2021 LEAD Senior Celebration

On April 30, the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan celebrated our 2021 LEAD seniors. Although we did not meet in person, it did not mean we couldn’t cheer on our scholars, share laughs, and reflect on years of memories. Behind every scholar are friends, family, supporters, and champions coaching them forward as they enter the next phase of their life.

2021 LEAD Senior Celebration

LEAD Scholars enjoying their graduation. Many more photos available here!

Our LEAD Scholar 2021 Graduates

Aleija Rodriguez

Aleija Rodriguez

2017 Cohort
| Monroe, MI
LSA
Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience

After graduation from Michigan, Aleija has plans to gain experience working as a lab tech for two years in the University of Michigan Dept. of Psychiatry.

Activities:

  • Quiz Bowl
  • Delta Lamba Phi
  • Psi Chi
  • Honors Program
Alexandra Owens

Alexandra Owens

2017 Cohort
| Mableton, GA
LSA
Film, Television and Media, Minor in American Culture

After graduation from Michigan, Alexandra has plans to potentially work for a talent agency or at the very least working in some form of television production or development.

Activities:

  • The Michigan Daily
  • 2020 College Media Pinnacle Award Winner – Best Column
Alissa Mallett

Alissa Mallett

2017 Cohort
| Holly, MI
UM-Flint
Biochemistry

After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Michigan, Alissa will be in pursuit of potential internships and job shadowing opportunities in the chemical industry for research and development. She also has plans to officially begin applying for graduate school.

Activities:

  • American Chemical Society 
  • UM-Flint Honors Program 
  • UM-Flint Chemistry Club 
  • UM-Flint Orchestra
Amanda Webb

Amanda Webb

2017 Cohort
| Waterford, MI
Engineering
Chemical Engineering

After U-M, Amanda has the desire to either pursue a master’s degree from the completion of graduate school or either immediately pursue a job in industry.

  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers
  • Michigan Project Equipment Design and Demonstration
Amy Muñoz

Amy Munoz

2017 Cohort
| Holland, MI
LSA
Economics (with a Latin American & Caribbean Studies- Human Rights Track minor)

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree from Michigan, Amy has plans to gain exposure through internships along with exploring potential job opportunities before moving on to consideration of graduate school.

Activities

  • [email protected] Culture Show
  • The Quito Project
  • Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Benjamin Herrera

Benjamin Herrera

2019, 2017 Cohort
| Kalamazoo, MI
LSA
Chemical Science

After graduation from Michigan, Benjamin plans on attending graduate school at the University of Kansas for Chemistry with the ultimate goal of doing research in the computational chemistry field of study along with possible teaching.

Activities:

  • CRU
  • UM Chemistry Club
  • Graduated before 20
Blake Preston

Blake Preston

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
LSA
Economics

After graduating from Michigan, Blake would like to take time for checking off all last minute Michigan bucket list moments in addition to eventually working in Chicago as a Supply Chain Analyst for W.W. Grainger.

Activities:

  • U-M International Business & Humanities Program in Barcelona, Spain
  • LEAD Social Chair 

As a student at Huron High School, Blake was the president of the Science, Technology, and Engineering Program. He also founded Lansdowne Lawn Service.

Brianna Graham

Brianna Graham

2017 Cohort
| Ypsilanti, MI
LSA
Neuroscience

After graduation from Michigan, Brianna would like to become a research assistant during her gap year and ultimately apply to medical school to become an obstetrician.

Activities:

  • Black Undergraduate Medical Association
  • Senior Honor Thesis in Psychology
Camilla Cantu

Camilla-Isabella Cantu

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
Biopsychology, Cognition, Neuroscience (BCN)

After obtaining an undergraduate degree, Camilla has plans to pursue a career in music production or sound engineering.

  • Corazones Unidos Siempre 
  • Chi Upsilon Sigma
  • National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Chad Peterson

Chad Peterson

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

After graduation from Michigan, Chad has plans to work in a mechanical engineering design role and ultimately have a career in engineering management and design.

Activities:

  • MSTEM 
  • StartUM
  • Students for Clean Energy

Chase Camp

2017 Cohort
| Southfield, MI
LSA
Economics

After graduation from Michigan, Chase has a desire to work for Bank of America.

Activities:

  • Wolverine Support Network Director of Marketing and Outreach
  • ACLU Undergrad Club
  • Campus Information Center
Christopher Underwood

Christopher Underwood

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
English, Minor in Linguistics

After graduating from Michigan, Christopher has plans to work for a few years at UnCommon Charter Schools in Newark, New Jersey as a middle school teacher with the ultimate goal of becoming a teacher of English as a Foreign Language in Korea.

Activities:

  • Co-Leader of DB3 Dance team 
  • FunKtion Dance Team Member
Clarissa Kitching

Clarissa Kitching

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience

After graduation from Michigan, Clarissa has the desire to apply to medical school and eventually become a child psychiatrist.

Activities:

  • Ambiance Dance Team
  • Black Undergraduate Medical Association
Dayo Davis

Dayo Davis

2017 Cohort
| Canton, MI
Nursing

After graduation from Michigan, Dayo has plans to begin studying for and taking the NCLEX exam in order to ultimately receive a nursing license. Dayo then plans on working as a nurse at a local hospital.

 

 

Dominique Roitman

Dominique Roitman

2017 Cohort
| Miami, FL
School of Information
Information Analysis (with a Art & Design minor)

Dominique hope to land a Technology/Digital Consulting Position after graduation, ultimately leading to become a Chief Technology Officer or Chief information Officer

Activities:

  • Multidisciplinary Design Program
  • Reach Technology Consulting Club
  • LEAD!
Donnell Williams

Donnell Williams

2017 Cohort
| Ecorse, MI
LSA
Biology (pre-med)

After obtaining his undergrad from Michigan, Donnell will take a gap year after graduation prior to attending medical school. He plans to become a surgeon.

  • Publishing a paper this semester about the stochastic expression
  • Data that has been generated for publishing in other papers as well.
  • Currently has 16 A+’s on transcript.
Dustin Stabinski

Dustin Stabinski

2017 Cohort
| Pembroke Pines, FL
LSA
Computer Science

After graduation from Michigan, Dustin has plans to ultimately work as a software developer.

Activity:

  • MFlicks
Fatoumata Soumaoro

Fatoumata Soumaoro

2017 Cohort
| Ypsilanti, MI
LSA
International Studies (with a Islamic Studies minor)

After graduating from Michigan, Fatoumata has a desire to seek out internship opportunities and begin working full-time.

  • Undergraduate Student National Dental Association (USNDA)
  • Arab Student Association (ASA)
Grace Tenbusch

Grace Tenbusch

2017 Cohort
| Plymouth, MI
LSA
International Studies, Minor in History of Law & Policy

After graduation from Michigan, Grace has plans to attend law school this fall and ultimately pursue a legal career in international human rights.

Activities:

  • President of the International Samaritan Club
Hunter Phelps

Hunter Phelps

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
Business
Administration and Marketing (with a Entrepreneurship minor)

After graduation from Michigan, Hunter will be moving to Chicago to work for Walgreens in marketing and merchandising.

Activities:

  • Optimize
  • StartUM
  • Marcel Gani Self-Hosted Intern
  • Zell Lurie Institute
  • Black Business Undergraduate Society
  • TechArb Student Venture Accelerator
  • Personal Business – Terry Lu Naturals, a natural hair and skin care line for women and men.
Ihunanya Muruako

Ihunanya Muruako

2017 Cohort
| Cleveland, OH
School of Public Health
Community and Global Public Health

After graduation from Michigan, Ihunanya has plans to pursue graduate studies specifically in Healthcare Administration.

Activities:

  • African Students’ Association 
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Health Sciences Scholars Program
Jason Figueroa

Jason Figueroa

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Multidisciplinary Design

After graduation from Michigan, Jason has plans to potentially travel more this summer and ultimately move to the east coast for the pursuit of a full-time engineering position.

Activities:

  • University Honors List every semester 
  • University Dean’s List every semester
Jocelyn Ortiz

Jocelyn Ortiz

2017 Cohort
| Chicago, IL
Engineering
Biomedical Engineering

After graduation from Michigan, Jocelyn will participate in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program this summer before applying to medical school.

Activities:

  • President of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers 
  • Event Planning Coordinator of Global Surgery Student Alliance

Jordan George-Nwogu

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Engineering
Computer Science

After graduating Jordan has the desire to pursue professional baseball endeavors and play for the Chicago Cubs.

Activities:

  • Varsity Baseball (playing for national championship)
Jose Miguel Aviles Elrod

Jose Miguel Aviles-Elrod

2017 Cohort
| Columbia, MO
Music, Theatre & Dance
Acting (with Community Action and Social Change minor)

After graduation from Michigan, Jose Miguel has plans to move to LA or NYC to start a career as an actor with an ultimate goal of using a particular platform as an actor to do social activism.

Activities:

  • We The PROUD Polycultural Productions 
  • University Productions 
  • Black Student Union (BSU) 
  • CSU
Juan Marquez

Juan Marquez

2017 Cohort
| Rehoboth Beach, DE
LSA
Communication and Media and Women and Gender studies

After graduation from Michigan, Juan has plans to move out to NYC to start a professional creative career. Ultimately Juan would like to become a creative director for a global fashion brand.

Activities:

  • Filmic Productions 
  • SHEI Magazine 
  • Michigan Marching Band 
  • Latinidad Magazine
Juan Orozco

Juan Orozco

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
Molecular, Cellular, Minor in Developmental Biology, Gender and Health (with a Women’s and Gender Studies minor)

After graduation from Michigan, Juan has plans to take a gap year in order to gain research experience as a lab technician. Ultimately Juan has the desire to obtain a phD degree then to become a researcher or professor in plant physiology/botany.

  • ResStaff (Markley RA) 
  • Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP) 
  • Museum of Natural History Student Staff 
  • Days for Girls
Julliana Ramirez Matias

Julliana Ramirez-Matias

2017 Cohort
| Holland, MI
LSA
Neuroscience, Minor in Music

After graduating from Michigan, Julliana desires to take a gap year engaging in research before ultimately pursuing her doctorate degree.

  • Health Sciences Scholars Program 
  • Michigan Movement 
  • Campus Orchestra
Jumanah Colvin

Jumanah Colvin

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Engineering
Computer Science Engineering

After graduation from Michigan, Jumanah has the desire to seek full-time employment opportunities in addition to traveling more.

Activities:

  • Diversity Equity and Inclusion Student Advisory Board Member (DEI SAB)
  • NSBE Member (National Society of Black Engineers)
  • MEECS Member (Minorities in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Kori Maxie

Kori Maxie

2017 Cohort
| Southfield, MI
Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering, Minor in Crime and Justice

After graduation from Michigan, Kori has plans to work as a footwear technical developer at Nike. 

Activities:

  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Michigan Materials Society
  • Intramural Co-Ed Basketball
Leslie Alexander

Leslie “Lee” Alexander II

2017 Cohort
| Farmington Hills, MI
Music, Theatre & Dance
Musical Theatre, Minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship

After graduation from Michigan, Leslie would like to continue auditioning for local and national film opportunities along with performing in the Ensemble of the Sweeney Todd at THE MUNY in August.

  • Support for Incoming Black Students (SIBS) 
  • Black Student Union (BSU)
Lindsay Llende

Lindsay Llende

2017 Cohort
| Jupiter, FL
Engineering
Civil Engineering

After graduation from Michigan, Lindsay will be moving to Washington D.C. in August to start as an entry-level project engineer at Clark Construction. She is excited to work on large-scale commercial projects that benefit the DMV area, as well as pioneer new construction technologies and methods.

  • The Sopranos a Cappella Group – Music Director
  • LEAD Advisory Board 
  • Society of Women in Engineering 
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
Marc Ybarra

Marc Ybarra

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Business
Business (with Economics Minor)

After graduation from Michigan,Marc has the desire to pursue a professional career in soccer. Then eventually he has the long-term goal of working in marketing, sales strategies, or management. 

Activities:

  • U-M Varsity Men’s Soccer
Maria LoCicero

Maria LoCicero

2017 Cohort
| Ypsilanti, MI
LSA
History, Minor in Arts and Ideas in the Humanities

After graduation from Michigan, Maria plans to enjoy her summer in Ann Arbor. Ultimately she has the desire to work with City Year Chicago, but she is also interested in other job applications.

  • RC Players Member 
  • Performer of Full-Length Plays 
  • Completing Honors Thesis in History
Mariana Escobar

Mariana Escobar-Ruiz

2017 Cohort
| Miami, FL
LSA
Film, Television and Media (FTVM) and Screenwriting + Communication and Media

After graduation from Michigan, Mariana is currently unsure of her short/long term plans.

Activities:

  • Delta Delta Delta 
  • Personal Script is being developed  into a short film for the Traverse City Film Festival
Maya Lyght

Maya Lyght

2017 Cohort
| Franklin, MI
LSA
Sociology with a concentration in Law, Justice and Social Change (with Political Sciences minor)

After graduation from Michigan, Maya would like to attend law school in Fall 2021, in order to ultimately work  towards the goal of being a future US Attorney General.

  • President of the National Council of Negro Women Ann Arbor section
  • Dean of Students Advisory Board
  • VS PINK Campus Ambassador

Nicholas Faulkner

2017 Cohort
| Saline, MI
School of Public Health
Public Health

After graduation from Michigan, Nicholas has the desire to enroll in the Ross One Year Master of Management program in order to ultimately pursue a career in healthcare management.

  • LEAD
  • Depression Center Advisory Board
Olivia Dotson

Olivia Dotson

2017 Cohort
| Ypsilanti, MI
Engineering
Chemical Engineering (with an International Minor for Engineers IPE)

After graduation from Michigan, Olivia has plans to pursue a PhD in Bioengineering.

Activities:

  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • National Organization for Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)

Olivia Prado

2017 Cohort
| Hesperia, MI
Art & Design
Painting and Installation

After graduating from Michigan, Olivia has plans to spend a year making and using art to connect with the surrounding community. Then, ultimately Olivia hopes to be accepted into a MFA writing program.

  • Stamps in Color – opportunity to collaborate with visiting artists.
  • Received an award from the Stamps Annual Juried Exhibition. 
  • Final Group Exhibition for Senior Thesis.
Oscar Martinez

Oscar Martinez

2017 Cohort
| Chicago, IL
Architecture & Urban Planning
Architecture, Minor in Urban Studies

After graduation from Michigan, Oscar has plans to go back to Chicago and potentially work again as an intern with his employer from last year, GREC Architects. Ultimately Oscar has the desire to go back to grad school for his Masters in Architecture and work towards becoming a licensed architect.

  • La Casa Historian
  • Alpha Rho Chi Outreach Chair
  • Alpha Rho Chi Marketing Chair
  • Latinidad Managing Editor
Paris Richey

Paris Richey

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
Sociology of Health and Medicine

After graduation from Michigan, Paris has plans to consider moving to a new state in the pursuit of a desired graduate program for public health.

Activities:

  • Ambiance Dance Team 
  • Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP)
  • Wolverine Wellness
Peggy Randon

Peggy Randon

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
LSA
Microbiology

After graduation from Michigan, Peggy would like to conduct public health research at the University of West Indies, Mona, while applying to medical/graduate school.

Activities:

  • The Michigan Daily 
  • Michigan Branch Telluride Association 
  • ThirdSpace: Hospital Creative Arts Program 
  • Dean of Students Advisory Board 
  • Prison Creative Arts Project
  • Global Surgery Student Alliance. 
  • Conducted cancer biology research in Dr. David Alan Fox’s laboratory for the past three years
Ricardo Hansknecht

Ricardo Hansknecht

2017 Cohort
| Farmington, MI
UM-Dearborn
Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Bioengineering

After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Michigan, Ricardo has plans to become a full-time program manager with an ultimate goal of becoming a solutions engineer/architect.

Activities:

  • Wolverine Media Network Co-founder
  • WUMD College Radio Manager
  • Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Robert Vowels

Robert Vowels III

2017 Cohort
| Rochester Hills, MI
Engineering
Industrial and Operations Engineering, Minor in Business

After graduation from Michigan,  Robert will be working full-time at Nike as a Procurement Analyst at their headquarters in Beaverton, OR.

Activities:

  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • MPowered Entrepreneurship
  • M-STEM
  • Science Learning Center
Robin Ryce

Robin Ryce

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
Engineering
Electrical Engineering

After graduation from Michigan, Robin has the desire to immediately begin working in industry as an electrical engineer.

  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 
  • Michigan Hackers
Ronnie Alvarez

Ronnie Alvarez

2017 Cohort
| Detroit, MI
School of Public Health
Public Health Sciences

After graduation from Michigan, Ronnie has plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health and ultimately have a career centered around research/faculty in public health.

Activities:

  • La Casa
  • Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc.
  • MSTEM
Samantha Rauch

Samantha Rauch

2017 Cohort
| Howell, MI
LSA
Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience

After graduating from Michigan, Samantha has plans to attend either pharmacy or medical school to ultimately become a doctor of radiology or pharmacy.

Activities:

  • U-M Varsity Cheerleading
Spencer Lee

Spencer Lee

2017 Cohort
| Warren, MI
LSA
Psychology

After graduating from Michigan, Spencer plans to take time for rest and relaxation. Eventually Spencer’s long term goals are to become involved in business management.

  • College Democrats
  • Graduating above a 3.0 GPA
Steven Liriano

Steven Liriano

2017 Cohort
| Merrick, NY
Engineering
Computer Science, Minor in Applied to Business

After graduation from Michigan, Steven has plans to work at Deloitte as a Solutions Engineering Analyst.

  • Multidisciplinary Design Program 
  • Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers (SHPE)
Taylor Adams

Taylor Adams

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Music, Theatre & Dance
Voice Performance and Cognitive Science (with Creative Writing minor)

After graduating, Taylor has plans to spend time working in Ann Arbor while spending time with friends and family before ultimately moving to Florida to obtain a graduate degree at Florida State University.

Activities:

  • DJs A Cappella
  • Short fiction publication in the Michigan Quarterly Review
Thomas Vance

Thomas Vance

2017 Cohort
| Atlanta, GA
LSA
Political Science & African-American Studies

After graduation from Michigan, Thomas plans to apply for and attend law school with the ultimate goal of becoming involved in public office.

  • Michigan Debate
  • Black Student Union
Zoe Evans

Zoe Evans

2017 Cohort
| Ann Arbor, MI
Business
Business Administration, Minor in Philosophy

After graduation from Michigan, After graduating Zoe has plans to work in Marketing for American Express in NYC. Also long term plans include obtaining graduate degree(s), starting an entrepreneurial venture, or moving into academia.

Activities:

  • LEAD Scholars LAB
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
  • NPHC E-Board 
  • Dean of Students Advisory Board
  • Ross IDO Program
  • Ross School of Business Career Center Peer Coach 
  • MCSP