mcnair chronicle summer 2015 - st. olaf collegerenteria! psychology!...
TRANSCRIPT
McNair Chronicle
Updates from the students and alumni of the TRIO McNair Scholars Programs at St. Olaf College. Summer 2015
Congratulations to our 2014 -‐ 2015 Graduate Degree Recipients
St. Olaf McNair Results
Cedric (DeMico) Davis – Master’s in Public Policy, Loyola University Juan-‐Ita Effiom – Master’s in Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin Amanda Moua – Master’s in Social Work, University of Minnesota Gina Plotz – Master’s in Life Sciences and Secondary Education, St. Scholastica Althea Speaks – JD, Marquette University Law School Stephanie Villarreal – Master’s in Social Work, University of Chicago
St. Olaf McNair Scholars enrolled in or have earned their M.A. degree
46%
St. Olaf McNair Scholars enrolled in or have completed their Ph.D. 10%
2015 Summer Research Experiences Name
Major
Summer Experience
Spencer Castillo Chemistry Research at University of Nebraska-‐Lincoln Nathalie Kenny Environmental/Asian St. Research in China Hunter Lin / Issa Prosper Biology / Math Electrophysiological Devices (Dr. Crisp) Tomaz Manzoni Jackie Molina
Biology & Math Education & Race/Ethnic Studies
Research at the University of Pennsylvania Northfield’s Teacher Professional Learning Communities (Dr. Campbell and Dr. Leer)
Breanna Olson Alia McDaniel
French Chemistry
Research in French Music History (Dr. Epstein) Novel Semiconducting Organic Polymers (Dr. Everson)
Jeff Riley / Mya Saracho Bianca Renteria
Psychology Political Science & Management
Training Programs for Cochlear Implant Users (Dr. Loebach) Resources for immigrants living in rural community (Dr. KTP)
Elisabeth Sepulveda CIS: Cogn. Neuro/Psych/Ed The Science Alliance (Dr. Muth) Gwen Vargas Math Monitoring Student Success (Dr. Roback)
Pictured from left to right: Gina, Juan-‐Ita, and Amanda.
Top row: Dr. Epstein and family, Issa Prosper, Hunter Lin, Jeff Riley, Alia McDaniel, Bianca Renteria, Janis Johnson, Dr. Crisp, and Dr. Tegtmeyer-‐Pak. Bottom row: Melissa Melgar, Jackie Molina, Brea Olson, Gwen Vargas, and Lacey Etzkorn.
Fall Plans and Highlights from the Class of 2015
• Sheridan Blanford -‐ University of Washington Master’s in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership
• Lacey Etzkorn -‐ John Hopkins in the Biostatistics Ph.D. program • Abdi Musse -‐ Carnegie Mellon M.A. in Human Computer Interaction • Alex Thompson -‐ U of Minnesota Master’s in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology (CSPP)
• Sincai (Pader) Vue – University of Minnesota M.A. in Health Coaching • Chad Wagner -‐ shadowing and currently applying to dental school
McNair summer researchers visit the Red Barn Farm for pizza with faculty mentors.
TRIO McNair Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Updates? Email Melissa at [email protected] with graduate school or personal updates that you would like to share with McNair alumni and the St. Olaf and TRIO Community! We would love to hear from you!
Britt Letcher Highlights: Overall everything is fantastic! I would have never been this prepared for grad school had it not been for the intensive research summer I spent with McNair.
Kabao Xiong I am working with Hmong American Partnership with its contract program called be@school, an intervention and prevention program to support truant youth. It has been very interesting
Kristell Caballero-‐Saucedo I'm currently working as an English and Spanish teaching assistant at two Hungarian Lutheran high schools. I also work for a human rights program for young adults. In August I will begin working at a nonprofit through the New Sector Alliance AmeriCorps Fellowship.
Challenges: My first year of graduate school was tough, but I have an amazing cohort and department that are an excellent support system.
Personal Updates: I was blessed with opportunities to keep playing my viola. I played in the University of New Mexico Symphony, a quartet, and now I'm in a band with a UNM professor called Eileen and the In-‐Betweens. This summer I'll continue volunteering with an organization called Brown Bois for queer and trans folks of color around the country.
working in the social/human services nonprofit sector. I've learned a lot about the field—specifically with youth development, mental health services, and K-‐12 school partnerships. I'm also a board member for the Center for Hmong Arts and Talents (CHAT), a non-‐profit that enables the Hmong community to share its experience through artistic expression.
Zoey Slater I love working in Admissions at St. Olaf! It's so fun working with students and families and helping them attend college. I like working in education because I enjoy working directly with people, and I love the collaborative atmosphere.
Cedrick (DeMico) Davis Highlights: Everything in Chicago has been going very well, and I am happy to call Chicago my home. I am feeling called to pursue a career in Ministry, as I have found an
Other Highlights
• Congratulations to Aaron Harcus for passing his comprehensive exams in January 2015!
• Juan-‐Ita Effiom will be
amazing church that has opened up opportunities in leadership and community development. Challenges: My graduate school journey has been tough, but I have grown so much and am grateful for the great times and the difficult times.
SUMMER 2015: The summer has been busy yet fun! In June, Melissa got married in Mexico and Janis walked her down the aisle! (You can now reach Melissa at [email protected])
We also have yet another great group of summer McNair researchers that will be presenting their research at the St. Olaf Summer Research Symposium.
When: July 31st 9-‐10am; 10:30-‐11:30am Oral Presentations from 9:00am-‐11:30am Where: St. Olaf Tomson Hall atrium
PLEASE JOIN US!
completing occupational therapy fieldwork at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis this Fall.
• Paj Ntaub Lee recently got married! (photo above) • Gavin Ancheta is doing research with Medtronic in their Neuromodulation Department.
• Quyen Duong was elected as president of the College of Public Health Student Assoc. and is completing her Ph.D.!
• Sandy Yang recently got married!