Miller Center Lewis Family Fellows took to the stage at this year’s Action Research with a Mission (ARM) presentation to showcase the culmination of nine months of immersive learning and collaborative work with social enterprises across the globe. Karen Runde, Miller Center’s Sr. Director of Academics & the Entrepreneur Network, introduced fourteen remarkable Santa Clara University (SCU) students who have deepened their understanding of social entrepreneurship and demonstrated their capacity to help drive change in challenging contexts. “There is just something so incredible about seeing these students work alongside our social enterprise partners, engaging with customers, and co-creating real action projects that further scale positive social impact,” said Karen.
The fellowship program thrives on collaboration between students, faculty, and enterprise leaders. SCU professors Laura Robinson, Stephen Carroll, and Dr. Katia Moles mentor students through two quarters that focus on social entrepreneurship, research development, understanding cultural humility, and vocal discernment. It also draws on the support of donors and the broader SCU community. The program’s success is owed in part to the continued generosity of the Lewis family, whose funding has enabled fellows to immerse themselves in life-changing experiences.
Speaking at the event, SCU President Julie Sullivan perfectly encapsulated the program’s ethos.
“You can study problems in the classroom, and you can think about how it must be to live in these circumstances. But only until you go and live with them do you fully realize how the community is impacted and what it takes to solve these problems.”
—Julie Sullivan
This perspective is the foundation of Miller Center’s fellowship program, bringing together rigorous academic preparation with hands-on work.
Among the distinguished guests at the presentation were the 2024 OPUS Prize finalists. The OPUS Prize, hosted this year at SCU, is an annual award recognizing individuals or organizations who champion faith-filled change to address poverty and injustice. The finalists’ presence underscored the connection between Miller Center’s mission and the Opus Prize’s commitment to uplifting underserved communities. The finalists included 2024 Opus Prize Laureate Francisca Ngozi Uti, HHCJ, of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Nigeria, which empowers women through capacity-building, advocacy, and education to combat gender-based violence and advance gender equality; finalist Zachariah Presutti, S.J., of Thrive for Life prison project (and a MIller Center program graduate), working to transform lives within and beyond prison walls through spiritual guidance and community-based housing for returning citizens; and finalists Cătălin and Bianca Albu of Jesuit Refugee Service in Romania, who support refugees with holistic services such as legal guidance, mental health care, and integration assistance. Reflecting on the fellows’ work, Bianca shared, “Seeing you and understanding how you learned by doing has given me so much hope for the future.”
The Fellowship Journey
The power of the Miller Center Lewis Family Fellowship lies in its immersive nature. Action research projects took students from the classroom into Kenya, Rwanda, and local communities in California, where they engaged directly with enterprise leaders, customers, and stakeholders. This year, students collaborated with 1951 Coffee, All Across Africa, Deevabits Green Energy, Inkomoko, Jibu, Sistema.bio, and Solar Sister — all social enterprises with the goal of eradicating poverty and improving livelihoods.
Students Jessica Garofalo ‘25 and Mia Ingram ‘25 partnered with Sistema.bio to work with smallholder farmers in Kenya to promote renewable energy solutions through modular biodigesters. Their research highlighted gaps in market education and operational knowledge, leading to actionable recommendations to optimize biodigester productivity and community adoption.
Fellows Mason Davenport ’25 and Erik Keifer ’25 worked with 1951 Coffee in Berkeley, a nonprofit helping refugees develop employment skills to build more sustainable livelihoods in the United States. After evaluating the training program’s impact on refugees’ livelihoods and identifying gaps, the fellows recommended expanding 1951’s training program to include technical skills and English language instruction, enabling participants to secure better job opportunities.
Morgan Vodzak ‘25 and Elizabeth Pierson ‘25 collaborated with Solar Sister, a social enterprise dedicated to eradicating energy poverty by empowering women and young entrepreneurs to distribute clean energy products. During their time in Nairobi, Morgan and Elizabeth not only worked on programmatic strategies but also found themselves navigating a politically charged environment when youth protests erupted against government policies. Managing logistics from California to ensure the students’ safety, Linda Gentry, Sr. Manager of Campus Engagement for Miller Center reflected, “Our students’ resilience and composure in this situation were truly inspiring.”
As the event concluded, students stood proudly by their project banners, sharing their stories with attendees and inspiring the next cohort of fellows to take up the mantle of social entrepreneurship. Reflecting on the event, OPUS finalist Fr. Zach commented, “I am encouraged by the insight of these fellows and their ability to be of service to local communities. The passion and innovation these students bring to their work is a great inspiration for all.”
The Miller Center Fellowship program not only transforms the lives of the students who participate but serves as a testament to the power of education, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to creating positive social impact.
| Name | Major | Social Enterprise |
| Erik Keifer | Computer Science | 1951 Coffee, Berkeley, California |
| Mason Davenport | Economics | 1951 Coffee, Berkeley, California |
| Clara Gallagher | Psychology | All Across Africa, Rwanda |
| Delaney McMillan | Psychology | All Across Africa, Rwanda |
| Dana Hoballah | Psychology | Deevabits, Kenya |
| Mary Xiang | Public Health | Deevabits, Kenya |
| Jeremy Trattler | Economics | Inkomoko, Rwanda |
| Emil Chaia | Finance | Inkomoko, Rwanda |
| Julia VonGersdorff | Anthropology | Jibu, Rwanda |
| Yael Grimaldi | Marketing | Jibu, Rwanda |
| Jessica Garofalo | Environmental Science | Sistema.bio, Kenya |
| Mia Ingram | Environmental Science | Sistema.bio, Kenya |
| Elizabeth Pierson | History | Solar Sister, Kenya |
| Morgan Vodzak | Marketing | Solar Sister, Kenya |
If you are a student in any major of study interested in the Miller Center Lewis Family Fellowship (open to juniors) or a faculty member interested in becoming a Miller Center Scholar, please contact Linda Gentry, Senior Manager of Campus Engagement. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in applying for a Miller Center paid internship, please contact Anthony Sampson, Campus Engagement Manager, for more information.
Photos:
2024 Miller Center Lewis Family Fellows
Karen Runde, Sr. Director of Alumni Programs & Academics, Miller Center
Opus Prize Laureate Francisca Ngozi Uti, HHCJ
Opus Prize Finalists Zachariah Presutti, S.J and Bianca Albu
Linda Gentry, Sr. Manager of Campus Engagement, Miller Center
Dana Hoballah ‘25 and Mary Xiang ‘25
