SWElites
About SWElites
SWElites, pronounced like 'swe-elites,' is a Freshman Leadership Program within the Society of Women Engineers at Texas A&M University. We focus on developing leaders, giving back to our community, and encouraging STEM education through excellence, sisterhood, and integrity.
This exciting program is in its twelfth year, and we are looking for driven and enthusiastic applicants who are ready to step into real leadership roles to kick start their collegiate career at Texas A&M. If you are looking for an outlet where you can make an impact on the community around you as well as improve both leadership and professional skills, this is definitely the place for you.
SWElites Application
Applications open at the beginning of every Fall semester. This is a year-long program available to any freshman!
Contact swelites@swetamu .org for questions/concerns.
SWElites Committees
Professional Development
The Professional Development committee encourages the growth of essential networking and self-marketing skills that are vital in industry through resume and LinkedIn workshops, a mock career fair, and interview practice.
Finance
The Finance committee coordinates fundraising events, encourages fiscal responsibility and fosters the development of essential money management skills that enable members to be financially literate.
Service
The Service committee encourages active community involvement and compassionate leadership through several service and volunteer events such as Big Event, Aggie Replant, and mental health awareness activities.
Engagement
The Engagement committee focuses on connecting SWElites to Big SWE and outside organizations, public relations, and helping SWElites get acquainted with TAMU and its traditions.
Education
The Education committee fosters academic growth by coaching and informing members of opportunities for internships, research, scholarships, and the ETAM process.
Officers
Kathleen Gurning
Howdy! My name is Kathleen Gurning, and I am a junior Civil Engineering major from Los Angeles, CA. My time in SWE-TAMU started during my freshman year as a member of the SWElites Professional Development committee. During my sophomore year, I was an SWElites Education Co-Counselor while participating in the HSC, Socials, & Banquet committees. I am so excited to be a SWElites Co-Chair this school year! In my free time, I enjoy cooking, country dancing, playing piano, reading, and hanging out with my dogs.
Reese Lunkwitz
Howdy! My name is Reese Lunkwitz and I am a junior Architectural Engineering major from Spring, Texas. My freshman year I was a member of the SWElites service committee. This past year, I was a SWElites service committee co-counselor. I am so excited to be SWElites co-chair this year! In my free time I love spending time with family and friends, crafting, and learning new things.
2025-2026 Counselors
Cassidy Brannon
Engagement
Howdy! My name is Cassidy Brannon and I am a sophomore Engineering major from Fort Worth, Texas. I had the pleasure of being in the SWElites Service Committee last year as well as the HSC Design Committee. This year I can't wait to return as an Engagement Co-Counselor! I love all music, my dog, true crime, movies, arts and crafts, reading, and thrifting!
Bella Tedesco
Engagement
Howdy! My name is Bella Tedesco, and I am a sophomore general engineering major from Arlington, TX. I was a member of the SWElites Service committee last year. I’m excited to be a co-counselor for the Engagement committee this year. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, baking, and swimming.
Rishika Sikka
Finance
Howdy! My name is Rishika Sikka and I am a sophomore Computer Science major from Austin, TX. I was a member of the SWElites Education Committee last year, and I am excited to return as a co-counselor for the Finance Committee! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog, listening to music, baking, and binge-watching TV shows. I am looking forward to another great year in SWElites!
Anoohya Rekapalli
Finance
Howdy! My name is Anoohya Rekapalli, and I am a sophomore Chemical Engineering major from Dallas, TX. I was a member of the SWElites Finance Committee last year, and I am so excited to return as a Finance co-counselor! Some of my hobbies include reading, baking, listening to music (Hozier, Lana, Cage the Elephant, etc), building model kits, and traveling. I can't wait to meet y'all!
Riya Patel
Education
Howdy! My name is Riya Patel and I am a sophomore Computer Science major from Dallas, TX. I was a member of the SWElites Professional Development committee last year. I am so excited to return as a co-counselor for the education committee! In my free time, I love to bake, read, and watch movies and shows. Can't wait to meet y'all!
Subashree Ganesan
Education
Hey team!!! I'm Subashree Ganesan and I'm a sophomore Computer Engineering major from Dallas, TX. Last year, I was part of the SWElites Education committee and I'm so excited to return back to the same committee this year! Super full circle I know :') When I'm not at Evans or Zach working, I'm usually on a sweet treat run with my roommates, playing Monopoly with my friends, watching a romcom, or making playlists.
Owoikankeabasi [Ikanke] Itina
Service
Howdy! My name is Owoikankeabasi Itina, but most people call me Ikanke. I am thrilled to be your new Service co-counselor! Getting to know me is easy! Here are some of my favorites: An iced-brown-sugar-chai-latte with cold foam (it’s my go-to), lilies, long nature walks, fantasy books, journaling and thriller movies. Beyond these, I am passionate about leaving an imprint on the world through engineering. I can not wait to meet y’all!
Savannah Godfrey
Service
Hi I'm Savannah! I'm a sophomore chemical engineering major from Cypress, TX. I was a part of PD committee as a freshman, and am so so excited to be a co-counselor for Service this year! When I'm not at SWE you can find me cramming in Evans, exploring a new trail, bouldering at the rec, killing it on the pickleball court, or trying a new recipe! I'm so excited to spend the year with y'all!
Disha Joshi
PD
Howdy! My name is Disha Joshi and I am a sophomore Electrical Engineering major from Katy, Texas! Last year, I was a member of the Finance Committee and I am excited to return as Professional Development co-counselor. I enjoy taking walks, painting, listening to music, and catching up on my favorite shows in my free time!
Nitya Vanapalli
PD
Howdy! My name is Nitya Vanapalli, and I'm a sophomore Chemical Engineering Major from Flower Mound, TX. My time with SWE began last year as a member of the SWElites Socials committee, and this year I'm excited to return as a co-counselor for the Professional Development committee! In my free time, I like to watch movies or shows, take pictures with my digital cameras, make playlists, and read! I look forward to see what we all can accomplish this year!