The Multicultural Empowered Women Student Association (MEWSA) was born after the 2025 International Festival at SIU, where women from different countries came together to celebrate through dance, share stories, and recognize one another. That moment showed us the strength we hold as women and the need for spaces of solidarity, empathy, and support. (Acknowledgements and thanks to the dancers: Shruti Rao, Vanessa Calpa, María Fernanda Ortega, María del Mar Añasco, Gisell Chapal, Suvechha Dhakal, Saba Raissian, Tatiana Castillo).In March 2025, International Women’s Month, we carried out the Multicultural Women Round Table, our first listening circle, which reaffirmed the importance of a platform where women can advocate for their needs and show their leadership. From these experiences, MEWSA was founded, and we are proud to begin this journey in Fall 2026.
Special recognition to Tatiana Castillo (Colombia), Shruti Rao (India), Mehak Saeed (Pakistan), Adeshewa Ibrahim (Nigeria), Prashna Prasai (Nepal), for starting this initiative with the support of Tina Sickinger (USA) and Elaine Conrade (USA).
All women and female-identifying students are welcome to join us in building a community of empowerment and sorority. May MEWSA grow as a seed that gives many fruits in the years ahead.
Meet our first Board Members for Fall 2025 – Spring 2026:
Tatiana Castillo /President/
I am an international student from Pasto, Colombia, a city on the border with Ecuador and home to the Volcano Urkunina that in native language means “mountain of fire.” Growing up surrounded by Indigenous culture and ancestral traditions taught me to honor diversity, community, and resilience. I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work at SIUC, building on my background as a journalist and social advocate.
My leadership journey began with Latin American Student Association and the International Student Council, and today I feel honored to serve as president of the Multicultural Empowered Women Student Association (MEWSA). This role allows me to create and promote a platform where women from diverse backgrounds can grow, support one another, and build sorority while navigating life as international students. Guided by a feminist perspective, I strive to open opportunities rooted in compassion, solidarity, and social justice. I believe women are strong enough to succeed; what we need are the right actions to remove barriers and guarantee equal opportunities for all.
Priyanka Subedi /Vice-president/Priyanka Subedi is a Master of Science student in Forestry at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, originally from Nepal. She currently serves as Vice President of the Multicultural Empowered Women Student Association, where she is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, leadership, and empowerment among women from diverse backgrounds. Her academic journey focuses on forestry, community participation, and climate change resilience, reflecting her commitment to both people and the environment. Priyanka also has a deep personal interest in writing poems and stories, engaging with communities, and building meaningful networks. She values the power of collaboration and cultural exchange as tools for creating opportunities and empowering women globally.
Anahit Amiri /Secretary/
‘Born under the sun of Shiraz, Iran, Anahit moved to France in high school, earned a bachelor’s at Aix-Marseille University in Marseille, and a master’s in cognitive neurosciences at Sorbonne University in Paris. Drawn to animal behavior and the wild world, she crossed the ocean to begin a PhD in wildlife biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. There, her research maps the living web of the grassland community, from insects to snakes to mammals, seeking to disentangle the mechanisms of grassland bird decline and guide future conservation actions. She believes that empathy and an understanding of how disciplines and cultures connect can set the world on a better course.
A cheerful conspirator with possibility, she insists that even the never-done can be done, and that imagination is the most essential tool for change.’
Prashna Prasai /Treasurer/
Prashna Prasai is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health care management at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with plans to transition into Nursing to advance her career as a registered nurse in the United States. Originally from Nepal, she serves as Treasurer of the Multicultural Empowered Women Student Association (MEWSA) here at SIUC, where she actively promotes women’s empowerment and fosters collaboration among women from diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to her academic and leadership commitments, she has a personal interest in cooking, exploring new cultures, and engaging with her community.
Alliah Bombays /Media Officer/
I am Alliah Evangelista Bombais, hailing from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, the Philippines. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I serve as an ambassador of the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics (CoECTM) as the head of the Social Media committee.
I am very interested in Web Development and AR/VR. Aside from learning programming languages, I also enjoy studying spoken languages. I am fluent in Tagalog and English, hold an N5 in Japanese, and am at an A2 beginner level in Portuguese. This passion for languages has led me to appreciate different cultures, giving me a wider perspective and a bigger picture of the world. I believe that continuous learning, whether through technology or cultures, opens doors to endless possibilities and empowers us to make a meaningful impact.
Mehak Saeed /Leader of the Bridges of Faith Committee/
My name is Mehak Saeed, and I am pursuing a Master’s in Health Administration and Health Informatics at SIU. I am originally from Pakistan and proudly serve as a Leader of the Bridges of Faith Committee, where I am passionate about building interfaith connections and fostering understanding among diverse communities.
Something fun about me is that I love cooking spicy food and live by the motto “Nothing is impossible.”
Shruti Rao /Team Engagement Leader/
Shruti Rao is an international student from Bangalore, India. A puppeteer, artist, and filmmaker, she is in her final year of the MFA program in Communications and Media Arts at SIU. She returned to graduate school after nearly a decade working in Mumbai’s media industry and later in Bangalore’s arts and museum sector. Her practice is driven by a passion for community and explores the intersections of food, art, and performance. Through the Multicultural Empowered Women’s Student Association, Shruti is interested in creating spaces of solidarity, care, and rest for international female scholars, fostering deeper community and support while reflecting on the challenges of immigrant student life in Carbondale. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the hiking trails and lakes around Carbondale and is known for whipping up a mean shrimp coconut curry.
Adeshewa Ibrahim/Social Media Manager/
Mail: adeshewaoluwasen.ibrahim@siu.edu
I’m a Political Science Ph.D student at SIU. My field major lies within Comparative Politics and minor in International Relations. Content Creator and Social Media Editor. “Having the opportunity to connect with the international students at SIU prompted me to join the different student organizations on campus.
Promoting diversity, productive connections, participation and a sense of belonging also led me to the SIU International Student Council.
I am open to serving, supporting and representing international students. I am from Nigeria a major country in Africa and I look forward to sharing with the university community my experience and skills as an ISC media officer.”
Link:
https://www.instagram.com/mewsa.siuc?igsh=dHMycmU5cjdvZGxt
https://www.instagram.com/mewsa.siuc?
