St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Mary Ackerman

With career aspirations of becoming an occupational therapist, Ackerman completed her Sandifer mentorship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the summer of 2010.  During her time at St. Jude’s, Ackerman had hands-on experiences working with speech therapists, physical therapists, physiologists, and child life specialists, where she learned the benefits of various treatment methods and tests, as well as assessments for treatment.  Ackerman is currently enrolled in graduate work at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and intends to obtain her doctorate in occupational therapy, which will enable her to teach, write grants, and manage a treatment team.

 
Kansas City Zoo - Elizabeth Judson

With a desire to gain insight into her future veterinary career, Judson spent summer 2010 completing her Sandifer mentorship at Kansas City Zoo.  Judson worked with
100-plus African animals, including rhinoceroses, giraffes, lions, and zebras, as well as many smaller mammals.  Working with the keepers and veterinary staff provided Judson with a holistic understanding of medicine, ethics, husbandry, behavior and welfare.  Judson also gained valuable understanding of the importance of conservation efforts and public education on endangered species.  Judson began her veterinary program at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2011. 

Hedrick Elementary School, Lewisville, Texas - Erin Bundy

Upon completing her Sandifer mentorship teaching first-graders at Hedrick Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, in the summer of 2009, Bundy realized that she wanted to devote her teaching career to helping underprivileged students.  A majority of Bundy’s students depended on welfare programs, and several of them had immigrated to America after witnessing violence and abuse in their native countries; nonetheless, Bundy was inspired by their enthusiasm for learning.  “I never would have had the opportunities and ideas that I now have for my future classroom if it were not for the Sandifer Mentorship. I could not be more thankful for any outside opportunity in my college career than I am for my Sandifer Mentorship.” Bundy said.  Bundy will began teaching a sixth grade class at Prairie Central Upper Elementary School in Forrest, Illinois in fall 2011.  

   
Caterpillar - Kim Sandal -Springer

As part of her Sandifer mentorship with Caterpillar, Sandall traveled and aided with a trade show in Paris in February 2009.  As a part of the team, Sandall’s responsibilities included setting up the exhibit, overseeing the aesthetic appeal of the display- including lights, paint, graphics, music, simulators, and sub-exhibits- as well as ensuring there was enough space for spectators to walk and mingle.  Sandall also enjoyed the many integrated cultures and languages she witnessed during her time in Paris.  Sandall has been able to apply the marketing and project management skills she gained to her current role as an admission’s counselor at her alma mater.    
 
Northbrook Middle School, Mendota, Illinois - Elyssa Wilson

In preparation for a teaching career, Wilson completing her Sandifer mentorship by spending summer 2009 participating in an Illinois State Board of Education program, working with migrant children in Mendota, Illinois.  Wilson worked with children on an individual basis as well as in small groups, helping her students practice their English literacy skills, focusing on reading and math with a writing component.  Since many of Wilson’s students did not speak English as a primary language, she had to overcome both language and cultural barriers in order to communicate with her students.  Wilson has been able to utilize all she learned through her experience as she currently serves as a lead teacher in the Streator, IL Head Start Program.

 
Schaidle, C. (2009, July 4). Student breaks down barriers. Journal Star 
Non-Profit Mentorship, San Sebastián, Spain - Ashley Warchol

To gain experience in counseling psychology, Warchol spent her summer of 2009 studying and working in Spain through the Sandifer Mentorship Program.  During her time abroad, Warchol took a language course, improving both her grammatical abilities and Spanish vocabulary.  Warchol also completed a psychology mentorship, working directly with children ranging from age three to 16.  Of the communication barriers Warchol said, “This improved my patience, persistence, and creativity in communicating… at times I needed to use innovative ways to communicate what I was trying to say.  All these skills are vital for being an effective psychologist.”  Warchol is now pursuing a PsyD at The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute in Springfield, MO.   

Illinois State Police Forensic Science Command Research and Development Laboratory, Springfield, Illinois - Jason List

Aspiring to pursue a career with the Illinois State Police, List completed his Sandifer mentorship in the summer of 2010 with the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Command Research and Development Laboratory in Springfield, Illinois.  List studied under Research Coordinator William E. Frank, where he was trained how to employ DNA procedures and DNA equipment, including the new Quiagen QiaQuick DNA filters.  List’s time with the Illinois State Police inspired him to do his senior seminar presentation on DNA profiling.