2016 JSP Annual Report

Annual Report 2016

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THE JOHNSON SCHOLARS PROGRAM

A Year in Review—2016

Santa Clara University is California’s oldest operating higher-education institution.

Located in Silicon Valley, as a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university, it demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. The Johnson Scholars Program is committed to this vision in educating citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.

Johnson Scholars receive a merit scholarship covering full tuition during the academic year, renewable annually for up to four years.

Scholars are also eligible for additional costs of attendance, such as standard room and board fees as well as book and other customary expenses. Johnson Scholars have access to the University Honors and Johnson Leadership Fellows Programs, faculty mentoring, and research experiences. Being a part of this distinctive community opens a wide variety of doors for the scholars during their four years at Santa Clara.

This year, the program welcomed a new cohort of 11 scholars. In the following pages read their stories, review the highlights of the past year, and learn how the program continues to support leaders dedicated to building a better world.

Highlights from the Year The Johnson Scholars enjoy being a part of a distinctive community at Santa Clara. During 2016, scholars were involved in various special leadership opportunities.

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participated in cohort leadership workshops led

by Leadership Coordinator Bill Mains; organized and hosted a reception during SCU’s Family Weekend; hosted a Q&A parent session during Scholarship Weekend;

Josie Warren ’17 facilitates a workshop on listening at the annual Fall retreat.

led an Ethics of Coffee event and fundraiser with the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education and Center of Sustainability for two Nicaraguan student scholarships; attended and helped facilitate workshops at the Fall and Spring leadership retreats; welcomed the Class of 2020 Johnson Scholars at an end-of-the-year dinner in June and a back-to-campus meeting in September; and participated in a Johnson Scholar student-led immersion trip to Los Angeles through the Ignatian Center.

Cooper Scherr ’19 shares about the Johnson Scholars Program at Family Weekend.

Ashley Ricks ’20 and Jacob Bennett ’20 participate in Scholarship Weekend team building activities.

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Introducing the Class of 2020 Johnson Scholars Jacob Bennett Hometown: Lewiston, New York High School: Canisius High School Major: Engineering

Jacob Peltier Bennett played basketball and ultimate Frisbee, swam, ran cross country, served as student senator, and was a member of the Mock Trial team at Canisius High School.

Throughout the past four years Jacob has been committed to serving not only Canisius but the Buffalo community as a whole. He has volunteered at Heart, Love, and Soul soup kitchen, the Response to Love Center, and St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy where he has strived to break down the barriers of a divided city and forge relationships with those whom he serves. Jacob’s dedication to social justice stems largely from an immersion trip to Nicaragua that he went on his junior year, a trip that drastically impacted how he sees the world around him. Jacob is drawn to the community aspect of Santa Clara, and is looking forward to being a leader in all that he does on and off campus.

Alexa DeSanctis Alexa is passionate about learning, leading, and serving others Throughout high school she was given the incredible opportunity to serve as a board member of the National Honors Society, Vice President of SHS, a student ambassador, and a leader on many retreats. She also spent a great deal of time as a captain of the cheer squad, was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader and served as a member of the Colorado Elite Quad.

Alexa worked in her church as a co-president of her youth group and member of the praise team. She also served her community, volunteering at homeless shelters and local middle schools as well as founding a non-profit organization to provide books for local underprivileged children. Alexa loves getting to know new people, spending time outside, and listening to music. She cannot wait to enjoy all of the opportunities Santa Clara will give her in her upcoming school year.

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado High School: Regis Jesuit High School Girls Division Major: Biology

Alexander James Elfar Alexander James (A.J.) Elfar earned the honor of Eagle Scout and has a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. A.J. is a Presidential Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and Salutatorian for the class of 2016 at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

He has been elected each year as his class representative and officer of his high school’s STEAM club. A.J. has a strong affinity for the sciences and has spent the past four summers working at the USDA where he has investigated biodegradable wrapping films from agricultural surplus products. Last year, A.J. spearheaded and organized an ice cream sale drive, raising over $1,000 for Free the Children in Kenya, and he looks forward to leading similar social entrepreneurship inspired service projects in the future. A.J. is excited by the opportunities to forge new friendships, learn and grow at SCU, and make positive contributions to his community.

Hometown: Alameda, California High School: Saint JosephNotre Dame High School Major: Computer Science and Engineering

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Riley Haase Hometown: Henderson, Nevada High School: Coronado High School Major: Business

Riley is an Eagle Scout and has also earned his Eagle Bronze Palm. He is an avid volleyball player and has played on his high school team for three years and a local club team for four years.

Last year, he planned a charity volleyball tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He has served as a Youth Ambassador for JDRF since he was 7, explaining the disease to local community leaders, seeking donations to help find a cure, and thanking donors for their support. Throughout his senior year in high school, he served as the Youth Philanthropy Chairman for the One Drop Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing clean water and education to those living in impoverished areas. In this role, he was responsible for raising awareness about the significance of investing in clean water. He looks forward to receiving a well-rounded education encompassing philosophy, business, math, and literature while at Santa Clara.

Rachael Han Hometown: Burr Ridge, Illinois High School: Hinsdale Central High School Major: Engineering

Rachael served as a senator on Student Council and on the executive boards for both National Art Honors Society and Peer Leadership. She was also a varsity member of the Poms Dance team, Speech team, and Badminton team, the latter two of which she was a state qualifier. Rachael is a National Merit Finalist and spent the summer of 2014 interning at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a mechanical and chemical engineer, where she conducted her own research project on jet fuel. In 2015, Rachael traveled to Costa Rica on a service trip, where she learned the importance of environmental preservation through completing 39 hours of service in the rural village of Yorkin. Rachael values Santa Clara’s interdisciplinary curriculum, and hopes to leave her mark on the world through environmental innovation.

Lauren Larson Hometown: Truckee, California High School: Bishop Manogue Catholic High School Major: Biology

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Lauren was co-salutatorian of her graduating class. She was involved at school as president of the Sodality club, treasurer of National Honors Society, and Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook.

She was also on the debate team and played on the Varsity soccer team that won the regional championship for the first time during her senior year. Lauren has a passion for service and traveled to Spain with her soccer team to train and to bring school supplies to a local orphanage. She also has traveled to Guatemala with an immersion program and volunteered for two weeks teaching English. This past summer, she interned at a hospital to learn more about career opportunities in the medical field. She is grateful to Santa Clara for not only allowing her to better herself through education, but also to find a path where she can continually be in service to others.

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Introducing the Class of 2020 Johnson Scholars Sabine Pigg Sabine was an Associated Student Body leader in student government at Woodrow Wilson High School and co-headed four fundraising committees, raising a total of over $5,000 for the Community Transitional School for under-privileged children in Portland. This has led her to realize her passion for community outreach and service. In 2014, Sabine spent two months of her summer in Costa Rica, living with two different families, attending school, and learning to adapt to new linguistic and cultural environments. She also plays varsity tennis and soccer, competed for Wilson’s Mock Trial team, founded the school Badminton Club, and is a Chemistry and Math tutor for middle and high school students. At SCU, Sabine hopes to be able to combine her love of international studies and community service with the sciences and find a way to make a difference in the world.

Hometown: Portland, Oregon High School: Woodrow Wilson High School Major: Chemistry

Ashley Ricks Hometown: Morgan Hill, California High School: Milpitas High School Major: Business

Ashley is a relentless learner, compassionate communicator, perpetual adventurer, and Disney princess aficionado. In high school, she served as Vice President of Interact Club and President of Acts of Random Kindness Club. Ranking in the top 5% of her graduating class of 730 students, she was also a scholar-athlete in volleyball, cross country, and track. She wrote for her school newspaper and was recognized amongst her peers as Homecoming Queen. Throughout her high school career, she developed a heart for global altruism, and went on month-long service trips to the Philippines and Uganda, along with volunteering for a nonprofit that donates bicycles to children in Bangladesh. She is tremendously grateful to be a part of the Johnson Scholars program, hopes to learn more about herself and the world God has put her in along the way, and is excited to pursue new adventures at SCU.

Nicholas Spragg Nicholas Spragg founded two organizations at his high school, both of which aim to empower students spiritually and emotionally. Through these initiatives, students have discovered their capacity to explore new perspectives in a diverse community of individuals. He was the recipient of the City of Aurora Service Above Self Award in recognition of his innovative passion. Nick participated in varsity volleyball and placed third at the USAV Boys’ Junior National Championships.

Nick has also travelled to a Haiti to provide medical relief in multiple rural communities. This cultural immersion prompted his interest in the opportunities SCU provides to engage the global community with the holistic approach of the Jesuit tradition.

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois High School: Waubonsie Valley High School Major: Business

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Alejandra Fraume Valencia Hometown: San Jose, California High School: Henry T. Gunderson High School Major: English

Alejandra came to the United States from Colombia when she was 7 years old and dedicated her high school years to empowering others. As Co-Events Coordinator for her school’s Interact Club and Co-President of her school’s California Scholarship Federation, Alejandra organized over 900 community service hours for students while still finding time to volunteer herself. She continues to incorporate her love for helping her community by tutoring Algebra students and teaching kids tennis. Alejandra has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors, a National Hispanic Scholar, and in 2015, was honored by the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce as their Student of the Year. She is infinitely grateful to be a part of the Johnson Scholars community and knows that SCU is the perfect environment to continue pursuing her passions for service, and social justice.

Sherene Victor Hometown: Dublin, California High School: Valley Christian High School Major: Computer Science and Engineering

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Sherene is a dedicated and compassionate student who served in multiple leadership roles at Valley Christian High School in Dublin. She was a captain of the Varsity Tennis team and a Global and Student Ambassador for the International Club. Sherene also enjoys music and the performing arts; she was on the school’s a capella group (the MeloDames) and was a section leader for Concert Choir. She led multiple community outreach programs in engineering while interning at the TechHive in UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. Sherene has a big heart for others and understands that true leadership comes in the form of servitude. She is excited to be a part of the Johnson Scholar community and looks forwards to her years at SCU.

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Selection of the Class of 2020 Scholars: Facts and Figures ■■

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Through early and regular admission applications, 251 semifinalists were admitted to Santa Clara and identified for the Class of 2020 Johnson Scholar selection process.

Semifinalists were asked to submit an essay reflecting on the book Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads, written by Chris Lowney.

After reviewing the essays, a selection committee composed of faculty and staff identified 60 finalists who were invited for a one-day, on-campus selection process, coupled with SCU’s annual Preview Day for admitted students.

46 finalists attended the selection-day activities, from which the current 11 Johnson Scholars were selected.

The Class of 2020 Johnson Scholars: ■■

30% business majors

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30% engineering majors

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30% natural science majors

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10% social science majors

The 2020 Johnson Scholars cohort has an average: ■■

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High school GPA of 3.94 compared to the class average of 3.68 SAT score in math and critical reading of more than 1,400 compared to the class average of 1,300 Composite ACT score of 34 compared to the class average of 30

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The 2016 Johnson Leadership Stipend Projects Johnson Scholars are eligible after their second year for a summer stipend to create a self-tailored enrichment experience designed to enhance learning, cultivate leadership, and build ethical decision-making skills. Experiences may include internships, independent research, and cultural immersion travel. In the future, the stipend will become available for Johnson Scholars to use throughout their four years at Santa Clara for leadership development experiences and opportunities.

In 2016, 11 Johnson Scholars were awarded a stipend to use toward the following projects:

Margaret Ackerson Class of 2017 Engineers Without Borders, Straw Bale Wall Research in Rwanda

Julia Anderson Class of 2017 Environmental Engineering Internship and travel for the John Brown University Shelter Design Competition

KhoiNguyen Bui Class of 2017 Biochemistry Cancer summer research with Professor Steven Suljak at Santa Clara University

Margaret Ackerson Johnson Scholar – Class of 2017 “The Johnson Leadership Stipend allowed me to conduct research in the SCU civil engineering lab scrutinizing the performance of strawbale walls, which let me delve deeply into a field I’m incredible interested in: exploring the sustainable future of our built environment. Additionally, I traveled to Rwanda with SCU’s Engineers Without Borders, of which I am now the president. I came away from the summer with a renewed sense of urgency for our EWB chapter and a desire to work with others towards a better future for all people.”

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2016 Johnson Leadership Stipend Projects Jon Fortescue Class of 2017 Research with Santa Clara University Information Security

Cynthia Le Class of 2017 Independent Research Project on sensing movement for musical synchronization and a separate immersion trip to learn about local homelessness in San Jose

Amy Lutfi Class of 2018 Volunteering in Kadapa, India, at a women’s home through SCU’s Global Fellows Program

Karen Mac Class of 2018 Volunteering with support programs for female artisans in Cochabamba, Bolivia through SCU’s Global Fellows Program

Amy Lutfi Johnson Scholar – Class of 2018 “My experience in India, made possible by the Leadership Experience Stipend of the Johnson Scholarship, allowed me to immerse myself within another culture and gain firsthand experience regarding the interconnectedness of our world.

My interactions with the women at Aarti For Girls shaped me in an irrevocable way, helping to direct my future career aspirations and life philosophy.”

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Harshitha Mogallapalli Class of 2018 Teaching at Starfish International, girls school in The Gambia through SCU’s Global Fellows Program

Brynn Sargent Class of 2017 Research Effects of elevation on mitochondrial physiology of the Sierra willow beetle in the High Sierras, CA

Hannah Warnecke Class of 2018 Behind the Scenes Healthcare: Experiential Learning in Non-Clinical Factions of the Healthcare System

Josie Warren Class of 2017 Engineers Without Borders, Tile Press, Clay Mixer, and Kiln Research and Implementation in Nyange, Rwanda

Josie Warren Johnson Scholar – Class of 2017 “The Johnson Leadership Stipend helped me get to Rwanda with Engineers Without Borders, where my primary role involved extensively interviewing many members of the community.

As Vice President of the chapter, I felt blessed to have learned about the lives of so many determined people, and see it as my duty to relay their stories and sentiments to the rest of our chapter back on campus.”

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The Annual Johnson Scholars Leadership Retreat Strengthening Community In May 2016, the first Johnson Scholar Spring retreat took place in Pacific Grove at Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Scholars suggested hosting an annual Spring retreat in addition to the Fall one

in order to reflect at the end of the school year and share about summer plans.

Program retreats provide space for scholars to further an ethic of dialogue guided by reflections that draw on

Ignatian spirituality. Topics addressed include career discernment and leadership that integrates faith, justice, and the intellectual life. One of the activities for the Spring retreat was a lively discussion on the topic of integrity based on the reading Integrity: Without it, Nothing Works by Michael Jensen, Professor Emeritus at the Harvard Business School. As cohorts, scholars also reflected on the past school year and discussed how the Johnson Scholars Program could help them grow as students in future years. Scholars also shared with one another about their summer plans and spent time bonding and relaxing at the beach together, strengthening a sense of community.

This year’s annual Fall retreat took place in October 2016 at the Point Montara Hostel near Half Moon Bay. A shared kitchen space allowed scholars to divide into teams and bond over taking turns preparing meals for the whole group.

Other activities during the weekend included a discussion on leadership through a case study of an expedition to climb the mountain Aunapurna and cohort meetings to discuss fellowship and internship opportunities. Senior scholar Josie Warren designed and facilitated a workshop on listening.

Saturday evening, all the scholars participated in the “passing of the candle,” a retreat tradition, to commem­ orate the start of a new academic quarter, as each person shared something they were excited about as a Johnson Scholar for the year.

Johnson Scholars Class of 2020 meet with Dr. Leilani Miller, co-director of the Johnson Scholars Program, at the Fall retreat.

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2016 Johnson Leadership Retreat Reflections

Ashley Ricks Johnson Scholar – Class of 2020 “The retreat challenged us to look forward into the year before us by giving us a ‘Johnson Scholar Development Plan’ that mapped out guidelines for goals we should be striving to meet during our four years at SCU. Each year has a theme, and encourages us to individualize what each theme looks like in our own academic and personal journeys. While contemplating

KhoiNguyen Bui Johnson Scholar – Class of 2017 “My favorite part was the camaraderie that came with the discussion that followed.

Especially in this retreat, there was something different about not only the content of what was shared, but how it was shared, that was very different from the first retreat 3–4 years ago. After having spent four years in the program, it was amazing to witness

these themes, I couldn’t help but feel that being a freshman is a little overwhelming—there is just so much before me that it’s hard to even pinpoint how exactly I want to grow and what exactly I want to do in the upcoming months.

However, I found insight, comfort, and inspiration in molding my expectations for the future after hearing the goals of my peers shared in the ‘passing of the candle.’

This intimate and intentional space for reflection and goalsetting was one of my favorite parts of the retreat, as it

the transformation [in] my cohort. The experiences they’ve had, through their studies in HNRS20, immersion trips, service opportunities, etc., have made them into very wise individuals, people who ‘know what they’re talking about,’ to speak the colloquial. Not only that, everyone shared their experiences in an environment of friendly banter, but also filled with mutual respect, respect for each other’s successes and failures as a leader. Each time

gave me a glimpse into the vulnerability and hopefulness of those around me, all on their own unique college journeys.

Fall retreat deepened my appreciation for this community, and I cannot wait to continue to dive into all that it has to offer throughout the rest of my time here.”

that I manage to make it to the retreat, I feel much closer to my cohorts, and that moment of shared pride when we talked about our group being the very first group of Johnson Scholars is a moment that I will always treasure in my memories.”

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East Los Angeles Immersion Winter 2016

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During Winter Break 2016, 11 Johnson Scholars

to visit Homeboy Industries and Homegirl CafÊ that

visited Los Angeles in partnership with the community

provide hope, training, and support for former gang

of Dolores Mission, a Jesuit parish in East LA whose

members and previously incarcerated men and women.

parishioners take the initiative to address issues that

Johnson Scholars also spent time in the community

challenge their community. Johnson Scholars engaged

volunteering with the after-school program at the

with difficult topics on the trip, including gang violence,

Dolores Mission School. Immersion trips are available

human rights abuses against youth and immigrants,

to Johnson Scholars each year as a component of the

health care, homelessness, and educational and

program to prepare them for a life of leadership and

employment opportunities. The students were able

service for the common good.

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Nicaragua Immersion Winter 2015 During winter break in December 2015, 11 Johnson Scholars visited Nicaragua to explore issues of fair and free trade, particularly in the coffee industry, through the Center of Global Education. During the week, the group met with organizations and heard the stories of local people, including social activists, government officials, and host families in a rural coffee cooperative.

Steven Parks Johnson Scholar – Class of 2017 “I spoke with women’s rights activist Maria about gender-based violence, picked organically grown coffee berries on a mountainside, and toured an active-wear garment factory. The experience gave me a great appreciation for the tangible effects of my daily habits on Nicaraguans 5,000 miles away. Even what I eat and what I wear have serious impacts. I hope to use my education to research and implement new renewable energy technologies. Thus, my work could positively affect those coffee growers and their entire human families. Traveling to Nicaragua has helped give my education meaning and purpose.”

Arizona Immersion Spring 2016 For spring break 2016, four Johnson Scholars immersed themselves in the issues of immigration in Tucson, Arizona through BorderLinks, an education-focused nonprofit and long-standing partner of the University’s Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education.

Varsha Kalavar Johnson Scholar – Class of 2019 “Through the scholarship, I got the opportunity to actually go down to the border and form my opinions first hand.

I got to learn with a community of scholars about the importance of immigration reform and talk about ethical and moral issues with a group of people who were just as interested and invested as I was.”

Santa Clara University’s Johnson Scholars Program recognizes, rewards, and challenges exceptionally well-qualified students to explore their personal potential and develop deep leadership skills while attaining the highest levels of academic achievement.

Amy Shachter, Ph.D. Senior Associate Provost for Research and Faculty Affairs Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053 408-551-7041 ashachter@scu.edu

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For more information about the Johnson Scholars Program, please visit www.scu.edu/johnsonscholars, or contact:

Photography by: Joanne Lee and Charles Barry

Read full profiles of the Johnson Scholars and learn more about their activities and projects at www.scu.edu/jscommunity.