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Seven Carleton students from the Class of 2023 have been awarded a Weitz Fellowship, a unique opportunity for graduating Carleton seniors to spend a year at a nonprofit organization in Nebraska. The students traveled to Omaha and Lincoln earlier this month to meet in person with the Weitz family and leaders of host organizations, as well as meet with current Weitz colleagues, and will remain in place until early summer.
Founded more than a decade ago by Wally Weitz ’70, P’96, P’99, P’02 and Barbara Weitz ’70, P’96, P’99, P’02, the Weitz Fellowship Program provides one-year, disbursed scholarships to Carleton in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb. Graduates are offered positions at a number of charitable organizations that include benefits and financial support for career development and for students interested in community engagement, fundraising, marketing and policy work in arts management, non-profit management and/or social change. Fellows will benefit from a built-in support system when they move to Nebraska, which includes the other Carls, the Weitz family and fellowship coordinator Jack Baker ’86, executive director and CEO of the Joslin Art Museum in Omaha.
I think what makes the Weitz Fellowship unique is that it provides entry-level work that facilitates the learning and development of fellows and provides opportunities to make real and tangible differences for individuals and communities. Career Center Chad Ellsworth said. “Furthermore, fellows have the ongoing support of the Carlton network, meeting regularly with the Weitz family and Jack, as well as living and working in close proximity to each other. The positions themselves are somewhat unique as rotating roles within nonprofit organizations, where fellows learn about many aspects of nonprofit work. It offers opportunities to learn, leverage existing skills, and develop new skills early in their careers.Plus, you can do it all while living in Omaha or Lincoln, two of the top cities for young professionals.
The annual earnings trip to Omaha each spring is a “wonderful opportunity” to network with future colleagues, said career center director RJ Holmes-Leopold, who traveled with the students to Nebraska this year.
“Each person had the opportunity to meet the CEOs of the organizations they were going to and interact with the current group of Weitz fellows,” said Holmes-Leopold. Barbara shared welcoming remarks on behalf of the Weitz Family Foundation at Jack’s annual dinner for students, alumni and nonprofit partners. Current fellows take incoming fellows around Omaha to learn more about the community and get tips for success as they begin their transition to life after Carleton.
Meet recent graduates selected for 2023-24 Wietz Fellowships:
Diana Kachman ’23
Diana Kachman is an English major and history minor from Washington State. She will spend her fellowship year with the Autism Action Partnership—a new organization to the Weitz Fellowship program—serving Nebraska’s autism community with targeted programs that promote support, inclusion, and prosperity. They work to improve the quality of life for people on the autism spectrum and their families through education, advocacy and support, enabling them to become an integral part of society.
“I chose to apply for the Weitz Fellowship because I’m on a pre-health track to study medicine and public health, and Weitz is a way for me to experience helping the underserved and those who don’t have the time to get all the resources they deserve. Through the Weitz Fellowship, anyone on the autism spectrum And I work with the Autism Action Partnership to help improve the quality of life for all people.
Amber Lozoya ’23
Amber Lozoya is a sociology and anthropology major from Houston, Texas. She will spend her fellowship year with Nebraska Appleseed, an advocacy organization working for justice and opportunity in Nebraska through legal, policy and civic engagement work. They focus on economic justice, health care access, child welfare, refugees and communities. Lozoya is involved in relationship building, event planning and coordination at all levels, and works with advocates, policy specialists and community organizers to create proactive legislation.
“I am passionate about changing the criminal justice system and the impact prisons have on re-entry and re-offending. In the future, I intend to have my own charity that helps those currently incarcerated and affected by the carceral system. The Weitz Fellowship is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the nonprofit sector.
Emily Luna ’23
Emily Luna is a studio art major and Latin American studies minor from Round Lake, Ill. She spends time with the Fellowship for Contemporary Art, which uses art as a vehicle to strengthen the cultural and social aspects of the local community. Inspiring positive social change. The organization was founded on the belief that the arts can be a tool for social justice and greater civic engagement. Its members strive to use art as a bridge to connect their diverse communities in creative and meaningful ways. Luna is immersed in all aspects of the organization, including development, operations, programming, grantmaking, and community outreach and partnerships. While with the organization, you will also work on an impactful individual project.
“As a long-time admirer and supporter of the tradition of using the arts as a vehicle for community building and to inspire social change, I am delighted to carry on this tradition as a colleague. I look forward to continuing my artistic practice and connecting with the North Omaha community through art.”
Chisom Oguh ’23
Chisom Oguh is a computer science major. She will spend her fellowship year with the University of Nebraska–Omaha (UNO) Service Learning Academy, which develops and maintains relationships with Greater Omaha’s nonprofit community, as well as government entities and others serving the community. As an office within the university, the Service Learning Academy supports university faculty and students, P-12 faculty and students, and community partners in developing and implementing quality service-learning courses and projects. Work involves collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. community engagement and outreach; Program management and administration; and data analysis on the impact of service learning on the work of the academy.
“I am interested in the field of educational technology. At the Service Learning Academy, I hope to learn more about the teacher’s role in facilitating and engaging in effective learning.
Madeline Parr ’23
Madeline Parr is a political science and international relations major from St. Paul, Minn. Raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She will spend her fellowship year with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table to increase nonprofit civic engagement in the state and fight for representative democracy that works for all communities. They do this by providing direct core support, technical tools and co-working spaces to member charities to support civic engagement throughout the year. Parr will collaborate with Nebraska desk staff and members to drive change through public policy work, grassroots advocacy and other civic engagement activities.
“As a political science and international relations major, I am excited to apply for a co-op position because I want to learn more about community-based political organizing and gain experience in the nonprofit world.”
Olivia Patinkin ’23
Olivia Patinkin is a junior from Chicago majoring in theater arts and minoring in gender, women’s and gender studies. She is spending her fellowship year with the Women’s Fund of Omaha, which focuses on research, assistance and advocacy around issues facing women and girls in their communities. They provide funding to service providers, support policy change and influence dynamic change in the community. Patinkin will assist with research, policy development, communications, and donor and volunteer relations. Research areas include economic conditions, domestic violence and challenges faced by girls.
“I am so excited to be a Weitz Fellow at the Omaha Women’s Fund next year! As an artist and activist, I feel that the Women’s Fund’s mission is to collaboratively address gender-based injustice. I look forward to contributing to these efforts and applying my Carleton experiences to learn as much as I can along the way.
Kitty Terry ’23
Kitty Thierry is a double major in Cinema and Media Studies and Computer Science. She is spending her fellowship year with Filmstream as Arts, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through film presentation and discussion. The company manages two impressive and distinctive cinemas: the Ruth Sokoloff Theater and the historic Dundee Theatre.
“I applied for a Weitz Fellowship at Film Streams because of their mission to use film as a tool for education and social impact. Although I vowed to leave the Midwest after college, it looks like I’ll be staying for at least a year!”
Erica Helgerud ’20 is the News and Social Media Manager for Carleton College and a former Witz Fellow (2020-21) for Opera Omaha.
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