Spring 2021

Name: Shehrose Charania

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Year/Major: Graduated May 2021 with a degree in Health Promotion and Health Equity with Certificates in Global Health & Public Policy & Leadership

Shehrose, a Posse Scholar, focused on systematically helping the Madison and Wisconsin community through empowering future women STEM leaders through the WIScience STEM Immersion Program, serving as a peer mentor through public health projects, and through the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health’s Providers and Teens Communicating for Health (PATCH). Through her leadership experiences, she became self-aware by recognizing the barriers to knowledge that can exist and gained skills on how to communicate, develop and implement programs that would increase the quality of lives and serve different populations. Post-graduation, Shehrose will matriculate into the Master of Public Health in Health Administration and Policy at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

To see Shehrose’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2020

Name: Anna Walther
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Year/Major: Graduated May 2020 with a degree in Community and Environmental Sociology

Anna spent most of her time at UW-Madison focused on systematically helping the Madison community as a student leader through the Morgridge Center for Public Service, by implementing various food security initiatives, and by collaborating with research centers like the Institute for Research on Poverty. Through her leadership experiences, she learned about empathizing with others and how to empower people and organizations seeking to make lasting change. Post-graduation, Anna will matriculate into UW-Madison’s School of Social Work for their joint MSW/PhD program in Social Work.

To see Anna’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2019

Name: Mimi Le
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
Year/Major: Graduated May 2019 with a degree in Nursing

During Mimi’s time at UW-Madison she has has been heavily involved with WUD Alternative Breaks. She learned that she enjoys building interactive environments to foster better interactions between her committee members, and loved her active involvement as this year’s Associate Director of the program. Mimi will be graduating this year with her Bachelor’s of Science in nursing, and has accepted a position to start her nursing career at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago on the cardiology floor starting this August.

To see Mimi’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2018

Name: Iffat Bhuiyan
Hometown: Platteville, WI
Year/Major: Graduated May 2018 with a degree in Community Environmental Sociology and Environmental Studies

During Iffat’s time at UW she has tackled numerous social justice issues, while obtaining the opportunity to expand her leadership skills. This year she completed her Presidency within the Wisconsin Union, where she learned a tremendous amount of responsibility as well as how to be challenged by her peers, faculty and administration. At the WI Union, Iffat worked tirelessly with staff and student leaders to improve the campus climate. As a recent graduate Iffat is excited to explore the world of student affairs!

To see Iffat’s video submission, click here.

Name: Lily Hansen

Hometown: San Anselmo, CA

Year/Major: Graduated May 2018 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Lily learned that everything she does to help others and be a leader is connected. She was able to do a lot of self-reflection over the four years of pursuing the certificate and in this time she found the Leadership Framework to be complimentary of what she was already doing. The Leadership framework sharpened Lily’s skills and after graduating in May, she will be directing a program at my overnight camp for young adults with disabilities. She then hopes to work for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and eventually go to law school to study child advocacy or special education law. This year, she was able to start two campaigns: they are both photo/video projects, and one addresses sexual assault awareness and the other, mental health.

To see Lily’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2016

Name: Alexandria Pham
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Graduated in May 2016
Major: Management and Human Resources

The leadership accomplishment that Alex most values is her time as President of University Wellness Foundation, where she had the opportunity to be a facilitator of a young women’s empowerment group at James C. Wright Middle School. Alex led an 8-week program speaking to issues of racial and gender diversity, self-esteem, body-image, and bullying. This experience led Alex to pursue a career in Learning and Development. She has accepted a position at Kohl’s as a Talent Development Designer in Human Resources, where she will develop training materials and courses that will empower employees to fulfill their personal and career aspirations.

To see Alexandria’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2015

Name: Kayla Sippl
Hometown: Seymour, WI
Year/Major: Graduated in May 2015 with a degree in Biology

During Kayla’s time here at UW-Madison she was involved in many diverse activities.  To name a few, she joined the CALS Honors in Science Research Program, Global Health Certificate, and African Students Certificate communities. Additionally, she was involved in groups such as Partners in Health Engage, AΣD Pre-Medical Honor Society, and served as the Vice President of Badgers Empowering Women.  Kayla volunteered for the UW-Children’s Hospital, Expand Your Horizons Conference, Girl Neighborhood Group, and worked as a line therapist for Integrated Development Services.  Her sophomore year, she studied abroad in Kenya and upon returning, earned the Wisconsin Idea Fellowship with Social Entrepreneurship distinction for her idea, “The Soap Project.”  Kayla represented UW-Madison at the Clinton Global Initiative University and will present the project at the Global Health and Undergraduate Research Symposiums.  She became the leader of an after-school science club at the Salvation Army, helped pilot the new leadership certificate program, and attended the AHANA Conference entitled, “Developing Today’s Leadership for Tomorrow’ Issues.”

To see Kayla’s video submission, click here.

Spring 2014

Name: Maimoua Xiong
Hometown: Madison, WI
Year/Major: Graduated May 2014 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies

Maimoua is the eldest of five siblings and the first in her family to go to college. She created her own scholarship award to help students from low-income, first generation, and historically underrepresented backgrounds to fund their study abroad program.

To see Maimoua’s video submission, click here.

Name: Caitlin DeVos
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Year/Major: Graduated in May 2014 with a degree in Communication & Non-Profit Leadership, and Sociology

After losing her mom to colon cancer in November 2010, Caitlin dedicated her time to the American Cancer Society to serve as a volunteer for Colleges Against Cancer of UW-Madison. Because of her commitment to this cause she serves as one of eight members on the National Collegiate Advisory Team which provides support to volunteers nationwide.

To see Caitlin’s video submission, click here.