Rodrigo Nakandakari
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Major: Business Management | Minor: Technology Entrepreneurship
My name is Rodrigo Nakandakari and I am SUSA's 2023 VP of Diversity & Inclusion. I'm originally from Lima, Peru with roots in the DMV area and I'm majoring in Business Management with a minor in Technology Entrepreneurship. This year, my team and I will be analyzing diversity trends at the business school, training club and frat leadership on the importance of inclusion and equity, and working with Smith stakeholders to uphold our commitment of making Smith an equitable institution for all. Personally, I love to play video games, cook, watch soccer, and be in nature.
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Responsible for upholding the diversity and inclusion goals of Smith within both the internal and external SUSA bodies. Through three standard projects each conducted on bi-semesterly bases - audit of SUSA clubs, collection and analysis of club demographic data, and diversity training for club leadership - this committee strives to spur continuous growth in SUSA’s external clubs via regulation and education. This committee also caters events for SUSA internal geared toward enhancing its own senses of community and inclusion.
Melany Claros
Hometown: Germantown, MD
Major: Marketing
My name is Melany Claros and I am a first generation college student. After obtaining my associates degree at Montgomery College, I transferred to UMD to pursue a bachelors degree in Marketing at the Smith School of Business with a minor in Technology Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation. I am from El Salvador and am empowered to represent the Latino community in SUSA at Smith!
Keola Evans
Hometown: Thurmont, MD
Majors: Marketing and International Business
Outside of SUSA, Keola is involved in the Women Empowerment Institute, Black Business Association and consults for TAMID Group. She also is a teaching assistant for her honors class, Redesigning Life. Other than academics, Keola has interests in photography, traveling, and athletics and values her rest. In the future, Keola plans to work in the entertainment industry.
Yaphet Nebiat
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Major: Finance
Hi my name is Yaphet. I am a junior Finance major here at UMD. I enjoy spending time with friends, traveling and have just recently gotten into playing poker. I've lived in a lot of different countries growing up and it's my hope to bring this diversity in experience and perspective to SUSA.
