McVay Fellows: 2015-2016

I am happy to be coming back to McVay for my fourth year. I am an English major with a Communications minor in my senior year. In my free time I love to watch movies, get on my bike, and eat donuts. I love that every day at McVay is different, exciting, and rewarding!

Hi! My name is Rachel Nelson. This will be my second year working with the McVay Program. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Religion. I aspire to, one day, attend medical school and make a career out of helping others. On campus, I am a Resident Assistant and work with Campus Recreation. When I manage to find some free time between class and work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends (I’m pictured with my little cousin), watching baseball while eating a slice of apple pie, and exploring what the area has to offer. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with the youth again. They have truly become my younger brothers and sisters. I’m looking forward to another great year!

My name is Kia, and this 2015-16 year I am a proud fellow at Arlington for the Fall Semester. I'm a political science major and non-profit management minor with about two years left at Hamline University. Take me fishing with you! 

Hey McVay!!! I am, Eric Yeakel and I am a junior double majoring in political science and legal studies. I am from Mazeppa, Minnesota which is a tiny town just North of Rochester. I love playing soccer and playing in the jazz band on campus. This year, I will be a fellow at Arlington!

My name is Austin Johnson and I am a senior this year at Hamline. I am a Exercise Science major and Business minor. I like playing basketball, football, watching movies, and hanging with friends in my spare time. This is my third year with McVay and this year I am a fellow at the Wheelock site for the Fall Semester. I am really looking forward to working with all the wonderful kids and staff we have at McVay this year! 

 My name is Dani McMillan and I am a Junior majoring in psychology and elementary education. I love working with kids and believe that they can learn from us but we can equally learn from them. I love giving back to my community, and learning and respecting ideals and beliefs different than my own. McVay is an amazing program and I am glad to be a part of it again this year!

Hi, my name is Abel Moe, and this is my second year at Hamline as well as McVay. I had a great first year at both McVay and Hamline. Last year was a learning and bonding experience for me and I learned a lot of things which I know will help me here at McVay, especially from the seniors and the kids. I plan on majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice because I want to become a Police Officer so that I can be closer to the community and help others when they need me to. This year I will be a Fellow at Wheelock and I hope that I can use the things I've learned from the fellows last year to have a great year at McVay this year. I am excited to work at McVay again because of the friendly environment and community it has.

Charlie Shafer is a senior at Hamline University. He grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin. He is the station manager of HU Radio. He has been with McVay since January of 2014 and will be a Senior Fellow for the Fall Semester. He is convinced Wheelock is the best site in the world. His favorite movie is a close tie between Her and Guardians of the Galaxy. Charlie studies English and hopes to be a college professor of English one day.

 Hi my name is Jama Bulhan. I am a sophomore at Hamline University, I am a potential Education major. I like playing and watching basketball,football, and soccer.

My name is Samrawit but most people call me Sammie. I was born in Ethiopia and immigrated to the U.S with my family when I was four years old. I transferred from SPC to Hamline in the fall of 2013. I'm a Criminology and Criminal Justice Major with a Minor in Sociology. I've worked with youth for years but what makes Youth Voice different for me is the fact that I was once a student in the program to now becoming a Fellow(how time flies). I'm excited for the new year and the new adventures we are about to have! I'll be a fellow for Fall Semester!

Hi! My name is Sesen Kidane and I am a sophomore at Hamline University, majoring in Social Justice and minoring in Political Science, where one day I hope to become a Civil Rights Attorney. This is my second year working with McVay. During my free time, I love to listen to music (specifically golden age hip-hop and RnB) and talking anything basketball or boxing related.

Hi! My name is Ikram Osman , I'm a senior majoring in Communication Studies , minoring in Religion and receiving my Conflict Studies Certificate. This will be my second year working with McVay which I'm both really excited and sad about since this will also be my last year working with McVay since I'll be graduating (tears). This school year I'll be a member of HASA, Pride BSA, and STLF , among others. I'll also a New Student Mentor for the Living in a Rape Culture FYSEM this year. 

Working with McVay changed and shaped me last year and I'm really pumped to see all that it'll bring this school year! I hope to continuing learning from our McVay youth because the skills that they have to offer us all are immense beyond belief!

Hi, my name is Brenna and I am a junior at Hamline. I am studying Chemistry and Secondary Education. This is my second year at McVay and I am a fellow at Mounds Park. I am a New Student Mentor and an Assistant Admission Counselor at Hamline University. In my spare time I love watching crime shows on Netflix and walking around the Hamline-Midway community. My favorite part about McVay is getting to know each student and what their passions are in live. Their imagination is refreshing and amazing. I can't wait for this year!

 My name is Ridwan Hussein. I am currently a sophomore at Hamline. I went to high school in Chicago. Here at Hamline I am planning on majoring in Education and Psychology. Some of my passions are basketball and soccer. I'll be a Fellow for the Fall Semester.

Hi, My name is Jovi, I am a senior at Hamline and this year I will be a fellow at Mounds Park. My hobbies include playing guitar, sports and watching movies with friends. After I graduate, (hopefully) I will be moving back to my home state of Washington and pursue a masters degree. I’m looking forward to an awesome last year here at McVay!

My name is Ehtalow Zar and this is my last year at Hamline University. I changed my major to Social Justice with a concentration in refugee and a minor in education. I have really enjoyed working with the McVay youth program. It helped me to grow a lot in the last three years by teaching me to become a great leader in my Karen community, especially among the younger generation. Mcvay has been a great opportunity for the Karen youths and me. The staff and students have taught me many things to help me grow as an individual. Of all the six jobs in my busy schedule, Mcvay is one of the jobs that really impacted my Karen community, which is really important to me. I am glad to have had the opportunity to lead the staff and kids this year. I can’t wait to learn more from the staff and the kids this year and hope that I can continue to be a great leader and role model to them.