Student of the Week Profiles
Xander Van Horn
Deciding to attend UToledo was a natural choice for Xander Van Horn. Ever since he
set foot in his high school chemistry classes, Xander has been fascinated by the science’s
intricate world. With a heartfelt mission to positively impact the world, he was particularly
interested in medicinal chemistry. UToledo was one of the few schools offering a Bachelor’s
degree in Medicinal and
Biological Chemistry, and the rest is history! Now a senior, Xander’s past four years
have been a story of combining academic interests and a love for community to leave
his mark on campus.
Xander’s desire to share his passion for the pharmaceutical sciences led him to co-found
the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicinal Studies Club here at UToledo. As its Vice
President, Xander strives to spread awareness of the pharmaceutical sciences and their
often-overlooked interplay with the field of medicine. Encouraging others to learn
about this unique degree program, the club also highlights how it can provide students
who aspire to attend medical school a strong head start.
When he is not leading the organization, Xander can often be spotted at events hosted
by the Honors Learning Community. He has enjoyed more than $900 worth of HLC events
during his time in Honors, including multiple Broadway plays! Aside from the exciting
new experiences it offers, the welcoming and cheerful environment of the HLC has provided
Xander with an invaluable tool: perspective. As a member of a smaller degree program,
the HLC has enabled him to connect with many other students – allowing him to benefit
from the diverse perspectives in Toledo, among HLC members, and in society along the
way. He will carry all that he has learned with him to graduate school, where he hopes
to complete his doctorate in medicinal chemistry.
Words of Wisdom: “Do not be afraid to experience new things, be willing to change and to make things
weird. Often being the one to initially break the ice and start a conversation can
open innumerable opportunities or friendships to you.”
Kylah Griffin
For students pursuing careers dedicated to serving others, envisioning the people
they aim to help is a powerful motivator. Through two unique UToledo opportunities
over the past year, Kylah Griffin has not just envisioned them, but actively interacted
with those she aspires to advocate for in the future as a social worker! In the process,
Kylah has collected stories and reflections like vibrant threads, weaving them together
to create a tapestry of empathy she will extend to everyone she engages with in her
career.
Always eager to learn from the lives of others, this Pre-Social Work major was naturally
drawn to the annual Jesup Scott Honors College service learning trip to Riverton City
in Jamaica hosted by International Samaritan last year. However, Kylah could not have
foreseen the profound impact the trip would have on her – stirring emotions deep within
herself and inspiring reflection. During that journey, she embraced Jamaican culture
with International Samaritan scholars and the local community by indulging in cinnamon
cheese bread, attending a celebration of the town’s art and culture, as well as playing
the famous Jamaican Dominoes game.
However, as each day ended, Kylah witnessed the scholars and community members returning
to garbage dumps – their homes. “My heart shattered, and I was upset to see good people
having to live in poor conditions that should be illegal globally,” she said. Despite
this, the community’s good humor, countless smiles, and boundless joy in the face
of adversity left a lasting impact on Kylah. She left Jamaica inspired to be grateful,
undeterred by barriers and committed to spreading joy wherever she goes.
After arriving back in Toledo, Kylah knew she wanted to explore more transformative
experiences. So, when the opportunity to participate in the Rocket Kids internship
program arose over the Summer, Kylah did not have to think twice! She was stationed
in Vicenza, Italy for two and a half months to teach toddlers in a daycare for military
families. She was inspired most by witnessing the children develop confidence and
curiosity through the instructors’ immense care – a trait she is continuously growing
through her own diverse, meaningful experiences!
A New Perspective: “The biggest lesson I have learned from both my participation in Rocket Kids and the
Honors service learning trip to Jamaica is to be grateful because these unfortunate
living circumstances can happen to anyone at any time. My advice to peers is advocate
for and help anyone you know who faces such conditions by leading them to all the
resources that may help.”
Lilly Boone
After completing high school with flying colors, Lilly Boone was determined to make
the most of her college experience. Now, as this Presidential Scholar and Biology
major reflects on her past four years, she realizes she has achieved just that! Her
story is a testament to how, when empowered and equipped with a sense of community,
Rockets reach their full potential.
In recognition of her hard work and accomplishments, being awarded the Presidential
Scholarship immediately entered Lilly into a cohort of distinguished student scholars
who share her ambition. It also granted her exclusive opportunities like luncheons
with UToledo’s President and other senior administrators! Most importantly, however,
Lilly’s status as a Presidential Scholar boosted her confidence, motivating her to
excel academically, professionally, and personally.
One of the ways Lilly channeled this motivation was to become involved in undergraduate
research. Valuable insight into writing scientific publications, conducting elaborate
experiments, and presenting her data is not all that she has gained from working in
Dr. Maria Diakonova’s lab, however. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing this research as
it has taught me the true meaning of being a woman in STEMM,” Lilly said. Featuring
a close-knit community brimming with mentors and friends, the lab has demonstrated
how to be a capable scientist both inside and outside of the classroom.
Appreciating the importance of support in her own story of growth, Lilly was determined
to pay the value forward. Though it was outside of her comfort zone at first, she
became a BIOL 2180 Teaching Assistant. She quickly fell in love with teaching as she
watched her students transform, gaining confidence and knowledge throughout the semester.
Soon after, Lilly took a similar role as a Rocket2Rocket mentor, sharing her experiences
and advice as a successful pre-med student – one now on the verge of enrolling in
UToledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences to pursue a career in radiology!
Value of Honors: “UToledo Honors has provided me a safe and encouraging environment to pursue my academic
career surrounded by passionate peers. Unique Honors classes have invited me to explore
a variety of topics deeply, fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond
the standard curriculum of my degree.”
Rhoda Buaful
Receiving her white coat earlier this year was a moving milestone for Rhoda Buaful,
symbolizing the fruits of her industriousness and foreshadowing a future of success.
In fact, she received this honor earlier than scheduled – after only a year of undergraduate
studies here at UToledo! Whether in her pursuit of the fascinating science of medicine
or in fostering community through creative expression, 
Rhoda beautifully pours her heart into all her endeavors.
The future that this Pharmacy major is devoted to building radiates promise – both
for herself and the communities of medically under-served she hopes to help. After
graduating with her Pharm.D. and potentially an M.B.A., Rhoda plans to work in a hospital
setting and gain diverse experience with both inpatient and outpatient care. Her ultimate
goal is to start a business dedicated to tackling healthcare challenges in developing
countries such as Ghana, the home of her parents. It is this inspiring mission that
earned her the Alan and Susan Lapp Honors Scholarship last Spring!
Beyond her academic work, Rhoda is passionate about various forms of creative expression.
Dance has always held a special place in her heart, a powerful medium she pursues
through Tribe – an African dance team on campus which she leads as its President.
When she was new to UToledo, Rhoda instantly felt at home within the supportive community
of Tribe, which she describes as feeling like family. Off campus, she engages in a
different medium, visual storytelling, as a talented content creator and video editor.
“I love the opportunities for continuous growth and exploration in today’s digital
landscape,” Rhoda explained. She uses her eye for color grading and cinematography
to create engaging short and long-form videos, which often feature lifestyle and fashion
content.
Fun Personal Fact: “I am currently working with four brands!”
Shudhant Gautam
Whether or not you have seen him around campus, you have likely experienced the impact
of Shudhant Gautam. This zealous Biology junior and future physician has a mission
in life to serve others – one he has already started pursuing at UToledo through his
healing hands and philanthropy.
Shudhant is the co-founder and Co-President of Rocket Responders, which provides volunteer
non-transport emergency first-aid at campus events. As an emergency medical technician
himself at the UToledo Medical Center, he utilizes the group as a platform to empower
and inform the practice of future EMTs. Shudhant’s determination to aid his peers
also manifests through his involvement in the Pre-Health Advising Center Ambassadors,
where he serves as Media Director. He strives to make the office more accessible for
all students and finds fulfillment in helping those in pre-health fields navigate
their journey to a rewarding career.
Shudhant’s commitment to service stretches far beyond his major-related interests,
however. In Sigma Phi Epsilon, he serves as Fundraising Chair and a Standards Board
Member. "I loved being immediately folded into a family of over 70 like-minded people
whom I can call brothers," he said. When volunteering at the Spring Day of Service
with them earlier this year, a desire to achieve an even greater impact in Toledo
was ignited within him. He soon after became the Director of Logistics and Inventory
for the BIG Event. His enthusiasm and dedication never-ending, Shudhant is also involved
in Mortar Board, Global Medical Brigades, the Learning Enhancement Center, and Bridge
UToledo as their Co-Vice President of Outreach. He even conducts research at UTMC!
Beyond building his résumé and readying himself for his dream career, Shudhant’s drive
for service has been framed by the insight he has gained in his Honors courses. With
their emphasis on discussion, collaboration, and diverse perspectives, these classes
have provided him a unique lens for understanding the life he is determined to use
for good.
Fun Personal Fact: "I play the guitar and love collecting vinyl records!”
Lisa Moguel
One of the most powerful ways a person can impact their field is by contributing to
it meaningfully through their unique experiences. This is certainly the case for Lisa
Moguel, an ambitious junior who is combining her major in Speech Language Pathology
and minor in Spanish to one day work as a bilingual speech-language pathologist. Driven
by her past experiences, desire to help others grow, and love of her identity, Lisa
is on her way to an immensely fulfilling career!
Despite being undecided in her first year at UToledo, Lisa always knew she wanted
her career to involve Spanish. After countless e-mails to advisors and faculty, she
became enthralled by her eventual major. After all, she saw a speech-language pathologist
growing up and witnessed firsthand their potential to create safe environments for
growth. However, Lisa had also grown up speaking Spanish and English and noticed there
was no bilingual speech-language pathologist in her area. By treading the path of
becoming the specialist she never had, Lisa strives to support the growing population
of Spanish-speaking kids – hoping ultimately to open a speech clinic near where her
parents live.
Lisa has taken full advantage of the Honors College’s opportunities to explore this
unique intersection between bilingualism and speech-language pathology. Through Honors
Learning Contracts, she has undertaken three such projects so far – her favorite being
a pamphlet that detailed the learning stages of sequential bilingualism.
Aside from her studies, Lisa’s love for her culture has also led her to join the Global
Latin Student Union, where she serves as President. Lisa found a comfortable community
in GLSU during her first year that, having grown up in an area without a strong Hispanic
presence, she never knew she needed. Meeting everyone who stops by the GLSU office
and attends their events (which are open to students of all backgrounds) has been
a highlight for Lisa. GLSU has additionally served as a gateway for her to connect
with the wonderful staff of UToledo’s Office of Multicultural Student Success. Lisa’s
search for community on campus also has taken her to Toledo Campus Ministry, where
she attends weekly Monday services and participates in Bible studies.
Fun Personal Fact: "I have a BookTok!”
Taqwa Arif
Like many Honors students, Taqwa Arif has always been known to her community for her
plethora of interests. From public speaking to calculus to psychology, she loves it
all! When it came time to decide on a major, however, she found herself torn. It was
ultimately one core trait of this new Rocket that led her to choose the seemingly
unrelated field of Bioengineering – a passion for stories.
To Taqwa, science and engineering are powerful accounts of the world and its intricate
workings. She is witnessing the intertwining of these stories firsthand in her current
“Freshman Design Innovation I” class when learning about biomimicry. As a lover of
the outdoors, seeing how engineers can take inspiration from the designs of nature
to create revolutionary technology has left her in awe.
Beyond the classroom, Taqwa also tells her own stories through a different medium:
art. By way of her small business, Palette of Taqwa, she shares her dear Islamic culture
by pairing meticulous paintings, which often feature nature, with thoughtfully written
reflections. Her artwork has even been displayed in the Toledo Museum of Art twice!
Through her eventual career as a bioengineer, Taqwa hopes to become a part of the
stories of individuals across the globe – improving lives by inventing accessible
and affordable medical devices. She strives to write new stories with the pen of innovation
and, of course, her own creative touch.
Fun Personal Fact: "I wrote this profile! As an Honors Communications Intern, I will be the author behind
many of the profiles you will read this year. I am so excited to tell the countless
powerful stories of Honors students!”
Jordan Tracy
Jordan Tracy’s journey to a legal career fighting for a future that is more socially
just for all has roots deeply set in her own past. Growing up in a family with financial
constraints, she became aware of societal inequalities from a young age. “Because
I have the opportunity to go to college and pursue a degree,” Jordan observed, “I
owe it to Toledo, my family, and my younger self to be a 
catalyst in cultivating justice for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves.”
Not content to defer starting this work, Jordan has already begun evoking change within
her community here at UToledo. In addition to serving as President of the Undergraduate
Law Society, she uses her position in Student Government as one of nine Justices to
advocate for her fellow Rockets. The activism comes naturally to Honors students,
Jordan says – those who lead class discussions and deeply engage with course content.
Indeed, the Honors Learning Community was the first place on campus where Jordan felt
welcomed and surrounded by people who share her values. Her drive to make new connections
and network even inspired her to become an Honors Student Ambassador last year!
Balancing out Jordan’s commitment to self-growth are the enduring elements of her
identity, including a longstanding love of music and her abiding faith. Whether at
talent shows or family parties growing up, Jordan nowadays sings with UToledo’s vocal
jazz ensemble and during worship services at a local Catholic Church. She is also
a member of Soul Purpose, an all-female Christian organization that seeks to support
and uplift women. “We aim to use faith as a basis to show women on campus that they
have a special, unique, and beautiful purpose in life,” Jordan says.
Fun Personal Fact: “I sang the national anthem at my high school’s basketball games!”
Anna Liedtke
Her heart set on becoming a physician assistant, Anna Liedtke has built her college
career around attaining this goal. An Exercise Science major with a Chemistry minor,
she is also involved in a number of student organizations that are preparing Anna
and her peers for success in graduate school and in their subsequent professions.
For instance, she has been leading the marketing and
social media outreach efforts this year for the Pre-Physician Assistant Association
on campus!
Even more important than the professional growth these extracurriculars offer, though,
is the opportunity they present for Anna to help her fellow Rockets and others in
her community. One of her favorites has been serving as a Supplemental Instruction
Leader for BIOL 2170 tutoring students who struggle in the course. Anna also serves
as the Vice President of Fellowship, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Historian for the
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Now in her fourth semester with the group,
Anna relishes the chance it affords her to support those in need both near and far.
Though she is newer to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which she just recently joined,
Anna has embraced as passionately its alternate mission of raising awareness and financial
support for the vulnerable.
Anna is also a fresh addition to the Honors Student Ambassadors, a role she is excited
to continue supporting prospective students in as they find their unique place at
UToledo – along with their own cherished memories. “My favorite memories on campus
are going to Rocket football and basketball games,” Anna said. “I absolutely adore
the school spirit they evoke in you while connecting you to friends!”
Fun Personal Fact: “I love taking care of house plants!”
Jaden Bollinger
Despite his avid study of the common good as realized throughout human history, which
he describes as “the longest and most complex story on the planet without tangible
beginning or end,” Jaden Bollinger’s passion is not merely academic. The History and
Political Science double-major’s positive impact on campus (a member of Sigma Phi
Epsilon, the Presidential Ambassadors, the 
Palmer Global Fellows program, Lambda Sigma, the German Club, as well as Student Government)
and beyond is considerable!
Though he joined Student Government early in his freshman year initially to meet other
Political Science majors, Jaden’s interest in the organization quickly grew when he
realized the productive influence he could have through advocacy and outreach there.
He was first appointed Campus Culture Vice Chair before being elected Campus Culture
Chair last semester. Jaden even got to travel alongside three other members of leadership
to Texas A&M University for the Conference on Student Government Associations. There,
they met with representatives from all over the country and discussed strategies for
improving the student experience at their respective institutions.
In addition to advancing the real-world values of his fellow Rockets, Jaden also had
the opportunity to represent the environmental interests of Spain during a Model European
Union event hosted at Indiana University. The competition was fun but also informative
– it functioned in the same way as does the real European Union. Jaden was even able
to pass two of his own directives there despite some heated debate surrounding his
proposals!
The international exposure he enjoyed as a member of the Palmer Global Fellows program
meanwhile was hardly as abstract. For a week in May, Jaden and several other first-year
College of Arts and Letters students traveled to Berlin. The trip proved an influential
experience for him. “It showed me that the world is more than words in a textbook
– it’s out there waiting to be seen and explored,” Jaden said.
Though more domestic, his favorite memory as an Honors student was no less powerful.
Jaden will never forget the in-person interview he conducted downtown with a member
of Toledo City Council who represented the neighborhood he was researching in HON
2010 “Multicultural Toledo.” “This project showed me and my groupmates the impact
of local governance and demonstrated the concrete actions being taken to improve our
community,” Jaden said.
Fun Personal Fact: “I'm related to a pirate captain that was active during the War of 1812 who fought
alongside the Americans!”
Payton Schmitz
Sometimes the major a student is destined for is not the one they first select. This
was certainly true for Payton Schmitz, who arrived on campus interested in Exercise
Science. After spending his first three semesters aspiring to be an athletic trainer,
he discovered his passion for athletics did not lie in the medical field but rather
in the media field. Now a junior majoring in Media Communication enthralled by his current “Live
Sports Production” course, Payton knows his future will feature a career somehow figured
into sports
media.
Since switching his major last year, Payton has discovered a whole new world at UToledo!
Besides classes introducing students to the behind-the-scenes processes that go into
live sports broadcasts, he also recently joined WXUT 88.3 FM – UToledo’s student-run
radio station located in Rocket Hall. While he does not have his own show yet, Payton
has been an active staff member of the station for the past semester and plans to
call some games there this Fall. Make sure to tune in and listen!
Beyond contributing to the spectacle of UToledo Athletics, Payton is also a fervent
fan and enjoys simply watching his team compete on the gridiron. Indeed, his favorite
college memory was watching the Rockets earn their Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship
in 2022 at Ford Field in Detroit by defeating Ohio University’s Bobcats. “Getting
to travel on busses up to the event and spend the day with friends cheering on our
team is something I’ll never forget,” he said.
Rivaling his excitement for sports, though, is Payton’s passion for being a member
of the Honors College. Events such as Jesup Jam have connected him to a great group
of friends and helped to round-out his college experience in ways he never expected.
He even joined the Honors Student Ambassadors earlier this year to help spread the
word about all the value and inspiration he has found at UToledo.
Fun Personal Fact: “Before college, I played baseball for 11 years – primarily as a catcher!”
Emma Soroczak
Whether through her extensive involvement in campus organizations and Greek Life or
her future career in Speech Language Pathology, Emma Soroczak’s drive to help others
is all-consuming. While she is excited to eventually work in healthcare or an educational
setting supporting interpersonal communication, Emma has a lot of good yet to do here
at UToledo!
The dizzying array of student organizations she belongs to include Camp Kesem, the
National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Project Sunshine, the Protecting
Every Abused Child Everywhere Project, and Rocket Service Dogs. Emma’s favorite role,
however, has been serving as the Packing Committee Chair of Bridge UToledo – a perfect
opportunity to give back meaningfully to her local community.
Greek Life, the other pillar of her Rocket tenure, has seen Emma lead Alpha Xi Delta
as its Chapter President and join the Order of Omega. Though she rushed the former
three years ago excited to meet more friends and to gain a sense of sisterhood on
campus, Emma says the experience ended up granting her so much more. Alpha Xi Delta
provided another avenue for philanthropy, encouraged her academically, and even delivered
Emma her favorite college memory: Songfest 2024!
Beyond access to its residential options and priority scheduling, the Honors College
has also offered Emma a rich source of belonging. “Honors has allowed me to dive deeper
into topics I wouldn't otherwise study in my major and has connected me with people
who share similar interests and a passion for education,” she said.
Fun Personal Fact: “I go to Maine every Summer!”
Annie Lei
Annie Lei is fascinated by the mind’s myriad mysteries. Though the Honors sophomore
and Neuroscience major plans to specialize in pediatric psychiatry, her time spent
shadowing at a local doctor’s clinic inspired a passion for neurodegenerative pathology
and caring for geriatric patients impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms
of dementia. The long hours she logs in Dr. Wei Niu’s lab on campus meanwhile focus
on studying genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorders. Suffice to
say, Annie’s potential
as a medical professional is as vast as the brain is complex!
Beyond her coursework and research, Annie serves as Secretary of the Chinese American
Student Association, Committee Chair of Social Media in the American Chemistry Association,
and Director of Grow the Movement for UTMedLife. Whereas the latter organizations
allow her to network with peers across her field of study, the former keeps Annie
connected to her culture as a Chinese Canadian and offers her a chance to share with
others the traditions she holds dear.
As an Honors student, Annie has especially enjoyed participating in the Honors Learning
Community. She appreciates the opportunity as an out-of-state student to see more
of the Toledo area during expeditions that are both fun and educational. “My favorite
memory thus far has been experiencing Holi on campus,” she said. “The event was beautiful
– colors flying everywhere with friends shouting and running around throwing dyes
at each other!”
Fun Personal Fact: “I am double-jointed.”
Lacey Comer
Ever since she was a child, Lacey Comer has dreamed of a career helping people succeed
in life. Coupled with an appreciation for the complexity of the human body and a fascination
with the diversity that exists among individuals, Lacey found Speech Language Pathology
to be the perfect major for her. After graduation in a few years, this sophomore aspires
to work with victims of stroke and 
traumatic brain injury.
Through the Honors College, Lacey has enjoyed the opportunity to learn more from her
major faculty through enhanced assignments and in small classes. The experience has
encouraged her to examine a little deeper not only what she is learning in college,
but also in life. “You can achieve so much more in this world if you just stop for
a minute and look into its true meaning to you,” Lacey said.
Outside of class, she is a proud member of the Rocket Marching Band – one of its two
featured twirlers. The group has made Lacey’s time as a Rocket incredibly special.
In fact, her favorite college memory thus far was performing during her first gameday
in the Glass Bowl. “I have twirled since I was four years old, so this has been a
dream come true for me,” she said. “There is no better feeling than running out onto
the field before a game and hearing them announce my name!”
Fun Personal Fact: “Although I have been a baton-twirling pageant girl my whole life, I am also someone
who hunts, fishes, and loves to help in my grandfather’s butcher shop. I would trade
a day in the city for a one outdoors anytime!”