2021 Graduates

Jean Donovan Fellow 2020

• Major: Sociology
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to work with New Moms, a Chicago nonprofit

"The Ignatian Center widened my horizons and encouraged me to reflect on my own life and connect with my wider community. It opened my eyes to the different lives and diverse experiences of those around me and brought new meaning to the word ‘social justice.’ "

Jean Donovan Fellow 2018 

• Major: Bioengineering
• Post Graduation Plans: I will pursue a Masters in Science in International Health Policy & Health Economics at the London School of Economics & Political Science

"During my Jean Donovan Fellowship in Trujillo, Peru, I found my passion for global health and desire to take action to find affordable and accessible healthcare solutions. I witnessed the power of community which pushed me to seek out additional opportunities to employ human-centered design thinking and community-based interventions to ignite sustainable change both on-campus and globally."

Student Assistant, Marketing 2019-21

• Major: Psychology
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be working at VMware as a community marketer and finding a place to live in San Francisco!

"The Ignatian Center truly is one of a kind. As beautiful as the mission is, the people are what truly made the center come to life. Through their incredible team, I was given a range of opportunities to experience the invaluable impact of reflection, discernment, and service. I was able to hear from other members of the community and listen to their stories. Without the Ignatian Center, my experience at SCU wouldn't have been as wonderful as it was. The people have occupied a huge place in my heart. I have come out of the Ignatian Center a more compassionate, conscientious, and considerate leader. For that, I am eternally grateful."

Arrupe Fellow 2019-20

• Major: Psychology & Communication
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be serving as a Catholic missionary for a year in Georgia with the organization Life Teen, facilitating faith retreats for people of all ages. After that year of service, I will be going to graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling to become a licensed therapist. 

"I loved my time as an Arrupe Fellow! Coming to Santa Clara I was new to the Jesuit tradition, but my time working with my Arrupe peers, mentors, and the students at Independence Network made the call to love and serve the whole person come to life in a new way. I found that my placement stretched me and led me out of my comfort zone, which was a nice complement to being able to reflect on my experiences in the bi-weekly fellowship meetings. I hope to carry all that I learned from my time at the Ignatian Center into whatever next adventure that I have!"

Thriving Neighbors After School Program Assistant 2018-19  |  Immersion Coordinator Kino 2021

• Major: Environmental Science
• Post Graduation Plans: I am in the process of applying for a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Following that, I plan to go to law school to pursue the integration of environmental and immigration law.

"When I was hired as a student assistant for the Thriving Neighbors Program three years ago, I found myself in a very special and meaningful space within Santa Clara University and I quickly realized I wanted to continue my involvement in the following years. The people I have met through the Ignatian Center have inspired me in so many ways and have shown me what it means to be people for and with others. I am so grateful for all that I have learned about Ignatian spirituality and social justice, and I’m excited to carry these lessons into my future work and connections with others."

Student Assistant, Photography 2018-21

• Major: Psychology & Communication
• Post Graduation Plans: After graduating, I plan on staying in the Bay Area and finding a job in marketing.

"I’m so glad that I’ve been given the opportunity to learn about all the great work that the ICJE does at SCU and with local communities. It’s been an honor to photograph important moments for the Ignatian Center throughout the past 3.5 years! "

Arrupe Fellow 2019-21

• Major: Psychology & Child Studies
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be attending the Stanford Teacher Education Program to get my Masters in Education and elementary teaching credential.

"Through my time as an Arrupe Fellow, I have had so many incredible experiences with both SCU students and surrounding communities (Hoover Middle School and Bronco Urban Gardens). Furthermore, working with such a passionate and knowledgeable team has further pushed me to fight for social justice now and in the future as an educator."

Arrupe Fellow 2019-21

• Major: Public Health & Italian Studies
• Post Graduation Plans: I was accepted to the Stanford Teacher Education Program to get my Master's in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

"My time with Arrupe Engagement has connected me with such dedicated, reflective teammates and empowering community partners who have gone above and beyond to best serve individuals and families during the pandemic. All the wonderful folks I've met through Arrupe and through my San José Immersion experience have shaped how I will approach teaching my future students, and I am so, so grateful!"

Jean Donovan Fellow 2018

• Major: Business
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be attending Vanderbilt Law School in pursuit of my J.D. degree.

"Living in Boston, MA and working at a women's shelter through the Jean Donovan Fellowship during the summer after my first year at SCU opened my eyes to the difficulties faced by others. I developed compassion for those I worked with and those in similar predicaments. The experience also matured me and made me more capable and confident. I am so grateful that I had this opportunity during my time at SCU!"

Jean Donovan Fellow 2020

• Major: Bioengineering
• Post Graduation Plans: I plan to attend a graduate program related to agroecology.

"My internship with La Mesa Verde solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in community and justice-centered agricultural ecology. It was a without a doubt a highlight of my SCU experience!"

Jean Donovan Fellow 2018

• Major: Political Science & Communication
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be pursuing a Master of Theological Studies in Religion, Ethics, and Politics at Harvard Divinity School as a Dean's Fellow

"Getting involved with the Ignatian Center early on in my SCU career, helped me realize the powerful tool of discernment and reflection. Leaving the Silicon Valley bubble to spend time in Cusco, Peru, made me appreciate the idea of doing less to be more. The Ignatian Center prepared me well to go into spaces with the mentality that I have a lot more to learn than to teach. I will definitely take what I learned from my time with the Ignatian Center and use it in the ‘real world’ post-graduation."

Thriving Neighbors Fellow 2019-20

• Major: Classics
• Post Graduation Plans: I will attend a postgraduate study in Museum and Gallery Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

"The fellowship at the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education helped me become the person I am today. Not only did I create a bond with the Santa Clara community, but I also strengthened my confidence and teaching skills. I really enjoyed teaching dance at the Sacred Heart Community Service to fourth and fifth graders, and I hope to carry my newfound skills into my future endeavors."

Student Assistant, Thriving Neighbors 2017-20

• Major: Political Science
• Post Graduation Plans: I recently started a role with Golden State Events which is a marketing company that fundraises and builds community awareness for local Bay Area Charities and Nonprofits. I hope to further my studies in the next few years by applying to graduate schools for a Master's in Public Administration.

"Working for the Ignatian Center, and working with the Thriving Neighbors Program specifically, has been one of the most impactful experiences during my time at Santa Clara."

Immersion Coordinator Kino 2021

• Major: Psychology
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be taking the rest of 2021 off to travel, and do some autoconocimiento (introspection)!

"My Immersion experiences with the Ignatian Center have been monumental and eye-opening. Being selected to co-coordinate the Kino Border Immersion this past Spring Break was the pinnacle of the work I had been doing through USAA. With a group of incredible LEAD and USAA members, we were able to further listen, feel, and empathize with the nuanced immigrant experience. Without the opportunities provided by the Ignatian Center, I would not be the activist, partner, friend, ally, or leader I am becoming today."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2020

• Major: Psychology
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be a Teach For America elementary school teacher in Dallas, Texas!

"I'm so glad I decided to apply for the JDF. Even though it was different due to COVID as I could not travel to my intended destination, I believe I got so much closer with the other fellows and the staff than I would have had things been normal. I still think about the reflections we did when all together and the lessons I gained/learned from my placement. These have shaped how I view my relationships with everyone at SCU."

Immersion Coordinator New Orleans 2021

• Major: Communication
• Post Graduation Plans: I will be an English teacher in Spain!

"The Ignatian Center was my first experience going abroad with the university and it gave me a new perspective on my place in the world. My trip set the trajectory for much of my global engagement throughout my time as a Bronco and solidified my desire to be an agent of change."