcraft College. This sculpture is a tribute to her late father and is a work dedicated to the people who lost a loved one.