Alpha Ngwenya is a sophomore studying nonprofit leadership management in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He is also having a minor in social welfare and two certificates one in entrepreneurship and innovation and another certificate in public administration and public service. He is originally from Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe. As a student, Alpha is involved in International Students Club, model for United Nations and other clubs at ASU. Alpha is interested in solving homelessness, ending poverty and education and hopes to apply his degree nonprofit management degree towards solving the social problems. He hopes to apply to graduate school to earn an MBA and then earn a PhD in economics.
Anisa Abdul-Quadir is a senior studying sustainability in the School of Sustainability. She is originally from Phoenix, AZ. As a student, Anisa is involved in the Muslim Students Association, Engineering Projects in Community Service program, Helping Hand for Relief and Development, and Arizona Students Association. She is interested in waste reduction, environmental justice, and sustainable community development for the eradication of homelessness, and hopes to apply her degree towards reducing solid waste in the City of Phoenix and serving as an Environmental Diplomat for the United States.
Carlo Altamirano is a 5th-year doctoral student and Fulbright scholar in the Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology (HSD) program in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society. He is originally from Mexico City, where he received his B.S. and MSc. in physics at National Autonomous University of Mexico. As a student, Carlo is actively involved in graduate student advocacy, and is the co-president of the Local to Global Justice organization. He is interested in civic engagement, public participation in science and technology governance, awareness and advocacy on social justice and sustainability, and hopes to apply his degree towards a career in the public sector with organizations devoted to generating capacity, building frameworks and programs that promote democratic values to enhance civic participation.
Kalah Polsean is a first-year masters student in the social work and public administration concurrent degree program in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. She is originally from Rockford, Illinois. Kalah’s professional and academic interests include child welfare, education, youth development, and nonprofit administration. Kalah serves as a board member with Arizona Gift of Adoption, Leadership Scholarship Program Alumni, and the New City Church Foster and Adoption Ministry. She was previously employed by College Success Arizona and the Phoenix Indian Center. Kalah is passionate about supporting and advocating for children in the child welfare system to ensure that all children have the same educational opportunities.
Kelsey Wilson is a junior pursuing bachelor’s degrees in political science and public policy at Barrett, the Honors College. She is a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity. In addition, Kelsey is involved with the Greek Wellness Committee and the Undergraduate Student Government as the director of civic engagement. Kelsey served as a senior page at the Arizona State Senate. Growing up in rural Lake Havasu City, Arizona, has shaped Kelsey's interests. She is interested in education reform and advocating for rural communities. Upon graduation, Kelsey would like to attend law school and eventually work as a lobbyist.
Madit Yel is a senior majoring in economics and business (public service & public policy) in the W. P. Carey School of Business. He is originally from South Sudan. As a student, Madit is involved with the Barrett Honors College and is a former chairman of the African Student Association at ASU. He is also committed to completing 40 hours of volunteer activities each academic calendar. He is interested in business management, social entrepreneurship, economic and human capital development, good governance and access to quality education, and environmental preservation. He hopes to apply his degree toward creating and maintaining socially responsible businesses, achieving sustainable economic development, and creating good governance focused on accountability and service delivery.
Mahnoor Mukarram is a junior studying psychology with plans to attend medical school post-graduation from Arizona State University. She is originally from Scottsdale, Arizona. Outside of the classroom, Mahnoor served as President of Us UNITED and now is the Founder of The Invisible Initiative, an organization that seeks create awareness of the issue of youth experiencing homelessness, to improve and increase resource accessibility, and to gather funds and basic hygiene materials to provide comfortable temporary housing for affected individuals. She is also part of the 2014 Leadership Scholarship Program’s cohort and a patient ambassador for the North Valley Emergency Specialists. Mahnoor seeks to combine her passion for working with impoverished populations and international work with a career in medicine.
Marli Mayon is a transfer student from Scottsdale Community College where she was recently recognized as an All-Arizona Academic Scholar. In her first year at ASU, she is majoring in public service and public policy with an emphasis in sustainability in the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions. She is a also pursuing certificate programs through the School of Social Transformation. Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Marli has lived in the Valley with her family for the last 10 years. Marli’s participation in Maricopa Community College District programs, such as the Student Public Policy Forum and LeaderShape, have allowed her to develop a passion for service and advocacy, specifically for issues of human rights, education and social sustainability, on local, national and international levels. While Marli’s eventual goals include pursuing a career in law and policy making, she has a strong interest in both the Teach for America and Peace Corps programs, and she hopes the opportunity to serve will aid her in better determining her plans to positively impact the world.
Stephanie Cordel is a second year graduate student pursuing a master’s of social work in the College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Originally from Arizona, she earned an undergraduate degree in child development at Vanderbilt University. Stephanie began her professional career involved in mental health research at UCLA and the University of Illinois. Recently she created an education organization called Growing Mindfully to increase social and emotional knowledge among children and families. As a student, she is a graduate research assistant at ASU’s Center for Policy Informatics studying social empathy. Stephanie plans to attain a PhD and work as a professor to research, develop, and advocate for widespread prevention programs that promote psychological skills and resilience.
Stanford Thomas Prescott is a second year graduate student studying nonprofit leadership and management in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He is originally from Phoenix, AZ. As a student, Stanford also serves on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board. He is interested in empowering others to advocate for more equitable systems and hopes to apply his degree towards building sustainable civic engagement and advocacy nonprofit organizations.
Zak Ghali is a senior studying political science in the School of Politics and Global Studies, with a minor in Spanish and certificate in political entrepreneurship. He is originally from Chandler, but since starting his studies, spends most of his time in Tempe. During his time at ASU, Zak has gotten involved as a democratic organizer, helping on various campaigns and serving as vice president for the ASU Young Democrats and executive vice-president for the Arizona Young Democrats. This year he will be working on his honors thesis: analyzing and exploring possible solutions to the tragedy of homelessness in Phoenix. Zak hopes to graduate with a master’s in public policy in 2018, and use his degree to make an impact on his community.