American Democracy Project Scholars
Owen Agho
I am currently in Washington D.C. representing the university. I am the first University Of Michigan-Flint student to participate in the University of Michigan Ann Arbor’s Michigan In Washington program. This program enables me to take courses here in D.C. while maintaining a 32-hour a week internship. I am interning in the House of Representatives. I have been very active in the campus community as well as a member of student government. I was a founder and the first President of Students Moving the University Center (UCEN) Forward, a student group dedicated to sponsoring more events in the UCEN. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family and watching Detroit Piston Basketball. I am looking forward to his work as an ADP Scholar.
Jessica Detrio
I am a junior in the Social Work program. This is my fourth year at U of M-Flint. I am an active student on campus as the President of the Social Work Club as well as an employee at the Recreation Center. I became involved with the American Democracy Project because I found myself on campus looking for ways to connect with the community. I believe it is vitality important in today's society that students (especially college students) find the time to contribute to people and environments outside of the area they know. It is by embracing other communities and cultures we can understand and improve our own and create links between them to develop a more engaged system of citizens. When a community ignores the areas that are in need they only grow weaker, but by becoming engaged and intertwined we as citizens can create something strong and long lasting.
Juanita Johnson
I was born and raised in Flint. Majoring in Accounting and Finance, I plan to continue my education and achieve a Masters in Public Administration, specifically Non-Profit Management. I have successfully tutored on campus since September 2007 and I am an active member of Beta Sigma Phi. I have been involved in a variety of events as a volunteer on campus as well as in the community serving Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Genesee County, LACADA Women’s Shelter, and Salem Housing. I also take great pride in my role at Eastside Community Center as a mentor for 6 years. I have a strong desire to one day have my own business that will help create opportunities in my community. I would like to be involved in non-profit work as well, and I look forward to helping make my city become the same city I grew up in again.
Madhur Lamsal
I am an international student at the University of Michigan-Flint from Nepal. I came to University of Michigan–Flint in January of 2006. I am a senior majoring in actuarial mathematics. I have two aspects of life that I would like to fulfill; first I want to work in financial market as an Analyst Actuary. Secondly, I have been engaged in many different Non Government Organization’s and International Non Government Organization’s back in Nepal. I believe engaging in some sort of social cause, at least once in our life time regardless of big or small will lead us to purify our heart in long run for humanity. Education is the inspirational source of conscience which always leads us toward, “one world one humanity”.
Samaria McPherson
I am a junior pursuing a Business Management degree with plans to attend law school upon graduation. I have many interests and projects that include, but not limited to, community development, volunteerism, human rights, and environmental issues. I am enthusiastic about being apart of the American Democracy Project. I have been inspired by the following quote by Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God? Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own shine, we unconsciously give others people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”.
Carolyn Scott
I was born and raised in Flint, attended Flint Public Schools, and graduated from Flint Central High School. As a non-traditional student I recognize and value the importance of community involvement. Witnessing the decline in the city of Flint has been distressing. I want to be a part of the larger community who has not given up on Flint. Enrolled as a senior undergrad student in The Public Administration Department, I participated as an intern at the campaign headquarters of Dayne Walling for Mayor. This is my home town and I want to help to make a difference.
Past Scholars
Kristi Bartholomew
I am a Political Science major, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. I was the first Student Coordinator and currently the first Information Technology Intern. My focus is on the creation and implemantation of the web site as well as the blog. I think it is important to reach out to everyone with every type of media available to inform as well as involve everyone. Before I returned to college, I was a Firefighter for the City of Lansing. As you know, that job requires one to serve their community under all kinds of conditions and circumstances. After sustaining an injury on the job, I had to retire. Even though my career ended, I never lost my desire to continue to serve. The American Democracy Project has provided just what I was looking for. I believe that serving our community as a student and as a citizen is the greatest gift a person has to offer and it is an essential element in every successful society. ADP is an incredible program and civic engagement is not just volunteering it is a life enriching duty and everyone should want to participate.
Leah Petts
In 2005, I began attending the University of Michigan Flint as a Political Science and Sociology major. I previously earned two Associates degrees from Mott Community College but I was not inspired to engage in community participation until I began attending UM-Flint. After all, democracy begins where participation is encouraged. Therefore, I feel it is my duty and my right to encourage others to become civically engaged. I have volunteered with different local organizations over the past two years and have been deeply inspired by the creative niche of community members working together to bring Flint to its brightest potential. I have always had faith in the city of Flint and being involved with ADP has allowed to me to converge with members of the community that share the same sentiment. The American Democracy Project encourages all of us to be the change we wish to see in the world.