Cohort 5: 2024 Fellows

Alex graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science and a minor in women's and gender studies. As a student at TU, he participated in the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge, served in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, and completed a fellowship with the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities. Alex is excited to bring his commitment to the liberal arts and public education to the Philbrook Museum of Art as a School and Community Engagement Fellow. After his Tulsa Service Year fellowship, he plans to attend graduate school for history. In his free time, Alex enjoys reading, visiting museums and historic sites, and spending time with friends and family.

Ariel Clarke, a first-generation Afro-Caribbean American with Jamaican roots, hails from Queens, New York. She recently graduated from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) with dual degrees in Criminology and Political Science with a Public Law Concentration in May 2023, and her MS in Criminology in May 2024. While on campus and in Queens, Ariel served as a community organizer, student leader, and a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) advocate, driven by a sincere passion for fostering justice and unity through the use of sociologically inclusive and restorative practices. Finding immense joy in elevating the interests of communities, she is ecstatic to be working with Growing Together as their CLI Program Manager, bridging gaps within her own communities and advocating for underrepresented populations on a broader scale. Ariel's diverse array of interests includes indulging in Slasher Horror films or the Scooby-Doo franchise, immersing herself in the world of art, reading comics or novels that captivate her, gardening, exploring new destinations, and savoring cuisines.

Caleb Lewis is a recent graduate of New York University, where he majored in Public Policy and focused on housing and economic inequality. During his time at NYU, he interned with a wide variety of New York City local government agencies, including the Department of Social Services, Mayor’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office, and was also involved as a volunteer income tax preparer for low income New Yorkers. Originally from Georgia, he is excited to return to the South and complete his service year with Housing Solutions Tulsa as a housing navigator, assisting those impacted by the criminal and civil justice system achieve and maintain housing. In his free time he likes to travel internationally, learn about economics, and go to the movies.

Cecilia obtained her associates from Tulsa Community College in 2020 and graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2023 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Tulsa. While at the University, Cecilia served in various roles: President of the TU Vietnamese Student Association, Research Assistant in the Study of the Prevention, Adjustment, and Resilience to Trauma and Adversity Lab, and the social media manager of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Tulsa organization. She is most passionate about Asian-American mental health research, empowerment of marginalized communities through community-based initiatives, and DEI education. Cecilia is excited to join Tulsa Service Year as the fellow for Leadership Tulsa where she will contribute to meaningful leadership development and DEI education. In her free time, Cecilia loves playing guitar, cooking/eating, going on spontaneous adventures, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Daniel graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2023 with a major in Film & Media Studies and a minor in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship. Daniel developed his problem solving and creative skill sets through his work at the innovation consulting hub at the University of Oklahoma (I-CCEW). Originally from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Daniel has a unique passion for the media and entrepreneurial industries here in Tulsa. As a Tulsa Service Year fellow, Daniel will act as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Downtown Tulsa Partnership, where high impact initiatives are planned and executed. In his free time, Daniel acts as a film and television connoisseur while also being a nature lover.

Ezra is a recent graduate of Jackson State University in Jackson, MS where he received his Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. A native of the Jackson, MS area, Ezra has been involved with numerous social justice/advocacy groups and organizations. He was an assistant with the Institute for Social Justice and Race Relations, charterer and president of the Black Venture Capital Consortium HBCU Curriculum and an intern with the Alluvial Collective where he helped facilitate a prison book club for youthful offenders and he is the immediate past president of Mississippi Urban League Young Professionals auxiliary group. He has also been a researcher in the Sociology Department at The University of Michigan and the Political Science Department Jackson State University and has presented an award winning co-authored essay at symposiums and conferences across the United States. In his free time, Ezra enjoys reading, exercising and trying new coffee shops.

Isaiah graduated from Yale University in 2024 with a major in Political Science, propelled by his passion for empowering youth. At Yale, he held pivotal roles in organizations such as Yale Model Congress, where he served on the executive board for three years, and as a peer mentor for first-year FGLI students through Yale’s Poorvu Center. Beyond academics, Isaiah found fulfillment in athletics as a member of the Yale Men’s Rugby team and the Yale Wrestling Club. Now, eager to return to Oklahoma, Isaiah looks forward to continuing his impactful work with the Thunder Fellows, fostering positive change within his community.

Jeanne’ is currently a senior at OSU-Tulsa and a member of President's Leadership Society, an elite group of high-caliber students recognized for their leadership potential and provided with opportunities and mentoring. Jeanne will be spending the next year with Women Empowering Nations, where she will provide exposure, development and mentorship for underserved girls of color to accelerate their path to social impact and executive leadership. Beyond her academic and social endeavors, Jeanne’ has a passion for food, leading to the creation of engaging content for her Instagram page (@neisbae), where she has attracted over 110,000 followers. Some of Jeanne’s favorite pastimes include listening to podcasts about current events, indulging in crime and mystery books and TV shows, and creating content that celebrates her love for food. Through her diverse interests and achievements, Jeanne’ is dedicated to making a positive impact in her community and beyond.

Joseph, coming from Oklahoma City, OK, is a University of Oklahoma class of 2024 alumnus with a degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration and a minor in Sociology. Passionate about community service, he has dedicated his time to organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Loveworks Leadership, and The Boys and Girls Club of Norman. Joseph, as the Youth Power Fellow, is currently stepping into a new role at Impact Tulsa, where his main focus will be on initiatives with My Brother's Keepers Tulsa, aiming to establish a safe and supportive community for boys and young men of color. Outside of his professional endeavors, he finds joy in attending live music events, exploring art museums, and experimenting with new dishes in the kitchen.

Mak is joining Tulsa Innovation Labs as a Public Affairs Fellow. Before joining Tulsa Service Year, Mak graduated from Oklahoma State University with a master's degree in Political Science. During her time at OSU she worked as a research assistant on several projects including the Rural Renewal Initiative, NSF EPSCoR Social Dynamics Team, and The Advocacy Coalition Frameworks’s integration with Emotional Expression Analysis. Her passions for coalition building and public policy engagement drive her commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and effecting positive societal change. In her free time, Mak enjoys reading science fiction books, eating pasta, and hiking.

From small town Idabel, Oklahoma, PaShioun Young is a first-generation student with big dreams. Graduating from the University of Oklahoma in December 2023, she simultaneously earned two degrees—a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor's in Public and Nonprofit Administration, plus a minor in Women and Gender Studies emphasizing social justice. Her journey through college wasn't just about hitting the books. She dove headfirst into issues close to her heart: racial equality, higher education accessibility, and advocating for reproductive health rights. OU wasn't just a campus for her; it was a playground for navigating her love of social justice. From multiple study abroad opportunities to digging into eye-opening research and leading diverse student groups, she soaked it all in.Now armed with her degrees, fierce determination, and diverse perspective, she's ready to make waves as an Economic Development Organizer at the Met Cares Foundation, through the Tulsa Service Year fellowship. She's all about incorporating a work-life balance enjoying the simple treasures— outdoor adventures (with her furry bestie of course), discovering hole-in-the-wall restaurants, sef-care Sundays, and soaking up quality time with loved ones.

Sophie graduated from the University of the Pacific in 2024 with a major in Biology and minors in English and Sustainability. While Sophie is looking to attend medical school in the future, she has always been drawn to nonprofit work and advocacy. She is excited to return to Oklahoma and join the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative, working as a certification coordinator for their Community-Based Doula program. She believes this work will inform her future medical career and enable her to make meaningful impacts on healthcare accessibility and equity in Oklahoma. In her free time, Sophie loves to run, try new food, read, and spend quality time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Voranun, originally from Thailand, earned her MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She has matched with the inTulsa Talent program through the InTulsa Visa Network, aiming to apply her technological insights to foster advancements that enhance daily living. Passionate about the positive impact of technology, Voranun also enjoys hiking, swimming, and gardening—activities that complement her professional life with a fulfilling personal balance.