Individual Impact Plans
A living and evolving plan that helps our Scholars develop their personal ambitions, priorities, and specific, actionable ideas to create lasting impact.
Ananda Birungi
Harvard University
Class of 2024
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Equality,
International Development
Empowering women of color through education, finances and health. I want to work to make the world a better place for women to live and thrive in. And for children born into experiences that automatically make them feel othered, whether by race or class.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact is to help marginalized peoples realize their potential for success and to work towards making the system more equitable for them.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Talk to community leaders.
Idea 2:
Join an organization that works around these issue.
Idea 3:
Continue to educate myself on the complexities of these issues.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Connect with WIFCO.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Research summer opportunities that can help me gain more experience in this work and build my skills.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Read a book on economics in developing countries.
Listen to people from these communities and what they think potential solutions are.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Email Jessie from Inspire to set up a meeting to talk about work around education equity.
Connect with Educate!
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Research clubs at Harvard.
Become a mentor for students.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Bedha Neopaney
University of Denver
Class of 2024
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Equality,
Policy/Law
My goal for impact is to earn a law degree and use my skills to help the underserved with their legal challenges. I’d like to create an organization that accomplishes this at scale. This is my goal because of my grandpa getting framed for something he did not do, and we could not do anything because we were not able to hire a good diligent attorney.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact is to earn a law degree and use my skills to help the underserved with their legal challenges. I’d like to create an organization that accomplishes this at scale.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Creation of a firm and [learning] how to maintain it.
Idea 2:
Improving [personal] leadership and extroverted-ness.
Idea 3:
Internship at law firms.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Take courses for business management and analysis.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Try talking to one different person every day.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Elizabeth Gutierrez-Gutierrez
University of Denver
Class of 2022
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Equality,
STEM
Growing up, I had to find resources on my own and figure out how I was going to support my dream of becoming a college graduate. My goal is to allow students like myself who are women, Latinx, and/or 1st generation students a chance to explore their options at a young age. As they begin applying to college, figure out how to make it accessible for them and their families. I knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn’t know how to get there. I had to find scholarships on my own and figure out how I was going to make it accessible. I want to do the same for other students who are walking in my same shoes.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal is to allow students like myself who are women, Latinx, and/or 1st generation students a chance to explore their options at a young age. As they begin applying to college, figure out how to make it accessible for them and their families.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
“A day in the Life of a College Student” Series in Spanish and English for k-12 students.
Idea 2:
STEM Day for K-12 students.
Idea 3:
Create a scholarship directory that students in the Denver Public School system can access.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Bring idea to college students in Colorado area and possibility of initiating this project. Create YouTube channel.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Set up meeting with Professor at Metropolitan State University. (Marina will reach out first) Find a date.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Create a bilingual scholarship directory website. Recruit other scholars or peers interested to get information on what scholarships are available.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Fernando Marin
University of Illinois Chicago
Class of 2024
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Human Services/Mental Health,
International Development,
STEM
I am passionate about the unbreakable soul and spirit of the Venezuelan community all around the world. My goal is to better the life of the people that struggle everyday in my homeland country (Venezuela). I will do this by providing them with the right resources and help that will allow them to have a less complicated life and grant them with the right opportunities.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal is to better the life of the people that struggle everyday in my homeland country (Venezuela). I will do this by providing them with the right resources and help that will allow them to have a less complicated life and grant them with the right opportunities.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Grow my company to the point where we can provide everybody computers and technology with too little or at not cost
Idea 2:
Provide help and training on how use technology to take advantage of the constant tech-evolving world.
Idea 3:
Open opportunities and jobs for more people in Venezuela.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Expand the list of companies and clients that are willing to donate their old reusable technology.
Find ways to make revenue in the U.S. to be able to pay for shipping and handling of the products.
Find foundations and Organizations in Venezuela that would be willing to help give away the technology and give it to people in need.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Grow Ferdace Venezuela, expand its services, and open offices for each individual service.
Find people with the capacities and requirements to work these jobs.
Open storage and handling jobs without asking for many requirements to work, making it easier for people to get needed jobs.
Produce live-able income jobs and be able to afford a good salary for each worker.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Gabriel Castro
Colorado State University
Class of 2024
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Environmental,
Equality,
STEM
I plan to utilize my mechanical engineering skills to offer some form of technological improvement or work on some sort of project that is environmentally sustainable and positively impact the world. While establishing myself in the engineering community I plan on returning the favor to young marginalized students who wish to pursue STEM careers as well. I want to assist them in their endeavors and inspire them to follow the same path. As a young Hispanic student who has faced a number of obstacles in his life, I understand the difficulties that occur for lower income students. I want them to overcome their issues and continue a path of success.
Impact Plan Goals
I plan to utilize my mechanical engineering skills to offer some form of technological improvement or work on some sort of project that is environmentally sustainable and positively impact the world. While establishing myself in the engineering community I plan on returning the favor to young marginalized students who wish to pursue STEM careers as well. I want to assist them in their endeavors and inspire them to follow the same path. As a young Hispanic student who has faced a number of obstacles in his life, I understand the difficulties that occur for lower income students. I want them to overcome their issues and continue a path of success.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Connect with local communities to understand the status and presence STEM holds.
Idea 2:
Understand the greatest setbacks for these students and find out how I can best become an outlet and resource to assist these students.
Idea 3:
Work with the schools and try to implement some sort of program or outlet that helps these students.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Reach out to the schools in my community.
Discuss the current curriculum of STEM and how much it is stressed to students.
See how young the STEM courses reach (do they start in elementary or is it not implemented until higher education?).
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Learn what the greatest difficulties are for these students through discussing with the schools and the students.
Based on the information I learn, I can research and develop a plan that will benefit these students.
Understand what my experience, connections, and resources will allow me to do to provide some sort of change.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Holly Wenger
Colorado College
Class of 2023
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Arts,
Human Services/Mental Health
Use music and theater as an accessible resource and outlet to promote positive mental health and personal expression, particularly in youth. I have experienced first hand the benefits the arts can provide to young people who have experienced trauma or other forms of mental health set backs, and I want to combat the impact that limited funding is having on the arts. I also want to work on making all aspects of the arts more accessible for all levels of talent and knowledge, because everyone deserves a chance to try their hand at every aspect of art making.
Impact Plan Goals
Use music and theater as an accessible resource and outlet to promote positive mental health and personal expression, particularly in youth.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Long Term: Implement an outreach program to get young people involved at a local theater and educate them about how art can connect you to other lifestyles and cultures.
Idea 2:
Reorganize and revamp the technical side of my local theater to make it more accessible to people new to that side of theater, encouraging more involvement on all sides of the stage. This will also serve as the first step toward creating an educational outreach initiative to teach young people about technical theater.
Idea 3:
Involve young kids with trauma or mental health disabilities in the arts to help them heal.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Develop a relationship with local teens and assess their interest and access to the arts.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Take inventory of what technical and stage manager supplies the theater already owns, including color gels, gobos, first aid, rehearsal materials, etc.
Create an expense list of additional items needed to be bought for supplies and organization, such as gaff and spike tape, crescent wrenches, file folders and label makers, etc. Buy the necessary tools and supplies.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Iftu Abdi
Howard University
Class of 2023
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Human Services/Mental Health,
Equality
Use my education and knowledge specializing in mental health in Women Of Color (WOC) to create resources and prioritize the mental health and wellness of those WOC. I have been personally impacted by the lack of reach mental health resources have into underserved communities and so see the value of understanding and feeling empowered to make personal changes.
Impact Plan Goals
Use my education and knowledge specializing in mental health in Women Of Color (WOC) to create resources and prioritize the mental health and wellness of those WOC.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Understand the underlining issues that lead to drastic differences in access and understanding in mental health.
Idea 2:
Learn more about efforts that have been made to break cycles of trauma and mental illness.
Idea 3:
Provide parents with tools that empower them to uncover their own mental health wellness
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Find a professor that focuses on re-educating students on women of color, through history, contemporary, and future.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Talk to women of color that are community leaders and have a history of incorporating mental health into their work
Research what the key things are to having positive mental health and what steps need to be taken
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Research the differences and the root of them for the way parents and children may see mental wellness
Use my school to research different POV from different cultures and how that impacts mental wellness and its importance to WOC
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Imani Gunnison
Amherst College
Class of 2024
State:
Georgia
Areas of Impact:
Education
Everyone is a student and learning something new everyday. I have worked with students in elementary school who didn’t have resources to reach their greatest potential. I saw the lack of classes that would give them a wider world view and open their eyes to the endless opportunities before them. Because of this, I want to be part of the change that will help them see and reach their full potential.
Impact Plan Goals
Empower students to achieve their full capabilities and purposes through a more equitable education.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Understand the components of language acquisition and how languages are taught in U.S. schools.
Idea 2:
Talk with women and girls about identity and self esteem.
Idea 3:
Identify different learning and teaching styles in regards to literacy.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Study how languages are learned (research studies, research polyglots etc.).
Interview foreign language and ESL teachers.
Look at school systems language programs and how they're taught.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Speak with the director of First Ladies Youth Leadership and ask her for advice.
Self study with books and journal articles.
Look for a professor who teaches a related class.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Read studies, journal articles and books.
Talk to teachers about what works in their classrooms.
Volunteer or work in a literacy focused organization.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Isaaq Khader
University of Chicago
Class of 2023
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Education,
STEM
After speaking with professors and professionals, I’ve realized that education is something I can achieve anywhere I go, whether that is helping a co-worker or mentoring a student. I feel that I eventually want to become an educator and technology is that gateway to make it happen.
Impact Plan Goals
Simplify the lives of others using technology and tech education.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Continue teaching others
Idea 2:
Create a program that mimics human thought process.
Idea 3:
Integrate CS with Psychology.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Be a tutor.
Assist others in any activity I am part of.
Lead a class.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Learn more beyond cognitive psychology course to better understand how we create memories and process stimulus.
Begin creating a framework for how it would be created, such as an executable.
Use tools from cognitive psychology such as how we store information and what we do with it.
Ask for others opinions on how to build it, since it would be an interpretation of how the brain thinks.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Take more courses that connect psychology and CS.
Work in a psychology lab!
Connect with people who have double majored in CS and Psychology.
Begin mapping how machine learning/data science relate to certain psychology topics.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Jennifer Lam
Colorado College
Class of 2022
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Arts,
International Development
My goal for impact is to be able to promote empathy and people-to-people diplomacy by sharing stories through various forms of media like storytelling or videography. This is my impact goal because these have been forms of media that have inspired me in one way or another. I want to work on developing the skillset to communicate with people better.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact is to be able to promote empathy and people-to-people diplomacy by sharing stories through various forms of media like storytelling or videography.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Find experience in which I can participate in global exchange.
Idea 2:
Write a book
Idea 3:
Take basic film-making courses to help get ideas to plot a story.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Take more international relations, global inequality or sociology to become more knowledgeable about social issues.
Try to go abroad and document those experiences.
Search for internships aligned with goal of impacting people on a global scale. .
Gain fluency in 1-2 more different languages (Mandarin, Korean).
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Get inspirations for ideas to write a book.
Take more creative writing classes.
Do research on chosen topics and start writing.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Try to do a solo-travel (heritage tour) to Vietnam and document experiences and tell and identity story.
Work in final Cut Pro and mess with video effects.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Create and document stories of travel experiences.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Jessee Steele
Duke University
Class of 2023
State:
Areas of Impact:
Environmental,
Equality,
Policy/Law
My home community has a history of resource exploitation that has led to MANY contemporary problems, including an increase in the tension with more urban, elite cities. Understanding why sustainable systems are important becomes much more apparent and accessible once people learn about where their things come from.
Impact Plan Goals
Combat the rigid polarity and tension of rural and urban relationships. Imagine sustainable futures that allows for local policy making. End natural resource exploitation (including peoples’ labor) that directly, negatively impacts rural, low-income, and often indigenous and/or POC communities. Educate people on the importance of deeply connecting with the products and tools we use as well as the plants we eat.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Incorporate myself in the Durham growing and gardening community; learn technical knowledge from experience.
Idea 2:
Hone sewing and tailoring skills to eventually create a small side business/hobby.
Idea 3:
Receive feedback on the grant proposal that I have already written and revise strategy.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Continue work with Slice325.
Schedule more precise actions and find sustainable means of weekend transportation.
Email Cheralyn and ask about options for master gardener education, since I don’t meet the qualifications (I don’t have a plot of land + missed the initial zoom meeting).
Look for opportunities via the Keep Durham Beautiful newsletter
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
When friends ask me to help them sew XYZ, learn how to do it on a trial piece of cloth and then do it with their clothing.
Figure a system for organizing my sewing projects and patterns concept drafting. (for example, I am currently using loose sheets of graphing paper. Either find a folder, journal, or transition to a digital format. Make sure to keep everything in one place.
Complete cutting and sewing of my new quilt. Either use old sheets for the backing or buy thrifted ones from Scrap Exchange; they just need to be really soft.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Submit grant proposal.
Execute strategy listed on grant proposal (marketing, pilot program, stakeholder negotiations, etc).
Reconvene with stakeholders and discuss improvements and modifications moving forward.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Implement reusable refill station on Duke’s Campus
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Karina Ferrer
Gonzaga University
Class of 2023
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Environmental,
Policy/Law
Environmental justice in industrialized neighborhoods and the affects of this pollution on the health of people living in these neighborhoods. The gentrification and displacement of people of color who are being forced to abandon their homes and communities. The wealth gap and poverty affecting millions of people. The mass incarceration of men and women of color.
Impact Plan Goals
Be an advocate for communities like mine which have been silenced and vulnerable to erasure due to gentrification and systems of oppression such as mass incarceration. Through obtaining a role in federal politics, I want to create policies which revive neighborhoods like mine for the benefit of the people who have been there for generations and deserve better. I want to create policies which lower sentences for non-violent drug related crimes and transform our current prison system into a rehabilitative one.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Organizing and protesting against the gentrification taking place in my neighborhood Globeville and eventually doing the same for Swansea and Five Points.
Idea 2:
Organize a group of individuals to study the long term affects of industrial pollution on the people of Globeville.
Idea 3:
Learn more about how the court systems function when sentencing individuals for drug related crimes.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Continue to educate myself on how to properly organize people to work towards a cause through participating in my local USAS chapter.
Continue to educate myself through experience and conversations within my community about how gentrification is affecting the families in Globeville.
Attend local town meetings and protests which are taking place to work along side movements that are already in place.
Educate my community on the issue of gentrification through conversation.
Speaking with our local representatives about the displacement of families and the rising cost of living which is forcing families out of their homes.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Network and work with individuals who study public health to see how the factories and transportation pollution affects the health of residents in Globeville.
Analyzing and learning more through studies which may have already been conducted.
Questioning local representatives about why Globeville has the lowest life expectancy in the entire state of Colorado.
Bringing our findings to political leaders and pushing for policy change so that the people of Globeville could live healthier and longer lives.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Continue taking criminology classes to become more knowledgeable on how the courts systems function.
Having conversations with friends and family members who have been arrested for drug related crimes about how this has affected their lives.
Networking and meeting with local attorneys who work in criminal law.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Kaylee Zilinger
Northwestern University
Class of 2024
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Equality,
STEM
Education inequity in low-income/minority communities. I personally have been impacted by education inequity in my community, yet I have been lucky to have been provided opportunities in the sciences that have exposed me to the field and reassured me that I belong there. However, I recognize that many of my peers are not afforded these same opportunities and face countless obstacles to a successful career in STEM.
Impact Plan Goals
I want to increase representation and inclusion of underrepresented minority students (URM) in STEM.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Help make STEM opportunities more accessible to young children in communities that are impacted by education inequity through direct community involvement.
Idea 2:
Learn more about the factors which facilitate STEM underrepresentation and education inequity and what the best solutions are.
Idea 3:
Help raise awareness about STEM underrepresentation and help spread more public recognition of underrepresented minorities in STEM.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Research local schools that could benefit from future STEM extracurricular opportunities.
Figure out how to start a student organization on Northwestern’s campus.
Brainstorm interactive STEM lesson ideas and outlines to implement in a future program.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Find and talk to scientists about their personal experiences as underrepresented minorities in STEM.
Take classes in sociology/social policy to better understand systemic inequity and policy solutions.
Read books written about education inequity.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Kristen Narona
University of Colorado, Boulder
Class of 2023
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Human Services/Mental Health,
Equality,
Policy/Law
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of social justice, equity, and diversity since I was a child. It’s what’s driven me to study Sociology and Ethnic Studies, and it’s what I’m most passionate about doing the work for. I want to start my own nonprofit organization or to have an influential role in one that values racial justice.
Impact Plan Goals
I want to start my own nonprofit organization or to have an influential role in one that values racial justice.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Join the women’s network of CU Boulder.
Idea 2:
Organize a program with ACLU Colorado to gather cohorts of students willing to do activism on campus.
Idea 3:
Create a way to have mutual aid for trans and queer folks in Boulder.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Apply for the VP of diversity and inclusion position.
Reach out to women in the women’s network.
Attend events and meetings.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Establish a program focused in organizing and activism and bring to CU Boulder students.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Find people in the community who are in need of mutual aid.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Luis Cordero
Davidson College
Class of 2022
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Healthcare,
Equality
The goal I am trying to have in my lifetime is impacting those communities that hold dear to my personal identity of being gay and mental illness. This year for my thesis work I am excited to be able to do research on the drugs commonly prescribed by physicians called Prozac. I hope to impact the communities of science and add further information of the drug's impact it has on developing embryos and the brain. It is my goal to be able to share this information with women to make more informed decisions.
Impact Plan Goals
The goal I am trying to have in my lifetime is impacting those communities that hold dear to my personal identity of being gay and mental illness.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Apply to more research programs - Rusk Grant.
Idea 2:
Take courses pertaining to thesis work.
Idea 3:
Continue to foster events for LGBTQIA+ groups.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
I am creating an excel sheet with post-grad opportunities involving research.
Start planning for my presentation and apply to the SFN conference in Chicago.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Present in the Fall science presentations we tend to have.
I am also taking more classes in the future on maternal health.
Reading more articles pertaining to SSRIs and maternal health.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
I am hoping to have a tea party in a social distant way outdoors.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
I have already applied to do this program and am hoping to get funding for the summer.
I will hear back later on this, but I am also going to apply to Flex Funding as this will help me the financial aspect of being able to live in NC for the summer to conduct my research.
I am also hoping to apply to other programs as a back - up.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Reading more articles pertaining to SSRIs and maternal health.
I am currently taking two courses that have been informing my thesis work.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
I am currently the president of YANASH and have hosted our first ever picnic.
Queer field day where we play sports.
Matthew Morgan
Vanderbilt University
Class of 2023
State:
Georgia
Areas of Impact:
Business,
Equality
Helping Black people obtain the success, access, and recognition they deserve. Connect black and brown people to opportunities in marketing and creative endeavors, where there is a gap in exposure and knowledge.
Impact Plan Goals
Helping Black people obtain the success, access, and recognition they deserve. Seeing to it that people do what they are best at and get justly paid and appreciated for it.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Work with similar fellowship founders and community leaders for inspiration and advice.
Idea 2:
Present to marketing and consulting firms.
Idea 3:
Do relevant research on the topics at hand.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Weekly planning meetings with Ohanahealth founder Daniel Oppong.
Speak with black marketing professionals on their experiences.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Make a pitch deck containing developed personas, targets, and research.
Settle on business model, if there will be a financial aspect to it, and messaging
check.
Present pitch deck to red pepper at weekly.
Present final pitch deck after redpepper round to Courage Collective.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Environmental scan of current position black and brown people hold in marketing.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Talk with Jehron, founder of Colorstack for scoping advice.
Work with marketing professionals to help establish relationships and target audience.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Do relevant research on the topics at hand.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
NaKaya Short
Northwestern University
Class of 2023
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Healthcare,
International Development
My goal for impact is to improve the health of low-income citizens around the globe.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact is to improve the health of low-income citizens around the globe.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Becoming a Nurse or a Physician Assistant.
Idea 2:
Get accepted into the Honors Psychology program at Northwestern.
Idea 3:
Mentoring someone else.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completing the prerequisites for both programs.
Becoming a CNA to get patient care hours before applying to the program.
Begin writing essays for the programs beginning in the January of 2022.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Continue taking Psychology 399 and being in a research lab.
Working with my advisors on a topic to write my senior thesis on.
Beginning to write my application statement including what I plan to study and making a plan on how I will finish my thesis.
Continuing to connect to faculty members so that I can receive impressive recommendation letters.
Sending in my application to the honors program.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Continuing my education at Northwestern and finding which career path I would like to follow.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Nina Giddens
Xavier University of Louisiana
Class of 2023
State:
Georgia
Areas of Impact:
Healthcare,
Equality
I am passionate about health literacy and health Issues that affect the black community, along with issues that affect women’s health, voting rights, preventing voter suppression, and minimizing racial disparities in healthcare.
Impact Plan Goals
I am passionate about health literacy and health Issues that affect the black community, along with issues that affect women’s health, voting rights, preventing voter suppression, and minimizing racial disparities in healthcare.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Women’s Health Issues
Idea 2:
Voting Rights
Idea 3:
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Change the sex education available to freshman at Xavier University of Louisiana.
Become an 'Advocates for Youth' member.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Research Internships available in this area.
Gain experience with reproductive justice advocacy.
Connect with a professor on campus about my interest and look into women’s studies courses.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Attend NAACP press conference to become knowledgeable about the issue and its effects on African American communities.
Join the voter registration and absentee ballot application initiatives on campus.
Get 20 people to commit to voting for both 2020 upcoming elections.
Research ways to combat voter suppression in Atlanta.
Gain experience as a political intern.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Rafael Aguilera
Santa Clara University
Class of 2022
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Homeownership,
Human Services/Mental Health
I have always wanted to change my hometown of Waukegan for the better. The main problems that Waukegan has right now are homelessness, bad public infrastructure and the lack of high school students graduating and going on to college.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for my impact plan is to create a program that can empower my hometown of Waukegan but that can be adapted to other communities, leading by example, by leveraging my current skill set and network to create a positive impact in various negative faults in these communities.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Shelter Awareness to Waukegan
Idea 2:
Helping the Homeless find stability in their life
Idea 3:
School Board Awareness Meetings
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Raise awareness within Waukegan to help in with donations and volunteering in order to help our community thrive.
Within the shelter, hand out surveys and figure out what is the biggest problem or biggest reason for their struggles. It would lead into a great segue as to what our community as a whole can work on.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Work alongside local businesses to help find temporary jobs in which a person has a shot to a stable and permanent job.
Work along side Thrift Shops so they can decent clothing. Appearance leads to bias towards the homeless, a nice outfit may lead into a new opportunity.
Have Corporate Businesses sponsor a family or a person in which they might donate clothes, money or even a job. This may lead to multiple sponsorships from one single company.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
There has been a lack of attendance within School Board Meeting in Waukegan. Times are thought to be either too early or too late and take place on a workday for many families. A time change is crucial. Make the board aware of this problem.
Translators are key, and many high school student can volunteer as facilitators to help hispanic families get their point across. 78% of students in Waukegan are Hispanic and those parents have a voice and opinion, they just need to be helped. Get high schoolers, like NHS members, to help with board meetings.
There is a lot of Social Media drive but not many people show up to Board meetings. We need to increase attendance and I truly believe that starting a Social Media campaign would be perfect.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Interview with PADS Directors, which is a shelter in Waukegan to ask what their biggest problems are. This is a start for me to know where I can begin.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Need to contact Mayor Cunningham and figure out what is being done in part from city council to help the homeless and what are their plans.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Sarah Sweeney
Bradley University
Class of 2024
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Human Services/Mental Health
My goal for impact is to give children of abuse a voice to better safeguard their future physical and mental health. Low income, poverty, drug addiction, poor educational institutions, all are obstacles that children of abuse face. I support finding a way to help the overloaded child services to prevent the death of more children like AJ Freund and Gabriel Hernandez. I will become more active in finding ways to give children a voice. I plan to become more involved with child advocacy groups and centers that help children because no child should have to feel the way I felt...voiceless and afraid.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact is to give children of abuse a voice to better safeguard their future physical and mental health.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Talk to Lake County Child Advocacy Center.
Idea 2:
Schedule classes surrounding my major.
Idea 3:
Learn more about child abuse and why Child services is frequently understaffed and under funded.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Ask for further connections or other people I can talk to.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Email the head of the pre law advising and express interest in meeting and talking about my career in law.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Internship at DLA Piper.
Continue to network and meet people.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Meet with the head, Kathy Gordon.
Find out ways I can get more involved.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Join Pre-law club
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Shiv Patel
Northwestern University
Class of 2022
State:
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Healthcare
Inequities present in the education system, which ultimately exacerbate societal issues that stem from access to this education. Secondary effects of COVID-19: food insecurity, educational inaccessibility, housing inequity.
Impact Plan Goals
Reduce healthcare inequities among vulnerable and marginalized communities while pursuing my career goals in medicine.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to resolving healthcare issues at the community level.
Idea 2:
Increasing access to health education resources, which are traditionally written in English, by translating this information and depicting it with pictorial representations.
Idea 3:
Identify community partners to streamline the donation of essential supplies.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Establish strong community partnerships that will allow the organization to maintain its impact long-term.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Develop pamphlet about how to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic using Canva (maximize use of graphics instead of words).
Print pamphlets and prepare for distribution (print on both sides and fold in tri-fold style).
Distribute pamphlets to populations that may find them useful through community partners.
Create additional pamphlet regarding financial wellness or mental health resources for future use as well.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Raise funds to purchase supplies for donation.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Incorporate the organization and obtain 501(c)(3) status.
Establish initial team to lead the organization, consisting of an executive board and a board of directors.
Develop website to promote organization
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Donating essential supplies (face masks, toiletries, etc) to marginalized communities and workers on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Somtochukwu (Somto) Obiegbu
Mercer University
Class of 2022
State:
Georgia
Areas of Impact:
Healthcare,
International Development
I want a world with healthcare accessibility in third world countries. I want to provide better healthcare systems and implement programs and policies that will alter the quality of life in 3rd world counties.
Impact Plan Goals
My impact goals are to provide better healthcare systems and implement programs and policies that will alter the quality of life in 3rd world counties.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Volunteer abroad in South Africa.
Idea 2:
Get engaged in the Medical atmosphere.
Idea 3:
Increase my Knowledge about 3rd world countries.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Find an organization or company to help take me abroad.
Study and learn about the South African country.
Apply for flex funding.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Intern at a local hospital.
Shadow different doctors and physicians.
Learn more about the medical field.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Research more information about 3rd world countries.
Take classes dealing with 3rd world country development.
Talk to people who have worked in 3rd world countries.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Sophie Clarke
University of Colorado, Boulder
Class of 2022
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Business,
Equality
As I enter my last year of college, its funny to say that I am still discovering my passions. However, I know I am passionate about creating equal opportunities for the community of lower income, first generation college students. I would say my main themes are storytelling, teamwork, and collaboration. I am interested in a variety of topics especially surrounding my major, I am very interested in using computer coding and marketing. I would one day like to own a life-style business that creates a positive company culture. A company built on kindness, compassion, collaboration, and hard work. Using my degree from CU Boulder I would like to gain more experience in the cooperate marketing/technology world and explore that sector. From there, I would like to branch off on my own and start a small start up company of my own. A company rooted in many of the Greenhouse Scholar communities core values. Then I would like to give back as much as my means allow such as bring on an aimless intern much like Nick (my last boss) did with me.
Impact Plan Goals
I would one day like to own a life-style business that creates a positive company culture. A company built on kindness, compassion, collaboration, and hard work. Using my degree from CU Boulder I would like to gain more experience in the cooperate marketing/technology world and explore that sector. From there, I would like to branch off on my own and start a small start up company of my own. A company rooted in many of the Greenhouse Scholar communities core values. Then I would like to give back as much as my means allow such as bring on an aimless intern much like Nick (my last boss) did with me.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Pass LCR 95 CAPS Bill.
Idea 2:
Run for CU Student Body President.
Idea 3:
Own my own Company.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Pass CAPS Bill on first and second reading.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Complete 95th session of Legislative Council.
Be an active member of the 95th Legislative Council and pass two bills.
Meet with BPOP student groups to better understand how to improve the lives of minority students at CU Boulder.
Meet with lower income, first generation student groups to garner their perspectives.
Utilize this knowledge to campaign for the better of CU students.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Utilize my experience from Seven Two and RMB to decide a post graduate route of cooperate or small start up company (also depends on who hires me).
Gain expertise in a field to one day own my own company in a field I am passionate about.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Gather other Legislative Council members to assist on passing a Bill that makes the CU CAPS program (therapy) free for lower income CU Students.
Meet with CAP members and therapists.
Work with Finance Board on increasing CAPS yearly budget to afford this.
Draft Bill.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Speak with other legislative council members respected boards.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Use professional networking Portal to connect with individuals in Marketing and Technology.
Apply the advice provided by these professional contacts during my RMB Capital internship.
Taliajah Vann
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Class of 2023
State:
Areas of Impact:
Arts,
Education,
Equality
Community service, Education
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for impact this year is to utilize the Bright Brain Tutoring program to help more students than we have previously and to take a more active role in positively impacting my community. This is my impact goal because experiencing school during a pandemic has made me hyperaware of the flaws in our education system and the struggles students experience.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Relaunching bright brain tutoring with a website and a new direction for our programming.
Idea 2:
Joining a prominent service based organization.
Idea 3:
Creating a Black student union for the black student organizations at colleges in the area.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Meet with designer to create and finalize site Finalize new logo , vision statement, mission statement, and social media revamping.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Regularly meet with current members and maintain community service involvement, GPA, extracurriculars, etc. to position myself to be able to join the organization when they accept new members
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Find and meet with a website designer to discuss the potential for Bright Brain to launch on a site.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Research service organizations and choose an organization that has values I resonate with and that focuses on benefitting the black community Introduce myself to and network with members of the organization and research the process for becoming a member
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Theresa Nguyen
University of Colorado, Denver
Class of 2022
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Healthcare,
Equality
My goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle to at-risk students in low-income neighborhoods and educate them on achieving higher education. I also want to develop a diverse perspective in medicine where I am able to amplify the voices of those who are silenced in society.
Impact Plan Goals
Be able to promote a healthy lifestyle to ‘at-risk’ students in low-income neighborhoods and educate them on achieving higher education. Develop a diverse perspective in medicine where I am able to amplify the voices of those who are silenced in society. Ideally, I want to make healthcare more accessible this way.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Create a safe environment for at-risk student to relieve trauma.
Idea 2:
Find ways to bridge uprising and prevalent disparities for low-income families facing food insecurity and access to educational resources.
Idea 3:
Widen my understanding of underrepresented populations.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
How do we keep this program going? Make sure this is not temporary.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Use my social media as a platform! Use my media to educate/ raise awareness for the ongoing problems of people in my community.
Work with food bank to make sure families have weekly access to HEALTHY foods.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Learn about social disparities (race, gender) in a non-bias way. How can I get involved politically?
Use my voice to amplify BLM, Stop Asian Hate, Transgender violence, etc.
Use these skills to translate to in-clinic experience and how I want to change medicine.
Pick up on learning Spanish again, learn to write in Vietnamese.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Figure out ways to help during COVID. What are the needs?
Talk to community/Community leaders.
Create a cycling program, exercise (mental health awareness).
Find funding for supplies, bikes, and food.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Make social media fundraisers to raise $$$ for educational supplies for low-income schools.
Get local stores and vendors to donate.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Victoria Lamar
Georgia State University
Class of 2022
State:
Georgia
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Healthcare,
Human Services/Mental Health
Provide mental health education to low-income and underrepresented communities. Work to bring awareness to mental health in African American communities. At my business seminars I will speak, minimum 15 minutes, about the importance of mental health and how to deal with rejection. I will add a mental health component to my business, Securing Degrees Debt Free. I hired staff to implement mental health awareness and to talk about how to handle and deal with rejection.
Impact Plan Goals
Provide mental health education to low-income and underrepresented communities. Work to bring awareness to mental health in African American communities.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Hosting a mental health awareness workshop.
Idea 2:
Creating an initiative to bring awareness to its (mental health) importance.
Idea 3:
Creating a movement that focuses on ending the stereotypes against people who suffer from mental illness.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Possibly organizing a walk.
Researching what initiatives are currently in place.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Research.
See who would be interested in joining.
Engage with people who are comfortable discussing their own issues.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Talk to mental health professionals.
Find a place to host the workshop.
Get proper training in order to talk about mental health.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Willa Sauer
Colorado State University
Class of 2022
State:
Illinois
Areas of Impact:
Education,
Environmental,
Healthcare
I want to focus my efforts on issues that have affected those with similar backgrounds. Each individual impact plan I have begun developing is relevant to a challenge I have either faced personally or seen in my own community. Environmentalism, education opportunities, and pancreatic cancer awareness are issues I am very passionate about and plan to focus my efforts on.
Impact Plan Goals
Over my lifetime I hope that my impact can have not just produce temporary change, but long lasting and meaningful change. Whether that be through teaching essential life skills through gardening or gaining interest in fields that lack diversity.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Raising Money for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Idea 2:
Community Garden
Idea 3:
Volunteering at Food Bank of Larimer County
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Continue communications with PANCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).
Research different fundraising ideas.
Get feedback for rough draft of awareness pamphlet.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
My next step would be to select a school and begin working with students and faculty there to logistically plan and budget for this project.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Working at a pre-established non-profit would give me the understanding of how food banks and similar organizations function.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Research communities where a community garden would have the most impact. In my research I have found several low income schools in the St. Louis Metropolitan area that would be good locations for this project.
Established a few points of contact.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
I will fill out my pre-volunteer paperwork and get started working at the FBLC no later than July 15, 2021.
Yisel Castaneda
Colorado School of Mines
Class of 2022
State:
Colorado
Areas of Impact:
Education,
STEM
Giving minorities, as well as women, the right tools to considerer pursuing a STEM career.
Impact Plan Goals
My goal for this impact plan is to reach to more schools around Denver or just Colorado in general to talk to more female students and/or minority students about their options when considering whether to pursuing a STEM degree. The long-term goal is to provide Hispanic/low-income students that are pursuing a degree in STEM with a scholarship.
Ideas for accomplishing my goals:
Idea 1:
Do more in my position of head of Outreach Team in Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to contact more students (SHPE).
Idea 2:
Thrive at my position of President of Denver Scholarship Foundation Mentoring Program.
Idea 3:
Meet Hispanics in Petroleum Engineering and develop a plan to increase diversity in the field.
Action steps in progress for accomplishing my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Set up tours to Colorado School of Mines for low-income school. Show students what their future could be if they pursue a STEM degree.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Visit more Denver schools to give students my personal experience of pursuing an engineering degree.
Talk to more students about why they have never considered to pursue a STEM degree.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step in Progress:
Go to all SPE networking events.
Meet more people in the industry (ideally more minorities).
Talk to the SPE chapter to see if we can host events for minorities to learn more about the oil and gas industry.
Completed Action steps connected to my ideas:
Idea 1 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Go to different high schools and middles schools around my neighborhood to talk to student about perusing majors in STEM fields at Colorado School of Mines, apply to scholarships and help out with FAFSA applications.
Idea 2 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
Increase the number of Denver Scholarship Foundation scholars that come to Mines.
Idea 3 ⇢ Action Step Completed:
None