Will Martinez, Resident Director
Will Martinez (he/him/his) joins GSSE for his second year as Resident Director. Will is currently a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee. He completed a thesis on interpersonal violence survivor support specifically geared at Students of Color and LGBTQ+ students. While at UT, Will has worked in University Housing, the Center for Health Education and Wellness, and the Pride Center and has interned with the Office of Title IX, the Post-Secondary Research Center (PERC), and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Will is passionate about student support and resilience; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and critical research informing practice in higher education. Will is excited to welcome all of our GSSE students this summer!
Emma Mutz, Assistant Resident Director
Hi everyone! My name is Emma Mutz and I am this year’s Assistant Resident Director! This is my 3rd year working with the program and I attended GSSE in 2018. Currently, I am a rising Senior at Emory University studying Psychology and Nutrition Science. I run two organizations at Emory: CHAARG and The Women’s Network. I am really big into fitness and will hopefully be training for a half marathon by the time GSSE is here! I am so excited to meet everyone 🙂 !
Eli Apple, Resident Assistant
Eli Apple is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, where he is studying English and Spanish and Portuguese with a minor in Computer Science. At Vanderbilt, he is involved with the fiction staff of the Nashville Review as well as the McTyeire Language Program, and he also works as a barista at Starbucks. In his free time, he loves reading, writing, running, and going on walks with his dog. He attended GSSE as a student in 2018 and is excited to return to Knoxville for his second year as an RA. Eli can’t wait to meet everyone and work with all of the GSSE residents this summer!
Amar Boparai, Resident Assistant
Amar Boparai (he/him/his) just completed his first year at Harvard College, where he is studying Computer Science with a secondary in Economics. At Harvard, Amar is involved with the Harvard Powerlifting Team, WHRB 95.3 radio, and the Harvard Undergraduate Mind and Intelligence Community. Amar, a participant of GSSE 2019, is passionate about physical and mental health, and is very excited to meet the participants of GSSE 2022!
Cobi Genna, Resident Assistant
Cobi Genna (she/her/hers) is a junior here at the University of Tennessee Knoxville studying Geology and Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Studies and is in a minor-to-master’s program for Elementary Education. Cobi has had many positions in Housing including being an attendant in the UT Housing Call Center, an Office Assistant for Housing Services, as well as a second-year RA in Robinson Hall. Cobi is passionate about education, creativity, mental health, personality and strengths tests, and helping others to achieve their goals. Her Enneagram is a 2w3, her zodiac sign is Leo, and her Myers Briggs is INFJ. Cobi is so excited to meet all of you and have great summer at Governor’s School!
Lei Hanna, Resident Assistant
Lei Hanna (he/him/his) is a second-year student at Harvard University studying computer science and economics. He attended GSSE ’19 and calls Chattanooga home, though he now lives in the greater Nashville area. Throughout high school, Lei was incredibly involved in government-related extracurriculars such as Youth in Government, Mock Trial, and Student Government; however, in college, his interests lie in exploring technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact (Harvard Crimson Tech, Harvard Computer Society). When he isn’t in class or studying, he loves to explore places to eat in Boston with friends, watching K-dramas, and dancing with Asian American Dance Troupe on campus. Lei has such a memorable and wonderful experience at GSSE and is so excited to welcome all the new scholars to this summer’s program.
Braxton Hart, Resident Assistant
Braxton Hart (he/him) is a second year undergraduate student at Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently working on a Mechanical Engineering degree in the Mckelvey School of Engineering, with a potential minor in Jazz Studies. Braxton is passionate about music, cooking, fantasy novels, manga, and engineering. Braxton is excited to meet everyone this summer!
Skylar Hewerdine, Resident Assistant
Skylar Hewerdine (she/her/hers) is part of UTK’s graduating class of 2022 and has obtained a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs and a minor in Global Studies. While attending UT, Skylar has worked as a tutor and peer coach among other academic support roles. She enjoys facilitating discussion and engagement with both academic and non-academic information and helping students discover how to use their skills to succeed. She is looking forward to her second year as a GSSE RA and meeting all of the students this summer.
German Lemus-Guzman, Resident Assistant
German Lemus-Guzman is a rising Junior at Carson-Newman University, double majoring in Nursing and Spanish. German is aspiring to become a nurse anesthetist. German enjoys spending time hiking, running, socializing, and exploring new places. While at Carson Newman, he is the chair of the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee and the co-founder of a Latinx/Immigrant organization called Pursuing Our Dreams Embracing Our Roots (PODER). German is passionate about helping others pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. German attended GSSE in 2019, and he is excited to welcome all of our GSSE students this summer!
Tori Melerine, Resident Assistant
Tori Melerine (she/her/hers) is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is majoring in Business Analytics with a concentration in International Business, a minor in Leadership Studies, and minor in Religious Studies. While at UTK, she has served as an Orientation Leader, Student Coordinator, Resident Assistant, Peer Mentor, and President of her campus ministry. After graduation she will attend James Madison University studying College Student Personnel Administration. Tori enjoys introducing students and their families to the university and supporting them while they are here. Tori is excited to welcome the GSSE students to Rocky Top this summer!
Katerina Scott, Resident Assistant
My name is Katerina (she/hers) and I’m a junior at UTK. My first year and a half here I was majoring in Chemical Engineering until I switched to Geology and decided to pursue a Minor and Master’s in Elementary Education. I’m passionate about the environment as I wanted to engineer solar panels, and I love how my Environmental Studies concentration in Geology still teaches me a lot about our natural world and our impact on it. I have a beautiful cat named Sunny who is the most dog-like cat you’ll ever meet – he gives me so much joy. I’ve lived on-campus all three years attending UTK and became an RA this year in Massey Hall, the oldest and sweetest residence hall on campus. I am thrilled to be working as a Governor’s School RA this Summer 2022 and to be back in my freshman year residence hall, Geier! Go Vols!!!
Mohid Tanveer, Resident Assistant
Mohid Tanveer (he, him, his) is a rising sophomore studying Computer Science at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. He grew up in Jackson, TN and attended GSSE in 2019. Mohid is involved with the Muslim Student Association, Intramural Soccer Club, and Middle Eastern Student Association at Rhodes. In his free time, Mohid enjoys making music, playing the guitar, powerlifting, and video games. He highly enjoyed his time at GSSE as a student and is even more excited to serve as an RA this summer!
Andres Zaragoza Valdez, Resident Assistant
Andres Zaragoza Valdez (he/him/his) is a second-year sophomore in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. While at UT, Andres has worked as a First Year Studies Peer Mentor and Psychology 110 TA. He is actively involved in volleyball from club, intramurals, and the pickup community. Organizationally, he is engaged in the Student Nursing Association, Clinic Vols, and the Latin American Student Organization. Andres is passionate about diversity, equity, & inclusion, first-generation college student support, and all things nursing. Andres is thrilled for the summer ahead!