Past Phillips scholars

Participants are encouraged to stay connected with current and former Phillips Scholars through a variety of options including:
On-Line Scholar Survey
Facebook (Social Networking)
Linked In (Professional Networking)

2006-2008 Scholars completed their projects in Summer 2007

	Jennifer Lê University of St. Thomas Worked on a summer writing workshop with Lincoln International High School, a high school for immigrants and refugees. Since most of these students' first language is not English, we will be improving their reading, writing, analytical and interview skills. This workshop will better prepare the students for the MN Basic Standards tests. Jenny is attending graduate school in Texas.
	Nhung Lê Gustavus Adolphus College Beautiful Cultures and Love is All Around For elementary school students to establish an appreciation and awareness of different heritage and cultures through community interaction and to enhance close relationships between children from different backgrounds. Nhung is an Analyst with Maine Point LLC.
	Amanda Ortega College of St. Catherine Created more leaders in the Hispanic community through higher education.  The components of the project included: motivating Hispanic students to aspire and seek higher education, informing the Hispanic young adults and their families of the college entrance process and the benefits of higher education, and providing aid and support throughout this process. Amanda is a Spanish Language Specialist with Resources for Child Caring.
	Adriana Rimpel Minneapolis College of Art and Design Planned an intensive photography workshop with inner city Latino high school students to generate positive emotional outlets and strengthen self-identity. To help inspire and mentor participants, established Latino artists in the community shared their stories and expertise. Students of the workshop learned basic black and white photography skills, visited artists studios, museums and galleries, while focusing on internal issues in their everyday life. It provided a safe place where they are given the tools to heal their wounds through art.
	Sylvia Lorena Rodriguez College of St. Scholastica Lorena hosted a variety of diversity appreciation activities at Neighorhood House. Lorena is attending graduate school.
	Lucia Wang Macalester College Lucia collaborated with the Youth Program at Neighborhood House to conduct a preliminary "Community Asset Mapping" survey based on the "Asset Mapping" concept developed by the Search Institute. Lucia worked with staff members as well as youths on a one-one and small group basis to identify strengths and weakness in the current programing design. The goal of the survey mapping is that the organization can then readjust and redesign its program offerings to better cater to the needs of the youths that access the community center. Lucia is a Patient Educator with Family Tree Clinic.

Phillips Scholars 2005-2007

	Sarah Bacon Concordia College, Moorhead Encouraged, equipped and educated Moorhead's Latino youth through her program, Jovenes Furetes "Strong Youth", at Centro Cultural. Sarah is a Youth Specialist with NH-JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) in New Hampshire.
	Emily Hedin Macalester College More about Emily Served African-born, Twin Cities residents affected by HIV/AIDS at Open Arms of Minnesota. Emily is enrolled in a Developmental studies program at Oxford and is the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Fellowship.
	Stacy Rauenhorst College of St. Scholastica Encouraged the socialization of teens with disabilities in partnership with ARC. Stacy is pursuing a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy at College of St. Scholastica.
	Ma Lee Vang Gustavus Adolphus College Improved the reading development and comprehension of third graders through Project READ at Frost Lake Elementary. Ma Lee is a Marketing Assistant at Winmark Corporation.  Previously she was a Program Outreach Specialist with Honoring Women Worldwide and Education and Outreach Specialist with Hennepin County Office of Multicultural Services. Ma Lee volunteers as a mentor with HYES (Hmong Youth Education Services).  She also served as the Phillips Scholars Program Fellow from 2007-2009.
	Sheila Vang University of St. Thomas Created leaders in the Hmong Youth Community by raising cultural awareness. Sheila is a Teacher at South Washington County School District.
	Tenzin Yangzom Hamline University Provided college preparation assistance to recent Tibetan immigrants at Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. Tenzin serves as an Elections Assistant with Ramsey County.

Phillips Scholars 2004-2006

	Kelina GaoZong Her Augsburg College Assisted Hmong refugee youth and incoming immigrants through her project, “Reader and Writer Explorer." Kelina is teaching English in Japan with the JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program).
	Michael Minks Saint John’s University Expanded access to youth organizations for youth across the state. Michael is the Manager of Outreach with Youth Service America. Michael earned a Masters degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from University of Minnesota - Duluth.
	Carolina Munoz Proto Macalester College Provided multicultural mentoring for Ethiopian and Oromian students. Carolina is attending graduate school in at City University of New York.
	Ka Youa Vue Concordia University Served incoming Hmong immigrant families by helping obtain access to community resources through her "Hmong Immigrant Guide Program (THIG)." Ka Youa is a Prevention and Administrative Assistant with Prevent Child Abuse MN.  In addition, she serves as VP Finance to the networking group Bridge: Connecting People to Success.
	Kaitlin Windschill College of St. Scholastica Worked with elderly people through her project, “Support and Respite Care Group for Parkinson’s Disease Victims. Kaitlin is a Match Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities.
	Zong Xiong Gustavus Adolphus College Helped Hmong girls ages 13-16 to pursue and develop their dreams. Zong is a Registered Nurse with Regions Hospital.

Scholars 2003-2005

• Christopher Fletcher, Macalester College, partnered with the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) to provide computer classes for the Tibetan Elderly.
  
  After graduating from Macalester in 2005, Chris was awarded a Watson fellowship to investigate cultural survival among the Tibetan diaspora—subject matter which was directly linked to his Phillips scholarship. Subsequently, Chris spent two years in Washington D.C. first working for a Tibetan advocacy group, The International Campaign for Tibet, and then for the U.S. Department of State with the International Visitor Leadership program. Chris is undertaking graduate studies school at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He hopes to pursue a legal career in corporate social responsibility law.
  
  
• Andrea Keber Schneider, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota,  conducted Interfaith week-long workshops in a wilderness setting for 13-15 year-olds in the Winona area.
  
  Andrea recently completed her M.A. in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. She recently relocated to the Chicago area.
  
  
• Linda Lee, Gustavus Adolphus College, created a college preparatory program involving youth from low income and minority backgrounds, with a concentration on refugees and immigrant groups.
  
  Linda is a Coordinator with Metropolitan Council.
  
  
• Lisa Joy LoMurray, University of St. Thomas, developed a summer program for disadvantaged youth in the Twin Cities to tell their stories through video.
  
  Lisa is a Camera Operator with Reality TV Productions.
  
  
• Nicholas Schumm, Augsburg College, provided weekly trips to northern Minnesota with Twin Cities Latino youth to build leadership and gain an environmental education.
  
  Nick is a Program Manager with Bolder Options.  Nick is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from University of Minnesota.
   
  
• Laura (Young) Pollak, College of St. Scholastica, implemented a summer fitness program that brought together high school students and senior citizens from the Duluth area.
  
  Laura is attending Pharmacy school at the University of Minnesota - Duluth.
  
  

Scholars 2002-2004

• Tometria Bean, Augsburg College, created a program in partnership with Unity House to build self-esteem and enhance confidence of welfare recipients moving into the workforce.
  
  
• Noah Johnson, Gustavus Adolphus College, expanded a current Gustavus Adolphus College program for teens, in partnership with the Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp.
  
  Noah is a Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church.  He attended Luther Seminary.
  
  
• Kirstan Ketter, St. Olaf College, expanded a mentoring program she created for Hispanic youth in Northfield, called Reaching Our Goals.
  
  Kirstan was previously a Family Advocate with Pillsbury United Communities.
  
  
• Palma Cady, College of St. Catherine, provided summer art and performance activities for youth, in partnership with the Heart of the Beast Theater in Minneapolis.
  
  Palma is the 2007-08 recipient of the Thomas Swain Fellowship at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.
  
  
• Peter C. Vang, Concordia University, conducted an oral history project and research of Minnesota minority populations - Hmong, Somali, Hispanic and Disabled - in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Museum.
  
  Peter is a Military Intelligence Officer with the Army.  Previously he was an Education Advisor with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
  
  
• Elana Wolowitz, Macalester College, developed a summer camp for Native American youth in the Twin Cities, in partnership with the Division of Indian Work.
  
  Elana is the Communications Director with Wellstone Action!
  
  

Phillips Scholars 2001-2003

• Jessica Crane, Concordia College, provided summer activities for homeless youth ages 6-16 in partnership with the Churches United Shelter in Moorhead, MN.
  
  Jessica is Director of Youth and Children's Ministries at Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Millburn, NJ.
  
  
• Lucille Eady, College of St. Catherine, created a program in partnership with Turning Point, Inc. to serve women and children in north Minneapolis.
  
  
• Sara Imholte, Gustavus Adolphus College, worked with the Minnesota AIDS Project to provide HIV/AIDS support, education, programming and resources in Central Minnesota.
  
  Sara is an Epidemiologist at Arizona Department of Health Services.
  
  
• Whitney Mueller, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, created a summer theater program for disabled individuals in the Winona area in partnership with Home and Community Options.
  
  Whitney is completing Master of Social Work coursework at Arizona State University.
  
  
• Jennifer Wittrock, University of St. Thomas, organized a day camp with weekly themes at the Children's Hospitals and Clinics in St. Paul.
  

Phillips Scholars 2000-2002

• Willie Pearl Evans, College of St. Catherine, created literacy initiatives at Hope Community, Inc. and Sabathani in Minneapolis, as well as a leadership group for young women of color and outreach to single parents.
  
  
• Kathleen Hazuka, College of St. Scholastica, organized The Wild Bunch program to teach athletic and softball skills to disabled individuals in New Ulm.
  
  
• Joshua Legband, Concordia University, provided a community service program for youth at the Wilder Foundation's Bush Residential Memorial Center in St. Paul.
  
  Joshua works with Child Care Development at Wilder Foundation.
  
  
• Jessica Manthie Woods, College of Saint Benedict, worked with women and youth at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul.
  
  Jessica is a Study Abroad Advisor at Indiana University.  Jessica earned a Masters In Counseling Student Personnel - College Student Affairs from MNSCU.
  
  
• Nicholas Shaw, St. Olaf College, expanded the "Freepops" program for 7-14 year-old youth in Northfield and Faribault.
  
  Nicholas is concluding a doctorate in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry from Clemson University.
  
  

Phillips Scholars 1999-2001

• Kristin Cornelius, University of St. Thomas, created service opportunities for disabled individuals in the Twin Cities.
  
  
• Christopher Dolan, College of St. Scholastica, organized Empower 2000 Program to encourage Duluth teens to become active in community service.
  
  Chris is an Attorney with Faegre & Benson.  He attended law school at Georgetown University Law Center.
  
  
• Theron LaFountain, Concordia College, created a mentoring program for low-income, single-parent families in Moorhead.
  
  Theron is Director of Finance and Business Development with RAFI: Planning, Architecture, Urban Design.
  
  
• Megan Magnall Graeser, St. Olaf College, provided activities for children and health care initiatives for immigrant families in Pelican Rapids.
  
  Megan is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with Physician Housecalls in Waverly, IA.
  
  
• Wendy Suiter, Hamline University, organized a day program for homeless youth in the Twin Cities.
  
  Wendy is a Research Analyst for the Federal Government.  She earned a Master of Public Policy, International Human Rights and Foreign Policy from the University of Minnesota.
  
  

Phillips Scholars 1998-2000

• Melanie (Larsen) Sinouthasy, Gustavus Adolphus College, provided 7th-12th grade youth with a college-prep program in Minneapolis.
  
  Melanie is a Diversity Specialist with the Minnesota Judicial Branch.  Melanie is pursuing a Masters in Public Health, Administration and Policy from University of Minnesota.
  
  
• Elizabeth Rein, St. Olaf College, organized group meetings for teenage girls in Faribault.
  
  
• Cheryl Ann Skafte, Hamline University, created a peacemaking and social justice outreach program for youth in the Twin Cities.
  
  Cheryl is the Community Initiatives Coordinator at United Way of Greater Duluth.
  
  
• Chengny Thao-Yang, University of St. Thomas, ran the Hope for Young Hmong Women program in St. Paul.
  
  Chengny is a Product Manager - Wellness at Optumhealth.
  
  
• Bradley Vieths, College of St. Scholastica, organized Outdoor Pursuit! wilderness activities for youth in Duluth.
  
  Bradley is the womens basketball coach at College of St. Scholastica.  
  

Phillips Scholars 1997-1999

• Lillian Foxx, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, organized a Project FINE Multi-Cultural Summer Camp in Winona.
  
  Lillian is a first grade teacher in Il.  She has a Masters Degree in Bilingual/ELL studies from National Lewis University.
  
  
• Amy Iverson, College of St. Scholastica, created a summer program for children and parents in Duluth.
  
  
• Sarah Olsen Crowson, Hamline University, organized a summer-long track camp for girls and week-long track camp for urban youth.
  
  Sarah is formerly with Target Corporation.
  
  
• Sarah Parker Elmore, Carleton College, provided a summer camp for middle school youth in Faribault.
  
  Sarah is a Social Studies Teacher with Madison Metropolitan School District.
  
  
• Tamara Persaud, University of St. Thomas, created a program to help immigrant families in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.
  

Phillips Scholars 1996-1998

• Kala Dable, Augsburg College, organized a program serving families with autistic children in Twin Cities.
  
  
• Valerie (Graeve) Kath , University of St. Thomas, ran a program to partner middle school youth with housebound elderly in the Twin Cities.
  
  
• Phil Kern, Saint John's University, provided youth programs at a Boys & Girls Club and a low-income housing project in St. Cloud.
  Phil is the City Administrator for City of Delano, MN.
  
  
• Srey Pin, Hamline University, ran a program serving at-risk Asian youth in the Twin Cities.
  
  
• Stacy Rooney, College of Saint Benedict, provided materials focused on helping low-income individuals obtain and maintain housing in St. Cloud.
  
  Stacy is Associate Director of the Annual Fund at College of St. Catherine.  Stacy has a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Resolution from College of St. Catherine.
  

Phillips Scholars 1994-1996

• Kyle Fleming, Hamline University, ran a summer Music Program for 6th-12th Graders in Chaska.
  
  
• Lucinda Jones, Augsburg College, ran summer recreation activities for children at a North Minneapolis Youth Center.
  
  Lucinda is a Program Advisor at Normandale Community College.
  
  
• Theresa Ledermann Morey, College of Saint Benedict, administered two Boys & Girls Programs -- SMART Moves and Challenger's Club -- to serve low-income youth in St. Cloud.
  
  Theresa is a Cross Systems Coordinator with Hennepin County.
  
  
• Jason Schlukebier, St. Olaf College, addressed the needs of low-income youth by working as an Upward Bound Program Coordinator and Neighborhood House Volunteer in West St. Paul.
  
  Jason is a High School Counselor at Humboldt Senior High.
  
  
• Angela Schumacher, College of St. Scholastica, ran a community outreach and activities program for youth and low-income families in South Minneapolis.
  
  Angela is the owner of Schumacher Enterprises.
  

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