Jean Donovan Fellow 2021 | Ignatian Fellow Extention Facilitator
Major: Psychology

"Since being involved with the Ignatian Center, I have lived everyday with more intention and presence. I have especially become more aware of the social injustice around me, which has led me to spread this consciousness to others while at SCU."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2021 | Arrupe Fellow 2021-22
Major: Accounting | Child Studies | Ethnic Studies
Awards: Pre-Teaching Award (Child Studies) | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society

"The difference that my involvement with the Ignatian Center made to my SCU experience consists of how impactful it was to see firsthand the collaboration between the university and the community partners to bring out the values and mission of SCU. The University's mission and values was something that attracted me, specifically the emphasis on social justice and advocacy. Moreover, the three way beneficial relationship between the University, the community partner, and the student in addition to the attention put on community-based learning within ELSJ courses was something that stuck with me as an Arrupe Fellow."

Immersion Coordinator | Jean Donovan Fellow 2021
Major: Sociology | Religious Studies | Ethnic Studies
Awards: Student Life Award | Ramón Chacón Community Service Award (Ethnic Studies) | Iota Iota Iota - Academic Honor Society for the field of Women's Studies | Michael E. Kelly Award (LEAD Scholars)

"The Ignatian Center has provided me with an opportunity to become more involved in my communities and grow spiritually. I am grateful for all the amazing people I met through my immersions and Jean Donovan Fellowship. Some of my best college experiences were at the Ignatian Center."

Student Assistant | Immersion Coordinator
Major: Marketing

"I didn't find the Ignatian Center, the Ignatian Center found me. I have been involved in the Center at varying capacities the past four years, the first of which was the First-Year Immersion before school even started. I was hooked ever since. ICJE has allowed me to grow and mold to be the best version of myself and I'm so fortunate to carry my memories with me for the years to come."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2021
Major: Child Studies
Awards: Child Advocacy Award (Child Studies) | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society | Kappa Delta Pi - International Edcuation Honor Society

"My involvement with the Ignatian Center allowed me to feel more connected to my community and provided me with the tools to help support those who are most overlooked and underserved."

Thriving Neighbors Fellow 2020-22
Major: Finance
Award: Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. Award

"You can't be what you can't see and mentorship is essential in the development of first-generation students. Through the Ignatian Center and my experience mentoring I learned more about myself and how I love to teach. Additionally watching my mentees grow and be accepted into great schools has been an amazing feeling."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2021 | Immersion Coordinator
Major: Sociology
Awards: Alpha Kappa Delta - National Sociology Honor Society

"I will forever and always be grateful for the opportunities the Ignatian Center allows students to be in community with one another to gain a better understanding of one another's lived experiences in our interconnected universe."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2021
Major: Communication
Awards: 2022 Communication Department Prize | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society | Phi Beta Kappa - National Honor Society for Excellence in all Scholarly Endeavors | 2020 Edward Shipsey S.J. scholarship (Communication) | Society of Professional Journalists 2022 Mark of Excellence Award | California College Media Association 2021 Best Editorial

"Participating in Ignatian Center programs underscored for me the meaning of a value-driven education. It taught me to connect the personal and the professional — and to find purpose, value, and human connection in my work."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2020
Major: Communication
Awards: Justin T. McCarthy Award (Communication) | The Giacomini Prize (History) | The McPhee Prize (History) | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society | Phi Beta Kappa - National Honor Society for Excellence in all Scholarly Endeavors | Phi Sigma Tau - National Honor Society in Philosophy | Pi Mu Epsilon - National Mathematics Honor Society Philip N. | McCombs Scholarship Fund from the San Francisco Public Relations Roundtable

"Working with the Ignatian Center as a Jean Donovan Fellow in the summer of 2020 was the best decision I could have made. At a time marked with great uncertainty and loss, I found solace and spiritual connection with a small group of fellows who shared my same devotion to community wellness and internal reflection. I was able to support my hometown in navigating new challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and gain a better awareness of how to use my privilege for constructive change. I will take the lessons learned and friendships made through the Ignatian Center with me as I begin the next chapter of my life following graduation."

Arrupe Fellow 2020-22
Major: Ethnic Studies | Spanish Studies
Awards: Richard J. Riordan Award | Ramón Chacón Community Service Award (Ethnic Studies) | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society | Phi Sigma Iota - International Foreign Language Honor Society

"Working with the Ignatian Center these past two years has reaffirmed my passion for community-based initiatives that care for and represent marginalized communities. I've had the privilege of working alongside incredible K-8 youth, hard-working mothers, and programs that strive to create a more sustainable, protected environment. I have worked alongside SCU students who work every single day with a passion for social justice reform and apply it to the work we do through the Arrupe Engagement Program. I love that this program gave me the opportunity to know and work with local nonprofits that do incredible work for our Santa Clara/San Jose communities, and I know I will carry these experiences with me post-graduation."

Jean Donovan Fellow 2021
Major: Political Science & Communication

"My involvement with the Ignatian Center provided me with the opportunity to find purpose in sustainable social justice when the COVID-19 world was filled with grief and cyclical monotony."

Ignatian Fellow 2020-21 | Thriving Neighbors Fellow 2021-22
Major: Communication
Awards: Richard J. Riordan Award | Alpha Sigma Nu - National Jesuit Honor Society | Sigma Xi - National Scientific Research Society | Commencement Keynote for APISA

"Throughout my time at Santa Clara University, the Ignatian Center continually inspired me to be a person for others and to collaborate with communities toward creating a more equitable and just world. As a transfer student, the people that I have met through the Ignatian Center from staff, student fellows, and my student mentees, have all contributed to my sense of belonging at the University. I am so grateful to have been a part of the impactful initiatives that the Center has to offer to its students!"

Arrupe Fellow 2020-22
Major: Finance | Political Science

"Being involved with the Ignatian Center at Santa Clara University allowed me to learn first-hand from some of the Bay Area’s most culturally rich and diverse populations around us - being a first-generation Latina, it was so empowering to use my background and SCU resources to cultivate a better environment in and around SCU."

Ignatian Fellow 2020-21
Major: Political Science
Awards: Pi Sigma Alpha - National Political Science Honor Society

"The Ignatian Center played a pivotal role in my Santa Clara University experience by giving me the platform and resources to leverage my education in a way that helps uplift others rather than just myself. I wrote a senior honors thesis titled, "Latin American Migration and Barriers to Integration in the United States" -- an interest I developed largely during my time working with immigration nonprofits as an Ignatian Fellow. After graduating, I will be working remotely with Smart Havens Africa, a Ugandan Social Enterprise which provides an affordable pathway to homeownership for low income families. I will support business development initiatives in the areas of marketing, sales, business development, fundraising, and social impact reporting."