American Red Cross at Vanderbilt University

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Board Officers

Executive Board

	President: Melissa Zhu Email: melissa.zhu@vanderbilt.edu Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology Hometown: Houston, TX Interesting fact: My father has a dimple on one side and my mother has a dimple on the other side. As a result, I have two dimples on both sides!! What I love about ARC: With a strong desire to carry out the Red Cross mission, I have been working for this international organization for five years. Life is fragile, but the Red Cross can unite millions of people to provide blood supply and emergency assistance. The more time I spend with the Red Cross, the more I understand the meaning of "Together, we can save a life." This passion of saving lives has driven me to devote all my time and effort to this mission. In high school, I served as a committee chair of American Red Cross Greater Houston Area Youth Service Board. And in college, I have been chosen to be part of the American Red Cross National Youth Council. As President of the Vanderbilt Red Cross, I am very honored and humbled to continue serving the ARC. Please join us, and we can save lives TOGETHER!
	Vice President of Administration: Jake Lockhart Email: jacob.n.lockhart@vanderbilt.edu Major: Chemistry Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana Interesting Fact: I come from a family of 6 children. What I love about ARC: American Red Cross at Vanderbilt is the ONE student group on campus that offers the MOST opportunities to directly and IMMEDIATELY influence the lives of people in medically compromised conditions. American Red Cross is the sole provider of blood to many hospitals throughout the country and the world. ARC's altruistic mission is ubiquitous to the world, offering non-discriminatory care, free mass care training and blood drives, which do not receive enough credibility at Vanderbilt. Specifically, the Red Cross at Vanderbilt is the most exciting and up-and-coming groups that will continue growing and making an impact in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee Valley, but it's international presence will be felt too! This is due in large part to its foundation of an amazing cast of brilliant amd passionate service visionaries. Without the support of Red Cross members and their tireless drive to achieve something larger than life, ARC at Vanderibilt would not be the PREMIER origination it is today.
	Vice President of Community Service: Chisato Nishikawa Email: chisato.nishikawa@vanderbilt.edu Major: Psychology, Pre-Med track Interesting fact: On average, I sleep around 4 hours per night. I have no idea how I am still alive. I also have to put extra spicy hot sauce on every (non-sweet) food, or it just doesn't taste right to me! What I love about ARC: Although many positive things can be said about ARC, I believe that the fundamental idea of �helping those in need� is what draws me to serve the American Red Cross. Not only does ARC provide aid to people in this country, but it reaches out to communities on a global level. This open view of helping all humanity in times of need is an attitude that I believe should be adopted by every single human being. Everyone has the ability to help! I sincerely feel that any action I take with ARC means something to someone somewhere � and that�s a pretty sweet feeling.
	Vice President of Health & Safety Service: Cindy Lin Email: cindy.lin@vanderbilt.edu Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology Hometown: Houston, TX Interesting Fact: I can put on and take out my contacts without touching my eyeballs! What I love about ARC: I love American Red Cross! I started volunteering during high school and Red Cross was my first and only service club that provided various opportunities to give a hand around the area. I am very excited to work with other Red Cross officers to offer many service opportunities this year. I believe compassion should be a part of living life. Every little thing we do can make a change in someone's life!
	Vice President of Public Relations: Brent Curry Email: brent.w.curry@vanderbilt.edu Major: Spanish, Pre-Med track Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas (suburb of Kansas City) Interesting fact: I am a big fan of reality television! What I love about ARC: I feel that ARC is the best exemplification of giving back to the community; giving back to the school community and the surrounding community as well. Both are very important. I am passionate about the goals that ARC aims to achieve. I feel there is no greater joy than helping those you are in need and the satisfaction that comes from that, knowing that you have helped these individuals out. A simply task such as donating blood can make all the difference. I think ARC is a great organization to join because of the strong values and goals it upholds. This is why I encourage others to join the organization and become actively involved. I am most passionate about being a member of the general board of ARC as it allows me to continue serving the Vanderbilt community, the Nashville community, and ARC as I have done previously. This decision to be a member of the general board could not have been an easier decision for me to make, as this position allows me to continue this important work that is so gratifying while at the same time beneficial to others.
	Community Service Chair: Tesniem Shinawi Email: tesniem.f.shinawi@vanderbilt.edu Major: Math, Neuroscience Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN Interesting Fact: I have eight siblings. What I love about ARC: The WONDERFUL people and the amazing service activities that we do!!!!
	Emergency Service Chair: Jinsu Sohn Email: jinsu.sohn@vanderbilt.edu Major: Math, Sociology What I love about ARC: Working for the Red Cross in the past has been such a rewarding experience. You can learn so much about other people through volunteering and Red Cross provides that opportunity. From the menial office tasks to the personal care, it's amazing to know that what you're doing is actually impacting other people. I love how the Red Cross is both a local and global organization. They might be helping the local shelters one day and be at the center of a natural disaster the next.
	Health & Safety Chair: Natalie Christian Email: natalie.christian@vanderbilt.edu What I love about ARC: Not only does the ARC bring communities together on a national and even international scale, but it also provides a strong community network on a local basis. Being involved with the Red Cross allows us to help out own communities while still contributing to humanity on a much larger scale. Most of all, the ARC truly cares about the people it helps, and the enthusiasm for that purpose is contagious to all who become involved. Being a part of the Red Cross lends to a notion of "togetherness." Together we can save a life!
	International Service Chair: Ana Milisavljevic Email: anamilisavljevic@hotmail.com Major: Neuroscience Interesting fact: I tend to have to stop and think when asked for my full name and/or where I am from. What I love about the ARC: The Red Cross has been around for well over a century. The simple and self-explanatory Red Cross emblem is one of the most recognized symbols worldwide. That says something about the work of one organization.

General Board

Positions are in alphabetical order.

	Administrative Assistant: Katherine Bookout Email: katherine.a.bookout@vanderbilt.edu What I love about ARC: ...is knowing that our work here at the Vanderbilt Chapter is helping people locally, nationally, and internationally. I admire the efficiency and productivity of the ARC's mission to save lives and help people in times of disaster. Its also a great way to meet people and unite together to participate in something so much bigger than just our community.
	Executive Assistant: Hanna Chapman Email: hanna.k.chapman@vanderbilt.edu Major: Medicine, Health & Society Minor: Spanish Hometown: Spartanburg,SC What I love about ARC: Melissa Zhu. haha jk that we save lives of course!
	Community Service Assistant: Jessica Chamish Email: jessica.a.chamish@vanderbilt.edu Major: Medicine, Health, Society Hometown: Jericho, New York Interesting Fact: I can touch my tongue to my nose What I love about ARC: ARC is one of the only national organizations that is so recognized, and so prided, on it's ability to touch people locally and globally. My passion for the ARC originates from what this organization does for people in need, and grows even more when people learn through the red cross how important aiding others truly is. The Red Cross offers a community of people willing to do anything and everything necessary to make the world a better place. From blood drives, mass care trainings, to tutoring and babysitting, this willingness and determination to help others does not stop. This passion and determination held by the Red Cross members shows the true meaning of an amazing organization based purely on helping others.
	Fundraising Chair: Nila Manandhar Email: nila.manandhar@vanderbilt.edu Majors: Molecular Biology and MHS Hometown: Columbia, Missouri Interesting fact: I know Nepalese, Newari, French, Hindi, and a little bit of Japanese What I love about ARC: the initiative we take to be first responders in any type of emergency
	Health and Safety Assistant: Alyssa Fesmire Email: alyssa.j.fesmire@vanderbilt.edu Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology Hometown: Cedar Grove, TN Interesting fact: I have a pet llama. What I love about ARC: I love ARC because the organization does all it can to bring a smile to someone�s face during a terrible situation. ARC volunteers are always willing to help any time of day, under any circumstance. That takes a special kind of person, and I am proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people.
	Freshmen Representative: Leah Damesek Email: leah.b.damesek@vanderbilt.edu Major: Public Policy Hometown: Framingham, MA Interesting fact: I LOVE all Boston sports teams! What I love about ARC: I love the group of people that are involved with the Red Cross at Vanderbilt. I have just started my time here but already, they have made me feel a part of something bigger than being a freshman, Vanderbilt student or group member � I feel like I am truly helping to make a difference on a local, national and global level.