Trinity Fellow Class of 2005-2007
Graduate Program: MAPS- Nonprofit Management
Service Experience: Peace Corps- Mauritania
Undergraduate Degree:
Trinity Fellows Program Agency Assignment: United Community Center

I am very satisfied with my experience as a Trinity Fellow. During my fellowship, I worked at the United Community Center (UCC), a nonprofit organization that serves Hispanics and south side residents, where I served as the agency’s first Volunteer Coordinator. My job was to create a centralized program to utilize volunteers in the agency’s programs and special events. When I began this position, there was no structure or coordination of volunteers. By the time I graduated, over 700 volunteers contributed to our work annually. I also applied for and received funding to start a Youth Volunteer Corps to provide motivated, qualified high school students with the opportunity to serve the organization’s youth programs.

As a PUBS-Nonprofit student, my coursework focused on the basics of nonprofit management including fundraising, legal aspects, ethics, financial matters, and urban policy, among other topics. I also took courses in other departments including history, international affairs, and Spanish. This curriculum complemented my work experience at UCC in a very practical and applicable manner.

My two years with the Trinity Fellows program contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth. I feel that I honed my professional skills during my fellowship including public speaking, writing, marketing, and fund development. At the same time, the fellowship allowed me to gain substantive work experience at an agency that was a great fit for my personal interests. I also enjoyed the community of friends and colleagues that I developed through Trinity Fellows, and loved living in Milwaukee!