Involvement Conference About Us
About IC 2015 & Organizing Staff
Established in 2013, the Involvement Conference began with a clear objective: to expose students to the variety of professional options and possibilities available in the public sector. Whatever the prospects offer—whether it’s work in a nonprofit organization, government agency, or anything else—let's begin thinking more expansively about ways you can connect your skills and expertise to the opportunities afforded by a career in public service.
Now evolved as the Involvement Series, this yearlong programming continues these goals. For this year, the conference theme is "What's Next." With great organizations, dynamic speakers, and industry professionals, let's connect your interests, expand your networks, and discover your next steps.
Now evolved as the Involvement Series, this yearlong programming continues these goals. For this year, the conference theme is "What's Next." With great organizations, dynamic speakers, and industry professionals, let's connect your interests, expand your networks, and discover your next steps.
For more information about our past events, click here.
Organizing Staff
Ellen Murray
Lead for Industry Professional Panels
Program Director of Scholarships, Office of Student Success
Ellen is the Program Director of Scholarships at the Office of Student Success, where she directs the Powell, Partners for Change, Community Engagement and Koch fellowships. She works closely with the first year undergraduate Powell Fellows, and teaches the Powell Seminar in public policy and public service. Prior to joining the Office of Student Success, Ellen worked at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, where she managed a number of programs that aimed to build stronger connections between academics and policy makers, and foster a greater sense of civic responsibility and engagement in Hunter College’s student and faculty communities. Ellen holds a B.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School for Individualized Study and M.S. from Hunter College, CUNY in urban affairs and policy.
Lead for Industry Professional Panels
Program Director of Scholarships, Office of Student Success
Ellen is the Program Director of Scholarships at the Office of Student Success, where she directs the Powell, Partners for Change, Community Engagement and Koch fellowships. She works closely with the first year undergraduate Powell Fellows, and teaches the Powell Seminar in public policy and public service. Prior to joining the Office of Student Success, Ellen worked at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, where she managed a number of programs that aimed to build stronger connections between academics and policy makers, and foster a greater sense of civic responsibility and engagement in Hunter College’s student and faculty communities. Ellen holds a B.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School for Individualized Study and M.S. from Hunter College, CUNY in urban affairs and policy.
Rochelle Smarr
Lead for Organization Fair
Program Manager for Partners for Change Fellowship, Office of Student Success
Rochelle is Program Manager for the Partners for Change Fellowship program at the Office of Student Success at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from San Jose State University, where she began her career in service-learning by resurrecting the Student Homeless Alliance in the spring of 2006 and co-founding the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project (GCCWP). Rochelle has also worked as a labor organizer in Chicago, Philadelphia and California, served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator for the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center and as Team Leader for Jumpstart, and worked as a community organizer for national education reform. In May of 2012 she received her master's degree with honors in Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy from New York University. In her role at the Office of Student Success, she works with community partners and students to support and develop the Partners for Change Fellowship program.
Lead for Organization Fair
Program Manager for Partners for Change Fellowship, Office of Student Success
Rochelle is Program Manager for the Partners for Change Fellowship program at the Office of Student Success at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from San Jose State University, where she began her career in service-learning by resurrecting the Student Homeless Alliance in the spring of 2006 and co-founding the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project (GCCWP). Rochelle has also worked as a labor organizer in Chicago, Philadelphia and California, served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator for the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center and as Team Leader for Jumpstart, and worked as a community organizer for national education reform. In May of 2012 she received her master's degree with honors in Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy from New York University. In her role at the Office of Student Success, she works with community partners and students to support and develop the Partners for Change Fellowship program.
Stefana Soitos
Lead for Student Recruitment
Program Coordinator for Student Leadership Office of Student Success
Stefana is the Program Coordinator for Student Leadership at the Office of Student Success. She coordinates all professional development activities for the Colin Powell fellowship programs, and also manages the recruitment and admissions process for each of the scholarships. Before coming to the Office of Student Success, Stefana served two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA and VISTA Leader with the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and most recently, worked at NYC Service, a division of the Mayor’s Office. She is a proud graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a double major in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Anthropology.
Lead for Student Recruitment
Program Coordinator for Student Leadership Office of Student Success
Stefana is the Program Coordinator for Student Leadership at the Office of Student Success. She coordinates all professional development activities for the Colin Powell fellowship programs, and also manages the recruitment and admissions process for each of the scholarships. Before coming to the Office of Student Success, Stefana served two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA and VISTA Leader with the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and most recently, worked at NYC Service, a division of the Mayor’s Office. She is a proud graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a double major in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Anthropology.
Katherine Cho
Lead for Conference, Founder
Program Manager, Office of Student Success
Katherine is a Program Manager at the Office of Student Success at the Colin Powell School, where she manages the Community Engagement Fellowship, Koch Fellowship, Office of Student Success social media, and student club development. At the same time, she is pursuing a master's with the Education Policy and Social Analysis program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to the Office of Student Success, Katherine was a NYC Civic Corps member at an educational nonprofit to incorporate and maintain a service-learning student philanthropy program across K-12 schools. She received a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, focusing on community development and education policy.
Lead for Conference, Founder
Program Manager, Office of Student Success
Katherine is a Program Manager at the Office of Student Success at the Colin Powell School, where she manages the Community Engagement Fellowship, Koch Fellowship, Office of Student Success social media, and student club development. At the same time, she is pursuing a master's with the Education Policy and Social Analysis program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to the Office of Student Success, Katherine was a NYC Civic Corps member at an educational nonprofit to incorporate and maintain a service-learning student philanthropy program across K-12 schools. She received a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, focusing on community development and education policy.
Brian Wang
Photographer
Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Macaulay Honors College
Brian Wang is a junior at Macaulay Honors College at City College majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in economics. He is currently the president of Global Brigades at Macaulay Honors College and the Director of Publicity of Roosevelt Institute Campus Network at CCNY. He also works as a research assistant in Dr. Emerson’s neurobiology lab performing research on retinal development. In his free time, Brian enjoys street photography, visiting museums, and reading the Times. He is currently on the hunt for the best espresso shot in New York City.
Photographer
Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Macaulay Honors College
Brian Wang is a junior at Macaulay Honors College at City College majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in economics. He is currently the president of Global Brigades at Macaulay Honors College and the Director of Publicity of Roosevelt Institute Campus Network at CCNY. He also works as a research assistant in Dr. Emerson’s neurobiology lab performing research on retinal development. In his free time, Brian enjoys street photography, visiting museums, and reading the Times. He is currently on the hunt for the best espresso shot in New York City.