Pre-Professional Ambassador Program
One-to-one guidance and support from experienced juniors, seniors and graduate students.
What is the Pre-Professional Ambassador Program?
The Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships (OPPAF) connects first-year, sophomore, and new transfer students interested in professional careers in:
- Dentistry
- Law
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatry
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Veterinary Medicine
Mentorship in action: a Pre-Professional Ambassador and student discuss opportunities and next steps for professional school.
How the Program Helps Students
The program supports students by helping them:
- Navigate campus resources and professional development opportunities
- Build peer relationships with other pre-professional students
- Stay on track academically and personally while exploring law and health careers
This approach ensures that students receive personalized guidance and mentorship while learning about themselves, their skills, and opportunities at Adelphi University.
Ambassador Eligibility
To apply to become a Pre-Professional Ambassador, you must be a rising junior or senior who meets the following criteria:
- Completed at least two academic years (four semesters) at Adelphi
- Pursuing a career in law or the health professions
- Maintain a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA
- Meet with mentees at least once a month
- Previously engaged with the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships
- Willing to communicate with fellow students about topics discussed with mentors and OPPAF staff
- Commit to a one-year term (fall through spring), with the option to continue in subsequent years
- Able to meet with OPPAF staff monthly throughout the academic year
Meet Our 2025-2026 Ambassadors
Major
Criminal Justice
Graduation Year
2025
Contact
peytonderouen@mail.adelphi.edu
Hometown
Southbury, CT
Health Professional Career Interest
Law
Favorite Food
Sushi
Favorite way to relieve stress
Painting
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
My extracurriculars are the Women’s Soccer Team and the Adelphi Undergraduate Law Review. Some of my hobbies are working out, listening to music, and doing random art projects.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
nicoledzhavarov@mail.adelphi.edu
Hometown
Queens, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Dentistry
Favorite Food
Sushi
Favorite way to relieve stress
Go shopping!
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I love to dance and cook!
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
rachelhalpert@mail.adelphi.edu
Hometown
Woodmere, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Dentistry
Favorite Food
Sushi
Favorite way to relieve stress
My favorite way to relieve stress is by taking long walks with my dog.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I am part of the pre-dental club, chemistry club, and the Tri-Beta honor society, as well as a tutor in the learning and writing center. I enjoy playing tennis, chess, and photography.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
komilakhonibrokhim@mail.adelphi.edu
Hometown
Brooklyn, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Dentistry
Favorite Food
Any type of seafood
Favorite way to relieve stress
Meet with friends to explore new places or be by myself and watch my favorite shows.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
At Adelphi I am the president of the Women In STEM club and secretary of the MSA. Outside of school I enjoy baking, ice skating, learning new languages and volunteering as a tutor.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
Hometown
Roslyn, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Dentistry
Favorite Food
Cava bowls
Favorite way to relieve stress
Running and baking
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
On campus, I’m the Vice-President of the Pre-Dental club. Outside of school I love spending time in NYC, visiting different museums and trying out new food!
Major
Molecular Neuroscience
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
Hometown
Maspeth, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Cheeseburger
Favorite way to relieve stress
Listen to music or watch Youtube videos.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Piano, volleyball/basketball, and writing fiction.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
Hometown
Queens, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Veterinary Medicine
Favorite Food
Burgers
Favorite way to relieve stress
Singing along to music in my car
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I’m the treasurer of Women in STEM and my hobbies include: watching basketball and F1, photography, drawing, and baking.
Major
Molecular Neuroscience
Minor
Public Health
Graduation Year
2026
Contact
kearamalazarte@mail.adelphi.edu
Hometown
Jamaica, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Pistachio Croissants
Favorite way to relieve stress
Listening to music and crochet
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I’m on multiple club e-boards, including Global Medical Brigades, Neuroscience Society, and Women in STEM, and I am the Vice President of the Honors College Student Council. In my free time, I love to explore different art mediums such as fiber arts, sculpture, and painting.
Alumni Ambassadors
Major
Cognitive Neuroscience
Minor
Public Health & Policy
Graduation Year
2024
Hometown
Bayside, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Law
Favorite Food
Acai bowls
Favorite way to relieve stress
Taking long walks.
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Emerging Scholars Program, Period Poverty Research in the Political Science Department, cooking new recipes, & going to NY Rangers games.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
Forest Hills, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Physicians Assistant
Favorite Food
Steak
Favorite way to relieve stress
Spending time with family and friends, and watching movies
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Vice-President of the PA club, Co-President of Doctors Without Borders, TA for Physiological Chemistry, going to the gym, and cooking.
Major
Health Sciences
Graduation Year
2026
Hometown
Manlius, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Penne alla vodka
Favorite way to relieve stress
Playing sports or working out
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Volleyball, basketball, tennis, reading, listening to music.
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
Forest Hills, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Pasta
Favorite way to relieve stress
Listening to music and spending time with friends and family
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Doctors Without Borders Co-president, weightlifting, playing piano
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
East Meadow, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Penne alla vodka
Favorite way to relieve stress
Playing ukulele
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I am treasurer of the chemistry club and I am also a member of Dr. Hyatt’s research group. In my free time i have been enjoying learning songs on the guitar, trying out now coffee spots, and journaling!
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
New Hyde Park, New York
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Pizza
Favorite way to relieve stress
Reading
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Volunteering at local fire department, working out, listening to music and singing
Major
Biology
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
New Hyde Park, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Anything sweet 🙂
Favorite way to relieve stress
Baking all kinds of desserts
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Fitness, reading, listening to music
Major
Health Sciences, Biomedical Concentration
Minor
Biology
Graduation Year
2024
Hometown
Manlius, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Favorite way to relieve stress
Taking walks with friends
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
I’m a tutor on campus, a volunteer at the Panther Pantry, and a member of the Honors College.
Major
Neuroscience
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown
Uniondale, NY
Health Professional Career Interest
Medicine
Favorite Food
Korean Food
Favorite way to relieve stress
Listening to music, Getting together with my friends, or Watching Kdramas and/or anime
Extracurricular Activities/Hobbies
Some of my favorite extracurricular activities is being President of Neuroscience Society and Peer Mentor of Bridges to Adelphi Program. Some hobbies I have are swimming, learning Korean, and exploring new cafes.
Connecting with an Ambassador
As a student paired with a Pre-Professional Ambassador, you agree to the following commitments:
- Communicate regularly with your ambassador
- Meet at least once per month, either virtually or in person on Adelphi’s campus
- Submit a Program Evaluation once per semester
- Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with your ambassador
These commitments help ensure a productive and meaningful mentorship experience, supporting both your academic and professional growth.
Become a Pre-Professional Ambassador
Ambassador Program Contacts
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Contact-
Nexus Building 147
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Contact
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516.877.3201
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Nexus Building 129