“Born in Russia, Roman (He/Him) spent his early childhood surrounded by close-knit family and long summer days that would later become cherished memories. At just three years old, his family moved across the globe to Northwest Ohio in search of new opportunities, but Russia remained a deep part of his life—he returned each summer until he was 11, soaking in language, culture, and the sense of belonging that came from being in two worlds. This dual identity shaped his perspective early on, fostering empathy, adaptability, and a strong sense of curiosity about the people around him.
In Ohio, Roman quickly stood out—not just for his academic success (graduating high school with a near 4.0 GPA), but for the way he made people feel seen and supported. Whether volunteering with Children’s Mentoring Connection or hosting storytimes at the Findlay Public Library, he showed a natural gift for connecting with others, especially kids. Throughout his life, friends, family, and mentors have pointed out his calm presence, intuitive understanding of others, and leadership qualities. From an early age, it was clear: he was a teacher at heart, whether or not he stood in front of a classroom.
That passion led him to Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Education and English, graduating in four years with the tools and theory to match the instinct he’d always had. Since then, he’s served in student support and teaching roles—from coordinating resources for high schoolers at East High School to teaching 8th grade English at West Jordan Middle School. While he’s now preparing to pivot out of the education field, the core of what drives him hasn’t changed: helping others feel confident, capable, and connected.
Now based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Roman shares a life with his girlfriend of five and a half years, and together they fill their time with hiking, kayaking, reading, and running D&D campaigns. He’s also a diehard Lakers and Packers fan, a skilled gamer (with a particular love for Minecraft, Call of Duty, NBA2K, League of Legends, and Madden), and a board game enthusiast who brings strategy and humor to every table. Whether it’s guiding a student through a tough assignment, coordinating a flawless game night, or just exploring a new mountain trail, Roman brings empathy, enthusiasm, and a deep love of connection to everything he does.”