Raja is a Ph.D. candidate in Mass Communication at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and passionate about both teaching and research. Serving as an Instructor of Record for the past three years, he has designed and taught both skill-based and theoretical journalism courses with a commitment to create inclusive and engaging classrooms. His research focuses on hate speech and media law education, and addresses how inclusive pedagogy can help attain equity, diversity, and social justice. He has presented his works at international conferences including The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) and World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC). Beyond the classroom, he is deeply committed to fostering community, mentoring peers, and supporting international graduate students in navigating U.S. classrooms. He brings warmth, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit to the BELONGS Fellowship, with a goal of strengthening peer networks, supporting new instructors, and helping everyone feel a sense of belonging at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University.
BELONGS Graduate Fellows
Meet the 2025-2026 BELONGS Fellows!
Mallory is a second-year Literary History PhD student in the English department. She is an instructor of record for ENG 1510. Originally from Westerville, OH, Mallory earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Women’s & Gender Studies at the University of Dayton and her master’s degree in English Literature and Publishing at DePaul University. During her master's program she worked as associate editor of Poetry East, helping to create six editions of the journal. This summer, she traveled to England where she gave a paper at the International Conference on Virginia Woolf. Her focus is in 20th/21st century literature, specifically contemporary romance novels. Other scholarly interests include pop culture, foreign languages and translation, publishing industry practices, and women writers. In her free time, Mallory enjoys reading, running, watching football and baseball, and going to trivia with friends.
Damilola Abigael Ayorinde is a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology and Interdisciplinary Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University. She holds a BSc in Plant Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria with research in medicinal plants. She went ahead to serve as a graduate assistant at Kogi State University, Nigeria. As a graduate student, Damilola's research elucidates the molecular mechanisms of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) under the mentorship of Dr Allan Showalter. She has presented her work at prestigious conferences, including the International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology and the American Society of Plant Biologists, earning multiple awards for her posters and expos. Damilola is an active member of ASPB, BSA, and NQPI, and contributes to science education through teaching, judging science fairs, and symposium planning. She enjoys traveling to explore new places, spending time with friends, movies and mentoring others.
I'm currently pursuing my MSJ (second year) and I'm from Liberty township Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (suburb just outside of Cincinnati). I got my BFA from University of Cincinnati in Media production with a minor in marketing. Post college, I worked at WCPO, Scripps' flagship station, for two and a half years. There, I directed newscasts and created content for other shows (including Lifestyle and sports content). Since coming to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ U, I've had the opportunity to try a lot of new avenues of journalism/communication. I currently serve as one of the creative directors for Next, a student-run ad agency on campus, write for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Today and (attempt to) keep up with coursework. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunities I've been given here and I hope to provide others the resources and support to do the same!
BELONGS Fellow Key Responsibilities
Community Building
- Provide peer-led guidance, build community, and share resources
- Plan and facilitate (with logistical support from Graduate College) two community building events for all graduate students each semester
- Assist with collection of survey and focus group data to assess graduate student support needs
- Collaborate with units (e.g., ISSS, Career Services, Counseling and Psychological Services) to offer monthly one-hour ‘lunch & learn’ discussions to assist graduate students in navigating academic and cultural transitions (topics could include: academic expectations of Graduate School, getting to know Athens & Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, managing time and stress, resources for families, overview of OHIO resources, communicating effectively with mentors, career planning)
- Strengthen connections to OU and Athens for graduate students with specialized needs (e.g., international, first-generation, caregivers, those on the academic job market)
Pedagogical Training & Mentoring
- Collaborate with CTLA and Graduate College to support Graduate Student Instructor Academy (GSI)
- Facilitate graduate student mentoring groups with partnering faculty member, meet with 4-6 groups monthly for one hour
- Co-plan GSI sessions (e.g., inform session topics, locate, share resources)
- Co-facilitate GSI sessions on effective teaching strategies
- Provide feedback on teaching and/or teaching products of GSI Academy
Professional Development
- Publicize Graduate College events and professional development with goal of increasing in-person attendance
- Co-lead professional development sessions with Graduate College
- Inform new directions for professional development
- Participate in orientation activities to welcome new students and introduce resources
- Serve on a student panel at Graduate Student Orientation and facilitate breakout sessions
- Revise online orientation modules
- Provide graduate student perspective in orientation planning