Ambassadors

Sydney Bayoneto (she/her)

Sydney is a third-year student from Brighton, Michigan, double majoring in International Relations and Comparative Cultures and Politics with minors in French and European Studies. In addition to working as an ambassador, Sydney is a legislative intern for the Michigan House of Representatives. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys attending Spartan Basketball games, hanging out with friends and reading.

Glykeria (Gia) Economopoulos (she/her/hers)

Glykeria, or Gia, is a third-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and Comparative Cultures and Politics, with a minor in Bioethics through the Lyman Briggs College. She is originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (North of the Mackinac Bridge).

During Gia's time at Michigan State, she has participated in Spartan Moot Court Team and currently works in the James Madison Human Rights Lab. She also directs the VIMMSU Blog Team — Michigan State’s fashion program — and works as a tutor for the Student-Athlete Support Services office. Both culturally Greek and involved in Greek life on campus, Gia is the director of social awareness in her sorority, Delta Gamma, and remains connected to other Greek students on campus through the Hellenic Student Association. In her free time, Gia enjoys traveling, reading and going on walks around Michigan State’s campus. She hopes to attend law school and eventually become an attorney with a focus in medical malpractice.   

Lekhana Gogineni (she/her)

Lekhana is a second-year student from Wixom, Michigan. Prior to Madison, Lekhana was an international student in Chennai, India for eight years. In addition to majoring in Social Relations and Policy, Lekhana has minors in Political Economy and Philosophy and Law. Lekhana is the secretary for James Madison College Women of Color (JMCWOC), is a member of Empowering Women in Law, and is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Sorority. When she isn't busy with all ofher extracurriculars and studying, Lekhana enjoys spending time with friends, playing basketball and traveling.

Andrea Guitron-Ortiz

Andrea is a first-year student from Rochester, Michigan. She plans to major is Social Relations and Policy and minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. Andrea is active on campus as she is a member of the following organizations: Latino Leaders in Policy, JMC Women of Color, Freshman Class Council and MSU Swift Squad.

Alissa Hakim (she/her/hers)

Alissa Hakim is a fourth-year student double majoring in Arts and Humanities in the Residential College for Arts and Humanities, or RCAH, and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy in James Madison, with a minor in Muslim Studies. Alissa is a first-generation student born in Lebanon before settling down in Dearborn Heights, MI. She has presented at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum with Sister Circle as a URA and independently. Alissa has taken the community engagement frameworks and applies them to the work she does not only with Sister Circle, but also with the university's student government body Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, and her research endeavors.

Alissa has worked with the Ingham County Court in the Juvenile Risk Assessment Team partnership and hopes to one day pursue a career in public defense, creating reform that focuses on engaging and uplifting community members. Outside of school and work, Alissa loves to draw, cook and make playlists!

Dillon Hall (he/him)

Dillon is a third-year student majoring in Social Relations and Policy and minoring in Classical and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. He is from Livonia, Michigan and belongs to MSU Democrats. He interns with Communities First Inc., a non-profit headquartered in Flint, Michigan. Dillon enjoys soccer, cartography and reading fantasy books. He is very excited about his upcoming study abroad program in Florence and Rome this summer.  

Elizabeth Maciel (she/her)

Elizabeth is a first-year student from Detroit, Michigan. She plans to major in International Relations with minors in Spanish and Latino Studies. Elizabeth is active on campus through various registered student organizations such as JMC Women of Color, Detroit Made, TRIO, MAGIC and more. She enjoys playing sports, helping people and engaging in social issues with her community.

Jhace Metzger 

Jhace Metzger is a second-year student majoring in International Relations. Jhace is also studying minors in German and Arabic for which he plans to be proficient in by the time he graduates in 2026. He is originally from Grandville, Michigan and is excited to take advantage of all the study abroad and research opportunties that JMC and MSU have to offer. In his free time, Jhace loves to go outside as he is a big fan of running, climbing, and playing tennis. Jhace is also involved in MSU's salsa club.

Liam Richichi (he/him/his)

Liam Richichi is a third-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and minoring in Business and Organizational Management. He is interested in the consulting and lobbying field and interns in Lansing at a lobbying firm. Liam also keeps himself busy by working at a restaurant as a server and leading the MSU Democratic Club. In his free time, Liam enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the world of real estate, traveling, and learning new things. As an ambassador this year, Liam hopes to meet as many prospective students as possible and show them all the great parts that James Madison has to offer.  

Claire Smith (she/her/hers)

Claire Smith is a second-year student majoring in Social Relations and Policy and minoring in Educational Studies, Portuguese, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She is a second-generation American with Brazilian heritage who grew up in Metro Detroit. She is involved in JMC Student Senate, Portuguese club, and College Connect at MSU. She works for JMC's Marketing and Communications Department where she contributes to college social media and news. Additionally, she is a research assistant in the College of Education. After college, she hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Higher Education.