Class of 2024

Sarah cohen

Yoo-hoo! My name is Sarah and I’m a senior International Affairs major with a focus on migration. I’m from Hebron, Connecticut, a little farm town in eastern CT. This is my second year in McKelvy. I spent last spring and part of this summer studying in Rabat, Morocco, and I’m so excited to be back with my McFriends (that being said, if you ask me about my study abroad experience, you might want to get comfortable–you’ll be there a while).  At Lafayette, I’m one of the coordinators for Kaleidoscope, involved in Refugee Action, a Bergh scholar with Professor de Toledo Piza, and an Arabic conversation partner. This year, I’m doing an honors thesis on border control policies and migrant aid at the borders between Morocco and Spain. In my free time, I love baking–usually bread or cookies, but sometimes pastries like croissants or macarons. If you’re looking for me, I’ll almost always be outside, usually sitting behind Pardee reading or doing homework in the McKelvy gardens. This year, I’m really excited to get to know all of the new scholars. If you see me, say hi! I’d love to learn more about your interests and chat about bread or public policy! :)

Zihao (Kevin) ding

Hi, my name is Zihao. Feel free to call me Kevin if this is easier for you. I am a Senior double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. I am an international student from Anhui, China. I have joined the McKelvy community since my sophomore year. I am currently the president of the badminton club. Besides the Kirby Sports Center, the court behind the McKelvy House right now is also available for badminton. Please feel free to play there any time you want. Majority of my time on campus is either in my room or in AEC. Please say hi to me when you see me and I am more than happy to discuss anything if I am available.

Onab Falak

Hello everyone! I’m Onab, a senior from Alexandria, Virginia. This is my third year being a part of the house, and I serve as co-president with my quad-bestie and housemate Youmin! I am currently double majoring in Government and Law and International Affairs! My minor will be a surprise to both you and me. I can be very indecisive (but the good kind). I am a staff writer for the newspaper, Senior Interviewer, and coordinator for Kaleidoscope! Oh, did I mention I recently started working with a human rights nonprofit in Geneva, Switzerland? Super excited! Honestly, if you ask me about my study abroad experience, I’ll end up blabbering for too long. In my spare moments, I’m usually journaling in the gardens or arguing with anyone who will listen about some random topic I chose to be passionate about that week. When I am not at home, I’ll either be running around campus regretting how many activities I decided to be involved in or at Mojos drinking my daily iced coffee. I am excited to participate in engaging discussions and foster a community with all the new McKelvy scholars this year!

Youmin Park

Hello everyone! My name is Youmin Park (she/her) and I am a senior chemical engineering major and biotechnology minor local to Queens, NY, Atlanta, GA, Hackensack, NJ, and Seoul, South Korea. This is my third (and last 🙁) year as a scholar, and I currently serve as one of the co-presidents of the House! I am the Head Coordinator for the Engineering Peer Mentoring Program, a Senior Interviewer, Engineering Ambassador, and Writing Associate. Outside of my work, I enjoy cooking new dishes, catching up with friends, and visiting the Wawa on the Hill more often than I’d like to admit. McKelvy is such a special space that engages me intellectually and socially like no other. I am so excited to make more memories with my McKelvyites in and out of the House! I know this year is going to be a good one. Feel free to chat with me about any of my interests, but especially about joining McKelvy. ;)

Abigail Schaus

Hi! I’m Abigail Schaus (she/they), a senior (yikes!) who is starting my third year with the program. Born and raised in Minnesota, I am studying Environmental Studies and Data Science and focus on intersectional topics about food systems and social justice, which is currently culminating in a thesis on guerilla land responses to local food policy. I’ve served as the House’s Community Chair the last two years and have thoroughly enjoyed coordinating events for the scholars to connect outside of discussion. Elsewhere on campus I’m a member of Kaleidoscope Social Justice Peer Educators, a driver for Landis Center for Community Engagement, coordinator of Indigenous Rights Coalition, and a frequenter at all things food and farm. While I don’t live in the house, I still spend time in the gardens, checking out the bugs. I’m so excited to learn alongside so many incredible people and see how the new class of scholars will shape the McKelvy dynamic. If you see me wandering around with a tote bag and wearing overalls, I’m always down to chat!

Jordan Shaibani