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Class of 2009
College of Arts and Science
Major: English and Human and Organizational Development
Hometown: Louisville, KY
In his high school years, Mark began his service as a literacy tutor to Latino immigrant men working at the Churchill Downs Racing Facility in his hometown. He went on to acquire his certification as a teacher of English as a Learned Language, later leading classes in English, computer proficiency for both English and Spanish speakers, and GED and citizenship test preparation.
At Vanderbilt University, he has worked extensively with Manna Project International, serving as a vice president in charge of international service in his sophomore year. With Manna Project he has helped the Nashville Community in conjunction with such organizations as World Relief Refugee Services, Project S.H.A.R.E., and the Legal Aid Society of Nashville at Woodbine Community Center. He has traveled to Managua, Nicaragua on two separate occasions with Manna Project to aid in community development efforts. In the summer of 2007, Mark also spent five weeks teaching literacy in a primary school in rural Jamaica.
Mark is currently a Program Coordinator for Synergy, a mentoring and college preparation program designed to help under-resourced high school students successfully advance to college. He is continuing his work with the Legal Aid Society, as well as extending his service to accommodate his blooming interest in the welfare of the Sudanese Lost Boys. He hopes and expects to spend his remaining time at Vanderbilt studying international education policy and techniques for community development at the international level. |
