BOLD Scholars 2022 - 2024 (Cohort 6)

Ithaca College welcomed their fifth cohort of scholars in the fall of 2022. This cohort includes Manuella Asare, Sarake Dembele, Ellie Falconer, Charlotte Kazalski, Rose Pascal, Mikayla Tolliver, Taina Trinidad, Kiara Valera, Jordan Wiener, and Jadena Williams.

This cohort will be completing a transformation project their senior year. You can read more about it here

Manuella Asare

Manuella Asare

Speech Language Pathology Major

Hello! My name is Manuella, a first-generation student born and raised in Accra, Ghana. On campus, I work as a test proctor at the Student Accessibility Services office and I am also the Director of Programming for the African Students Association (ASA). I love learning about history, but especially the history of African people. I enjoy reading, watching documentaries, trying out new restaurants, cooking, and solving word search puzzles. I am honored to be a part of the 6th Cohort and excited about what is to come with this opportunity.

Saraké Dembélé

Saraké Dembélé

Architecture Major and French Minor

Saraké (she/her), a first-gen student, is the oldest of four kids and comes from a humble immigrant household in the Bronx. She’s always had a passion for helping those who are less fortunate, and found her footing in architectural studies where she aspires to design and build affordable housing in communities like the Bronx. In her free time, Saraké enjoys working on creative projects like her look book series that focuses on the unrealistic beauty standards that exist in minority communities. In addition, she enjoys engaging in self-care activities like pilates, skin care, and makeup. Saraké is the Vice President of IC Muslim Student Association and the Director of Advertisement for IC’s African Student Association. Being a BOLD scholar will allow her the opportunity to work with impactful and strong women to better their communities. 

Ellie Falconer

Ellie Falconer

Theatre Studies, World Languages and Cultures Majors

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Ellie (she/her) is an aspiring dramaturg and theatre historian with hopes of founding a non-profit theater. A former student within the Exploratory Program, she serves as a Peer Leader and Ambassador (PAL) for current Exploratory students. She works as a dramaturg for Cauldron Theatre Company, founded by her friends in the Department of Theatre Studies, and has served as a dramaturg for other theatrical projects on campus. Beyond theatre, Ellie has a passion for translation and linguistics and has been studying French since her first year of high school. She spends her free time outside of academia learning to play the ocarina, reading, and playing video games. Ellie is honored to be a part of the 6th BOLD Cohort here at Ithaca College and is thrilled to work alongside the other members of the cohort.

Charlotte Kazalski

Charlotte Kazalski

Music Education/Performance Major with a Spanish Minor

Charlotte, she/her pronouns, is from West Springfield, Massachusetts.  On campus, she works as a Peer Career Advisor and an Ensemble and Music Education Resource Assistant in the LEM (Library of Ensemble Music).  Charlotte is also the SERV chair for Mu Phi Epsilon on campus and works to provide the chapter with volunteer opportunities through music.  She aspires to be a music teacher for elementary or middle-school aged students and wants to provide a quality music education that is both accessible and affordable. Charlotte is extremely excited to be a part of the 6th Cohort and to learn from the other amazing women involved with BOLD! 

Rose Pascal

Rose Pascal

English Major

Rodzvany (they/she), also known as Rose, is an indigenous Afro-Latinx musician. They are an aspiring singer and actress and spend most of their free time practicing (or at least pretending to) and cultivating the small library of books that they’re developing in their bedroom. They enjoy cooking, astrology, and annoying their friends till the end of time. Rose is looking forward to learning more about themselves and others, as well as stepping out of their comfort zone and developing leadership skills. They hope to use these skills to advocate for Afro-Latinx and Indigenous communities and just help make the world a better place!

Mikayla Tolliver

Mikayla Tolliver

Writing Major with Sociology Minor

Mikayla (she/her) is an aspiring young adult fiction author who spends most of her free time writing and creating playlists based off whatever comes to mind. Mikayla is involved with IC Mixed and IC Strike here on campus, and she advocates for intersectional social justice. She is also an editor for Buzzsaw Magazine. Mikayla loves reading, dancing, and watching movies as well as spending time with friends and family. She is beyond excited to be a part of BOLD’s 6th cohort.

Taina Trinidad

Taina Trinidad

Race, Power, and Resistance Major and Linguistics Minor

As a native New Yorker, Taina (They/She) experienced how even some of the most diverse places in the country are riddled with drastic differences in access to equal and high-quality education. She was able to witness their mother gaining citizenship and graduate with a bachelor's degree and hopes to use that same moxie to disrupt the education system as a future history teacher. They're advocates of tackling the harder truths and intersections of American history and society through critical race theory. On campus, she's involved with Island Fusion (an Afro-Caribbean dance group) and is an Admission Host. You can find them trying out new recipes in the kitchen or rewatching Ratatouille (2007 Pixar masterpiece) for the 30th time.

Kiara Valera

Kiara Valera

Writing Major and Deaf Studies Minor

Kiara is a first-generation student from the South Bronx. With her schooling, she aspires to become a medical writer and ASL interpreter. Despite pursuing a degree in technical writing, she is passionate about creative writing and hopes to publish a poetry book one day. She loves trying new foods, discovering different genres of music, and creating collages. She is excited to be part of the BOLD program and can't wait to interact with so many inspiring women.

Jordan Wiener

Jordan Wiener

Stage Management Major

Jordan Wiener was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and came to Ithaca College for a BFA Stage Management degree. Growing up in the Arizona theatre community, she saw the way the arts impact social change and knew that was what she wanted to do in the future. Before and during her time at Ithaca, she helped create and run non-profit youth voter registration and education organizations in Arizona and nationally.  Jordan is thrilled to be part of the 6th cohort of BOLD scholars and can’t wait to see the impact we make on the Ithaca College and the greater Ithaca community!

Jadena Williams

Jadena Williams

Politics Major and Integrated Marketing and Communications Minor

Jadena (she/her) is the Events Coordinator of the Sister2Sister Organization. The Sister2Sister Organization creates a space for women to gather and voice their perspective on how to combat the issues that affect women, empowering and educating its members politically and socially. Jadena is also the Public Relations Representative of the Students Of the Caribbean Association. She and her fellow e-board members are currently rebranding and reintroducing this organization to the Ithaca College's campus as a new and improved chapter. In her free time, she enjoys creating and detailing simple and fashionable looks. Jadena is excited to develop a strong network and sisterhood among her BOLD cohort.