Alekya graduated with honors from Loyola University Chicago in 2017 with a degree in biology. During her time at Loyola, she developed her passion for food justice by regularly volunteering at the local soup kitchen and interning at Purple Asparagus, a non-profit nutrition education organization. After graduation, she served as … Read more
Malak Kudaimi
From Irvine, CA, Malak graduated with Phi Betta Kappa and honors from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor’s Degree in public health and international studies. Throughout her time in college, Malak was vocally active in establishing and maintaining food security efforts during her time in college as an … Read more
Baridilo Dube
Born in Nigeria and raised in Houston, Texas, Baridilo is a recent graduate from Rice University with a degree in policy studies and sociology, and a certificate in civic leadership. With a passion for social justice, especially in areas of race, gender, and poverty, Baridilo worked on her college campus … Read more
Jade Adia Harvey
Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Jade graduated from Yale University with a degree in ethnicity, race & migration and human rights in 2017. After graduation, Jade served as a caseworker for homeless and home-insecure families before joining a high-need middle school in South Central LA through Americorps VISTA. … Read more
Laura Yepez
Laura was born and raised in East Los Angeles. At the University of California, Berkeley, Laura majored in American Studies, an interdisciplinary major which allowed her to learn about communities, policy, and planning. Laura also has a minor in Landscape Architecture. While at Berkeley, Laura fundraised for several organizations and … Read more
De’Sean Weber
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, De’Sean studied anthropology and global health studies at Northwestern University. He wrote his senior thesis on how trauma-informed care can be implemented to address the impact of mental illness, addiction, and homelessness among low-income Black beneficiaries at Heartland Alliance. At Northwestern, De’Sean worked to … Read more
Paige Shortsleeves
Born and raised in Parsonsfield, Maine, Paige graduated from Colby College with a degree in biology and sociology. With a passion for health and social justice, Paige interned at the Maine Medical Center and Preble Street Learning Collaborative, where she helped provide access to health care for the homeless. On … Read more
Rosa Rada
Rosa grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with a self-designed interdisciplinary degree in Food Systems Policy. As an undergraduate, Rosa served as an Americorps volunteer at the International Rescue Committee, where she worked to increase food access for refugee communities in … Read more
Erica McCoy
Hailing from Carthage, Mississippi, Erica graduated from Stanford University in 2017 with a degree in earth systems with a concentration in sustainable food and agriculture and a minor in art practice. She is passionate about issues surrounding food systems including sustainability and food justice. While at Stanford, Erica explored these … Read more
Valery Martinez
Valery was born and raised in San Jose, California, and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in human development and a minor in nutrition. Valery dedicated her summers to serving low-income and racially/ethnically diverse communities in her hometown while being an advocate for social justice issues at school. … Read more
Thank you to the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation for providing support to the 24th Class of Emerson National Hunger Fellows’ work on child food insecurity.
Corey Malone-Smolla
Corey graduated with honors from Yale University in 2016 with a BA in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. While at Yale, Corey worked as a Project Coordinator, managing 50 undergraduates working to end sexual violence through education workshops on consent for 3,000 Yale students. Corey developed her passion for food … Read more
Sarah Goldman
Sarah graduated from Carleton College with a degree in environmental studies and a concentration in political economy. With a passion for agriculture and social justice, Sarah worked as a youth organizer in northern Nicaragua, interned on ten small farms in North America, and served as a student ambassador in the … Read more