College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > About > Initiatives > Urban Collaborative > Student Urban Research Corps > Student Members

Student Members

Current SURC Members

    Victoria Vega
Victoria Vega

Major/Program: Applied Diplomacy

Bio:  Victoria Vega is an international student from Colombia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Diplomacy at DePaul University. She is excited to work with SURC where she will be able to apply her technical, analytical, and research skills to impact urban communities positively.
    Spencer Sutherland
Spencer Sutherland



Major/Program: Public Policy / Economics

Bio:  Spencer Sutherland is majoring in Public Policy and Economics. He is from Wauconda, Illinois and wanted to join SURC to use his data analysis skills to become more involved with my community.
   Allison Hill
Allison Hill



Major/Program: Public Policy / Community Development

Bio:  Allison holds a BA in Politics and is currently pursuing a master’s in Public Policy with a certificate in Community Development. She is excited to be a part of the SURC because of the opportunity of bolstering her data analysis skills while learning about the unique needs of community organizations. 
   Ellery Von Holten
Ellery Von Holten
Major/Program: Sociology / Peace, Justice and Conflict

Bio:  My name is Ellery, and I am an undergraduate junior studying sociology with a minor in peace, justice and conflict. I have an interest in urban planning and community engagement.

Melanie Lopez
Melanie Lopez



Major/Program: Sociology / Spanish

Bio:  Melanie Lopez is a Senior at DePaul University, currently pursuing a BA in Sociology and a minor in Spanish. She is passionate about Urban community work which is reflected in the community internships she has around the South and West sides of Chicago. She joined the Student Urban Research Corps because it is one of the many ways, she can help Urban communities around Chicago. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, and spend time with her loved ones. 

Anna Schlundt
Anna Schlundt



Major/Program: Anthropology / Psychology / Human Development

Bio:  I am a sophomore at DePaul studying Anthropology and Psychology with a concentration in Human Development. As a student, I am driven by active engagement in my community and understanding cultural dynamics. I am excited to be a part of the SURC because of the opportunity to utilize my academic skill set to participate in service-oriented research.   
Erin Koster
Erin Koster



Major/Program: Geography & GIS / Geosciences

Bio:  Erin is a third-year Geography student with a concentration in GIS and Geosciences and is interested in research surrounding rural geography and environmental justice. In her free time, she enjoys trying out baking recipes and reading. 

Sara Aqariden
Sara Aqariden


Major/Program: International Studies

Bio:  Sara Aqariden is an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies. She is  very excited to be working with community partners in the city that has also been her campus for the last three years! She feels that SURC provides the opportunity to utilize the research and analytical skills learned in the classrooms to apply it in the real world.

Huda Salahuddin
Huda Salahuddin



Major/Program: International Studies / Arabic / Sociology / Women and Gender Studies

Bio:  Huda Salahuddin is a sophomore at DePaul pursuing a major in International Studies and minors in Arabic, Sociology, and Women and Gender Studies. She is interested in pursuing international law in the future. In her free time, Huda likes to read, paint, and hang out with her friends. 
Lacy Wright
Lacy Wright



Major/Program: Geography & GIS

Bio:  Lacy Wright is a junior majoring in Geography and obtaining a GIS certificate. She is a GIS teaching assistant and likes to go on walks, listen to music, and watch movies with her friends during her free time. She joined SURC because she is passionate about sustainable urban development and would love to work with community organizations.
Madison Felix
Madison Felix



Major/Program: Geography & GIS / Public Law / Political Thought / Urban Planning

Bio:  Madison is a junior at DePaul University pursuing a major in Geography and minors in Public Law/Political Thought and Urban Planning. She is also a part of DePaul’s 3+3 Combined BA/JD program. Madison is excited about being a part of the SURC because it’s a great opportunity to connect with community partners and facilitate positive change in and around her neighborhood.
Amar Alkhatib
AmarAlkhati



Major/Program: English / Political Science

Bio:  Amar Alkhatib is a rising junior at DePaul University, majoring in English with a minor in Political Science. She is excited to join SURC because of the opportunity to utilize her research and analytical skills to make a positive impact on communities. In her free time, Amar enjoys reading, thrifting, and spending time with her family.
Beata Neidhoefer
BeataNeidhoefer



Major/Program: Sociology

Bio:  Beata (bay-ah-duh) is a senior studying Sociology with aspirations to pursue joint JD/PhD degrees and contribute to fields of immigration law and social science research to aid unaccompanied minors and families entering the U.S. from Central America and Mexico. She joined SURC with a passion for research in support of communities and hopes to use her skills to aid Chicago's urban spaces and people. Outside of school, Beata enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and cooking. Her favorite recently-read book is Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell. 
Brigid Flannery
BrigidFlannery



Major/Program: Geography / Urban Development and Planning

Bio:  
Brigid is a second year student at DePaul who is pursuing a Geography BA with a focus in Urban Development and Planning. Inspired by her multiple bus trips a day between high school and college classes, Brigid is passionate about accessible public transportation, urban history, the social aspects of the city, and sustainability, in both the urban plan and the urban form. She is joined SURC to assist with and improve her GIS skills in her last year at DePaul University before Brigid returns to her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio for her MA.
Joshua Elliott
JoshuaElliott



Major/Program: Geography and a GIS

Bio:  Josh is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Geography and a GIS Certificate. As a life-long Chicagoan, he has developed a deep passion for justly improving urban living, and wanted to join the SURC because he strongly believes research and communication are imperative to that process.
Lauren Hunt
LaurenHunt



Major/Program: Environmental Studies / Sustainable Urban Development

Bio:  I am an Environmental Studies Undergraduate and Sustainable Urban Development Master's student at DePaul University. I'm deeply passionate about data analysis and GIS for sustainability and am excited to apply my skills to help Chicago.
Marcela Erickson
MarcelaErickson



Major/Program: Geography / Sociology

Bio:  Marcela is a senior majoring in Geography and minoring in Sociology. Additionally, she has a concentration in Urban Development and Planning. She is driven by her studies of impactful urbanism, effective public transportation, and a community-focused approach to planning. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, surveying architectural sites, and exploring the Chicago restaurant scene. 
MaryAnn McGovern
MaryAnnMcGovern



Major/Program: Sustainable Urban Development

Bio:  MaryAnn McGovern (she/they) is a graduate student in Sustainable Urban Development. Their interests center on applying equitable frameworks to urban and transit planning, and climate resilience. In 2024, MaryAnn completed the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development's Scholarship program, as well as a Steans Center Graduate Fellowship in support of an internship with the High Speed Rail Alliance. MaryAnn first moved to Chicago twenty years ago to pursue a B.A. And career in dance. Over the years, they have become immersed in the issues affecting Chicago's most vulnerable populations, organizing and advocating for change.
Rosbel Garza Hernandez
RosbelGarza_Hernandez



Major/Program: International Studies

Bio:  I am a graduate student in the International Studies department focusing on issues related to immigration to the United States. I am originally from Kansas/Missouri and completed my bachelor’s at the University of Kansas, receiving a degree in both International Studies (with Honors) and History—both emphasizing Latin America. In my free time I enjoy writing poems, taking photos, and being in outside—whether it’s in the city or in nature. I am applying to the position with SURC because the position allows me the opportunity to refine my research skills in a more open and interdisciplinary environment, compared to my previous research experience. Working in the city of Chicago with an urban focus would also provide valuable insight into how environment affects individuals. As someone who has previously worked in a research position(s)—having served with the DePaul Migration Collaborative to produce and present a research report on migration in Chicago—I have around two years of experience with data collection, consolidation, tabulation, and representation. I also am CITI certified and have conducted field-research through individual interviews and focus group studies. 
Ruth Belay
RuthBelay



Major/Program: Anthropology Geography & GIS

Bio:  I am Ruth Belay, an Anthropology major with a minor in Geography and working towards getting my GIS certificate. I was interested in joining the SURC to gain experience in applying my GIS and research skills. I am hoping to utilize my skills to analyze different kinds of data and provide solutions to real-world questions and build a better understanding of Chicago communities and how they operate.

Salise Sepulveda
SaliseSepulveda


Major/Program: Environmental ScienceGeography & GIS

Bio:  Salise is a senior majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Geography as well as completion of the GIS Certificate. She is currently a GIS teaching assistant as well as the co-founder of the Native American and Indigenous Student Organization at DePaul. She is excited to work at SURC to continue applying her GIS and data analysis skills to aid real world community projects.
Veronica Gomez
VeronicaGomez



Major/Program: Anthropology/ Urban Geography and Planning

Bio:  Veronica is a senior at DePaul University pursuing a BA degree in Anthropology with a concentration in Urban. Geography and Planning. She aspires to extend her anthropological skills to understand how data visualization can spark conversations between stakeholders and residents of the communities she works with. She is honored to be part of the SURC team and hopes to embrace multiple perspectives. 

Past SURC Members by Academic Year

2023-2024

Alejandro Arakelian - Geography
Christopher Impellizeri - Geography
Lily Baird - Geography
Melanie Lopez - Sociology / Spanish
Erin Koster - Geography & GIS / Geosciences
Sara Aqariden - International Studies
Lacy Wright - Geography & GIS
Victoria Vega - Applied Diplomacy
Spencer Sutherland - Public Policy /
                                             Economics
Mayra Shuja - Sustainable Urban Development
Sonya Koffman - Psychology/Urban Geography & Planning
Allison Hill - Public Policy / Community Development
Anna Schlundt - Anthropology / Psychology / Human
                                  Development
Ellery Von Holten - Sociology / Peace, Justice and Conflict
Madison Felix - Geography & GIS / Public Law / Political
                                Thought / Urban Planning
Huda Salahuddin - International Studies / Arabic /
                                       Sociology / Women and Gender Studies

2022-2023

Aamna Fasihi - Public Policy
Alejandro Arakelian - Geography
Alex Stone - Sociology/Journalism
Christopher Impellizeri - Geography
Despina Kokoris - Sociology
Lily Baird - Geography
Mayra Shuja - Sustainable Urban Development
Nils Berglund - Geography
Sonya Koffman - Psychology/Urban Geography & Planning

2021-2022

Alejandro Arakelian - Geography
Alex Stone - Sociology/Journalism
Amira Hady - Sociology/Arabic Studies
Camille Koch - Graduate, Public Service
Christopher Impellizeri - Geography
Effina Jackson - Graduate Public Service
Ella Schneider - Sociology/Marketing
Ellen Bloss - Graduate Sociology
Jennifer Ovist - Geography/Computer Science
Lily Baird - Geography
Nicole Bennett - Sociology/Graphic Design
Sonya Koffman - Psychology/Urban Geography & Planning