2025 WOW Team

Amayah Algarin

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Allied Health Sciences

Why do you “WOW”?: I participate in WOW because I believe in the power of creating a welcoming and supportive community for new students. Starting college can be both exciting and overwhelming, and having a strong support system can make a huge difference. WOW gives me the opportunity to help others feel connected, included, and confident as they begin a new chapter in their life. I want to give back by sharing my experiences, offering encouragement, and helping new students feel like they belong. I enjoy knowing that even a small way, I can contribute to someone’s positive start and help them feel like they have a home on campus.

Ruvini Babaria

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Environmental Science

Why do you “WOW”?: I WOW because I think the first few weeks of college are some of the most formative, and the way you act sets up the tone for the rest of your college experience. I felt so supported both as a first year and also as a first time leader, which allowed me to gain some courage and step out of my comfort zone to make new friends. I hope to be able to give this same courage to incoming first years and leaders so they can make meaningful relationships of their own and learn to navigate their first year at UConn.

Shravani Daptardar

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Analytics & Information Management

Why do you “WOW”?: The WOW program continues to bring a smile on my face during the start of the semester because I get to meet and help new people along with my current friends. Witnessing the incoming students’ excitement and helping them navigate through their beginning UConn experience makes me happy. The opportunity to contribute to a positive atmosphere makes each moment rewarding in the WOW program. I think the program is great and beneficial with organizing fun events while getting to be a role model. It also leads students to form new friendships and connections, which is fulfilling to know that even in the smallest ways, I can help make people's transition to UConn memorable and enriching.

Kendall Davis

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Environmental Engineering

Why do you “WOW”?: I just want to be able to make people feel more comfortable on campus and make them feel hyped about their first year at UConn. Last year one of my first years wanted to know where the CVS on campus was so I offered to walk him there. On our walk he was telling me how he thinks I seem like I really cared, and he can see that I'm trying to connect with them things like that. I really tried not to cry because I was glad that they could see that I really was trying (I also hate crying in public. I get so embarrassed). I want to give all my energy to this program so that they get the chance to have the best first weekend on campus.

Sia Parag Dhruva

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Pharmacy

Why do you “WOW”?: WOW was an extremely important part in my journey, beginning as a freshman especially since I am an international student. I had never even seen how UConn was as a campus in person and WOW gave me my first ever exposure to everything in a very fun way. It made me feel at peace as I learned about how nurturing the staff and students are here and how the university genuinely cares for its students. I knew I belonged the moment I saw the UConn 2027 sign during the very first night at the glow swings and fire pits event. WOW was overall an amazing experience for me and I spoke to so many people in that weekend, something I would have surely not expected being very new to a university environment. This is why I want to truly give back to the WOW experience and this time as a captain so that I can make a bigger difference.

Wyeth Haddock

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Materials Science and Engineering

Why do you “WOW”?: This past year, as a WOW leader, I had the opportunity to work with two groups. The first, with my close friend Jack, and the second on my own. Both groups, though a bit shy at first, really came out of their shells. One of the students in the second group regularly sees me around campus, grabs lunch with me, and texts me if he ever has any questions or concerns. This relationship, though simple, has made me realize how effective our work as WOW leaders is, and how great the program can be. It's corny to say it, but I wouldn't be the college student that I am today without WOW and the experiences that it has afforded me.

Shannon Hegarty

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Pathobiology

Why do you “WOW”?: WOW is a pivotal time for first-year students, and one of my guiding principles in life is to make those around me feel more comfortable, particularly in uncertain and stressful circumstances. College can be a very daunting time for students and I believe WOW catalyzes a person's adjustment to life at UConn and gives them a strong foundation to build upon. WOW gives first-year students social connections, campus resources, familiarity with campus, support systems, advice, and just general fun!

Carolyn Jewett

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Minor: Mathematics

Why do you “WOW”?: College is a big transition and can be quite intimidating. As an out of state student, I understand how hard it can be coming into college, and hope to use my experiences to help first year students find their place and have the best experience possible. I love the WOW program and the opportunities it has for everyone, and hope to make a positive impact and give students the great WOW experience I’ve had.

Louise Leonard

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: MCB and Bio Education

Why do you “WOW”?: I WOW because I get so happy watching the first years make friends and having fun. My favorite kind of volunteer work is when you get to directly see the impact you have made. WOW is exactly this type of work. Being the main person involved in a student's first weekend at college is a huge responsibility, but one that gives back so much. Being at convocation and watching a new class start their college journey is such a beautiful thing to experience, and I love being a part of it.

Mia Leone

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Civil Engineering

Why do you “WOW”?: I WOW because I love giving back to the community. I am an out of state student so I know how overwhelming it can be to come to a huge state school with over 4,000 people in your member class. I remember being scared and anxious I wouldn't make the right friends or I would be alone throughout my time at college but through WOW I was able to find some of my closest friends to this day! I want first years to feel the same comfort I was brought when I went through WOW weekend. It also introduced me to many people on my floor that I never would have known if I hadn't went through WOW.

Abby Luis

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: ACES

Why do you “WOW”?: I joined WOW because of the impact it had on me as a first-year student. When I first got to UConn, I was nervous about making friends and fitting in on campus. As one can imagine, I felt quite lonely, especially on the first night. These factors combined with being away from my family for the first time were very stressful to me but participating in the WOW events made me much more confident in my place here. My WOW leader did a great job getting us involved, allowing us to get to know each other, and continuously bringing the energy all weekend, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere. As I went to the events, I started to feel a lot more comfortable and that was largely because of my WOW leader. By the end of the weekend, I had made friends, gained confidence getting around campus, and felt at ease being away from home. Without her, I likely would not have felt as positively about being at college as I did at the end of my first weekend. Reflecting on my positive experience, I knew that when I had the chance that I wanted to be a WOW leader too. Seeing how much of a positive impact my WOW leader had on my first weekend at UConn inspired me to be that person for someone else. Being a WOW leader means that I can make a difference in someone else’s life and show them everything that the school I love has to offer. I truly believe that UConn has something to offer for everyone, even if it takes a little while to find it, and by being a WOW leader I can guide first-year students through their journey of discovery and show them how great it is to be a husky.

Emma Marchiony

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Psychology/HDFS

Why do you “WOW”?: I WOW because of the incredible impact it had on me as a first year here. My WOW leader was so helpful with tips and tricks to get us acclimated and was so involved with us all weekend. It made all the difference for me, as I'm the oldest in my family and from New York, which is not an easy trip home. Having a WOW leader who really showed she cared about us and wanted to help us with such a big adjustment made me want to help other first-year students who may be in the same position as me. I also WOW because it's so FUN! Having met some of my best friends through the program makes me want to come back and do it over and over again, and meet other people as excited to help others as I am!

Abby Mousa

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Biological Sciences

Why do you "WOW"?: From my previous campus involvement, I hope to contribute strong leadership, organizational skills, and a positive, welcoming attitude to the WOW program. As a site manager at the student recreation center and a tour guide at the Lodewick Visitors Center, I’ve developed valuable experience in working with diverse groups, managing responsibilities, and creating a friendly and engaging atmosphere. My role as a dance representative for HuskyTHON has also taught me the importance of teamwork, advocacy, and staying motivated while working toward a common goal. I believe these experiences have equipped me to help foster a supportive and inclusive environment during WOW, where new students can feel comfortable, connected, and excited to start their journey at UConn.

Kenneth Nguyen

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Biological Sciences

Why do you “WOW”?: What is really interesting about my experience with the WOW program is that I will be heading into my third year as an undergraduate come this Fall, and with each academic year that passes, I plan to stay involved with WOW and continue to find new motivations to develop within the Husky WOW Program. The beautiful memories I made throughout my first year is widely thanks to WOW, as I was able to meet some of my closest friends at UConn while at the weekend events. This year, I decided to pay it back to the program by serving as a WOW Leader and a mentor as the first years navigate some of the same struggles that I had while I was in their shoes. Looking ahead, I want to continue within WOW not only for all the reasons mentioned, but also to further develop myself as a leader and to help the program achieve its fullest potential. WOW is such a great way to kickstart an individual’s undergraduate career, and there is always such amazing energy as everyone is returning back to campus. My WOW experience was what facilitated the friendships and connections that I hold to this day, and is a huge reason why I chose to stay at UConn. I know from personal experience how horrifying it is to pack your bags and move to a cow-town in the middle of Connecticut, but I also know how helpful it is to have a support circle be there for you right as you step onto campus. I WOW because no student should feel alone as they navigate the transition to college. I WOW in hope that my efforts will be the reason a first year student feels as if they belong at UConn. I WOW to pay it back to the program that helped me fall in love with my home-away-from-home. I WOW because I care.

Chloe O'Brien

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Allied Health Sciences

Why do you "WOW"?: Since I have done WOW for the past two years, I value the program overall because it helps first-year students get comfortable and ready for the semester. WOW is a positive environment to be in as a leader and encourages building relationships with others on campus. This experience gets students in the school pride and spirit. WOW allows me to play a role in first-year students' experiences to set them up for success. Personal growth is what I strive for, therefore, WOW reinforces achievement through learning, mentoring, and more. WOW nonetheless creates lasting memories for everyone. I remember every WOW experience and for others it should be a positive experience, that is why it is very important to understand how we represent ourselves, especially in the WOW program.

Luna Pham

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Why do you “WOW”?: Based on my first-year experience, I found the WOW program to be incredibly welcoming and supportive. Before the WOW weekend, I was quite closed off and uncertain about my transition to college. However, thanks to the encouragement and guidance of my WOW leader, I felt empowered to participate and engage with my peers. Their efforts made a huge difference for me and I have made so many friends that I am still close with. Reflecting on how impactful that experience was, I wanted to become a WOW leader or captain myself. I want to create a similar welcoming experience for incoming first years, given how significant the transition from high school to college can be. My goal is to ensure that each new student feels included, supported, and encouraged to embrace the opportunities that come their way. I believe that by fostering connections and a sense of community, I can help others in the way my WOW leader did for me.

Sumedha Sabbani

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Psychological Sciences

Why do you “WOW”?: I love working with the WOW program because of its goal to provide the first-year students with a warm and exciting welcome to UConn. I have experienced first hand the abundance of nerves and anxiety that starting college brings but I have also experienced what an amazing program WOW is. The WOW program helped me make strong connections with my peers and the campus. The people I met during WOW weekend are still some of my closest friends today. I am truly inspired by the program’s main mission and would love to continue to be a part of it and be a part of the inspiration provided to the incoming students.

Kara Sciglimpaglia

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Pathobiology

Why do I “WOW”?: I WOW because I love to meet new people and help to support our incoming huskies into this new chapter of their lives. The transition into college can be tough so as a WOW captain, I hope to help welcome and provide our new students with a weekend full of fun with plenty of opportunities to make connections with others. Overall I WOW for the friends, leadership experience, and to make an impact on incoming first years!

Kylee Vazquez

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2027

Major: Accounting

Why do I “WOW”?: In the beginning, I WOWed because of the WoW leader who helped ease my transition to college. I continue to WoW for this reason because I want to make sure first-year students have the same great experience I did. I also WOW because of the great connections I made with my first-year students' group. In general, I also like knowing that I am helping, and that I will go out of my way to do so. Being an Accounting major, I want to also have a mentorship role somehow incorporated in my career in addition to being an accountant, and experiences like WOW confirm that I want this. All these experiences, whether it have been as a WOW leader or first-year student, make me want to continue to take part in WOW and help other students in order that they may have a similar impact.

Mandy Wainwright

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Graduation Year: 2026

Major: Allied Health Science

Why do I “WOW”?: Ever since my first year as a WOW captain, it has been a truly rewarding experience. Every time someone asks me if they should apply I always wholeheartedly tell them that it was one of the best choices I made at UCONN. It is truly a great time getting to know my fellow WOW captains and then knowing I have made friends for life in just a week's worth of time between my captains and my leaders. In addition to this knowing that (for those that actually show up) I am helping them in some of the most crucial times of college makes me feel like I have a purpose. Overall between the friends that I make and the effect on the first years who need the help, I truly LIVE to WOW! 🙂

Husky WOW

Meet your 2025 WOW Captains!

Amayah

2025 WOW Leader Applications coming soon!