As an undergraduate student at UMBC, Katie excelled academically. She was the recipient of the Zainab Damji Memorial Scholarship and the Shattuck Family Entrepreneurial Scholarship. Katie wrote her senior thesis on the sense of community among first generation Latin American immigrants and presented her project at Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD). Katie also dedicated her time to service by volunteering at several community organizations, including the Refugee Youth Project, College Gardens, and Walden Circle Community Center. Throughout her time at UMBC, Katie was a diligent student and a passionate member of the Sondheim Scholars Program.
Katie’s commitment to service has continued to guide her experiences after graduation. Since graduating from UMBC, Katie has served as a White House intern with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! program, worked for a Baltimore City Council member, and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Paul’s Place. She recently completed a year of service in England through the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program. Katie is currently a first year student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work. As a social work student, Katie interns at AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, a permanent supportive apartment complex for youth who were formerly homeless.
The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program prepared Katie for her developing career in social work in many ways. Katie credits the Public Affairs Seminar, a course all first year Sondheim Scholars take, with giving her a head start in learning skills important to succeeding in social welfare and policy. When describing the importance of the Sondheim Program to her professional life, Katie says “It taught me the value of service, and gave me the tools to make lasting positive change”.