Ena Ampy graduated from Howard University in May 2013 with a BS in Psychology. She hopes to have a career in management and counseling.
Zack Avre studies geography, urban studies, and political science at Macalester College and will graduate with a BA in 2014. During his senior year, he will undertake an honors thesis assessing the impact of the foreclosure crisis on the Twin Cities housing market. A Harry S. Truman Scholar, Zack hopes to pursue a master's degree in urban planning and a career in housing policy.
Amirah Bohler is a pre-kindergarten teacher from Chesterfield, Va. She is a 2010 graduate of Howard University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. Amirah is a member of the Howard University Alumni club, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and is actively involved in the children's ministry at her church. Amirah plans to pursue a Master of Education in Counseling.
Megan Brooks-Planck is a May 2013 graduate of Warren Wilson College with a BS in Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Policy. She is currently employed in the field of chemistry and public health.
Dulce Aída Cano is a student at the University of Texas at Pan American in Edinburg, Texas and will graduate in 2017. She plans to enroll in medical school to pursue a career as a doctor specializing in cosmetic dermatology.
Gwen Coiley is a student at Mount Holyoke College and will graduate in 2014 with a BA in Spanish and a minor in Educational Studies. She has been actively involved in off-campus community projects and partnerships through the Community-Based Learning program at Mount Holyoke. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an Americorps position for one year and then go to graduate school for a master?s in teaching.
Sophia De Quattro is an honors student at Dominican University of California and will graduate in 2016 with a BA in Organizational and Corporate Communications as well as a minor in Business Administration. She has a strong interest in communal work and has participated in several service learning projects. Sophia plans to pursue careers in writing and advertisement.
Sarah Ducker is a fourth year political science major and education minor at the University of California, Berkeley. She served as Alternative Breaks Communications Director in 2012-2013 and is spending the current academic year leading the winter New Orleans trip, serving on the Public Service Center Student Advisory Committee, and interning with the Multicultural Community Center on campus.
Seth Gustafson is a student at Grinnell College (IA), and will be graduating in 2014 with a BA in Psychology. Seth is the captain of Grinnell's football team and is involved with research in Health Psychology. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in health or counseling psychology.
Darrell Haley graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in August 2013 with a BIS in psychology and mechanical engineering. Darrell is currently pursuing his master?s of applied psychology at the University of Southern California. Upon graduation, he plans on pursuing a career in organizational behavior.
Katharine Hinman is a fourth year peace and conflict studies major with a minor in global poverty and practice. She was Community Partnerships Director of Alternative Breaks in 2012-2013 and is spending this year in a similar position, specifically holding the new winter trips and summer internship programs. She also directs Oakland Community Builders, a community organizing internship program, and serves on the Public Service Center Student Advisory Committee.
Nidha Jivan is a third year student at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, GA. She has been volunteering at Emory Winship Cancer Institute since February 2013. She will graduate in 2015 with a BS in Biology and aspires to pursue a career as a physician where she can apply her oncological interests in a clinic.
Catherine Jones is a student at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and will graduate with a BA in Sociology in 2015. Cat recently completed a semester studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa where she performed community service, teaching English to 4th and 5th graders. Cat also enjoys working at Kind to Kids Foundation, a Delaware non-profit organization that she and her family founded. The organization provides educational programs and opportunities for foster children and children in poverty and has served over 7,000 since its inception in 2008. Cat hopes to pursue a career in international service work.
Barbara Kessell is a student at Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, and will graduate with a BA in Psychology in 2014. Barbara plans to pursue a doctorate degree in psychology.
Chika Kondo graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2013 with a double major in political science and society and environment. She served as Training & Sustainability Director of Alternative Breaks during the 2012-2013 year. As a recent graduate, she is living in New Orleans for two years to work with long-standing Alternative Breaks community partner, Mack McClendon, at the Lower 9th Ward Village community center.
Brea Mangrum is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University and will graduate with a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Urban Psychology in 2014. She stays involved within her community and hopes to pursue a career in social work.
Attallah Muhammad graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in December 2012 with a BS in Psychology. Attallah has done numerous volunteering opportunities and service learning programs targeting adolescents. Attallah plans to continue her education in the field of Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and families.
Danielle Ngo is a fourth year environmental science major at the University of California, Berkeley. She was Resource Director of Alternative Breaks in 2012-2013 and will be leading this year?s winter Urban Health in Los Angeles trip, as well as playing competitive ultimate frisbee and conducting research for her thesis project, a comparative analysis of different composting techniques.
Neeraj Salhotra graduated from Rice University in May 2013 with a BA in Economics and Policy Studies. Neeraj has been involved in multiple service learning projects related to education. He is currently a Teach For America corps member and teaches pre-calculus at YES Prep, a charter school for low-income minorities in Houston.
Miranda Spera graduated in May 2013 with a BS from Virginia Commonwealth University?s School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene program. She currently works as a licensed and registered dental hygienist (RDH) in a local community center offering dental care to underserved populations within the metropolitan Richmond area. She hopes to pursue a master?s degree in Health Administration.
Andie Tucker graduated from Azusa Pacific University in May 2013 with a BA in Global Studies. In 2012 she spent five months living and working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the advocacy department of a women?s rights organization. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master?s degree in international development.
Kathryn Van Zanen will graduate from Calvin College in the spring of 2014 with a degree in Writing and minors in Religion and Environmental Studies. She remains uncertain of her future plans, but hopes to pursue a writing career integrated with service-learning and community development.
Jessica Watts is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University and will graduate in May 2016 with a BS in Nursing and Psychology. Jessica has been very involved with her university as Spirit and Entertainment Chair of Homecoming Committee and President of Nursing Students Without Borders. She plans to become a Nurse Practitioner one day and create her own organization that helps countries that are lacking in medical resources.
Annie Wendel graduated from Providence College in May 2013 with a BA in Public and Community Service Studies. She is teaching in Nepal as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant and plans to pursue a career in international education.
Lindsey Williams graduated from Loyola Marymount University in May 2013 with a BS in Health and Human Sciences. Lindsey continues to deepen her connection to her community through her work as a Research Assistant with UCSF's Alliance Health Project and hopes to one day pursue a career in medicine.
* All authors, with the exception of research done in partnership with an organization, were invited to submit biographies.