Annalise Abraham
Major: English Writing (Non-Fiction) and Urban Studies
"I am so very grateful and eager to serve my community as a Browne fellow. In this program and in all my future roles, I hope to be a student first and learn how to listen to the needs of individuals and neighborhoods. I am excited to support the amazing work that is already being done in the city to promote economic, racial, and environmental justice."
Noah Bushlow
Intended Major: Finance
“As someone who has grown up in New York City, I have been fortunate enough to not just be a part of the various communities that my background and interests have led me to, but also the community of New York itself. I always felt however, that I could do more to better my community and city. In my short time being a student at the University of Pittsburgh, I’ve already begun to fall in love with the community at school, as well as my new city of Pittsburgh. I am very appreciative of the outlet that the Browne Leadership Fellows Program is providing me with for giving back to my new community and bettering the city of Pittsburgh. My hope is that I will not only be able to help my current community throughout the duration of the program, but also further develop the skills necessary for helping the future communities I may find myself in.”
Alexandra DeRubeis
Alexandra DeRubeis is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Italian.
"I am incredibly grateful and honored to be a Browne Leadership Fellow this year! As a sophomore, Pittsburgh and the people I have met here have become my home. I have worked in voting rights activism since arriving at Pitt, which sparked my passion for regularly engaging with community members. Some areas of interest that I hope to work in include civil rights, environmental justice, and criminal justice. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I hope to use my experiences to listen to others’ needs and give back to our community. I am so excited to have the chance to serve the community that has welcomed me, and I believe that getting to know members of our community on a personal level is important to see meaningful change."
Jennifer Espinoza
Major: Applied Developmental Psychology
Certificates: CASE Teacher Preparation (in the application process, but that is the goal!)
"My involvement on campus consists of being a Browne Fellow, a Resident Assistant in the Litchfield Towers, and a member of the Latinx Student Association. I look forward to becoming involved in community centers and schools very soon. It is an absolute privilege to be a first generation student at Pitt and to have made so much progress in networking, studies, and employment! I know that as a Browne Fellow, I will be a part of the research and work it takes to provide much-needed solutions to adversity in Pittsburgh. Marginalized communities deserve to feel the effects of equity and justice. I want to make my mark on Pittsburgh, and being a Browne Fellow allows me to do that alongside a team of capable and passionate students and leaders."
Jolie Haertter
Major: Psychology and Administration of Justice
Certificate: National Preparedness and Homeland Security
"As a first-year student at Pitt, I am very excited and honored to be a Browne Leadership Fellow. With my interests that align with research on bias, intelligence, and racial justice, I hope to expand my advocacy and service by gaining knowledge through this experience. I am excited to get the opportunity to work directly within the community and engage with civic leaders working to advance economic and social justice within local Pittsburgh communities."
Faith Kehinde
Faith Kehinde is a third-year student pursuing a Neuroscience major, with a minor in chemistry, and a certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine.
"No matter where my career goals and aspirations take me, my goal will be to always impact my community in a positive way. My goal will always be to strive for better, better than it was yesterday, last month, and last year. As a Pitt student, I recognize the opportunity I’ve been given, the skills I can continue to build upon, and ultimately the many ways that I can give, and give generously to others and my community. I’m looking forward to gaining new experiences, new perspectives and ultimately bringing about positive changes in my community."
Megan McCann
Major: Communication Science and Disorders
Certificate: American Sign Language
"Our communities are the root and heart of what forms our identity and relationships, and I learned this from my time volunteering back home on the island of Guam. The Pittsburgh community has provided me with friends I call family, and I have never felt more welcomed with every friendly face I walk by. Pittsburgh has been there with me through my roughest times, and it’s only right I give back. The Browne Leadership Fellows Program has given me the unique opportunity to help small communities, and I am thrilled to be working alongside accomplished individuals just as excited as I am to serve."
Amara R. Novotny
Major: Rehabilitation Science
Minor: Studio Arts
Certificate: American Sign Language.
“I am extremely excited to be participating in the Browne Leadership Fellows Program because I want to make an impact in my community that will last long after I have graduated from Pitt. I feel that throughout my undergraduate career Pittsburgh has provided me with so many amazing opportunities for personal growth and wonderful experiences. I want to give back to this city in a meaningful and sustainable way. Specifically as a white, queer student, I feel that my identity has provided me with certain experiences, privilege, and opportunity that I want to use to positively impact others’ lives. The activism and community organization enacted across the country over the past year has shown me that when real people dedicate their time and energy towards real change, a better future is possible for everyone. I am looking forward to actively and passionately dedicating my time, energy, voice, talents, and drive towards making a real change in my community, so that hopefully my efforts will make Pittsburgh a safer and more equitable place to live for all.”
Rachael Stowe
Major: Applied Developmental Psychology
Minor: Chemistry, Social Work
Certificate: Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
“Being an advocate for others is especially important in today’s world, where biases and preconceived notions create barriers to individuals’ success. Pittsburgh has truly become my home over the past three years and I am excited to explore and give back to the community which has helped me evolve so much. I chose the Browne Leadership Fellows program because it combines my passion for community work with a drive to create concrete change that benefits the citizens I will be working with in the various Pittsburgh communities.
As a Browne Fellow, I hope to learn the value of community engagement and interaction with a target population – not deciding their needs, but rather listening and responding to them. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue a Masters in either Applied Developmental Psychology or Social Work, and with a goal of working within hospital settings to help chronically ill children and their families.”
Emily Wen
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry (& possibly philosophy!)
"Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something that would help others and make a lasting positive impact. In college, I found passion through tutoring and being a teaching assistant, leading a student non-profit, and being a mentor to high school and freshmen college students. These activities have made me realize even more that building relationships and that sense of community with others is really special and important, and it only reaffirmed and strengthened that passion for helping others. While I am not entirely sure what exactly my future plans are (most likely something within the public health/law area), I know that I wish to grow in my understanding and skills in civic engagement and non-profit work through the Browne Leadership Fellows Program. I'm excited, and extremely privileged, to be in this position, and I look forward to what this program has to offer/challenge me with!"