Executive Board

The MFCNS Student Executive Board works closely with the Director, creating and implementing social and professional development programming for the entire membership.  Any member can apply to serve and, if selected, would take on this leadership position for the entirety of the academic year.  Applications for new members typically occurs during the Spring semester.

Esunge Ntiege

Hello! My name is Esunge Ntiege, and I'm a senior studying Biology and Society in CALS. I currently work as a supervisor at Rusty's Café. In my free time, I enjoy reading, bowling, watching reality TV with friends, cooking, and catching up on sleep.

One of my favorite aspects of Meinig is the Executive Mentorship Program, which I've had the privilege of participating in. This experience makes me especially excited to be on the e-board, as I'll have the opportunity to contribute to the Executive Program and plan events that foster meaningful connections and growth. I'm looking forward to a productive and impactful year!

Sophia Trapani 

Hello! My name is Sophia, and I am from New York City. I am so excited to be your Meinig Family Executive Mentoring Coordinator for the 2025-26 academic year! A little bit about me: I’m a junior majoring in Biology and Society in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, particularly interested in the intersections between medicine, law, and global health. On campus, I spend my time playing for the Women’s Club Rugby Team as well as being an avid member of the Cornell Speech Team. When I’m not on the field or competing in tournaments across the country, you can find me on a hike or in the kitchen (I make a killer pastitsio).

As a member of Meinig’s executive board, I’ve had the honor of connecting students with the opportunities that encourage growth as both individuals and strong leaders in their communities. I can say in earnest that my involvement with the Meinig Family Scholars has been one of the most meaningful parts of my Cornell experience and I am looking forward to continuing to work with students and faculty involved in the program!

Aryan Rajput

Hi! My name is Aryan, and I am a junior from the Washington, DC area studying Human Biology, Health, and Society, while pursuing a minor in Health Policy. I am most interested in learning about the tangible ways that societal systems and structures affect our health. I am involved with several clubs on campus, including the Prison Reform and Education Project, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, and Cornell Minds Matter. In my free time, I enjoy bouldering and road tripping.

I am grateful to the Meinig program for the opportunities it has given me to learn new perspectives and gain new experiences, whether it is through my peers or experienced leaders on campus. As a member of the Executive Board, I hope to help scholars learn the skills that will help them to be leaders through service in their communities. I am excited to spend more time with all of you and create meaningful memories! 

 Rayanna Northgrave

Hello! My name is Rayanna Northgrave. I am currently a junior in CALS studying Food Science. I am from sunny Southern California. I am deeply passionate about all things food. I went to culinary school for four years and fell in love with the art behind the things we eat. I enjoy learning about sustainability and ways we can grow the food industry while keeping the world a clean place. One of the best things about being a part of the Meinig Scholars is the fact that every person is passionate about something different. I have learned numerous new things just from my fellow peers. I look forward each year to being a Meinig because there are always new opportunities to grow, network, and become a well-rounded person. I hope that I can offer a helping hand to any dedicated student who is looking for opportunities to expand their leadership skills.    

Cooper Schwartz

Hello! My name is Cooper Schwartz and I am a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Information Science with a concentration in Data Science. I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and have enjoyed finding community at Cornell. On campus, I am Vice President of Cornell Technology Consulting, play in a local hockey league, and spend a lot of time enjoying pickleball and ping pong with friends.

Being a Meinig Scholar has been one of the most impactful parts of my Cornell experience. It has connected me with driven people and given me the opportunity to be part of the Executive Mentoring Program, where I’ve learned a lot about leadership through real, honest conversations with campus leaders. I’m especially excited to create programming for Meinig Scholars that is not only meaningful, but also welcoming and genuinely fun, so that members feel more connected to one another and to the broader Cornell community.

Grace Chen

Hi! My name is Grace, and I’m a sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio, majoring in Biometry and Statistics on the pre-med track. On campus, I’m involved with Cornell iGEM, where we use synthetic biology to solve real world problems. This semester, we are focused on a space-based project transforming toxic Martian regolith into farmable soil. As a member of the Policy and Practices subteam, I explore the social and ethical implications of our project. I also conduct research at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, where I study how vocal behavior in endangered species changes in response to human activity. In my free time, I love exploring the outdoors late at night (because everything feels more mysterious) and dabbling in art. 

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the Meinig Scholars community. It’s pushed me to think more deeply about what it takes to lead with purpose, and how to build meaningful change. As a member of the Executive Board, I hope to help create a space where scholars can grow, connect, and lead in their own unique ways.

Samuel Indermaur

Hi! My name is Sam Indermaur, and I am a junior studying Industrial and Labor Relations from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am passionate about labor rights and studying the causes of and potential solutions to wealth inequality in the United States. I am involved in several on-campus clubs, including the undergraduate Moot Court, the Prison Reform Education Project, and as a Botanic Gardens Ambassador. I also serve as a research assistant at The Worker Institute. More often than not, however, you can find me cooped up in the halls of Ives late into the night. The Meinig Scholars program has afforded me numerous opportunities—my absolute favorite being Executive Mentoring. I am thrilled to be part of the Executive Board because I have the opportunity to serve a program that has given me so much. I look forward to deepening my connections with past, current, and future Meinigs!