Position

Student

Office Assistant

Stephanie Enwright is from New Ulm, Minnesota. As an incoming sophomore, Stephanie is undecided on her major.

I've been involved in the CEC with the Reading Buddy program at Linwood Elementary, Read Across America Day, and the blood drive at Macalester. I am very interested in civic engagement and would like to try new volunteer opportunities.

I'm excited for the retreat and to meet the other people I'll be working with.

Office Assistant

Rayanatou Laouali is from Niamey, Niger,andwill be majoring inbiology and is interested in pre-med.

I first learned about the CEC during the orientation week in my first year. One thing that I like the most is the volunteering opportunities that it gives to students to work with NGOs in diverse plans. Myself, I volunteered twice: the first with the group going to Tubman Family Alliance and the second time at center where young students are helped with home work.

In short I look forward to work at the CEC and have more learn more, help more and have fun.

Marketing Assistant

Sasha Indarte is a first-year from Minneapolis. She is interested in majoring in economics for sure and is also thinking about a major in psychology.

I'm mostly looking forward to meeting many new people and living somewhere new.

Issue Based Organizer.
College Access

Sue Xiong began working with the Civic Engagement Center as a first-year in 2006/07. Sue is from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and is majoring in psychology.

My interest in college access stemmed from my personal experience as a first generation, low-income student of color. I’ve been through the college application process and know how difficult it is to navigate without help from my parents. I want to help all students recognize that college isn't an impossible dream and that they can and should achieve their dreams despite financial and cultural barriers.

For this academic year, I’m hoping to recruit more men to Opportunities Abound and to engage the Macalester community on issues of educational disparities. I look forward to all the campus visits and would love to talk to anyone who’s interested in this issue.

Issue Based Organizer.
Economic Justice

Shelle Shimizu is from Mililani, Hawaii, and she is a political science major.

My interest in economic justice stems from growing up in Hawaii where there is a serious homelessness problem. I have worked with the Institute for Human Services, The Family Place, and the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.

I am especially interested in focusing on creating a strong student coalition to unite students around Minnesota in their endeavors to end homelessness.

Issue Based Organizer.
Environment and Sustainability

Julia Tyler is from Genesee Depot, Wisconsin. Her major is religious studies.

I want to focus on sustainability through food. I'm interested in food sustainability in an individual both physically and emotionally, and sustainability through food globally through agriculture.

I've also worked on phthalates and bisphenol A Minnesota legislative policy with MPIRG, helped with enviro ed at rondo elementary, and lead wilderness trips with Outing Club, and I'd like to see these all grow and develop as well.

Issue Based Organizer.
Global Opportunities

Maria Princen is from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her majors are geology and political science.

Upon return from study abroad in Tanzania, I was more eager than ever to include parts of Africa and the world in my life at Macalester. The Global Opportunities position will provide just that: involvement with different cultures and communities right here in the Twin Cities- the diversity of the world right at our fingertips!

Issue Based Organizer. Health and Wellness

This is MaryBeth Grewe's third year working with the Civic Engagement Center. MaryBeth is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and her major is anthropology.

I'm really interested in health care and public health issues, and I'm very excited to be working in this area in CEC again this year! As an issue based organizer, I've worked with volunteer groups at Open Arms of Minnesota and with creating health education classes for senior citizens. I've also been involved with initiatives on campus such as Mental Health Awareness Week and with Face AIDS.

This year I'm hoping to develop more partnerships with area organizations working with health, particularly in the public health sector. I'm also hoping to collaborate with other groups, clubs and individuals on campus to discover ways health and other various issues are connected and how we can work together.

Issue Based Organizer. Immigrants and Refugees

Heidi Evans is from Bowling Green, Ohio. Her major is Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development.

I first got involved with immigrant and refugee issues through the Youth Farm and Market Project, which works with Latin American and Somali youth in the Lyndale and Powderhorn neighborhoods, and an internship with the District 1 Community Council in St. Paul which focused on "food justice" (access to healthy and culturally appropriate food options).

This year, I am excited about continuing to work on environmental and social justice for immigrants and refugees, especially in areas such as access to healthy food, health care, and community-building resources.

Issue Based Organizer. Public Policy

Robert Hemphill is from Park Ridge, Illinois, and his majors are political science and environmental studies.

I have had an interest in policy and solutions for a long time. Growing up, I loved talking with people about ideas and having debates. As I entered Macalester, I was presented with opportunities to promote ideas and start making a difference; it wasn't just talking anymore!

While working for the CEC this year, I hope to help others find opportunities to make their own difference, at the same time promoting grassroots lobbying and smart networking to help future generations of young people put into effect the solutions they know and dream of.

Issue Based Organizer. Women and Gender

Linda Nguyen is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and her majors are Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and American Studies.

Issue Based Organizer. Youth and Tutoring

Holly Vander Schaaf is from Portland, Oregon. Her major is international studies. This is her second year in this coordinator position.

I like my job because I am a fan of public education and believe that kids deserve adults in their life that empower them.

Last year I helped organize groups at the Division of Indian Work´s afterschool program, Linwood Reading Buddies, as well as one at West 7th Community Center´s afterschool program. Additionally, my freshman year I volunteered on my own with the AVID program at Ramsey Middle School and at the afterschool program at Urban Ventures.

I am really looking forward to continuing to develop these already existing partnerships as well as starting a few new ones.

Program Coordinator, Bonner Scholars Program

Kayla Richards is from Rapid City, South Dakota, and her majors are psychology and sociology.

My interest in the Bonner Scholars program has stemmed from my experience as a first-year at Macalester College. As a first generation student who comes from a low socio-economic background, I realize that there are many challenges facing incoming freshman in general, but specifically those whose experiences are similar to mine.

Education is extremely important and can be the, "saving grace" if you will for many at-risk youth. It is my hope that this year I will be able to be an accountable liason between Bonner Scholars and the Macalester campus providing a space for constructive dialogue to take place between professors and students.

Program Coordinator, Lilly Lives of Commitment (LOC) Program

Brett Srader is from Oak Grove, Missouri. His majors are international studies and geography.

As I First-Year I participated in LOC and volunteered at Neighborhood House teaching English and GED classes. I enjoyed my time in the program so much that I have decided to return as the LOC Student Coordinator.

I am excited to return to the program this year and I hope to make it a memorable one. We have a great group of 35 first-years and six sophomore leaders this year and I am excited for all the small-group discussions, good food, amazing memories, and unforgettable volunteering to come!