The 2020 CAPS Fellows Cohort

Due to COVID-19, the CAPS Fellows Program looks very different this year. Students are participating in fully remote summer internships which means a lot of calls over Google Hangouts!

Drayce Adams is a rising Junior studying Biomedical Engineering and Biology and minoring in Mathematics and Neuroscience from Gurnee, Illinois. He will be serving as a CAPS Fellow this summer with the Kheprw Institute.

Meggan Amour is a Lutheran Deaconess Student from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She will be graduating in December 2020 with a major in Psychology and minors in Theology and History. She is passionate about intentional community service and is looking forward to her CAPS experience with Lutheran Summer Music.

Lem Cartman is from Chicago Illinois and he is a sophomore nursing major. He is excited to work with Lutheran Services in America because the organization serves vulnerable populations, as it relates to social services and health care. He feels this will be a great fit for him because he’s a nursing major and someday hopes create his own non-profit to help provide affordable health care in his community.

Anna Corner is a soon to be graduate, majoring in French and International Economics & Cultural Affairs. She’s excited to learn from like-minded individuals at Ingenuity who are passionate about the arts. After this summer, Anna plans to work as an English Teaching Assistant in France.

Christy Craig is a soon to be graduate of Valparaiso University majoring in Health Science from Valparaiso, IN. This summer, she will be working with NLCS at a continuing care retirement community called the Village at Orchard Ridge. She is excited to learn more about improving accessibility and quality of care for seniors before starting a Master of Public Health this fall.

Thespina Dabagia is a soon to be graduate, majoring in political science from Michigan City, Indiana. She will be serving as a CAPS Fellow with the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants.

Willet Debrah is a rising Junior Environmental Engineering major with a minor in Humanitarian Engineering from Laurel, Maryland. She will be serving as a CAPS Fellow with Water to Thrive this summer.

Marie Dix is a rising senior studying Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Spanish, who hopes to attend medical school after graduation. At Valpo she’s involved with biology research, concert band, Earthtones, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, and spends her free time playing music, drinking tea, and enjoying the great outdoors. She is looking forward to learning and growing this summer with the case management team at Heartland Alliance Refugee and Immigrant Community services.

Emily Friedman is a Junior Psychology major with minors in Education, Humanities, and Social Work from Naperville, IL. On campus, she is involved in Peer Ministry, College Mentors for Kids, and VUDU Comedy. She looks forward to serving at The Bridge Teen Center this summer!

Joseph Hess is a third-year student attending graduate school in the fall of 2020 and will be pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA). On campus, he is involved in Residential Life as an RA, the 5-year Physician Assistant Club (5PAC), and intramural sports including basketball, softball, and flag football. In addition, Joey works as a laboratory assistant for the biology department and as an ambassador for the University Admissions. He is excited to be serving as a CAPS fellow at Lutheran Services in America.

Akira Kennedy is super excited to be working in the Youth and Family Services depart of Heartland Alliance this summer. As a Social Work major this is a wonderful opportunity for her to work with a demographic that she has little experience with. She is excited to have new relationships and help out in any way she can.

Lydia Knorp is a Junior Social Work major and Spanish minor from St. Louis, Missouri. At Valpo she is involved in Sweetwine Music Ministry, Gamma Phi Beta, the Lutheran Leader Program, and she works at the welcome desk in the union!

Gabe Martinez is a junior (rising senior), Mechanical Engineering and Spanish double major from Chicago, IL. He is partnering with Water to Thrive as an engineering intern for this summer. He is eager to be able to put into practice what he has learned as an engineering student, while maintaining that aspect of helping others. He is excited to see what it’s like to work for a non-profit organization and see if this is something that he could be looking into as a future career.

Justin McClain is a public health major from Manteno, IL. At Valpo, he is part of the University Programming Council, Lambda Chi Alpha, and WAVES. Justin is so thankful for CAPS and pumped to be interning with Heartland Alliance this summer

Elizabeth Palmer is a communication major minoring in Spanish, criminology and philanthropic leadership & service and just completed an internship with the Institute for Leadership and Service. This summer, she’ll be a CAPS Fellow with InterNews helping them share their story of establishing an accessible free press.

Kiera Pratt is a rising senior majoring in healthcare leadership while pursuing minors in psychology and human biology from Plainfield, Illinois.  On campus, she is a member of the women’s soccer team, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, TedXValparaisoUniversity, and College Mentors for Kids.  In the fall, she will be finishing her undergraduate work while completing her first year of graduate school at Valpo for a Master’s of Healthcare Administration.  This summer, she is interning with National Lutheran Communities and Services working to implement an on-site physician clinic for a continuing care retirement community.

Ashley Winiewicz a rising senior from Kenosha, Wisconsin studying political science, psychology, and journalism. While serving as a CAPS Fellow she’ll also be studying for my LSAT this summer as I plan to attend law school after Valpo.