About Our Team

Our team's service and passions focused on the topic of Racial Justice. We traveled to Memphis, TN over spring break to get hands on experience after learning in the classroom over the course of this semester. We partnered with Girls Inc. Youth Farm & Girls Inc. after school program, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, and Memphis Bus Riders Union. Meet our team!

Lexi Gamm

I am from Oelwein, Iowa. I am a senior at the University of Iowa studying Human Physiology, BS. After graduation I plan to continue my education in Nursing to obtain my MSN degree and become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Avery Mirocha

I am from Davenport, Iowa. I am a freshman at the University majoring in Criminology, Law, and Justice on the Pre-law track and minoring in American Sign Language. I am hoping to attend law school after graduation and pursue a legal career.

Simona Flores

I am from Altoona, IA. I am a third-year student studying Psychology and Spanish. I attended this trip as a way to turn the knowledge of race that I have gained here at Iowa and manifest action. I hope to continue my service by continuing to create change in my community.

Meria Ivy

I am from Independence, Iowa. I'm a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in Journalism and Art, with a minor in Spanish. In the future, I want to use my profession to create a platform for marginalized people to speak, and bring awareness to the disparities many people face on a daily basis.

Shimin Park

I was born and raised in Cheongju, South Korea. I moved to the U.S. at the age of 15 to pursue my education. Currently, I am a first-year student double majoring in Political Science and Sociology. In the future, I hope to educate, research, and to do political work for people of all marginalized identities both here in the U.S. and back home in South Korea. I also strive to increase Asian representation and to use my identity as an Asian for a larger purpose.

Autumn Diesburg

Hello!! I am a sophomore studying English and Social Justice with an emphasis in human rights from Independence, IA. Passions of mine include criminal justice reform and education, and I hope to aid in the creation of greater equity within these systems for marginalized communities.

Sabareen Mohamed

I am from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a junior at the University of Iowa. I'm doing a double major in Global Health and Ethics and Public Policy. I'm interested in community-based work that provides individuals sustainable skill sets that further benefits their communities. My future goals is to focus on the rehabilitation in the Horn of Africa, specifically Somalia in regards to the distribution of wealth and health equities.

Hiba Ibrahim

I was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. I am a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in Public Health and minoring in Arabic. I'm interested in spreading awareness on the health disparities within marginalized communities and as a Sudanese-American, I hope to serve my community by potentially working or volunteering for African-based NGO's in the future.

Evelyn Espinoza

I am from Columbus Junction, Iowa. I'm a sophomore at the University of Iowa with a social work interest. I'm passionate about representing the minority, especially when they can't use their own voice due to oppression in today's society. My future goal is to open a non-profit that will give immigrants the ability to adjust in the United States without having to worry about their status.

Olivia Bohlmann

I am from Ottumwa, Iowa. I'm a freshman studying International Studies with an Italian and Translation minors, and a certificate in Sustainability. I am interested in sustainable agriculture and food justice, and how environmental and social justice issues go hand in hand. I hope to someday work as an interpreter for an global environmental organization and raise awareness worldwide of the way in which climate change and pollution affect people worldwide.

Kathie Pham

I was born in California, but raised here in Iowa. I am currently a junior, studying social work with an criminology minor, and leadership certificate. My career goal is along the lines of criminal justice social work and correctional supervision.

Ever Taylor

I am from Atlanta, GA. I am a double major in English and Creative Writing and African American studies with a minor in social justice. I am interested in making less monolithic storytelling of the black female experience on Broadway, producing my own work, and making arts education essential in southern cities' public school systems.

Sara Hassan

I am Sudanese, but I was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. I moved to Iowa City 4 years ago for school. I'm a senior studying English, with a Human Rights Certificate, on the pre-law track. I hope to remain an active member of my community because I realize that issues such as racial justice are not merely causes, but are serious matters of survival.

Ruth Kahssai

I am from Carol Stream, Illinois and a second-year student at the University of Iowa! I am studying Social Justice with Social Work Interest and a Psychology minor. I'm passionate about advocacy and local, grassroots efforts with issues relating to health disparities and womxn of color. I hope to work within my community in the non-profit sector or local government through civic engagement and advocacy.