Chuck Green Fellows, 2025

Each summer, a dozen Macalester students step off campus and into their communities–not just to learn, but to lead. From presenting community healing workshops to designing youth art programs, the 2025 Chuck Green fellows engaged in public policy work across the Twin Cities, turning their ideas into action.

The experience begins in the spring, when a cohort of sophomores and juniors participate in a semester-long political science seminar focused on addressing complex community-based issues. During the summer, fellows then receive a stipend to work full-time at a local nonprofit or community organization. Acting as consultants – not interns – they work alongside their partner organizations to research, design and roll out specific project plans.

The fellowship honors the legacy of Professor Chuck Green, who inspired students to become not just observers, but active citizens shaping the communities they live in. Through his teaching, Green motivated students to think critically about systems in their communities and work to become changemakers within them.

We caught up with three 2025 Chuck Green fellows about the projects they recently led and how the experience impacted them.

Ainsley Meyer ’26 partnered with the Legal Rights Center (LRC), a community-based law firm focused on racial equity and criminal defense. Primarily working within its Criminal Defense Program, Meyer supported clients, conducted legal research and led investigative projects. One of her major contributions was supporting the debut of the First Defense Hotline in Hennepin County. The hotline connects individuals with legal representation immediately after arrest. Meyer helped network with law firms, coordinate advertising, and analyze arrest records to identify systemic issues.

“My time at the Legal Rights Center has been more fulfilling than I could have ever expected it to be,” Meyer said. “I have been able to see and help with people’s everyday struggles with the criminal justice system, law enforcement, and racial inequality… The Chuck Green Fellowship has given me the opportunity to make real, meaningful, and impactful change within my community.”

Sophia Phillips ’26 spent the summer working with Public Art St. Paul, a nonprofit that partners with the capital city to imagine and create a more just and sustainable community while beautifying public spaces. Phillips focused on creating new programming and resources for the eARTh Lab summer series, a series of free youth workshops based out of Western Sculpture Park. The workshops, which are led by local artists, explore the intersection of ecological awareness and artistic expression. Phillips got in on the action as well, teaching students how to make upcycled bunny and bee puppets from old socks.

In addition to leading workshops, Phillips developed a comprehensive resource guide to support future eARTh Lab artists and volunteers. The political science major also created a photo guide for the sculptures in Western Sculpture Park, addressing a need for accessible artwork information.

“The fellowship truly brought me outside of the Macalester bubble,” Phillipis said. “I feel much more immersed in the city, not as a visitor but as a resident.” 

Galjer Yangwaue ’27 partnered with Transforming Generations (TG), a St. Paul-based nonprofit supporting Hmong and Southeast Asian communities. Much of the organization’s work centers on providing resources to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Yangwaue consulted on several initiatives, including a youth program designed to help teens explore topics like consent and digital safety. In another project, the political science major helped develop curriculum for mental health community workshops. “These two projects were a rewarding experience that taught me a lot about how to work with vulnerable communities facing violence and that are searching for healing resources,” Yangwaue said.

Yangwaue also curated a 50th Year LGBTQ+ Anniversary Timeline for the organization, honoring five decades of Southeast Asian LGBTQ+ stories in Minnesota. “Being able to develop curriculum, programming, and facilitate many sessions at Transforming Generations has taught me how to be an active and engaged community member working towards ending gender-based violence.”

About the Chuck Green Fellowship

In his 40-year teaching career at Macalester, Professor Chuck Green functioned as a one-man “leadership academy” for many students, inspiring and guiding them towards creating lasting change in their communities. The Chuck Green Endowed Fund for Civic Engagement, created by former students, now supports the fellowship that bears his name. Learn more about the Chuck Green fellows.