Hear from Rubenstein Fellows:
2024-2025 Program Components:
• Alumni-Faculty Dinners
• Leadership Workshops
• Service Project
• Reflective Dinner
• Summer Enrichment Funding
Rubenstein Fellows 2024-2025 Cohort
Rosemina Ayieko
Pratt, Class of 2027
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Jocelyn May
Trinity, Class of 2027
Major: Public Policy and Political Science
Hometown: Dacula, Georgia
Gabriela Mendoza
Trinity, Class of 2027
Major: Public Policy
Hometown: Queens, New York
Luis Pereira-Lazo
Trinity, Class of 2027
Major: Public Policy
Hometown: Austell, Georgia
Nolan Zeng
Pratt, Class of 2027
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Houston, Texas
2025-2026 Cohort Rubenstein Fellows
Josue Blanco
Trinity, Class of 2028
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Stafford, Virginia
Everlynn Le
Trinity, Class of 2028
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Oakland, California
Sanoe Rapozo
Trinity, Class of 2027
Major: Neuroscience and Psychology
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Alain Soto
Pratt, Class of 2028
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Kyra Terez
Trinity, Class of 2027
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Richmond, Texas
Guests
Leadership Workshops
In the spring, Rubenstein Fellows participated in two Leadership Workshops facilitated by campus partners. The topics, “Building Confidence in Spaces Dominated by Wealth” and “Balancing Academics, Finances & Leadership,” were selected by the Fellows themselves. Fellows shared their personal strategies and reflections, impressing facilitators. The workshops fostered mutual learning and affirmed the Fellows’ capacity to lead.
Guests
• Bobby Kuntsman, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
• Reed Colver, Associate Director and Learning Consultant, Academic Resource Center
On a Saturday morning in March, the Rubenstein Fellows volunteered at SEED Durham, an urban garden and kitchen classroom in the heart of the city. Stepping off campus and into the community, Fellows spent the morning pulling weeds and planting vegetables intended for food pantries across Durham. The experience offered a meaningful way to give back to a cause they cared about, while also having fun and strengthening bonds with one another.
The Fellowship year culminated in a spring Reflective Dinner, bringing together all participating faculty, campus partners, and mentors invited by the Fellows.
During the event, each Fellow gave a personal presentation reflecting on how the past year shaped their growth, how their understanding of leadership evolved, the moments that left lasting impressions, and the actionable goals they’re committing to in their academic, personal, and leadership journeys.
“I shadowed physicians across multiple departments, including pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, ear, nose and throat, emergency medicine, and the newborn unit. This experience helped me better understand the global healthcare system and deepened my vision of becoming a physician who not only meets patients where they are but also serves as a true resource for them.”
Rosemina Ayieko, Intern, International Medical Aid at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Mombasa, Kenya)
“I was a congressional intern for Sentor John Ossoff. I did a lot of case work, intake, and outreach events. I really loved the opportunity.”
Luis Pereira-Lazo, Congressional Intern, Senator John Ossoff’s Office and Intern, Hands On ATL (Atlanta, Georgia)
“The Rubenstein enrichment funding went a long way in supporting my relocation, transportation, and living expenses that allowed me to fully focus on my internship and excel.”
Nolan Zeng, Project Engineer Manufacturing Intern, Integra Mission Critical (Houston, Texas)
“I had the opportunity to work on Zohran Mamdani’s Democratic Primary campaign. This was only possible because of the summer enrichment funding. I was able to focus on what I am truly passionate about, giving back to my community and defending democracy, without the stress of funds, which so many of my peers do not realize is a privilege.”
Gabriela Mendoza, Intern with Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Campaign (New York, New York)
