INTRODUCING THE IWL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS 2008-2009
Amani Abdellah, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is an English and Middle Eastern Studies double major. She belongs to the Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. After graduation she plans to attend law school; her long term career goal is to become involved in foreign diplomacy.
Jacklyn Adames, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is a public policy and political science double major. She is currently a member of Rutgers University Model United Nations and the Douglass Governing Council and is an SAS University Senator. Jacklyn studied abroad in Australia during spring semester 2008, and is deeply concerned with the effects of HIV/AIDs. She hopes to address this problem now and in her future career.
Sara Afayee, Livingston ’10, is a social work major with a minor in women’s and gender studies. Sara has volunteered with autistic children at VSA of New Jersey as well as with disabled adults at Pathways to Independence. Her interest in global issues led to an internship last spring with the Office of International Programs in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers. Sara presented a paper at the Women’s Worlds 2008 conference in Madrid, Spain, and is hoping to create a mentoring program for Rutgers international students.
Elizabeth Bryan, Rutgers College ’10 is a women’s and gender studies major and theatre arts minor. She will be studying at the University of Melbourne in Australia during fall semester 2008. In addition, she is a performer with the College Avenue Players and serves as house manager, board member, performer, and technician for the Cabaret Theatre Company. Elizabeth is also a performer in the Rutgers University Musicians’ Guild. She is very interested in issues of women’s rights.
Melissa Chedid, School of Arts and Sciences ‘11, is interested in the topic of women and poverty. Melissa belongs to the National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars and is currently a scholar with the Rising Leaders Institute. At DRC she is on the executive boards of the Annual Women’s Weekend and the Sacred Path.
Crystal Coache, Douglass Residential College '09, is a political science major and women’s and gender studies minor. A James Dickson Carr scholar, Crystal has spent the past two years at Rutgers interning with NJPIRG and NJ Waterwatch helping with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. She also serves as class representative for Douglass Governing Council as well as corresponding secretary for the Rutgers University Student Assembly. Crystal was a peer academic leader in Lippincott hall last year as well as a Shaping a Life Mentor and an intern at the IWL. Currently, she is a campus campaign coordinator for Teach for America and will be participating in the Global Village program in the Human Rights house.
Alyssa Cocchiara, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is a nutrition major and member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-medical Honors Society and the Pre-medicine/Pre-Dentistry Society. Currently, she is a part of Project SUPER and is a volunteer at Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen and social service agency. Alyssa is interested in women’s health and women’s participation in the sciences.
Justine Del Gaudio, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is a journalism and media studies double major. A committed volunteer, she has given much time to Our Lady of Fatima parish, the Friends Forever summer camp, Urban Challenge Experience, and Brighten Gardens Assisted Living Home. She is passionate about addressing poverty in inner cities, particularly in Camden, New Jersey.
Alexandra Espinosa, School of Arts and Sciences ‘09, is double majoring in political science and women’s and gender studies. Alexandra studied abroad in the Czech Republic in fall 2007 as part of the global politics certificate program where she learned about central European politics. Her interests include comparative politics, human rights, and law. She is outreach coordinator of the Rutgers Campus Coalition Against Trafficking (RUCCAT) and a member of Amnesty International. After graduating Alexandra hopes to become an attorney and provide legal counsel to victims of human trafficking.
Martha Guarnieri, Rutgers College ‘10, is a political science and women’s and gender studies double major. She has interned at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers. Martha is the co-founder of the RU Voting Coalition, and is a Rutgers University Model United Nations staff member. She is dedicated to motivating young adults to vote and is working on making polling places more accessible for students in New Brunswick.
Kaitlyn Herthel, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is a history and women’s and gender studies double major. She is vice president of the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity as well as a leader in the Pan-Hellenic Council. In addition, Kaitlyn volunteers with the Women Center Defense Coalition at Rutgers and is currently the Master of Ceremonies at REBEL Official College Staff in Trenton. She is passionate about learning and education and plans to become a professor or civil service lawyer in the future.
Vanity Jenkins, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is an Africana Studies and women’s and gender studies double major. She is currently the manager of the Rutgers University women’s basketball team and serves as an usher at the State Theater in New Brunswick. Vanity plans to use her education to become a teacher and high school basketball coach in the future.
Jennifer Kanyamibwa, Douglass Residential College '10, is majoring in political science. She has served as a peer leader for elementary school girls and has been a mentor in the IWL High School Leadership Program. In addition, she is a representative of the Douglass College Government Association, and Class of 2010 Historian for Class Council. Jennifer has interned with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and is currently working on a project focusing on genocide and civil war. She is interested in finding ways to support young girls of color in their educational aspirations.
Andrea Kennedy, Rutgers College ‘10, is a double major in English and history. She is a New Jersey Bloustein Scholar as well as a recipient of an Academic Excellence Scholarship Award. From 2007-2008 Andrea was the General Director/Events Coordinator for the Rutgers Campus Coalition against Trafficking and currently works at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Foundation. Andrea spent two months traveling in Australia in the summer of 2008. She has a strong passion for human rights and is interested in women’s portrayal in the media.
Maire Kirley, Rutgers College ‘09, is a public health major and women’s and gender studies minor. She was a pillar of the Demarest Hall community, spending her time there as hall representative, treasurer, and member of the executive board. Maire interned with the National Latina Health Network in summer 2007 and SIECUS in spring 2008, and hopes to continue working in the health education sector. Currently, she is a peer sexual health educator. Her long term goals include working with a health department as a health planner, and using her experience and expertise to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of health education in the Untied States.
Mary Koepfinger, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences ‘11, is an animal sciences major. She belongs to the Animal Science Club, the Pre-vet Club, Project SUPER, the Douglass Student Recruitment Network, and the Rutgers Performing Dance Company. Mary is interested in research, is an animal lover, and plans a future career as a veterinarian. In addition, she is concerned about issues of women and science.
Megan Kosovich, Rutgers College ‘10, is a political science major. She is a member of Sigma Delta Tau and participates in Rutgers University Mock Trial. Megan is a volunteer at the Invisible Children Organization, has helped rebuild houses in New Orleans on an Alternative Spring Break trip, and is currently employed at the Zimmerli Art Museum. Her passions for people and politics have influenced her career goals, which include joining the Peace Corps and working in human rights law or politics.
Bethany Lane, Douglass Residential College ‘10, is an English major. She is currently a volunteer with the Women’s Center at Rutgers and has participated in Rutgers Model United Nations, Rutgers Model Congress, and Rutgers Walk out Against the War. Currently she lives in the Human Rights House and is a part of the Rutgers Sexual Health Advocacy Group. From Livonia, Michigan, Bethany’s personal interests are in education and guiding young minds to their fullest potential.
Annalise Leonelli, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is an American Studies major with a minor in English. A Douglass Scholar, Annalise works at the Cook/Douglass Writing Center as a writing tutor and has also worked as a film editor at the Center for European Studies at Rutgers. She has interned at Women Make Movies, and is working on a film that will highlight the IWL and the importance of women’s institutions. After her undergraduate studies, she plans to go to film school.
Danielle Levine, Rutgers College ‘10, is an Africana Studies and sociology double major. She is an active member of the Rutgers University Mock Trial Team and is also a New Student Orientation Leader on Livingston Campus and has worked with the Community Assistant Program in New Brunswick.. Danielle is interested in issues of educational equity and the intersection of race, class, and gender in the American educational system. An activist, Danielle hopes to become a civil rights attorney.
Neha Mangini, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy ‘11, is a pharmacy major. She belongs to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, is an Edward Bloustein Distinguished Scholar, and received the Presidential Award in 2005. She has worked as an allocations manager for the RCGA Allocations Committee, the Communications Chair for the Emerging Leaders Institute and as a researcher for the Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science Program. For her IWL internship, Neha worked at Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick. She was born in India and is interested in mental health issues among the South Asian population.
Danese Brielle Nalence, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is double majoring in psychology and women’s and gender studies. On campus she is a member of Radigals and is the program coordinator for NAMI-Rutgers, a group that aims to raise awareness about mental health issues. She works at the Institute for Research on Women and also for SAFE in Hunterdon as a Safehouse Advocate, working with families affected by domestic violence. Danese interned at gURL.com and is creating a website and research project that will connect feminist activists on New Jersey college and university campuses. In the future she hopes to travel, go to graduate school and continue writing, and possibly work in social services.
Kira O’Brien, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is originally from Brooklyn, New York and came to Rutgers specifically to attend Douglass College. A political science major, she is interested in human rights and interned in spring 2008 at One Voice Movement, a conflict resolution organization working for a two state solution for Israel and Palestine. On campus she is a member of Phi Sigma Pi, the co-ed national honor fraternity. She spent a month studying at Rhodes University in South Africa through the Global PACT program. Kira is creating an Arab-Israeli cross-cultural book club for women students at Rutgers.
Devangi Patel, School of Arts and Sciences ‘11, is a cell biology and neurobiology double major. She is a scholar with the SAS Honors Program. Devangi has done extensive volunteer work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Fatjo’s Mixed Martial Arts Center, and the Raritan Bay Medical Center. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and wants to work to improve America’s health care system.
Monica Raj, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is majoring in economics and minoring in political science. She is a Douglass Scholar and will serve as the president of the Women’s Economics Business Society at Douglass for the 2008-2009 year. She served as a mentor for Shaping a Life and works as a Douglass Residence Life Community Assistant. In spring 2008 Monica interned with Citi Smith Barney in New York City. She is working to create a financial literacy program at Manavi, a women’s rights organization that works to end violence against South Asian women living in the U.S. She eventually hopes to attend law school.
Alicia Reaves, Rutgers ‘09, is an Africana Studies major with a double minor in political science and women’s and gender studies. She is president of Prepare International Student Organization (PISO), which tries to bridge the cultural and educational gaps between African and African-American students. In 2005 Alicia worked for Senator Fred Madden and in the summer of 2006 she traveled to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, in West Africa. In spring 2007 she interned at the Harlem, N.Y. headquarters of the William J. Clinton Foundation, and spent the following fall studying at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Alicia has been both a mentor and the mentoring chair for the IWL High School Leadership Program and eventually plans to pursue a career in public interest or civil rights law.
Meghan Reilly, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is an English major, a Douglass Scholar, and was recently admitted into the Graduate School of Education. She has been a Research Assistant in the Aresty Program, has participated in the IWL and Center for Women and Work’s WINGS mentoring program, and has served as a mentor for the Shaping a Life course. Meghan has interned at the school management company Victory Schools as well as at Rutgers University Press. She is interested in girls’ education and self-esteem and hopes to teach in the future. She ultimately aims to become a principal or a professor of education.
Loren Riccioni, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences ‘11, is an animal sciences major who grew up on a farm in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. At Rutgers she is a part of the Pre-veterinary Club, the Animal Science Club, and Project SUPER. Loren has been actively involved in 4-H for nine years, shows sheep and horses, and is interested in farming and sustainable agriculture. She has been a veterinary assistant and hopes to be a large animal veterinarian in the future.
Mangelin Rivera, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is a history major. President of the Douglass College Government Association for 2008-2009, she has also served as representative/university senator for DCGA and Douglass Residential College Committee Chair on the Douglass Orientation Committee. She has lived in the Human Rights House at Douglass and has served as a Peer Academic Leader for Residence Life. Mangelin interned in the office of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez where she worked in the Immigration Services Department. Born in Puerto Rico, Mangelin aspires to go to law school and would like to become a civil rights or immigration rights lawyer.
Marissa Rodriguez, School of Arts and Sciences ‘11, is an active member of the Rising Leaders Institute, vice president of the Katzenbach Hall Council, and an executive board member of the Annual Women’s Weekend at Douglass. Marissa is also a part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and participates in the Douglass Orientation Committee and Red Pine Ambassador programs. She feels passionately about the environment, especially addressing the issue of global warming, and hopes to pursue a career in this field after college.
Suzan Sanal, Douglass Residential College '09, is a history and women's and gender studies double major. She is a member of Rutgers against the War, the Human Rights House, and the undergraduate women's and gender studies association Radigals. In the fall of 2007, she taught a class on contemporary feminist activism for first year students as part of the first year interest group seminar (FIGS) program. Suzan has interned at the Center for Constitutional Rights and will be pursuing the research in action track her senior year as she writes an honors thesis in women’s and gender studies on gender in the U.S. antiwar movement. She hopes to attend law school and continue her activism after graduating from college.
Fabiola Tony, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is a political science major and Africana Studies minor. She is very active in the Douglass community, serving as senator of Douglass governing council and Douglass orientation committee. She has served as a mentor in the IWL High School Leadership Program, and has completed internships at both New Jersey Citizen Action and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers. Fabiola is creating a manual on internships that will aid young women as they enter the workforce after college. She aspires to become a lawyer and hopes to eventually serve as a political figure and represent those who are under represented.
Hannah Weinstock-Gallagher, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is a visual arts and political science double major. Hannah has been a long-term intern in the office of Senator Leonard Lance, the state minority leader of New Jersey. In the 2008 spring semester she served as an intern for the Institute for Women and Art at Rutgers. Hannah is a member of the Annual Women’s Weekend planning committee, is in the Douglass Scholars Program, and is a representative on the Douglass Governing Council. She hopes to use her background in the arts and political science to creatively help people.
Diana Won, School of Arts and Sciences ‘11, is a planning and public policy major who is interested in architecture and community and economic development. Part of the Rutgers University Honors Program, Diana also is a member of the Rutgers University Campus Coalition against Trafficking. She has done extensive volunteer work at Youth United, KARE, and the Art School at the Old Church Cultural Center. In addition, she has interned at Habitat for Humanity and has trained in traditional Korean dance since 1998. Diana wants to create social justice for those who are homeless and poverty stricken.
Marina Yalon, Douglass Residential College ‘09, is a triple major in history/political science, Latin American studies, and Spanish. She is also earning a certificate in International Studies. Born in Belarus, Marina speaks Russian and moved while young to the U.S. with her family. She has interned at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers, and studied abroad in India for the fall of 2007. Marina has served as both a mentor and the club advisor for the IWL’s High School Leadership Program. She intends to attend law school and work in the field of immigration law.
Karin Zahavi, Rutgers College ‘10, is a psychology major. She has served as a Research Assistant at the Aresty Research Center and a Teacher at the Temple Har Shalom Religious School. Karin has been a part of Caravan for Democracy as a Rutgers University Student Fellow, bringing Israel programming to the university. In addition, she has served as musical director at Amandala in Highland Park, New Jersey, organizing musical events from around the world in local venues. She is interested in female adolescents’ body image and media literacy.
