Student Staff

Meet the 2018/19 Civic Engagement Center student workers!  Find out what they excited about and looking forward to this year.


  • Abby Thomsen ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Arts for Social Change (Fall 2018)
    Salt Lake City, UT – Anthropology
    “I’m excited to expand the types of organizations I partner with to encompass the dynamic range of arts for social change.”
  • Salamong Xiong ’20  
    Issue Based Organizer: College Access     (Fall 2018)
    Saint Paul, MN – Physics & Philosophy
    “I’m most excited about working with fellow civic engagement coordinators/issue based organizers. I think it’s gonna be a blast!” 
  • Vicky Vargas-Castro ’21
    Issue Based Organizer: College Access
    Waukegan, IL – Psychology & Educational Studies
    “I’m most excited to get to know everyone in the office. I’ve seen a few people here and there but have never had the pleasure of having a conversation with them. I’m hoping that will change this year!”
  • Makayla Barker ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Economic Justice     (Fall 2018)
    Eau Claire, WI – Political Science & International Studies
    “I’m very excited to meet new volunteers, and explore new volunteer sites in the Twin Cities.”
  • Nita Senesathith ’21
    Issue Based Organizer: Economic Justice     (Spring 2019)
    Vientiane, Laos – Psychology
    “Getting to know CEC staff, Mac volunteers and the Twin Cities community.”
  • Anna Kleven ’21
    Issue Based Organizer: Environment & Sustainability
    Minneapolis, MN – Environmental Studies
    “I am excited to see the full scope of Mac students’ civic engagement and to have my finger on the pulse of environmental NGOs in the area. I’m also can’t wait to resume teaching at CLUES!”
  • Khadidja Ngom ’19
    Issue Based Organizer:     Health & Wellness (FA18)/Immigrants & Refugees (SP19)
    Kaolack, Senegal – Economics & International Studies
    “I am looking forward to exploring new volunteering sites and engaging with volunteers, the CEC staff and larger communities in the Twin-Cities.”
  • Hiywot Tulu ’20
    Issue Based Organizer:     Health & Wellness (Spring 2019)
    Nashville, TN – Neuroscience
    “Engaging and working with different communities in the Twin cities with other Macalester students.”
  • Amelia Gerrard ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Immigrants & Refugees
    Stillwater, MN – English, Literature
    “I am most excited about meeting new people and creating community in the CEC. And also the free food!” 
  • Valeria Bustamante Callejas ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Spanish Language Opportunities
    Quito, Ecuador – Psychology & Educational Studies
    “I am most excited about the opportunity to facilitate access to enriching experiences for the people who want to volunteer within my issue area. I’m also looking forward to working with other people within the CEC, who I know are very cool and inspiring people.”

  • Sarah Chinski ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Youth & Tutoring
    Cedar Rapids, IA –  Astrophysics & Geology
    “Getting to work with more organizations in the cities that I didn’t have a chance to last year, and getting to know all of the new staff!”
  • Ariel Hasak-Lowy ’21
    Issue Based Organizer: Youth & Tutoring
    Evanston, IL –  Art History
    “To learn about new organizations in the twin cities and help students at Mac become involved in our community! ”
  • Margaret Breen ’20
    Issue Based Organizer: Policy & Justice Work
    Minneapolis, MN – Sociology
    “I’m most excited about getting to know all the other CEC workers.” 
  • Ellie Hohulin ’19
    Lives of Commitment Student Coordinator
    Glen Ellyn, IL – Art History
    “New coworkers!”
  • Marlee Yost-Wolff ’19
    Student Coordinator for Reflection
    Lawrence, KS – International Studies
    “I’m excited to spend time with and learn from my coworkers!”
  • Jennifer Arnold ’19
    Bonner Program Assistant
    Waukegan, IL – Computer Science & History Major, Geography minor
    “Bonner10, Bonner dinners, Bonner photoshoots, Bonner discussions, Bonner support, Bonner fam, Bonner.”
  • Varee Saetang ’21
    Bonner Program Assistant
    Atlanta, GA – International Studies
    “Becoming more involved and engaged with communities within the Twin Cities and strengthening the relationship between Macalester and community partners.”
  • Anna Rynearson ’19
    Office Assistant
    Political Science
    “I’m just excited to be in the office and chatting with everyone for my last year at the CEC!”
  • Shireen Zaineb ’20
    Office Assistant (Fall 2018)
    Mequon, WI –  International Studies
    “Working with my coworkers!”
     
  • Tonantzin Cabrera  ’22
    Marketing Assistant
    Chicago, IL – Anthropology & Political Science
    “I’m excited to meet new people and help communities in various ways!”
    .