Community Fellows

Jada Copeland (she/hers)

I am multiracial, cisgender Black woman and a first-generation college/graduate student. Currently, I am a second year in the Social Psychology PhD program. Prior to becoming a Tufts Jumbo, I studied psychology and minored in sociology at William & Mary in Virginia. 

My main interests include understanding and finding ways to dismantle the presence of systemic marginalization in higher education and the services/opportunities provided by these institutions. I also seek to create community by acknowledging how our intersectional identities impact our everyday lives. My personal experiences have guided these interests, and I hope to provide a safe space that acknowledges all our experiences as valid.

My personal interests include reading, cooking, playing video games, watching movies, knitting, and so much more! I am a huge fan of binge-watching shows on Netflix, especially Bridgeton, Grey’s Anatomy, and pretty much anything Shonda Rhimes creates. I am also that person who will watch a movie/show and then buy the book to compare.

Kayden Kelley

I graduated from Tufts University in May of 2022 and am now working towards my MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning in the UEP Combined Degree Program. I have lived in Massachusetts my entire life and with that in mind I hope to some day improve quality of life for urban suburban and rural residents. 

Being outdoors is something that I have had the privilege of enjoying since a very young age which is not afforded to many people who look like me. With this in mind, I began researching what kind of restraints, be it societal or financial, have historically stopped minorities from participating in outdoor recreational activities. I hope to continue this work and find practical solutions to get underrepresented communities engaged in both outdoor fun and climate activism. 

In my free time I like to listen to podcasts, play video games with friends, hit the gym, and play basketball. I have also found a new love for audiobooks having recently listened to some George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway, and Sun Tzu. 

Ariel "Ari" Valdes (she/they/ella)

I am a queer, Latinx POC born and raised in Massachusetts. I am a first-generation college student and the first person in my family lineage to be enrolled in a master's degree program. Currently, I'm into my second year of wrapping up my graduate degree in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership. Previously, I worked for a couple of Boston-based nonprofits, including The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (Jane Doe Inc.). 

I am interested in community building, conflict resolution, inclusion, accessibility, economic justice and restorative justice. I enjoy geeking out about accessibility technology, facilitation tools, interactive media, and game mechanics. I love arts and crafts (painting, crocheting, jewelry making, etc.), video and board games, narrative storytelling, weightlifting, and watching movies. My favorite book genres include magical realism, sci-fi, and afro-futurism, and some of my favorite reads have been Wounded Little Gods by Eliza Victoria, What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah, and Octavia's Brood edited by adrienne maree brown and walidah imarisha. 

Mina Lan Yi (She/her/hers)

I am a current student in the Mathematics MS program. Before coming to Tufts, I graduated from the State University of New York in Stony Brook, double majored in Mathematics, and Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and minored in Japanese.

I was born and raised in a multicultural family with Han Chinese, Mongolian, Daurian, Buryat, and Cantonese. I am interested in supporting women in science, increasing multicultural understanding, and broadening the participation of underrepresented groups. Back at Stony Brook University, I worked as captain of the International Student Ambassador to assist international students’ cultural adjustment, and promote their engagement and success. I was a fellow of the Tufts GLIDE program from 2021-2022 to enhance the support system for graduate international students.

I am outgoing and compassionate. I grew up in Khorchin and Hulunbuir grassland, so I respect nature. I love playing piano, flute, and piccolo; and I’m always passionate about learning more musical instruments.

Two master’s candidates work to build an inclusive community for students of color and underrepresented students at GSAS

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