Victoria Vega
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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.
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Spencer Sutherland
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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.
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Allison Hill
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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. |
Sonya Koffman
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Major/Program: Psychology/Urban Geography & Planning
Quote about SURC: If it wasn't for SURC being such a great resource, it would be a lot more difficult to find internship opportunities that relate to my passions and interests. I have particularly enjoyed working for Legal Aid Foundation and KEEN Foundation Chicago.
Bio: Sonya is a senior at DePaul University and has been working with the SURC for almost 3 years. They’re interested in doing social work and urban planning in the future, with a specific focus on community engagement and development. In their free time, they love reading, cooking, and have creative passions in fashion, design, and digital art.
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Ellery Von Holten
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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.
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Melanie Lopez
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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.
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Anna Schlundt
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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.
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Erin Koster
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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.
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Sara Aqariden
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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.
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Huda Salahuddin
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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.
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Lacy Wright
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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.
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Madison Felix
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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.
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Amar Alkhatib
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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.
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Beata Neidhoefer
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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
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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.
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Joshua Elliott
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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.
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Lauren Hunt
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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.
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Marcela Erickson
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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.
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MaryAnn McGovern
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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.
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Rosbel Garza Hernandez
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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.
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Ruth Belay
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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.
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Salise Sepulveda
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Major/Program: Environmental Science / Geography & 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.
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