Amber Staines
Center for Public and Global Affairs, Summer ‘13
Miami University, International Studies and Economics
Amber Staines is a Center for Public and Global Affairs Intern at the Niagara Foundation. She is currently a senior at Miami University and is majoring in International Studies and Economics with a concentration in international development. On campus, Amber is serving as the secretary of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and as a volunteer for Global Business Brigades. This past fall, Amber spent the semester in Geneva, Switzerland studying international relations and business. She was also afforded the opportunity to intern at World Vision International, a humanitarian and development organization focused on women and children, which allowed her to work at the United Nations and experience the diplomatic process. Diplomacy and international and intercultural dialogue are where Amber’s passions lie. Following graduation, she hopes to enter the Foreign Service.
“My time at Niagara Foundation has been invaluable. I have had the opportunity to work on projects that will undoubtedly set me apart from other candidates as I go out into the workforce. I have also been able to work with people from many different backgrounds, opening my eyes to different religions, cultures, and ways of life. Niagara’s cause of promoting global fellowship is dear to my heart and I am excited to take what I learned at Niagara to continue working towards peace through diplomacy and dialogue.” – Amber Staines
Trevor Harty
Social Media Internship, Summer ‘13
Northwestern University, Psychology
Trevor Harty is a social media intern at the Niagara Foundation. He is a Sophomore at Northwestern university, majoring in Psychology. During the school year he divides his time between class, producing and acting in several student-created webseries, and working as a research assistant in a social psychology lab. This summer, besides working at the Niagara Foundation, he is also continuing the research assistant position, studying how both demographic and self-created roles impact our daily lives. Trevor intends to continue developing a diverse portfolio of psychology-related experiences, and next summer will either be interning with a counseling organization, or will apply for an undergraduate research grant, though he also hopes to explore other areas of public service work, including the Niagara Foundation.
Lindsey Conger
Center for Public and Global Affairs, Summer ’13
Indiana University, Journalism with a concentration on Public Relations and Radio
Lindsey is interning in the department of Public & Global Affairs at Niagara Foundation. She is a senior at Indiana University majoring in Journalism with a specialization in Public Relations and Radio and a minor in Psychology. She is also currently interning in the Marketing department at Humanitarian Service Project, who distribute groceries to impoverished seniors and children. While at school, Lindsey is a reporter and producer of a short program Skin for American Student Radio. Prior to her internship at Niagara Foundation, she volunteered at Middle Way House, a half-way house for domestically abused woman, as a Public Relations intern. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys bike riding and was a co-founder and member of a bike team and participated in the Little 500 for four years. After graduation, Lindsey plans on working in the Public Relations department for a non-profit.
Stephanie Lee
Center for Public & Global Affairs, Summer ‘13
M.A. Thunderbird School of Global Management
Stephanie Lee is Public and Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Before becoming a M.A. candidate she attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she received a B.A. in International Studies with a focus in International Law. During her time at UIUC she studied abroad in Granada, Spain where she took classes in Spanish Law, Islamic Studies, Spanish Language and Grammar and Spanish Art History. Upon graduating from UIUC she returned to Spain for another year to obtain a certificate in Spanish Politics, Spanish Business and Spanish Language and Grammar. After obtaining from a Master’s degree from Thunderbird, Stephanie plans to pursue a career in International Relations.
Corinne Stubbs
Center for Public & Global Affairs, Summer ‘13
M.P.P. University of California, Los Angeles, Public Policy
Corinne Stubbs is a Public & Global Affairs intern at the Niagara Foundation. She is currently a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles Luskin School of Public Affairs. She is working towards a Master of Public Policy with a focus on international, social and environmental policy. Before her time at UCLA, Corinne received her undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, majoring in Broadcast & Electronic Communication and minoring in Music. During her time at Marquette, she studied abroad at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. While in South Africa, she worked at Bush Radio 89.5 MHz FM, a non-profit, community radio station that was very active during the end of the apartheid in the fight against racial segregation and injustice. Corinne hopes to one day work for the U.S. Department of State.
Gabriela Polo
Center for Public and Global Affairs, Summer ’13
DePaul University, International Studies and Economics with a concetration in Latin American Studies and a minor in Sustainability Studies
Gabriela is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She will be graduating from DePaul University in June 2014 with a B.A. in International Studies and Economics with a concetration in Latin American Studies and a minor in Sustainability Studies. As an international student from Ecuador, Gabriela loves to travel and engage in intercultural exchanges. She works as a Resident Advisor and has received DePaul’s Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence for the past three years. She is also a member of various honors society including the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honors Society, Phi Beta Delta International Honors Society, and Sigma Iota Rho Honors Society for International Studies. As a Vincentian Misson Fellow, Gabriela has been developing a project to find realistic solutions to improve public elementary education in several low income nieghborhoods in her hometown. She currently volunteers at the Marillac House tutoring kids ages 4 to 12. Gabriela is a recipient of DePaul’s undergraduate summer research grant and plans to travel to Ecuador during the summer to meet with indigenous and civil society leaders and learn more about Ecuador’s environmental Yasuni-ITT initiative. After graduation, Gabriela wishes to pursue a Masters in Sustainable International Development.
“It has been a privilege to work for an organization that finds richness in diversity and strives to create spaces for interreligious and cross-cultural dialogue. In today’s world it is vital for people from different walks of life to come together and understand and celebrate their differences. I love that Niagara is a part of this process” – Gabby Polo
Eleanor Peck
Center for Public and Global Affairs, Spring ’13
B.A. Roosevelt University, Political Science
Eleanor Peck is a Public & Global affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She is a recent graduate of Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus in International Relations. Eleanor was selected in summer 2012 to attend the Young Atlanticist NATO Summit as a Chicago University representative. During that time she also interned for Congressman Mike Quigley in his district office. Additionally, she worked at Roosevelt University as a tutor and a peer instructor while studying there. She plans on returning to school to receive her masters in International Relations next year.
“Working at Niagara this summer has been a challenging but intensely rewarding experience. I have gained experience in event planning, research, and strategic planning, while also enjoying myself immensely. Working in Niagara’s diverse environment has been endlessly enriching. This organization will always have a special place in my heart.” – Eleanor Peck
Brendan Dowd
CENTER FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE & INTERFAITH COLLABORATION, ’13
M.A. Catholic Theological Union, Theology with a concentration in Interreligious Dialogue
Brendan Dowd is interning in the department of cultural exchange and interfaith collaboration. He is currently finishing his MA in Theology with a concentration in Catholic-Muslim Dialogue at the Catholic Theological Union having the privilege of studying under Dr. Scott Alexander. Having made the transition from his art director’s chair, Brendan hopes to flex his creative muscle as he begins his work in the field of interreligious dialogue. Brendan is interested in exploring unique ways of creating spaces for encountering the “other” and learning from already existing confluences of convivencia. Brendan received a BFA in Visual Communication with minors in Political Science and International Studies from Loyola University of Chicago in 2007 and is currently active in the former Jesuit Volunteer community of which he served in Anchorage, AK from 2007-2008.
Elizaveta Melkova
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, Winter ’13
Lake Forest College, International Relations
Elizaveta Melkova is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She is currently a junior at Lake Forest College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in May 2014 in International Relations with minors in Politics and French. Elizaveta is very passionate about travelling to foreign places, learning different languages, and experiencing new cultures. She spent last year in Munich, Germany studying business administration, learning German, and traveling around Europe. Next fall Elizaveta is planning to participate in the Lake Forest College Paris Program which will help her to improve her French language skills and provide an opportunity to hold an internship in International Business. After graduating from Lake Forest College Elizaveta is hoping to earn her Masters degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business.
Miata Phelan
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, Winter ’13
Columbia University, Music Business Management and Public Relations
Miata Phelan is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundations. She is a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago currently enrolled in the Arts Management program. She is a B.A. candidate for an undergraduate degree in Music Business Management with a minor in Public Relations. Before transferring to Columbia College Chicago, she was a transfer student at City Colleges of Chicago where she made the Dean’s List and was nominated as a senator on Student Government however she left to pursue her B.A. at Columbia College Chicago. Her academic interests have focused on Management, Entertainment, Marketing and Public Relations. She is currently working as an intern on a campaign for a candidate for the Illinois State Treasure election in 2014; she works in the social media department. Miata plans to pursue a career as a record label executive working as an A&R and a publicist for the entertainment business.
Usma Baseer
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, Winter ’13
Roosevelt University, Industrial Organizational Psychology
Usma Baseer is a Public and Global Affairs intern at the Niagara Foundation. She is a senior at Roosevelt University studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a focus in cultural relations and integration in the workplace along with a minor in Human Resources Management. Currently as an undergrad, Usma is a member of the Dean’s list, and is an active volunteer at Morrill Elementary helping underprivileged children in Chicago create a safe and open environment to advance their educations. Her social and academic interests are mainly focused on helping people for the greater good of society and creating peace within communities of her own and others. She has also volunteered at different Mosques in the Chicagoland area, and gave workshops on how to promote peace and restrain from conflict and violence. She plans to get her Masters degree at Roosevelt and eventually a Ph.D to further her knowledge in Psychology.
Vincent (Yunxiu) Deng
CENTER FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, Winter ’13
M.S. Loyola University Chicago, Integrated Marketing Communications
Vincent Deng is a Social Responsibility intern at Niagara Foundation. He is currently a graduate student of business school at Loyola University of Chicago concentrated on Integrated Marketing Communications. During his undergraduate studies in Beijing, Vincent put his marketing knowledge and skill fully into practice by initiating a non-profit project, One Racquet One Dream, which is committed to improving the condition of sports education at migrant schools. As the Founder and Project Manager, he worked with his team to set up a public fund as well as a voluntary teaching program. Approximately 250 students from 14 universities were involved in the voluntary service and over 500 badminton racquets have been donated. After graduating with his Master’s Degree, he plans to work as an integrated marketing specialist in a company with core value of creativity and humanity such as Wholefoods and Toms Shoes.
Danya Sherbini
CENTER FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE & INTERFAITH COLLABORATION, FALL ’12
Northwestern University, History, Concentration in Asia & Middle East
Danya Sherbini is a Cultural Exchange & Interfaith Collaboration intern at Niagara Foundation. She is a junior at Northwestern University studying history, with a regional focus on Asia and the Middle East. This past summer she received a research grant from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences to explore the theme of Turkish identity though the lens of Turkish literature. She is a member of Global Engagement Summit, a student group that holds an annual capacity building summit for students from across the country and the world who have change-based projects and project ideas. Last spring, she went on a trip with Global Engagement Summit to Istanbul. She has also traveled to Egypt, France, China, and Singapore. She hopes to attend law school after graduating from Northwestern.
“My experience as an intern at Niagara Foundation has made me extremely interested in interfaith cooperation. I hope to apply the ideas and knowledge I gain from this experience to future work or research on the field. Working with Niagara Foundation has allowed me to strengthen my research and communication skills, and has also allowed me to develop creative ideas for the Center for Cultural Exchange and Interfaith Collaboration. I have been greatly inspired by Niagara Foundation’s commitment to creating a community in which people from all cultural, religious, and social backgrounds are valued and respected.” -Danya Sherbini
Jeannette Papalotti
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, FALL ’12
B.A. DePaul University, International Studies and Journalism
Jeannette Papalotti is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She is a recent graduate of DePaul University, receiving her B.A in International Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Ethnic Conflict and a minor in Journalism. As an undergrad, she was a member of the Dean’s List, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Her academic and social interests have focused on international law and displacement caused by international public policy. She is currently a volunteer writer for a Compassion and Justice Newsletter, and prior to her internship at the Niagara Foundation, she volunteered with CPT—an international organization that focuses on peace building in conflict areas. Jeannette hopes to pursue a career in the area of social justice, advocating for human rights and working in conflict areas overseas. She plans on returning to school to receive her Masters in International Relations.
“My experience at the Niagara Foundation has provided me with the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, allowing me to develop new skill sets and expand my knowledge of non-profit work. As the Public and Global Affairs intern, I have had the fortune to meet highly distinguished individuals and attend forums that focus on topics relating to local and international affairs. But more importantly, I had the pleasure of working alongside an awe-inspiring, dedicated staff, building lifelong friendships. Being a part of this Foundation means being a part of a community that works to promote a peaceful and tolerant society.” -Jeannette Papalotti
Swapna Pisipati
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, FALL ’12
M.A. DePaul University, International Studies, Middle Eastern Affairs
Swapna Pisipati is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. She is currently a Graduate student at DePaul University studying International Studies with a concentration in Middle Eastern Affairs. During her undergraduate career at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she was the Secretary of UIC Model United Nations and campaigned for the Obama Administration in 2008. Currently, she is involved in various organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi, Model United Nations, G.LO.B.E, UNICEF and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. Additionally, she has worked for DePaul University and the University of Illinois at Chicago as an IT Assistant and Administrative Assistant, while interning at The World Trade Council as a Public Relations/Communications.
“Working for the Niagara Foundation has been an educational and informative experience when it comes to meeting dignitaries and delegates from all over the world. During one of the many Luncheon Forums the Niagara Foundation hosts, I had the opportunity to see dialogue established between many culturally diverse individuals in the Midwest region. Interning for the Niagara Foundation has been an exceptional experience, thus far, and I hope to maintain the bonds created for a lifetime.” -Swapna Pisipati
Tom Willmot
CENTER FOR PUBLIC & GLOBAL AFFAIRS, SUMMER ’12
Illinois State University, History and Political Science
Tom Willmot is a Public & Global Affairs intern at Niagara Foundation. He is currently a senior at Illinois State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in May 2013 in History and Political Science with a minor in Middle Eastern and South East Asian studies. Tom has focused academically and professionally on International Relations and Political Economy. As the president of the campus chapter of Young Americans for Liberty, he is focused on political and economic stability as well as ending war. He has studied in Europe and traveled extensively throughout the continent. Tom hopes to go on to earn a M.A. in Political Science and later a Ph.D. in the field of Political Science.
“My time at Niagara Foundation not only introduced me to the idea of religious pluralism, but also introduced me to new cultures. During my internship experience I was given the opportunity to expand my professional skills as well as a chance to work in the nonprofit sector. I was immersed in intellectualism while at the foundation, and had the opportunity to meet and talk with distinguished scholars and academics. Besides this, I was able to work with extremely dedicated individuals that truly believed in the cause of global fellowship. My time at the foundation was marked by caring and compassionate individuals who I am honored to call friends and be part of their community.” -Tom Willmot
Joseph Ruttenberg
Center for Public and Global Affairs, Spring ’12
M.A. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Political Science, Civic Leadership
Joseph is currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Civic Leadership Program. He is currently serving as the External Affairs Officer of the Civic Leadership Program and Graduate Resident Advisor of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. During his undergraduate studies, Joseph majored in Political Science and minored in Sociology. He studied abroad at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom to further his education in Sociology and gain a new perspective of the world from his European peers. Joseph chaired the Deltona Committee, which raised over $27,000 for the American Cancer Society and currently volunteers at the Champaign County Humane Society. After graduating with his Master’s Degree, Joseph plans on working in the security and intelligence field.
“Working at the Niagara Foundation opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking as well as provided an introduction into new cultures and religions. Taking a cultural trip to Turkey with Illinois General Assembly members, lobbyists, and other business professionals is an experience I will never forget. I am glad to have made the friendships that I did during my time at Niagara, and I will bring forth Niagara’s philosophy of global fellowship everywhere I go.” – Joseph Ruttenberg
Eric P. Hunt
INTERFAITH LUNCHEON FORUMS AND INTERCULTURAL TRIPS ‘07
B.A. Aurora University, History and Religious Studies
Eric P. Hunt is currently a middle school teacher of History and Religious Studies in the suburbs of Chicago. He also coaches high school soccer and wrestling. Eric was an early intern for Niagara Foundation before they moved to their beautiful new location on Michigan Avenue. He served as the Interfaith Luncheon Forums Intern as well as the Intercultural Trips Intern from 2007-2008. He was fortunate enough to travel to Turkiye twice in 2007 and 2009. He led numerous community leaders from Illinois on two-week tours of the country, connected those Illinoisans that had similar hobbies, passions and jobs to their Turkish counterparts. He even helped established Aurora, Illinois and Izmir, Turkiye as “sister cities.” In 2008, he became the Wackerlin Fellow in the Religion Department at Aurora University. After spending time traveling and working in the interfaith dialogue world, Eric settled down to join the education world and begin a teaching career. He is still actively involved with the Niagara Foundation and hopes this continues for many years.
“My experience at Niagara was the most profound, enjoyable, educational, and exciting time of my life. This was an absolute life-changing experience.” – Eric P. Hunt