Join our Team! Become an Ambassador

Crowd the Tap is not currently recruiting interns or teachers. However, if you are interested in ensuring that your community has access to safe drinking water, feel free to reach out to us for resources!   

Current Ambassadors

The Summer 2023 Shaw University interns are partnering with the Southeastern Wake Adult Day Center to help reach underserved communities in the Raleigh area.   
Gabrielle Henry is from Jamaica, does track and field, and is currently majoring in Exercise Science on the pre-med track. She plans to further her education to become a Physical Therapist or an Orthopedic Doctor. She joined Crowd the Tap because she knows that water is the body's most important source, therefore clean water is essential for that.
Madjiguene Pene is 22 years old and is from Senegal, West Africa. She is a student-athlete on the Basketball team at Shaw University. She’s majoring in computer science and will be working on the stage in May 2025. She looks forward to her future after graduation, planning to be a programmer and also to be a professional basketball player. She joined Crowd the Tap because it interested her to learn about lead piping identification as well as water testing & filtration.
Daniel Mattyasovsky is a student-athlete at Shaw University from England. He plays Soccer but has also been a part of the Cross Country and Track teams in the past. He is majoring in Biology, as the complexity of life fascinated him since a young age, and along with that he likes to help people; with these two qualities, he would like to attend Medical School to further his education.
Matilde Strocchi was born in Italy, moved to London when they were 9, and then to North Carolina at 18 for College. They’re a student-athlete at Shaw University, majoring in Biology, with hopes of going into grad school to study Neuroscience. They are about to start their senior year and plan on graduating in December of 2023 and then to spend the next few months traveling before starting their masters program.

Crowd the Tap also has two other summer interns working on project management and data analysis   

Jesse Barnes (he/him) is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where he earned a B.A. in Biology. He is an A-Surface Water Treatment Facility Certified Operator and has 3+ years of experience working for a municipal public water supply. He has previous experiences in ornithology and stream ecology. Jesse's research interests include endangered species conservation methods, effects and mitigation of habitat loss and fragmentation, watershed protection, urban forestry/wildlife, and citizen science.

Samuel Holdsclaw is a First-Year student at NC State where he is pursuing a B.S. in the Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Human Biology, hoping to pursue medicine after his time at NC State. His hometown is Denver, NC which is a bit north of Charlotte. He hopes to help increase safe water access for North Carolinians. 

Spring 2023 Student Ambassadors

Spring 2023 Ambassadors worked in their hometowns to help people screen their homes for risk of lead contamination. Then, after learning about water resource systems, they collected water samples from selected homes to test for lead contamination.  

Elise Walker is a junior at NC State University. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Entomology and working to obtain a minor in Political Science. After she graduates, she’s interested in going to law school. She enjoys reading, traveling to new places, and going on walks. She also participated in Crowd the Tap as a freshman and found it a fun experience! She can’t wait to help others take part in this citizen science project as well!

Deana Poteat is a freshman at NC State University majoring in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience and minoring in Agroecology. Her career goal is to become a large animal veterinarian and work in the agricultural industry. She serves as an ambassador for Lincoln County, NC. 

John Mark is a junior at NC State. He is majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and minoring in Zoology and Environmental Education. He is excited to get to work with his community through this project to help others understand the importance of water quality.  

Trevor Phelps is a junior majoring in Environmental Science at NC State University. From Greensboro, he has lived in Asheville, High Point, and Tampa. He enjoys most outdoor activities, particularly rock climbing, tennis, and pickleball. Trevor looks forward to applying his classroom knowledge to real-world testing with Crowd the Tap. He plans to pursue a career in Environmental Health after graduation, combining his passion for nature and people's health. 

Tanaka Madenyika is an undergraduate student at North Carolina State University. He is a junior majoring in Bioprocessing Science with a minor in Biomanufacturing. He is passionate about science, technology, and equitable access to clean drinking water.

Samuel Holdsclaw is a First-Year student at NC State where he is pursuing a B.S. in the Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Human Biology, hoping to pursue medicine after his time at NC State. His hometown is Denver, NC which is a bit north of Charlotte. He hopes to help increase safe water access for North Carolinians. 

Jasmine Hayden-Lowe (she/her) is a senior studying Environmental Engineering at NC State University. After graduation, she hopes to work as a water resources engineer. 

Haley Clayborne is a sophomore at NC State University majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. She joined Crowd the Tap because it will allow her to get involved with her local community through citizen science. 

Sophie Chamberlain is a first-year student at NC State University. She’s majoring in criminology with a minor in philosophy and hopes to pursue a career in law. Her hobbies include reading, writing, exploring, and traveling. She is passionate about Crowd the Tap because she believes all people should have access to safe and equal conditions no matter what their circumstances are.

Savanah Buck is from New Bern and is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Biotechnology at NC State. She’s been a member of the State Dance Company for two years. She enjoys public art, second-hand stores, and world history. She wants to pursue a career in sustainability research to improve human relationships with our environment. She's excited to be a part of this project in reaching out to her community.

Nhaturie Atkinson is a sophomore from Greenville, NC. She’s majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work at NC State. Nhaturie has a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community. She’s super excited to work and advocate the importance of drinking safe water!

Keely Aldrich is a sophomore in Natural Resources. She hopes to protect people and their land through public administration and project management. You can find her volunteering at Feed the Pack Food Pantry, working as a water safety instructor for kids, or with her friends at a coffee shop.

Fall 2022 Student Ambassadors

  
Jameliah Pinder is a senior at Shaw University. She wants to go to law school and eventually practice health law. She is part of the Student Government Association and president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She’s interested in learning more about policy issues related to water.
Zaid Steele is a mass media major at Shaw University. They are interested in environmental justice, photography, and writing. They’re also interested in communicating about drinking water quality and related environmental justice issues.

Summer 2022 Student Ambassadors

Thanks to funds from the NC Water Resources Research Council and a partnership with the North Carolina Council of Churches, Crowd the Tap Summer 2022 Ambassadors will focus on screening NC households for risk of lead in water.  
Seana Finn is a recent graduate of Shaw University, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. She plans to further her education in wildlife biology and pursue a career in wildlife conservation. Seana joined the Crowd the Tap because she’s excited to get involved with citizen science and educating the public.
Destini Phifer is an incoming Senior communications major at Montreat College. She loves being creative and solving problems. She desires to represent the black community through the media in a positive light and make a change in the film industry.
Michael Ndombe is a rising Junior at Shaw University. He is majoring in Mass Communications and plans to graduate in 2024. He is very interested in all types of technology and looks forward to what the future holds for him.
Marlon Cruz is heading into his senior year at Shaw University , where he plans to obtain his bachelors in psychology. He just moved to Raleigh from a junior college in Northern California. He plays soccer year round and love meeting good people.
Stephen Bulluck is a sophomore at North Carolina A&T. He is a Biology major applying for the Pre-Med track. He loves working out, playing basketball, and learning all things medical.
Zariah is heading into her junior year at Shaw University where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. She wants to be biology teacher after college.

Spring 2021 Student Ambassadors

Ambassador Brett Russell
Brett Russell is a junior at NC State majoring in Microbial Research in hopes of becoming an immunologist. He is an ambassador for the Cary and Raleigh area.
Ambassador Brian Ngo
Brian Ngo is a third year undergraduate at NC State majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in molecular and cellular development, and a minor in biomanufacturing. He joined the Crowd the Tap team because he wants to work towards safe drinking water for everyone.
Ambassador Caitlyn Bell
Caitlyn Bell is a junior Chemical Engineering Major at NC State. She is interested in sustainability, environmental justice, and science communication. Caitlyn joined the Crowd the Tap team because she wants to play a role in breaking down barriers to accessible clean water.
Ambassador Briany Santos
Briany Santos is a senior at NC State majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Briany is serving as an ambassador for Mecklenburg County.
Ambassador Chandler Parrish
Chandler Parrish is a first year student at NCSU majoring in Sustainable Materials and Technology. She is driven by a passion for effective science communication and far reaching healthy, sustainable practices. Chandler serves as a Crowd the Tap Ambassador for Louisburg, NC.
Ambassador Rebecca Greene
Rebecca Greene is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Science. She serves as an ambassador in Wake, Johnston and Harnett County. With a passion for serving Christ, Rebecca’s goal is to serve her community by raising awareness of risks associated with lead in tap water.
Ambassador Jasmine Hope
Jasmine Hope is a sophomore in Statistics with a minor in Global Health and Environmental Science. She wants to continue on to pursue a Masters in Environmental Statistics post graduation. Jasmine serves as an Ambassador for Nash County, North Carolina.
MacKenzie Ingle
MacKenzie Ingle is a student at NCSU pursuing a dual degree in Paper Science Engineering and Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biomolecular. She loves the outdoors and spending free time with family and friends. She is serving as a Crowd the Tap Ambassador in her hometown of Lincolnton, NC.
Ambassador Daniel Lee
Daniel Lee is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biomanufacturing. He is interested in learning about the pharma co-engineering industry and the different roles chemicals play in the development of various drugs and medicines. Daniel serves as an Ambassador for Raleigh and Fayetteville, NC.
Lauren Willhite is an Environmental Sciences major at NC State University. Her goal is to pursue a career where she can encourage sustainability in urban environments and effectively manage natural resources. She serves as an ambassador for Apex, North Carolina.
Ambassador Evelia DeSantis
Evelia DeSantis is a freshman pursuing a degree in Environmental Sciences. She is the ambassador for New Bern and Trent Woods NC. Evelia is interested in helping her local community through teaching about lead pipe presence.

Fall 2021-Spring 2022 Student Ambassadors

Zariah Ingram is a rising junior at Shaw University. Her major is Biology and African American Studies. One, day, she would love to become a biology teacher. She decided to join Crowd the Tap because she wanted to make a change in the world even if it was one step at a time. Science is her passion. She wanted to have the chance to practice work that is hands-on that could also change the world scientifically.
Aakarshit Mahajan is pursuing an undergraduate degree at Shaw University. He is a sophomore majoring in Business Administration & Management. He is also a part of the men’s tennis team at Shaw. He enjoys reading books, learning new things, traveling, and playing sports. He believes citizen Science is important because it enables people to enhance their scientific literacy in genuinely relevant fields.
Chetna Kumari, is from Gurgaon, India. She is a junior at Shaw University, majoring in Biology and Psychology. She is also a part of the Women’s tennis team at Shaw. She enjoys fitness, traveling, reading memoirs, and writing poetry. She believes citizen science is essential because it is based on the collective strength of communities and the public to understand and solve environmental problems.
My name is Demaris Surratt and am I senior at NCSU. I am majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Wildlife Science, as well as obtaining a minor in Biological Sciences. My hopes for the future are to work in environmental education or environmental advocacy. I enjoy hiking, hanging out with friends and self care. Crowd the Tap has been an amazing opportunity for me and I am always intrigued by the data!
My name is Sarah Rachita and I am a junior at NC State majoring in environmental science with a concentration in hydrotoxicology. I am passionate about the Crowd the Tap program because of the way it connects aspects of water quality research with environmental justice, public health and community engagement.