Events and Advocacy Board

Hi! My name is Muskaan Grewal (she/her). I am a Running Start student studying Biology. I joined Student Life so I can get more involved with the community around me. I chose to attend Cascadia because of the Running Start Program. After Cascadia, I plan to attend a four-year university and go on to medical school. Some advice I would give to a new student is to talk to everyone around you. My hobbies include hiking with my mom, traveling, and shopping with my friends.

Email me at MGrewal@Cascadia.edu

Hi! My name is Leyli Merdanova (she/her), and I’m an international student from Turkmenistan studying Computer Engineering at Cascadia College. I joined Student Life because I wanted to be actively involved in campus events and activities — and what better way to do that than by helping organize them! I chose Cascadia because it’s close to my accommodation and offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international students. My advice to new students: Don’t let shyness hold you back. Try to connect with as many people as you can. Everyone is on a similar journey, so there’s no need to fear judgment. Building connections can lead to great support, friendships, and opportunities. Take full advantage of everything college offers and use this time to explore your talents and unlock your potential. After Cascadia, I plan to transfer to Washington State University to major in Software Engineering — or possibly find an internship and participate in an OPT program. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing sports like volleyball and swimming, listening to music, cooking, and hanging out with friends. My favorite snacks are fruits, chocolate, nuts, and other healthy treats with little to no added sugar!

Email me at LMerdanova@Cascadia.edu

Hello! My name is Jina Park (she/her). I am a Running Start student working towards an associate’s degree in integrated studies. I joined Student Life because the environment and community at Cascadia became something I wanted to be involved in; I’ve always wanted to work in a student body position and work directly with students. I chose to attend Cascadia for Running Start and take courses I was interested in that my high school did not provide. My advice for a new student would be that progress is not linear so always try your best and when there is uncertainty, ask for help. My plans after Cascadia are to attend a 4-year university to pursue a career in User Interface. My hobbies are drawing and rewatching shows and movies such as Gumball or Wall-E. An interest of mine is Pokémon and learning new things (anything)!

Email me at JPark@Cascadia.edu

Hi! My name is Darin. This is my second year at Cascadia, and I am majoring in Biology. I joined Student Life because I want to gain more leadership and public speaking experience while in college. I enjoy event programming, being a student leader and making new friends. I attended Cascadia because I like the size of the community, the shared campus with UWB, and the international studies program. My advice for new students is to come to every EAB event and enjoy your life at Cascadia, trust me, you will make a lot of friends! After graduating, I plan to study Biology/marine Bio at a four-year university. I like working out, hiking, cooking and playing music. My favorite snack is Airheads candy!!

Email me at DChung@Cascadia.edu

My name is Molika Ny (she/her), and I go by Moli. I am an international student from Cambodia majoring in Economics. Choosing the right college was a challenge for me, but I knew I had found the right fit when I discovered Cascadia. The college’s welcoming community, supportive services, and strong academic environment provided everything I was looking for. I became involved in Student Life because I want to help foster a sense of belonging on campus, build meaningful connections, and explore my creativity through teamwork and campus engagement. My advice for fellow students is don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. As one of my favorite quotes says, “Risk is always better than regrets.” Trying new experiences is not only how we grow, but also how we discover more about ourselves and learn to embrace who we are. After Cascadia, I would like to achieve my bachelor's degree at a university. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cuisines, reading, and binge-watching my favorite comfort shows.

Email me at Mny@Cascadia.edu

Hi, my name is Alex Tang (he/him). I am a second-year student working towards an associate’s degree in integrated studies. I chose Cascadia because it is near where I live, and as a running start student, it offers more challenging classes than my high school. I joined Student Life so I could help build community on campus and create fun events for students. My advice for new students is to attend all the events and expand your network while you’re here, as the more people you know, the better your Cascadia experience will be both socially and academically. After Cascadia, my plan is to transfer to UW to pursue business. Some things I enjoy include photography, art, exercising, and traveling.

Email me at ATang@Cascadia.edu