International Mentor Squad (IMS)

The International Mentor Squad (IMS) is a group of architecture students who are dedicated to welcoming and supporting new international students to the School of Architecture.

Members of the IMS work to provide new international students with an avenue to socialize with individuals outside their cultural groups and learn from students who have experience adapting to the United States and Syracuse University.

In addition, the IMS aims to explore the world with students from almost 50 countries found within the School of Architecture through cross-cultural engagements and cultural celebrations planned throughout the academic year.

2022-23 Squad

	Ana Karen ’27   Ana Karen is a first-year student. She was born and raised in Mexico City but now lives in Victoria, Canada. She is the NOMAS 2027 Class Representative and Secretary of AIAS. Outside of architecture, she enjoys dancing, reading, playing soccer, and watching various movies. She is beyond excited to meet all students!
	Sia ’26   Sia is a second-year student from Delhi, India. She loves to dance, listen to music and paint. She is an Architecture Ambassador and a Peer Advisor in the School of Architecture. Apart from this, she also teaches dance as a part of the Orange Pulse Dance Troupe (a student run organization on campus) and is also a part of the South Asian Student Association. She started dancing when she was 5 and has been doing so since. Though architecture is immersive, she has been able to manage her focus on both her passions with ease. Opportunities as such have helped her transition better into the new environment and mingle well with people around. She likes to spend her free time hanging out with friends. Do not hesitate to reach out to her with any questions!
	Jessica ’25   Jessica is a third-year student majoring in architecture. She was born in São Paulo, Brazil and lived there up until college. At Syracuse University, she is a member of BRASA, the Brazilian Student Association. She is pretty excited for the next five years at Syracuse!
	Khushee ’23   Khushee is a fifth-year student from Ahmedabad, India. She is minoring in religion and loves talking about conspiracy theories. Don’t feel shy reaching out to her to talk about anything!
	Pamela ’27   Pamela is a first-year student at the School of Architecture at Syracuse University. She is from Mexico city, but currently lives in San Antonio, TX. At Syracuse University, she is part of the honors program, Mexican Student Association, AIAS, NOMAS, and currently going through the initiation process of becoming part of Alpha Rho Chi. She is so excited for what’s to come.
	Aung Htet (Calvin) ’27   Aung Htet Khant Paing or Calvin is a second-year architecture student from Yangon, Myanmar. He is actively apart of NOMAS and AIAS. In his free time he likes to play soccer, binge watch TV series (The Mandalorian and Sherlock are some of his favorites), and  kdramas. He is also a big foodie, and has an entire photo album dedicated to all the different type of foods from different cities and countries. He is very much excited and thrilled to meet new students that are coming into the Syracuse SOA family. Please feel free to reach out to him if any questions or concerns arise.
	Yixing (Cindy) ’24   Cindy is a rising fifth-year student majoring in architecture. She was born and raised in Harbin, China, and currently lives in Beijing. Her first role at Syracuse University was as a teaching assistant in the 2020 Fall Introduction to Architecture and Architecture Practice course. She is a photographer on the Social Media Committee, a member of Architecture Ambassador, and a Peer Advisor. Outside of architecture, Cindy is passionate about experimental theater and interested in crochet, ceramics, badminton, swimming, cooking, and traveling. She hopes to help the ongoing process of increasing cultural diversity and inclusion at Syracuse University. Feel free to reach out to her at any time!
	Jediel ’23   Jediel is a rising fifth-year at the Syracuse University School of Architecture. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and having lived in Bahrain before coming to the United States for college, he is no stranger to experiencing cultural changes and loves meeting people worldwide! He is currently an honors student also pursuing a minor in real estate. Jediel enjoys taking long leisurely walks around campus during his free time as well as hiking and reading!
	Yifan (Ivan) ’25   Ivan is a third-year architecture student from Shanghai, China. He is the NOMAS Class Representative for the Class of 2025 and a founding member of Class Connections ’25. Besides architecture, he is interested in songwriting, music production, and vocal performance. He is excited to meet students from different cultural backgrounds.