Drum roll please…Welcome Suzie Bian to Greensboro! Suzie has made her way to the south from living in Chicago for the year and is excited for the change of pace and small town life. She is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied at Northwestern. At Northwestern, she studied Neuroscience and Asian American studies while also being a soccer superstar, tennis whiz, and camp counselor. Suzie loves cats and has one at home named Nermal (normal with an “e”). She also has a younger sister, Thia. Suzie is an amazing chef so look forward to her delicious food at community center programming, and if you’re lucky you might get the opportunity to try a batch of her famous dumplings. In addition to cooking, she has many other talents such as playing the piano and cello and also loves to hike and bike. Three words to describe her are playful, friendly, and adventurous. Suzie can’t wait to meet everyone here in Greensboro and is excited to become part of a new community!
Meet Patty Diaz, a Miami, Florida native who is all heart and lights up every room! A lover of musicals, romance novels, and belting songs at karaoke, Patty is full of fun and energy. With a sweet tooth and a special talent for baking, Patty is especially excited to share her famous carrot cake and flan with the Greensboro community. She hopes to grow her chef skills by learning cozy Southern recipes and cooking the famous Greensboro catfish. At Washington University in St. Louis, Patty studied Cognitive Neuroscience and Anthropology: Global Health & Environment – a perfect fit for someone deeply curious about people, culture, and health. Matching her big heart, she has big dreams of attending medical school. Her perfect day in Greensboro is starting her morning surrounded by friends with a yummy pancake breakfast, enjoying a 3-mile hike, and topping it off with a homey Southern meal. When you see Patty, ask her about fossils and dinosaurs – she is full of fun facts!
Hailing from Falls Church, Virginia, Jack Dunham graduated from Amherst College, where he studied Neuroscience and somehow found time to be co-president of the Alpine Ski Team, play cello in the symphony orchestra, sing bass with Root 9 A cappella, and serve on the board of directors for the campus EMT. He’s currently studying for the MCAT with hopes of attending medical school, and he’s thrilled to spend this year in Greensboro. Jack is an avid outdoorsman who loves swimming, running, climbing, and biking. Some favorite adventures of his have been studying global health abroad in Kenya and going on a safari in Tanzania. He loves photography and videography, especially capturing wildlife and everyday moments with friends. His favorite memory so far in Greensboro has been the July 4th karaoke party on South Street, and he’s looking forward to getting to know as many people in the community.
Coming to Greensboro from the small town of Madbury, New Hampshire, Alana Eisenberg is a neuroscience graduate from the University of Rochester and who is passionate about mental health and serving underserved communities. She’s especially excited to continue her work this year at the local jail and get to know the Greensboro community on a deeper level. Alana is a former gymnast and high school swimmer, and she’s also a devoted dog lover — she has two pups back home, Max and Kenzie, and even fostered dogs in college (shoutout to Dandelion and Ed). A lover of books (The Great Alone and anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid top her list), Alana also has a serious knack for photography. She once traveled to Kruger National Park in South Africa, where she captured elephants, lions, and more through her lens. Around Greensboro, you’re more likely to find her photographing friends, community members, and the Southern scenery — or singing her heart out in the car .Alana is eager to build relationships and become part of the fabric of this community!
Straight from Cheshire, Connecticut (not to be confused with the cat, though he’s got just as big of a grin!), Josh Goldstein is one of the new Fellows here at Project Horseshoe Farm! A neuroscience major from Bowdoin College in Maine, he has traded in lobster rolls for fried okra and is ready for his first time down South (with catfish high on the to-try list)! You’ll spot Josh instantly. He’s the one always smiling, probably mid-frisbee toss or convincing someone to try out swing dancing with him. He backpacked the tallest peak in Maine at 7am, juggles, plays pickleball, and will drop everything to sing “Defying Gravity” at karaoke, because why not belt Broadway at full volume? Josh spent a magical semester in Prague and even took a Sound of Music tour in Austria. As the oldest of three, he’s got big sibling energy, Philly sports loyalty, and an open heart that says yes to just about any new adventure (peer pressure works). We’re so glad he’s here in Greensboro, ready to build community, chase friendships, and maybe teach us all how to juggle while singing “American Pie.”
If you ever happen upon a 6 foot man with a sparkle in his eye walking down Main Street, feel free to introduce yourself to the funny, laidback, and kind Matt Polson! After growing up in sunny Los Angeles, California, Matt went to the Midwest for college, where he set test curves as a General Biology major at University of Michigan. As an avid Wolverines fan, you would have found him at every Michigan football game. He still carries a loyalty to Michigan football (sorry, Alabama fans!), as well as hometown pride for the Lakers, the Dodgers, and the Rams. His love for sports also extends to his everyday life: you’ll be able to find him every week at the pickleball courts or at pickup frisbee. He’s currently applying to medical school, writing all of his essays by typing with only his two index fingers. In his free time, he loves watching movies (favorites are Good Will Hunting and Lion King), eating good food (but not cooking), traveling (he just got back from Thailand and Vietnam), and spending time outside. This year, he’s looking forward to being integrated into the community, meeting everyone, and eating Greensboro catfish!
Keep an eye out for her sky-blue MINI Cooper cruising down Main Street! Originally from Houston, Texas, but now living in Aiken, South Carolina, Jasmine Sampson is used to making a home wherever she is. She recently graduated from Clemson University (go Tigers!) with a degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Public Policy. You can find Jasmine volunteering at the local Extension office every Wednesday, working to support Greensboro’s quality of life. She plans on combining her passion for health and advocacy by becoming a doctor who is specifically engaged in policy. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys baking cookies, painting, and jamming out to rock music. She also loves lounging at the beach and putting her own twist on classic recipes. Over the next year, Jasmine is excited to connect with everyone, learn all about Greensboro’s history, and master a few line dances as she can!
From just around the bend in Shreveport, Louisiana, Bhavani Tivakaran is easily recognized by her ever-present smile. Bhavani studied economics and data science at George Mason University and is currently applying to medical school! In her free time, you may catch Bhavani hiking, playing boardgames, reading historical fiction books, or going for sunrise walks! Bhavani is a masterful violinist as well as a self described Swiftie. She is most excited to share and hear stories from others and to learn about the history of Greensboro. Lastly, included in Bhavani’s bucket list of this year is driving a tractor! Bhavani is excited to bring her passion for healthcare policy to Horseshoe this upcoming year!
Connor Yew
If you see him around town, please say hello—it’s Connor Yew. All the way from Long Beach, California, Connor Yew is experiencing the South for the first time. Moving from a big coastal city to a small rural town has been a big change, but one he’s embracing! Connor graduated from Brown University in Rhode Island, where he studied Neuroscience. During college, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), providing medical care in both routine transports and emergency situations. He started with piano as a kid but has been playing the saxophone for the past 10 years now. His music taste ranges from indie rock like The Strokes to pop icons like Taylor Swift (a nod to growing up with two younger sisters). You can catch Connor playing trivia at The Stable, watching movies, or training for a half marathon. He also loves cooking, especially Korean dishes inspired by his family roots, and would absolutely cook something for you. He may seem calm on the outside, but he enjoys adventure, like skydiving for his 18th birthday! This year, Connor is excited to get to know you and for you to get to know him too.
