Shantel is a first generation immigrant from Ghana. She is passionate about closing gender gaps in STEM fields, global health and advocating for marginalized minorities. Her ultimate goal is to become a doctor and advocate for/work in underprivileged areas. She currently volunteers in Henrico County, teaching adult ESOL classes, tutors and mentors middle school age girls through the Boys and Girls Club and is an advocate for TECHAiDE, a local Ghanaian social enterprise that is working to give Ghanaian girls greater access to schooling. After graduation, Shantel plans on working in Ghana, alongside the Peace Corp, to help build more schools. Shantel is also very active on her campus. She is one of the Chapter Leaders for I Am that Girl, a Resident Assistant in VCU Globe as well as, a Lab Assistant at Student Health. Shantel also sits on various boards on campus, through which she advocates for student concerns. In her spare time, Shantel is working to create her own foundation #WCW- Woman Championing Women, through which she hopes to provide more opportunities for girls to excel academically and in their personal lives. Shantel sincerely believes the first step to empowerment is representation and she hopes that through her various endeavors, people will realize their own potentials. Shantel feels very blessed and grateful to have this opportunity.