Student Profiles

From science to politics, from East Palo Alto to Beijing, the wide range of activities and organizations offered by the Haas Center gives students numerous opportunities to explore their interests. Initially, you may choose to join a community service student organization or take on an activity such as tutoring. Many students move on from there, building progressively on their experiences and eventually assuming leadership positions. Read below about students who have made the Haas Center a part of their lives and are exploring the rewarding world of public service.

Service...more than meets the “I�?

Alexander RosasALEXANDER ROSAS ’04 (International Relations)
There are many paths to service at Stanford. Alexander began working with the Haas Center in tutoring programs. As a sophomore and junior, he focused on his major, exploring overseas and government experiences. He circled back in his senior year to hold leadership positions at both the Haas Center and his academic department.

Start in Service:

  • Local tutoring programs (high school)
  • *Kids with Dreams (freshman year) – teaching and mentoring disabled children in the Bay Area
  • *Ravenswood Reads tutoring program (freshman year)

Progression:
Stanford Institute for International Studies, Research Assistant

  • *Stanford in Washington, State Department internship
  • Overseas Seminars – Russia and Seoul
  • URO and VPUE research grants – honors thesis on French Muslims and Multicultural Theory
  • *Public Service Advising Fellow
  • *Stanford in Government, Vice Chair for Fellowships and Internship Resources
  • Overseas Studies Program, Student Advisor

Lillian BowieLILLIAN BOWIE ’04 (Urban Studies; M.A. Sociology)
Lillian began her service like many Stanford students, as a tutor and mentor for children in her hometown of Los Angeles. Her interests guided her to expanding areas of responsibility and leadership in two main areas: multicultural issues and youth & education.


Start in Service:
*East Palo Alto Stanford Academy (EPASA), Tutor (fall and winter quarter, freshman year) – academic tutoring and mentoring for low-income, first generation college bound youth

Progression:

  • *East Palo Alto Stanford Academy (EPASA), School Year Coordinator (spring quarter freshman year, for 4 years)
  • East Palo Alto Council of Tenants – assisted with meetings and proposals in support of rent control and stabilization in EPA
  • Murray Dorm, Focus Assistant – theme dorm for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity
  • Office of Admissions, Diversity Intern
  • *Education & Youth Development Summer Fellow – EPASA, full-time work and a 3-unit preparatory education course
  • *Tom Ford Fellow in Philanthropy (postgraduate) – 11-month full-time work at The Kimsey Foundation, Washington D.C.

Ginger TurnerGINGER TURNER ’04 (Economics/Management Science & Engineering)
A broad range of academic departments offer entry for students into service activities. Ginger’s academic connection through a social entrepreneurship course, and then a Haas summer fellowship, gave her the support she needed to undertake significant overseas projects.

Start in Service:

  • Week of “sampling�? community service agencies (high school)
  • Meals on Wheels (high school)

Progression:

  • Overseas Seminar – Cape Town
  • URO Grant – economics honors thesis on HIV/AIDS policy in the workplace in South Africa
  • *Engineering 250Q: Social Entrepreneurship Startup – class project created Ignite Innovations, receiving venture capital to help deliver solar-powered lanterns (LEDs) to villages in India
  • Ignite Innovations consultant – summer in India
  • *Andrew J. Daher Fellow – research expansion of Ignite Innovations in partnership with University of Cape Town’s Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO)

Stephen ChanSTEPHEN CHAN ’04 (Public Policy)
Stephen found an early home on campus at the Haas Center. Over four years, he took full advantage of the center’s programs and student organizations, exploring his varied interests, seeking staff advice, finding direction, and building progressively on his experiences and leadership roles.

Start in Service:
Key Club at a nursing home and public library (freshman year)

Progression:

  • *Project AIYME – mentor Asian youth in South Bay
  • *Public Service Advising Fellow
  • *Stanford in Silicon Valley – course & intern in Office of Assemblymember Joe Simitian
  • *Urban Summer Fellow – research on local growth control policies at Greenbelt Alliance
  • *Stanford in Washington, Department of Justice internship
  • *Alternative Spring Break – Social Entrepreneurship trip leader
  • *Sand Hill Fellow in Philanthropy – Northern California Grantmakers
  • *Public Service Scholar – honors thesis examining effect of urban growth boundaries on housing prices in SF Bay Area
  • *John Gardner Public Service Fellow (postgraduate) – 11-month full-time work at The Boston Foundation

* indicates Haas-connected program or organization