Zaida Rivera seeks to work in Housing, Employment, and Immigration Law when she finishes her law degree in 2012.
Christelle Sibi Gorman is an activist for many organizations that seek to end the cyclical nature of poverty.
Name: Zaida Rivera
Name: Christelle Sibi Gorman
Current location: Moscow, Idaho
Current location: Washington DC Area
Year of Gonzaga graduation:
Year of Gonzaga graduation: 2007
2005; B.A. International Relations & Spanish; Minor- Political Science
Current occupation/grad school:
Current occupation/grad school:
University of Idaho College of Law, First-year law student A short description about your current occupation/grad school: I am currently a first year law student at University of Idaho College of Law. My emphasis is on Public Interest Law. I am also involved in school activities, such as President of Latino Law Student Association, Alternative Spring Break Coordinator for Public Interest Law Group, and am a member of the Diversity Committee for the College of Law. A short description of your career path:
I aspire to work for a non-profit organization to represent the most vulnerable lowincome people and empower them to bring about change in their communities. I would like to focus in the areas of Employment, Housing, and Immigration Law. What has been most valuable to you from your Gonzaga education? I am the first in
my family to have graduated from high school, graduate from college, and now attend law school. Gonzaga offered me the opportunity to take a wide range of classes that gave me a well-rounded and balanced education. I learned how to think critically, analyze thoroughly, and write persuasively; these are invaluable in my career. The degree I earned at Gonzaga has opened the doors to many employment opportunities.
I am working with several non-profit organizations to end the generational cycle of poverty both in the United States and in Africa. Among them are African Diaspora for Change (Partnership & Sponsorship Director), Autism Community of Africa (Publicist), Racine Heritage Foundation (Program Director), Ivoirian Hope Foundation (Spokesperson/Fundraising), Ivorian Association of Washington, DC (Youth Connection), and Miss Ivory Coast America Pageant (Pageant Director).
To read more about each graduate’s Gonzaga and career or grad school experiences, visit: www.gonzaga.edu/zfl
A short description about your current occupation/grad school: A native of
Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, I came to the USA at age 14 to pursue my education. My hope is to one day open a school in my village in order to continue the Gonzaga slogan of “educating people the world needs the most.” In order to accomplish my goal, I recently partnered with Racine Heritage Foundation as the Project Manager. I am also working on a water project to combat waterborne diseases in Côte d’Ivoire. My next goal is to attend grad school and study something along the lines of International Relations/Third World Development.
Christelle attended a “Constituent Coffee” gathering where she asked President Obama about African Diaspora for Change and the role of youth in helping to combat poverty.
What has been most valuable to you from your Gonzaga education? A great
education in the Ignatian tradition was my most valuable attainment. Gonzaga also taught me to serve others. My residence life experiences also had huge impacts on my education and personal development.
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