Our Team

Amanda stewards and facilitates partnerships between the university, students, and the community. Taking into account the expertise and needs of potential partners, she forms new connections between Ginsberg’s various stakeholders, and she fulfills daily administration needs to ensure that existing partnerships continue to thrive. In addition, Amanda supports Ginsberg’s curriculum development and workshops for students and university partners.

As the Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Assessment Manager, Brianna provides leadership and support for the Community Technical Assistance Collaborative (CTAC). CTAC is a community-university partnership convened to address community partners’ universal need for data and evaluation. CTAC partnerships focus on supporting nonprofits, schools, and governmaneta agencies to build capacity, while meeting educational goals of U-M students with support from faculty.

Dave provides strategic and administrative leadership to the Ginsberg Center which includes work with staff, students, and Ginsberg programs. His primary goals focus on building sustainable infrastructure for equitable campus-community partnerships, staff development, increasing student learning, and building authentic relationships with community partners that lead to positive results.

Gabbi (she/her) works closely with students and student organizations engaged in community-based initiatives in their local and global communities. Through trainings, consultations, and advising, she supports students in deepening their learning, as well as the impact of their community engagement efforts, by centering their work on community-identified needs. Gabbi also advises The Detroit Partnership, a Ginsberg-sponsored student organization that facilitates weekly service-learning opportunities in the city of Detroit.

As the Academic Partnerships and Services Coordinator, Gaylin coordinates intake and consultation services, and manages all aspects of the Ginsberg Center’s workshop administration processes. She provides administrative and project management support for the Academic Partnerships team and for collaborative work with Ginsberg Student Engagement and University-Community Partnerships teams. In addition, she supports the planning, delivery and evaluation of programs and resources for academic partners.

As the Democratic Engagement Manager, Elizabeth Netcher strives to get all students registered and voting! Elizabeth works with established organizations on campus like Turn Up, Turn Out (TUT), UMich Votes, and other worthwhile organizations that support civic engagement. By fostering relationships, both on and off-campus, building up our UMich Votes Coalition, and creating programming around voting and voting rights we can all help to build up the University of Michigan’s student voter turnout.

Evelyn is the Communications Specialist for the Ginsberg Center. She earned a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University and has worked at the University of Michigan for over three years serving in communications roles. Evelyn manages all of Ginsberg’s marketing initiatives, including our newsletter, social media efforts, website content and writing and sharing our stories with campus, community and beyond. She leans into the power of storytelling and uses these stories to further Ginsberg's mission and vision. Evelyn works to make sure Ginsberg’s branding is clear and consistent and conveys the myriad of ways in which we are working towards social change. Outside of the office, she can be found on the tennis court or taking her cats on an adventure.

Hawa oversees the Ginsberg Center's collaboration with Community Partners, with a focus on fostering sustained engagement and establishing partnerships between the University of Michigan and various organizations and individuals within the communities of southeast Michigan.

Jesse (they/he) directs the student leadership education program and promotes students' active engagement in their own learning.  Jesse co-facilitates workshops and co-curricular programs, provides consultation and training to student organizations, and partners with both campus and external partners to promote social justice and community engagement at UM. 

As the Academic Partnerships Manager, Jessica (she/her) develops Ginsberg’s classroom-based workshop curriculum, creates faculty development resources, manages the Engaged Learning Graduate Consultants (a team of doctoral students who facilitate workshops and support other Center projects), and consults with academic partners across campus interested in community engagement.

As the America Reads manager, Juliya supports and facilitates partnership between University of Michigan’s America Reads tutors and local schools, nonprofits, and tutoring centers and programs in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Detroit. Juliya works directly with tutors, graduate students, school liaisons and literacy specialists, and other education stakeholders. America Reads is a federal program grounded in justice and equity by providing literacy support to K-5 students.

As an Associate Director, Kate contributes to the strategic leadership of Ginsberg as part of the executive team and leads Ginsberg’s work with academic partners. In this role, she works to facilitate, expand, and sustain partnerships with centers and schools across U-M to support high impact community engaged learning. Kate provides consultation to faculty, academic program staff and graduate students to promote equity-focused approaches to community engagement in a range of academic contexts including courses and academic programs.

Kayla helps campus partners -- faculty, staff, and students -- develop collaborative projects with Ginsberg's community partners. She cultivates campus-community relationships, consults with partners as they identify their priorities and scope out projects, and conducts regular partnership evaluations. Kayla also supports Ginsberg’s Storytelling for Social Change Initiative, which matches U-M students with community organizations seeking to increase their capacity around communications, marketing, and storytelling.

Maria assists the Ginsberg Center with finances, human resources, and care of the building. She also supervises Ginsberg's student building managers.

As Director, Neeraja provides strategic leadership to the Ginsberg Center, ensures alignment between our values and work at the Center and across U-M, and works to reduce barriers and challenges to equitable partnerships between students, faculty, and community partners.

Nick’s role is to develop and support faculty and staff from academic units across the University to collaborate in their work with community organizations and institutions. Nick aims to enable and encourage cooperative and dynamic relationships between University and community partners. He previously served as the Edward R. Ginsberg Senior Counsel to the Provost on Civic Engagement, a dual role at both the Ginsberg Center and the Vice Provost for Global and Civic Engagement.

Nicole is the Editor of the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, published by the Ginsberg Center. She works with the Editorial Team to oversee the publication of two issus a year focused on community-engaged scholarship. 

As Student Engagement Coordinator, Riley works closely with students and student organizations to help advise, support, and facilitate impactful, intentional, and ethical community engagement and social change work. Riley oversees the Alternative Breaks Grant, where they advise and support alternative break trips for students across campus.

Theresa works at the intersection of community, academic and student partners. Her role is to help steward and expand the Ginsberg Center’s Issue-based Convenings and Collaboratives.  She works to match community needs and University resources for mid- to long-term, multi-party efforts.

Amna Rizvi-Toner is a PhD student in Clinical Pharmacy. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Amna facilitates workshops to support and prepare students doing community-engaged work. She is passionate about using community engagement approaches to reduce health care disparities and hopes to promote positive change by spreading awareness and engaging people within and outside of academia. In her free time, Amna enjoys being outside with her golden retriever, playing board games, and traveling.

Annie is a PhD student in Survey Methodology and Data Science at the Institute for Social Research. As a CTAC-STATCOM liaison, she assists with scoping and coordinating new projects for STATCOM. Annie is passionate about making statistical methods and services equitable and accessible for everyone and enjoys engaging with community partners. In her free time, Annie enjoys running, climbing, surfing, and watercolor painting.

Carlina Duan is a PhD student in the Joint Program in English and Education. As a Lead Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Carlina not only facilitates workshops to prepare students for working effectively with communities, but also helps support our newer facilitators by providing feedback and creating community amongst them. She is committed to co-creating and supporting nurturing, empathetic and meaningful classroom experiences through community collaboration.

Carlos Galina is a PhD student in Political Science concentrating in American Politics. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, he facilitates workshops to support and prepare students doing community-engaged work. Carlos is passionate about contributing to build community and strengthen democracy. In his free time, Carlos enjoys hiking, listening to all the Taylor Swift records and reading.

Chino Ekwueme is a PhD student in the Combined Program in Education and Psychology (CPEP). As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, she facilitates workshops to prepare and support students working on community-engaged projects. Her research interests focus on academic motivation, racial stress, coping and resistance, and understanding the belonging needs of students of color. In her free time, Chino enjoys dancing, cooking different foods, and listening to music.

Claire is PhD candidate in the School for Environment and Sustainability. As a Community Partnership Consultant, she supports Ginsberg’s relationships with Community Partners by consulting with partner organizations in check-in meetings and scoping new potential partnership projects. Claire dedicates her graduate studies to facilitating a just transition to non-polluting energy for US households by examining the interaction of household behavior and energy costs with local and national policy. She is an amateur rally driver, competing locally in rallycross and time-speed-distance rally.

Daniele Bracale is a Ph.D candidate in statistics. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, he facilitate workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work. He actively shapes a professional identity by participating in counseling initiatives for UNIFI in collaboration with the Spectrum Center and Wolverine Wellness at University Health Services. He also fosters equitable connections between academia communities, including his involvement with Graduate Rackham International Students (GRIN) at U-M.

Elana Goldenkoff is a PhD candidate in the School of Kinesiology. As a Lead Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Elana not only facilitates workshops to prepare students for working effectively with communities, but also helps support our newer facilitators by providing feedback and creating community amongst them. Her research explores how different regions in the brain work together to facilitate voluntary movement. Elana strives to increase diversity in STEM fields and improve access to research by promoting scientific outreach programs aimed at K-12 students.

Faridat Agboola is a PhD candidate in Chemistry. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Faridat facilitates workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work.

Gabrielle is a third-year PhD student in the Combined Program in Education & Psychology. As Student Coordinator for the Community Technical Assistance Collaborative (CTAC), she coordinates communication with and resources for CTAC's student evaluator teams. Gabrielle is passionate about community-engaged work, and "turning back out" the expertise and resources afforded by an affiliation with a higher education institution to aid schools, community partners and organizations, and youth-serving institutions.

Gina Hsu is a PhD student in the Joint Program of Women's and Gender Studies & English. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, she facilitates workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work - and nerds out about where community engagement theories and praxis amplify and challenge her feminist training.

Hannah is a PhD candidate in English Language & Literature. As a Community Engagement (CE) Graduate Consultant, she works with CE staff and community partners to connect community projects with U-M resources. Hannah also supports the CE Graduate Consultant program by researching peer programs and centers that are committed to stewarding equitable university-community partnerships. Hannah is a fan of satirical literature, non-interactive theatre, and biking along the Huron.

Irene Mora is a Ph.D candidate in History and Women and Gender Studies. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Irene facilitates workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work. Her research focuses on Latina community leaders of Detroit from 1920-1980. As a first-generation college student, Irene is deeply invested in demystifying academic spaces and helping underrepresented students learn about graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, spending time with family and friends, and traveling!

Katie Van Zanen is a PhD candidate in English and Education. As a Lead Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, Katie not only facilitates workshops to prepare students for working effectively with communities, but also helps support our newer facilitators by providing feedback and creating community amongst them. Katie is passionate about creating accessible, equitable, and reflective learning experiences in her work as a consultant and as a graduate student instructor; as a researcher, she is interested in how higher education forms students' civic and political identities.

Keiaron is a Master's student in Urban and Regional Planning. As an America Reads Graduate Assistant, she supports tutors with resources to inform their work with America Reads. Keiaron is passionate about shaping the environment in a way that is equitable to all.  In her free time, Keiaron enjoys painting, sewing, and completing puzzles. 

LaTara McLemore is a Ph.D candidate in the English Language and Literature program, housed in the English Department. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, LaTara facilitates workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work. A former 12th grade English teacher and very proud Chicago native, LaTara is invested in integrating responsive teaching practices and methods of critical care into her classroom operations and culture--investments which are foundational to her work as a Graduate Consultant.

Patricia is a joint PhD candidate in English and Women's and Gender Studies. As the editorial assistant of the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, she connects and communicates with journal partners, organizes and maintains the journal review process, and reviews and drafts feedback for authors. Patricia is passionate about supporting and promoting the work of emerging scholars, especially junior scholars, and thinking critically about how to make editorial and review processes equitable.

Rachel is a 3rd year PhD student in English and Women's and Gender Studies. As a Graduate Consultant in the Community Engagement track, she provides administrative support to Ginsberg’s University Community Partnerships Manager who connects campus and community partners to develop long-term partnerships. Rachel emphasizes community care and Black feminist thought in her scholarship and her life. In her free time, Rachel enjoys knitting, hanging out with her cat, Gloria, and spending time in her hometown of Minneapolis, MN.

Stephanie Renteria is a PhD student in the Joint Program in English and Education. As an Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant, she facilitates workshops to prepare and support students doing community-engaged work. Stephanie is particularly interested in critical pedagogies and practices in her work as a consultant and graduate student instructor. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, baking banana bread, and listening to music while strolling through A2.

Taylor is a PhD candidate in Sociology.

Aidan is a second-year student studying Industrial and Operations Engineering, with a minor in Spanish. He hopes to work in the automotive industry, possibly in Spain. He wants to determine, though, what career path he wants to take, finish making a resume, apply to internships, and is aiming for a high GPA. In high school, Aidan was President of Interact Club, which was a group that organized charity events throughout the school year and was in close communication with the superintendent.

Amanda is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Community Action and Social Change. As a Community Leadership Fellow, Amanda is applies her previous leadership and classroom experience to work with 826 Michigan on a project informed by community identified needs using a collective impact approach. Amanda is passionate about empowering youth through social justice dialogue, developing curriculum about service learning and sustainable volunteering, and working to combat health disparities and increase healthcare access.

Daphne is a junior pursuing her bachelor's in Community and Global Public Health with a minor in Sociology: Law, Justice, and Social Change. As a student on the Ginsberg Student Advisory Board, she collaborates with students who are driven to create social change in various disciplines through community-engaged work. Daphne is specifically passionate about applying her knowledge and critical thinking about public health crises and systems to leverage structural and community-based change. In her free time, Daphne enjoys going on walks, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Eric is an undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in business and political science. As a member of the student advisory board, he contributes input on the community engagement grants which provides financial assistance to various clubs and programs in the community. Eric is entering his third year as a Ginsberg board member and enjoys reading about the widespread impact umich students can have on various communities. In his free time, Eric enjoys traveling, hunting with his family, and golfing when he can find time to do.

Jaylen is an undergraduate student in her final year. She is pursuing a dual-degree in Data Science through the College of Engineering and General Studies through LSA. As a Community Leadership Fellow, Jaylen is working with Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti. Jaylen is passionate about studying and finding solutions to multidisciplinary problems, especially with the use of data analytics and technology. In her free time, she likes to swim, read, practice film photography, and camp in the backcountry.

Julia is a third-year student studying Women's & Gender Studies + Spanish double major, with a minor in music. Over the summer of 2022, she interned with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin and did research for the Spanish Department at U of M. She is in the marching band on the drumline and is enjoying her game day Saturdays! She is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, intersectional feminism, education, and environmental justice and hopes to pursue a legal/writing based career in the future that also allows her to incorporate her creative interests in writing and fine arts.

Maria is a second year undergraduate student in the College of Engineering. As a member of the Ginsberg Center Student Advisory Board she will actively work to implement programs and initiatives that promote the mission of the Ginsberg Center. As a passionate researcher, who was named a Regeneron STS Finalist, and veteran tutor, Maria has cultivated an undeniable spirit for literacy and STEM, and at 11 years old, she founded the G.R.O.W.

Natalia is an undergraduate student in PICS (Program in International and Comparative Studies), LACS (Latin American and Caribbean Studies), and RLL (Romance Languages and Literatures). As a member of the Student Advisory Board, she represents Ginsberg Center programs and initiatives, student organizations, and the campus at large while providing input and feedback on other university community engagement efforts. Natalia's passions/interests center around justice and advocacy for the Latine/x community. In her free time, Natalia likes to ride her bike and see her friends.

Navya is a junior in LSA and is majoring in Political Science with a dual minor in English and Law, Justice, and Social Change. As an Assistant News Editor and City Beat Reporter at the Michigan Daily, she reports breaking news, Ann Arbor City Council meetings, and council members' initiatives. As a Student Engagement Ambassador for the University of Michigan Library, she promotes library services and resources to students. Navya is passionate about studying and reporting the impacts of incarceration. In her free time, Navya enjoys brewing coffee and reading.

Niko is an undergraduate student in Political Science with a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Change and Philosophy. As the SERVE Program Assistant, she will work on projects that advance the Ginsberg Center’s capacity around student organization outreach and support, in addition to facilitating workshops that support students’ community engagement by exploring service and service-learning through a justice-oriented lens. Niko is passionate about advocating for social change for the public good and creating more student civic engagement with local Ann Arbor community service efforts.

Rebecca is a senior undergraduate pursuing a BA in Honors Political Science with a dual minor in both Public Policy and Music.

Rino is a junior pursuing a B.A.

Rhianna is an undergraduate studying Sociology and Social Work in the school of LSA. As a third year America Reads tutor and a member of the Student Advisory Board, she seeks to create change both on a personal and institutional level. She values empathy and diversity as a top qualities toward social change and in her personal life as well. In Rhianna's free time, you can find her reading, taking photos, or going for a walk around town.

Sarah is an undergraduate student majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and minoring in Community Action and Social Change (CASC). As the future project coordinator intern of Food Corps Michigan, she is hoping to work with local schools in providing resources to lunch programs and educating herself more on the subject of food disparities in effecting neighborhoods.

Theo is an undergraduate student double majoring in Creative Writing & Literature and Arts & Ideas in the Humanities with honors and a minor in English. As a member of the Student Advisory Board, they support the Ginsberg Center in all its missions. Theo is the founding member of the Trans and Gender Nonconforming Arts Review, a literary magazine and community organization on campus to support trans and gender nonconforming artistic pursuits. In their free time, Theo enjoys hiking, biking, baking, and creating stained glass windows.