Ten CSB and SJU students named as 2011 Jackson Fellows

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June 16, 2011

Ten College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University students will spend their summers serving organizations across Minnesota and South Dakota through the College of Saint Benedict Marie and Robert Jackson Fellows Program.

Not only will these students work full time for environmental issues, human rights, mental health, children's development, social justice and more, but they will also receive professional development, attend bi-monthly seminars and increase civic engagement within the community during the following school year.

Established in 2008 when CSB received an anonymous gift, the Jackson Fellows Program includes a cohort of highly qualified students. Upon selection, each fellow is granted $4,000 for a summer civic engagement project and a $1,000 financial scholarship during the 2011-12 school year to improve community life through political or non-political service activities. 

Program co-directors Matt Lindstrom and Marah Jacobson-Schulte reviewed 32 applicants before selecting the following 10 students for 2011:

Jackson Fellows from CSB:

Kathryn Hauff, a senior political science major from Fargo, N.D., works at the University of Minnesota's Office of the General Counsel, which represents and protects the university in legal matters by ensuring the best possible litigation outcomes for the university, as well as minimizing legal problems by offering proactive legal services. Hauff aids the attorneys by conducting legal research, assisting in the interviewing and meetings with clients and providing basic case management. 

Evan Lowder, a senior political science and psychology major from Eagan, Minn., works at the Ramsey County Mental Health Court, which increases public safety by reducing recidivism among those whose criminal behaviors are attributable to mental illness. Lowder works directly under the court administrator, learns how the court functions and interacts with various individuals within the court.

Jennifer Stevenson, a senior social science major from Woodbury, Minn., works at the Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings, S.D., which promotes learning for children of all ages and abilities through interactive, informal hands-on exhibits and demonstrations. Stevenson learns about the various tasks involved in managing museums and helps make it a better educational center for all visitors. 

Thu Trang Tran, a junior accounting major from Hanoi, Vietnam, works at Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines in Waite Park, Minn., which builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Trang works for the grant writing and communication department, assists in outreach programs and shadows Girl Scouts leaders to get a big picture of what it means to work for a non-profit.  

Tiffany Vang, a junior peace studies major from St. Paul, Minn., works at TakeAction Minnesota in St. Paul, Minn., which contributes to community organizing for educational equity and racial economic justice. Interning with the Hmong Organizing Program, Vang researches and organizes Hmong veteran burial benefits with other partner organizations and advocates for culturally inclusive history and education in school curriculum. 

Adia Zeman, a senior communication major from Ramsey, Minn., works at the Lyric Arts Company of Anoka, Minn., which builds community and nurtures artists and audiences of all ages through live theater. Zeman's main tasks include marketing, the use of social media and public relations work for upcoming shows, event planning for opening night galas and a community mural project.

Jackson Fellows from SJU:

Steven Dahlke, a senior environmental studies major from St. Louis Park, Minn., works at the Great Plains Institute in Minneapolis, which fosters the long-term economic, environmental and social well-being of the Northern Plains. Dahlke works on a sustainable community's project called Greenstep Cities, researches an improved electrical grid infrastructure called SmartGrid and evaluates tools and policies designed to promote energy efficiency financing. 

Colin Frederick, a senior Hispanic Studies and political science major from La Horquetta, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago, works at the Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis, which strives to implement international human rights standards in order to promote civil society and reinforce the rule of the law. Frederick promotes human rights through national and international justice processes and conducts research on cases.

John Godfrey, a senior political science major from Rochester, Minn., works at Central Minnesota Legal Services in St. Cloud, Minn., which provides civil legal services to low-income persons in 21 counties in Central Minnesota. Godfrey works in employment and family law, handles correspondence with clients as well, investigates case facts and represents clients in unemployment hearings.

Isaac Meyer, a junior political science major from Breckenridge, Minn., works at St. Cloud Area Legal Services, which provides high-quality legal advice and representation to low-income people, senior citizens and low-income farmers residing in nine area counties.  As a legal assistant in housing and landlord tenant law, Meyer works with clients facing eviction, discriminatory housing practices and legal housing problems.