Matthew Hua (C’22)┃He/Him/His┃Government ABSO Chair What social justice issue are you passionate about? I am extremely passionate about medical and disability justice. As someone who has many medical issues, I know first-hand the challenges of undergoing constant treatment and ensuring that you have the resources needed to stay healthy and maintain a positive attitude. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? My favorite part about ABSO is the exchange of ideas between ABSO Advisors and Club Leaders! Every week Advisors and Leaders are learning new ways to design programs that serve the various missions of their clubs and every idea is strengthened by this exchange.
Carlos Carcamo (MSB’23) | He/Him/His | International Political Economy and Business, Finance ABSO Treasurer What social justice issue are you passionate about? Immigration, Housing Inequality, and Food Equity. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? I enjoy working with an amazing group of people interested in various social justice issues that work extensively in our communities to create and promote impact.
Kathy Martinez (C’23)┃She/Her/Hers┃Economics and Psychology ABSO Secretary What social justice issue are you passionate about? Educational equity and workers’ rights. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? Getting to know the smart and hardworking people on ABSO who are passionate about advancing the work of the social justice organizations on campus.
Brianna Rodgers (C’22)┃She/Her/Hers, They/Them/Theirs┃Economics & Theology What social justice issue are you passionate about? Housing justice and income equality. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? I enjoy having the opportunity to work with groups who are under New Club Development. The fact that each semester ABSO gets between 2-4 clubs is a testament to the fact that more work still needs to be done to further social justice in a variety of different areas. Helping these groups do just that has been the most rewarding part of my experience so far.
Deeptha Bejugam (COL’23) | She/Her/Hers | Math What are your social justice passions? Health equity and educational justice Why did you join ABSO? I joined ABSO to better understand and support the social justice work at Georgetown. I wanted to work alongside students and organizations passionate about creating positive and sustainable change in their communities and have the opportuniety to learn from them too.
Eric Clarke (COL’23) What are your social justice passions? Education equity and income equality. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? I enjoy the ability to have a birds-eye view of the social justice work that student organizations are doing. It acts as a reminder that students are actively engaging the community in a range of capacities. It’s also amazing because it allows me to provide feedback on programming by relying on my lived experiences or knowledge on various topics. While it’s amazing to see the work that students at the university do, it’s also amazing to help them refine their strategies for community engagement.
Paul Aversa (COL’25) What are your social justice passions? I’m passionate about the rights of children, as well as the mitigation of plastic pollution. There are far too many children in this world that lack education and are being put to work in unsafe labor conditions, particularly those in emerging economies that are women. This is an intersectional issue. In terms of plastic pollution, I feel as if it is one of the more neglected side effects of climate change— it is indubitably related. Plastic production is directly linked with fossil fuel consumption and promotes the corporate and social culture that encourages negative sustainability. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? I love the community that I have come to meet within ABSO. Everyone is very forthcoming to new ideas and welcoming to a diverse community. I especially appreciate how within meetings, even though we share diverging opinions, people will mute themselves or pause their thoughts so others can communicate what they have to say. I’ve always been encouraged to work harder and better myself, which I’m especially appreciative of.
Genesis Ramirez (COL’25) What are your social justice passions? Immigration/Immigrant Rights, Gender Equality, and Human Rights. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? Being a part of the ABSO board is incredibly fulfilling because I feel like we have insight to all the incredible work the dozens of social justice groups on campus do. Although we may not be in the clubs ourselves, it’s amazing to help student leaders feel more confident so that their clubs can reach greater audiences and help more people. Hearing of all the inspiring ideas that our clubs have gives me hope that Georgetown students are committed to evoking change and helping their communities.
Cade Spencer (COL’25) What are your social justice passions? Educational equality and environmental justice. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? As a student board that advises student-run organizations, ABSO is an empowering organization with impactful directors and professional advisors that work to genuinely inspire a love of and confidence in social justice work amongst the Georgetown community. I am excited and grateful to work alongside a team that fosters genuine, beneficial, and sustainable service efforts in Georgetown and the surrounding community.
Sophia van der Laan (SFS’23) What are your social justice passions? Education and environmental justice. What do you enjoy most about serving on ABSO? I’ve really enjoyed cultivating relationships with student organizations and learning about the local communities they serve, as well as providing feedback and working together to program and channel all their hard work and passion into tangible results.
Staff Members
Franchesca Rybar What are your social justice passions? I’m very passionate about access to information: education, digital equity, decision-making skills. What do you enjoy most about ABSO? I really enjoy listening to how the students hold discussions and make decisions as an entity. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from them and with them as we work to support students passionate about social justice work and promote mindful service.
Blaythe Ayala What are your social justicepassions? Supporting survivors of sexual assault, Educational Justice, and Housing Justice. What do you enjoy most about ABSO? Being the ABSO Staff Advisor gives me the opportunity to build relationships with students who are passionate about social justice. It is wonderful to see ABSO come together to talk about issues impacting our community and develop policies that support groups on campus trying to make a difference.
