Meet the new members of our team at the Center for Community Engaged Learning as of Fall 2025! We are excited to announce the addition of an AmeriCorps VISTA to our team and introduce our 2025-2026 student leaders in the Community Engagement Scholars and Spartan Volunteer Leaders programs and Alternative Spartan Breaks, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Spartans Rebuilding Michigan Executive Boards.

Murriah Warren is the Center for Community Engaged Learning's Campus Compact/AmeriCorps VISTA. She specializes in the America Reads/America Counts program and is excited about supporting it after working as a mentor and tutor in Lansing public schools for three years. She graduated from MSU in May 2025 with her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and is now enrolled to pursue a master’s in clinical social work. To learn more, read Murriah’s bio.

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.

Learn more about the Community Engagement Scholars Program.

  • Madge Bolek (she/her) is a first-year Masters of Social Work student from Traverse City, Michigan. She graduated from MSU in the summer of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and two minors in Human Behavior and Social Services and Youth and Society. In a gap year between her undergraduate and master's program, she served as a college adviser for Michigan State College Advising Corps in two small rural schools. Now, she is entering the Master of Social Work program at MSU, with a concentration in child welfare as a Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellow. Madge hopes her skills as a college adviser will help her do well as the graduate coordinator for the Community Engagement Scholars Program, and she is excited to be in a position where she can be a support person for both undergrad Scholars and the community.

  • Kennedy Allen(she/her)is a junior at Michigan State University, originally from Oak Park, MI. She is pursuing a dual degree in Social Work and Arts and Humanities on the Community Engagement pathway, with a minor in African American and African Studies. She serves as a Career Peer Lead at MSU Career Services and works as an Undergraduate Research Assistant Mentor for a research initiative across the university’s three residential colleges, utilizing the community-based participatory research method. She is also an active member of RCAH Circle.

  • Prachurjo Das(he/him) was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and studies Economics and Data Science with a minor in Mathematics and Social Science Quantitative Data Analytics. As a Social Science Scholar, he is passionate about using data to tackle complex policy challenges and advocates for equity in public systems. His recent research, conducted in partnership with the Michigan Women’s Commission, focused on identifying policy solutions to reduce barriers for women in skilled trades. He is also a part of the Econ Scholars. On campus, he also served as a Resident Assistant and Undergraduate Learning Assistant for Mathematics.

  • Jannet Garcia(she/her) is a third-year student at MSU majoring in Elementary Education with a focus on 3rd-6th grade and a minor in Spanish. She is a former CAMP student, connected with TRIO Student Support Services, and in her third year with CESP. She is involved in a few organizations on campus such as Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc, Multicultural Greek Council, TIMETZALIMET, and Future Teachers of Color.

  • Roberto Garcia(he/him) was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, as the last child in a family headed by an Afro-Cuban immigrant. He is a junior majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He is involved in various student organizations, including the Creative Writing Club, Latino Leaders in Policy, and managed the Bridge Scholars Program, which provides opportunities for connection among students of color in the Social Science Scholars Program. Professionally, Roberto worked for the ASMSU as an Emerging Leader, a congressional intern for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and previously participated as a Community Engaged Scholar.

  • Abigail Livingston(she/her) is a junior from Louisville, Kentucky. At MSU she is a double major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability as well as Anthropology. Abigail is deeply interested in the intersection of human behavior and the natural environment. Abigail is involved in various environmental organizations in East Lansing, including the Daniella & Charlie Sunshine Garden led by the Fledge, a local poverty initiative, and the Social Science Scholars at MSU which provides free and fresh produce to locals who live in food deserts.

  • Ainsley McNamara(she/her) is a senior from Rockford, Michigan, pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, along with minors in Spanish and Law, Justice, and Public Policy. Through the Social Science Scholars Program, she was connected with Citizens for Prison Reform, a local grassroots organization where she served as a research intern since sophomore year. Ainsley is also deeply involved with the Adolescent Diversion Program, where she spent a year mentoring local youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

  • Jessica Pacheco-Perez(she/her) is a fourth-year Neuroscience major with a strong passion for community engagement and service. Jessica is in her second year with the Community-Engaged Scholars Program. She is committed to using her academic background and personal drive to make a positive impact. Whether through research, outreach, or local initiatives, she is always eager to support and connect with her community.

  • Deanna Retland was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She is a Human Biology major in the Honors College at Michigan State University, pre-med track. She is an active member of the Charles Drew Science Scholars, Aspiring Black Women Doctors, and the volunteer committee of the National Society of Black Engineers' volunteer committee at MSU. She is also a scholar in the Michigan Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program. Deanna has gained research experience via the Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity, and Discovery Program, where she explored how language differences contribute to medical misdiagnosis. She has also worked as an intern at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, where she gained hands-on experience with patient care and healthcare systems.

  • Anabelle Sanchez is a junior from Chicago, Illinois. She is double majoring at James Madison College and the College of Social Science studying Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and Public Policy. Anabelle’s engagement on campus as a Social Science Scholar, student pair with Generations Connect, and various other organizations has allowed her to gain further insight on the impact of community involvement at MSU. Her unwavering passion for community advocacy since her youth has led her to gain valuable experience, such as serving on the Chicago Mayor’s Youth Commission, and participating in programs with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

  • Madelyn Schurman is a senior at Michigan State University studying Psychology. She serves as Vice President of The Pearl Project, a student organization that partners with a nonprofit on the South Side of Chicago to support children and their families by organizing student-led service trips. Madelyn also works as a Resident Assistant, where she is passionate about building communities where people feel a true sense of belonging.

Spartan Volunteer Leaders

This year, two Spartan Volunteer Leaders will join our team! Spartan Volunteer Leaders provides essential programmatic support to CCEL staff, with a special focus on the Serve, Learn, Engage monthly series inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leaders in this role will work together to increase student engagement in CCEL programs and contribute to meaningful community impact. 

  • Aarav Contractor, third-year student in Human Biology and Physiology

  • Haylie Pohlman, fourth-year student in Nursing

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. Learn more about ASB.

  • Karthick Prem Satheesh Kumar, President, CCEL Student Assistant, fourth-year student in Neuroscience and Human Biology on a pre-med track

  • Audrey Kind, Co-Vice President of Service, second-year student in Electrical Engineering

  • Sam Stevens,Co-Vice President of Service, third-year student in Human Biology and Genomics and Molecular Genetics.

  • Alex Gustafson,Vice President of Finance, second-year student in Electrical Engineering

  • Nitish Natesan, Treasurer, third-year student in Neuroscience with a minor in Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering

  • Kylie Raynor,Co-Vice President of Education, CCEL Student Assistant, fourth-year student in Human Biology on a pre-physician assistant track with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  • Mercedes Reuschel,Co-Vice President of Education, CCEL Student Assistant, fifth-year student in Human Biology on a pre-physician assistant track

  • Cordelia Kraus, Vice President of Internal Communications, third-year student in Physiology on a pre-med track

  • Erin Kanaar, Co-Director of External Communications, third-year student in Public Policy

  • Bleona Prenaj, Co-Director of External Communications, third-year student in Human Biology and Bioethics.

  • Lana Kouatli,Secretary, fourth-year student in Neuroscience on a pre-med track

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.

Learn more about VITA.

  • Erich Schroeder, President, third-year Accounting student

  • Caiden Kippnick, Vice President, fourth-year Accounting student on the Master’s in Accounting shared track

  • Kaitlyn Dimock, Treasurer, fourth-year Accounting student

  • Jesslyn Wang,Secretary, third-year Accounting and Economics student

  • Brayden Shimon, PR and Social Media Director, second-year Accounting student

  • Calvin Zheng, Recruiter and Volunteer Relations, third-year Supply Chain Management student

  • Katherine Ristich, Client Relations, third-year Accounting student

  • Erica Yang,International Liaison, third-year Accounting student with minors in Data Science and Information Technology

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.

Learn more about SRM.

  • Sofia Henry,President, third-year Marketing student

  • Zoe Forbes,Vice President, third-year Supply Chain Management student

Aislinn Johnson, Secretary, third-year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student

  • Maxwell Rogers, Treasurer, fourth-year Communication student.

  • Aidan Shefferly, Public Outreach, third-year Supply Chain Management student