Meet the new members of our team at the Center for Community Engaged Learning as of Fall 2024! We are excited to announce the addition of new staff members to support our mission of preparing students for lifelong civic and social responsibility and introduce our 2024-2025 student leaders in the Community Engagement Scholars program, Alternative Spartan Breaks, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Spartans Rebuilding Michigan Executive Boards, and the newly-developed Spartan Volunteer Corps.

  • Catherine Anger is the Communications, Marketing, and Events Program Assistant at the Center for Community Engaged Learning. A proud 2024 graduate from Michigan State University, Catherine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Information. She previously interned with the College of Nursing, developing communication strategies and visual media to engage alumni. To learn more, read Catherine’s bio.

  • Jordan Zammit is the Democratic Engagement Coordinator for MSUvote. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Sciences from Michigan State University before serving as a Marine Corps Artillery Officer, where he led his Battalion's Equal Opportunity Program and commanded a security detachment that assisted in resettling Afghan refugees. To learn more, read Jordan’s bio.

 

MSUvote Democratic Engagement Interns

The Democratic Engagement Interns will play a pivotal role in promoting voter registration and participation among students at Michigan State University. This position is part of a non-partisan campus and community committee aimed at increasing the number of registered student voters, educating students on candidates and issues, and boosting participation on Election Day. To learn more about MSUvote, visit their website.

  • Maddie Bamberg, fourth-year majoring in Psychology

  • Aiden Bourgeau, fifth-year majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, CCEL Student Assistant, Initiative Programming Intern

  • Emily Cruden, fourth-year majoring in Political Science

  • Finn Domegan, first-year with exploratory business preference

  • Dewaynia English, first-year majoring in Political Science

  • Colin Koot, fourth-year majoring in Mechanical Engineering

  • Nia Martin, Masters student in Packaging

  • Chris Vertan, third-year majoring in Economics

  • Ofelia Yeghiyan, fourth-year majoring in Political Science

 

Spartan Volunteer Corps

Spartan Volunteer Corps (SVC) is a brand-new initiative offered by the Center for Community Engaged Learning. Students selected as Leaders will help design new and enhance already existing programming that ties in with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Ten Student Leaders will receive a stipend each semester. Student Leaders will manage a cohort of 5+ students who will engage in the programming mentioned previously with an emphasis on community exploration, learning, and engagement. To learn more about SVC, visit their page.

  • Aarav Contractor, second-year majoring in Human Biology and Physiology

  • Jerimiah Dotson, first-year majoring in Prenursing

  • Berlyn Hillman, third-year student majoring in Humanities Pre-Law with focuses in English and Political Science and minors in Business and German

  • Myia Jefferson, second-year student majoring in Games and Interactive Media

  • Jasnoor Kaur, third-year student majoring in Neuroscience and Social Relations and Policy

  • Savannah Kue, second-year student majoring in Human Biology

  • Hope Lim, third-year student majoring in Nursing

  • Jazmyn Martinez, first-year student majoring in Social Work

  • Sky Moore, second-year student majoring in Prenursing

  • Haylie Pohlman, third-year student majoring in Nursing

 

Community Engagement Scholars Program Cohort

The MSU Community Engagement Scholars Program is an initiative offered by CCEL and the Office of the President in partnership with community organizations in Michigan. Together, scholars will design and implement a cohort project, participate in professional development workshops, take part in reflective learning, and serve in community with local nonprofits. To learn more about the Community Engagement Scholars Program, visit their page.

  • Mariana Flores Cantu is a fourth-year student in the Honors College majoring in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Mariana is a Resident Assistant and active in student organizations like Spectrum Consulting Group and the Dashney Women’s Leadership Accelerator. She seeks opportunities to collaborate with diverse individuals to find innovative solutions and aims to acquire, strengthen, and share her skills and knowledge.

  • Jannet Garcia is from Central Florida and is majoring in Elementary Education. She is focusing on 3rd through 6th grade with a TESOL endorsement and a minor in Spanish. She volunteers actively and serves as the Public Relations officer for Timetzalimet, an organization for indigenous students.

  • Bailey Griffin is a fourth-year student majoring in African American and African Studies and Interdisciplinary Social Science. She works as a consultant in the Writing Center, is part of the Social Science Scholars program, and has served as a research assistant for enslaved.org and a teaching assistant for various courses. She has also been involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Reeves Scholars Program.

  • Jerome Hamilton, Jr., from Baltimore, Maryland, is a Political Science major with a minor in Environmental Social Science and aspires to a career in advocacy and politics. He collaborates with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to diversify outdoor recreation access and has interned with the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the United States Forest Service. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy with a focus on environmental and energy policy.

  • Sumaiya Imad, a second-year student from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is pursuing degrees in Psychology and Economics with minors in Law, Justice, and Public Policy and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is involved with the Youth Policy Forum, has interned at Good Counsel Law, serves on the executive board of the MSU Entrepreneurship Association, and founded a non-profit aiding trafficking victims.

  • Jai Kozar-Lewis is a third-year Honors Supply Chain Management student at the Eli Broad College of Business and is passionate about community service. He serves on the executive board of Spectrum Consulting Group, is a Resident Assistant, and is a member of the Inclusive Campus Initiative Student Advisory Committee, focusing on building strong communities.

  • Abigail Livingston is a second-year student from Louisville, Kentucky, and a double major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and Anthropology. She is involved in various environmental organizations in East Lansing, such as the Daniella & Charlie Sunshine Garden and the Allen Neighborhood Center’s Hunter Park Garden House. She is interested in community development and exploring the intersection of human behavior and the natural environment.

  • Ella McKanna is a fourth-year student majoring in Social Relations and Policy and Psychology. Ella plans to attend law school to engage more directly with the legal system. She is a captain of the MSU Mock Trial team, a Campus Vote Project Fellow, and this year’s Newman Fellow for Michigan State University, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to community involvement.

  • Mel Miles, a fourth-year student from Fenton, Michigan, majors in Environmental Studies and Sustainability with minors in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and Leadership in Integrated Learning. As Vice President of Environmental Studies and Sustainability United (ESSU), they aim to work with communities to create more localized and resilient food systems after graduation.

  • Jessica Pacheco-Perez, a third-year student majoring in Neuroscience, co-founded a student organization to support Latino students in their academic and professional careers. She is also a part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and values maintaining an open mind for continual learning and improvement.

  • Logan Skinner, a fourth-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy at James Madison College, is passionate about learning and gaining perspective through philosophy. He is actively involved with TEDxMSU and the Global Sales Leadership Society, aiming for a career in public service to positively impact lives while pursuing personal growth.

  • Cho Aye Zi, a second-year first-generation Nursing student, is actively involved in the Student Nurse Association, MSU Anesthesia and Pain Society, and the Honors College program. She volunteers extensively through the Center for Community Engaged Learning and aims to become a nurse advocate for vulnerable populations post-graduation, promoting well-being and health education across all age groups.

 

Alternative Spartan Breaks Executive Board

ASB provides weekend and weeklong opportunities for 12 college students to immerse themselves in a community and work alongside an agency working toward social change. Each alternative break focuses on addressing different UN Goals, while also educating participants about the communities they serve. Students gain personal growth, develop leadership skills, and build connections with others. All weeklong experience dates are determined by campus partners, while weekends are flexible based on community partners availability and needs. To learn more about ASB, visit their website.

  • Gabriella Alberganti is the Vice President of External Communications. She is a fourth-year student in Nutritional Sciences and Human Biology and loves to travel.

  • Julia Guedes Alonso is the Events/Fundraising Chair. She is a second-year student in Advertising Management.

  • Anna Dunnebacke is the Vice President of Internal Communications. She is a fifth-year student in Forestry and Fisheries and Wildlife and enjoys birding - her current favorite bird is a green heron.

  • Erin Kanaar is the Breaker Chair. She is a second-year student in Public Policy and enjoys reading and hiking in her free time.

  • Audrey Kind is the Logistics Chair. She is a second-year student in Electrical Engineering and traveled to Indonesia over the summer.

  • Cordelia Kraus is the Outreach Chair. She is a third-year student in Physiology, plays chess, and has run an ultramarathon.

  • Karthick Prem Satheesh Kumar is the Vice President of Education and a CCEL Student Assistant. He is a third-year student in Neuroscience and Human Biology with a minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology.

  • Andrew Quinn is the Vice President of Finance and a CCEL Student Assistant. He is a fourth-year student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

  • Kylie Raynor is the Site Leader Chair. She is a third-year Human Biology student on a Pre-Med track with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

  • Mercedes Reuschel is the Site Leader Chair. She is a fourth-year student in Human Biology with minors in Pharmacology and Toxicology and Health Promotion.

  • Samantha Stevens is the Vice President of Service. She is a third-year student in Genomics and Molecular Genetics and Human Biology.

  • Saad Zaeem is the Accounting Chair and a CCEL Student Assistant. He is a second-year student in Electrical Engineering.

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Executive Board

VITA is a volunteer organization that provides income tax return assistance and preparation at no cost to taxpayers! VITA is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and is organized by professionals and students across the United States. At Michigan State University, our dedicated student volunteers help low-income individuals and families in the Greater Lansing area complete federal, state, local, and/or foreign tax forms. We provide valuable career-related experience as well as outstanding volunteer experience that provides relief to the Greater Lansing community. To learn more about VITA, visit their website.

  • Minnie Davis-Konamah Asare is the President for VITA and a Masters student in Accounting.

  • Anthony Curcuru is the Vice President for VITA and a Masters student in Accounting.

  • Kaitlyn Dimock is the Treasurer for VITA and a third-year student majoring in Accounting.

  • Jesslyn Wang is the Secretary for VITA and a second-year student majoring in Accounting.

  • Caiden Kippnick is the PCR/Social Media Coordinator for VITA and a second-year student majoring in Accounting.

  • Erich Schroeder is the Recruiter for VITA and a second-year student majoring in Accounting.

 

Spartans Rebuilding Michigan Executive Board

Spartans Rebuilding Michigan is a student-led, volunteer-based organization at Michigan State University. SRM connects students with service opportunities in the Greater Lansing area and strives to promote community strength and engagement. To learn more about SRM, visit their website.

  • Luci Karakas is the President of SRM. Luci is a fourth-year student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology.

  • Jackson Muraco is the Vice President of SRM. Jackson is a fourth-year student majoring in Advertising Management.

  • Maxwell Rogers is the Treasurer of SRM. Maxwell is a third-year student majoring in Communications.

  • Aislinn Johnson is the Secretary of SRM. Aislinn is a second-year student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology.

  • Sofia Henry is the Marketing Chair of SRM. Sofia is a second-year student majoring in Marketing.

  • Charley Johnson is the 2024-2025 Fundraising Chair of SRM. Charley is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy.