Meet the UY Student Community!

2022 – 2023 University YMCA Undergraduate Interns

Meet Adonis Erwin – Y Communications and Marketing Intern (Business and Marketing Education)

Hi, my name is Adonis Erwin and I am a senior studying Business and Marketing Education at the University of Minnesota while minoring in Management. This is my first year with the UY as a Marketing and Communications intern and I am very excited for this opportunity to be a part of the program. I am hoping to meet some amazing people here and learn more about working with young people. Outside of school, I love to be active with exercising, weight lifting, and sports, and spending time with my family and friends which led me to my position here at the UY!

Meet Diya Patel – Y Public Health Prevention and Education Intern (Pre Dental)

My name is Diya Patel and I am a junior studying biology with minors in management and leadership. I am following a pre-dental track and have a strong interest in spreading awareness about oral health. I am also very interested in furthering public knowledge about the prevention of diseases and how to improve the health of communities. I am currently on the board for the Undergraduate Public Health Association and look forward to the opportunity to become more involved in the field of public health.

Meet Gabby Aubuchon – Y Mentor Program Intern (Youth Studies)

Hello, my name is Gabby Aubuchon and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Youth Studies. I have been with the UY since my freshman year and I look forward to continuing to work with new students.

The UY’s programs give me a wonderful opportunity to exercise leadership skills, build new relationships, and get a jump start on my career as a youth worker! 

I am excited to return to the UY and look forward to what this year will bring.

Meet Gaojoua Khang – Y Step N’ Stones Intern (Family Social Science)

Hello! My name is Gaojoua Khang and I am currently a senior majoring in family social science at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. This is my first semester with UY and I look forward to being a part of the community. I'm excited to continue supporting youth emotionally and academically as well as having positive interactions and building relationships in the Step N' Stone program. I hope to continue working with youth after graduation!

Meet GraceAnne Sterling, University YMCA Programs Intern (Family Social Science)

Hi! My name is GraceAnne and I am a junior studying Family Social Science, the UY is my field placement for my major this year! This is my third year working at the University YMCA. This Fall will be the second semester that I will be working as a site lead with the Kids N’ Motion program! I am super excited to be able to connect to the mentors I’m working with as well as the mentees we will be meeting!

Meet Justin Solberg – Y Mentors Intern (Youth Studies)

My name is Justin Solberg, I am a senior majoring in Youth Studies at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. This is my first semester working at the UY as an intern, I am looking forward to improving and developing new skills as I am getting prepared to enter the field of youth work. 

Meet Kate Keller, University YMCA Programs Intern (Family Social Science)

Hey, everyone! My name is Kate Keller, and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Family Social Science. This is my first semester at the University YMCA. I am currently working as an Intern under program developers, with a focus on participant engagement. What attracted me most to the U-Y is their passion for advocacy, representation, and community engagement. This year, I am looking forward to measuring my growth at the U-Y as a worker and member of a team, coming together to engage in our surrounding community. 

Outside of school and the UY you'll find me traveling to new places, driving up the North Shore, spending time with my dogs and cats, and having movie nights with my roommates. 

I am so excited for all that is to come this year at the UY!!

Meet Nana Boateng – Y Communications and Marketing Intern (Business and Marketing Ed)

Hi! My name is Nana and I'm currently a senior as a Business and Marketing major. I will be joining the UY team this year for the first time as a marketing and communications intern with a special focus in social media, marketing, networking, and other various developmental opportunities. Additionally, I'm a tried and true Taurus. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends, rollerblade, check out new food places and exercise! I'm excited to immerse myself in such a supportive and helpful community and truly grow as a leader and in my skills.

Meet Olivia Stauffacher - UY Intern (Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development) 

Hi there, my name is Olivia, I am from Madison, Wisconsin and am a current freshman in the college of biological sciences, hoping to get a minor in plant biology. Fall 2022 I volunteered with the UY Comic Book Club as well as the Y Step n’ Stones homework helpers. Spring 2023 I will be interning at the UY doing more behind the scenes work. I am so excited to be a part of the UY family and I can’t wait to see what the upcoming years hold.

Meet Sheyla Morales, Y CAP Assistant Intern (Family Social Science)

Hi! My name is Sheyla Morales. This year, I am a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing a Family Social Science degree with a concentration in Family & Community Engagements. My passion for connecting with people really pulled me to what the UY internship has to offer! I am a first-generation immigrant from Guatemala and for that reason one of my future goals is to work alongside families who are new or have little time in the country by helping them adapt to such a new environment. I believe that the UY has the ability to help me gain more experiences within this field while also meeting new people and their stories along the way.

Meet Trang Mai – UY Admin and Y Bug Off Flu Intern (School of Nursing)

Hi! My name is Trang Mai, and I am a senior in the School of Nursing. Also, I am a Vietnamese American born and raised in Wisconsin. This will be my second year with the UY,  and this year I will return as a UY Intern, focusing on public health (Y Bug off Flu) and admin support to all programs. I am excited to play a role behind the scenes to help the team, and to also help develop ways to include public health in the community and elementary schools! 

UY Intern Alumni

Lilly Bolton – Community Service Intern (FSOS) (2021-22)

Hi! My name is Lilly and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Family Social Science. This is my first semester at the UY and I am really excited about being a mentor here! Since I can remember, I have always had a drive and passion for giving back and working with my community, and I think UY’s programs fit that description perfectly. As a career, I really want to work with kids- potentially in a school setting or working with families and children in attempts to improve their daily wellbeing. I am ecstatic that I have the opportunity to work (in-person!) for this incredible organization and am eager to form connections with all the great kids I will cross paths with!(:

Mattea Bui, Student Leader – Communications and Marketing (Sp ’21)

Hello! My name is Mattea Bui and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota studying Business and Marketing Education with a minor in Management. This semester, I will be a Marketing and Communications Intern for the UY. I am super excited to be a part of an organization that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. I look forward to a semester of growth and new experiences all while serving our community! I can't wait to begin my journey at the UY!

Georgia Crandall – Graphic Design Intern (2021-22)

Hello! My name is Georgia Crandall (she/her), and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota studying graphic design. I am very excited to be interning for the UY this semester! My aptitude for art and design began before I even started elementary school, and has been something that I have worked diligently at since. I am passionate about all forms of visual art and design and how they pertain to every aspect of life. I believe that design is a valuable tool that strengthens, connects, and educates across many communities.

Outside of my schoolwork, I love to play piano, exercise, and enjoy time with my friends and family. I am originally from St. Paul, MN, where I grew up with my parents, two younger sisters, a younger brother, and an awesome dog!

Antonio “Tony” Horn – Communications and Marketing Intern (2021-22)

Hello!  My name is Antonio Horn and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota graduating with a major in Business Marketing Education.  This semester I am going to be a communications and marketing intern/University YMCA volunteer for the UY.  I chose the UY because I value being part of an organization that, at its core, strives to have equality for all as well as wanting to grow future members of our community.  I am looking forward to grow in areas such as extending my network of professionals I know, and creating new relationships with others in my community.  I would also like to improve my organizational skills to better prepare me for the future!  I am an advocate of mental health and wellbeing and my future career goals include opening a counseling building that focuses on assisting minorities and people who have not had a lot of experience with improving their mental health.

Erin Hutcheson – Community Service Intern (2021-22)

Hello, my name is Erin and I am a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University majoring in Community Psychology and Health Promotion with a minor in Pre-Primary Education. I am a distance learning student who lives in Blaine, MN and I am working with the UY for the first time this semester as a program assistant intern.

I am excited to learn more about how non-profit organizations operate to help the community they serve and the “behind the scenes” look into the amazing work the UY does. I chose to work with the UY because of their drive and passion to serve not only college students in their program but also youths in the metro area as well. 

The UY does an outstanding job of making sure you have an opportunity to grow in the field you are studying, as well as focus on your strengths and weaknesses in a safe and supportive learning environment. Although I am new to the program I already feel like a part of this welcoming and supportive community of peers and mentors. 

Sophia Kamke, Student Leader – Youth Studies Intern

Howdy! My name is Sophia Kamke and I am a senior at the U of M this year majoring in Youth Studies. This will be technically my second year at the UY as I was a mentor my freshman year for Y-Innovate! This year I am excited to be a Site Lead and help out on other projects when needed.  I am currently serving with the Y Remote College Readers program in partnership with the Harold Mezile Youth Teen Enrichment Center- North Community Y in Minneapolis. I cannot wait to see the relationships I build  with young people and my great coworkers at the UY. I learned so much from being a mentor here and know this year will bring immense growth for me. I am optimistic for a great school year!

Jalayna Lockhart, Student Leader – Graphic Design Intern

Hi, My name is Jalayna Lockhart. I am a Senior in the College of Design studying Graphic Design while minoring in African American Studies at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I am the Design Intern at the UY for Fall 2020 semester. 

I have been with the UY on and off throughout the years since 2014 when I started as a Mentor in the YLiteracy Matters Program. I then worked my way up to becoming an intern. I have stayed dedicated to the UY because of their safe, diverse and inclusive community of both staff and students who are extremely supportive in every way (Special shout out to Patti Neiman). This is the only organization on campus that I have always come back to and know that I will always have a place at.

I am looking forward to growing with the UY and contributing to its legacy.

Jack McGrath – Community Service Intern (Psychology) (2021-22)

Hello, my name is Jack McGrath and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities studying Psychology with a minor in management. This semester I will be working as the Mentor Site lead for our Kid N Motion program out of Pratt Community School. In this role, I hope to improve both my leadership and communication skills, and also share my background in Psychology with the goal of creating an open environment where everyone feels safe to share what is on their minds and feels comfortable being themselves. 

I am super excited to begin work with the UY this semester and can’t wait to get started!

Sher Moua, Student Leader – Family Social Science Intern (Sp ’21)

Hello, my name is Sher Moua. I am a senior studying Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities. This is my first year with the UY, and I am glad to be a part of the community!

I will be interning with the UY for Spring 2021. Despite the difficulties of transitioning remotely, I am excited to learn more about mental health and growing as a person. I hope to be able to share my experiences with everyone. I am looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know peers in the UY!

Stephanie Ramon, Student Leader – Communications and Marketing (Sp ’21)

Hello, I'm Stephanie Ramon, and this is my fourth year here at the U of M--- Twin Cities. I'm in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and I'm majoring in Business and Marketing as well as a minor in Leadership. Although, I haven't experienced the full UY experience just yet, I am excited to become a member of YCAP and be the 2021 Communications & Marketing Intern at the UY this spring semester.

I love helping others and being part of a community which reflects what the UY organization is, so I'm definitely looking forward to immerse myself as much as possible to growth even in the face of the pandemic. 

Molly Rolfes – Community Service Intern (FSOS) (2021-22)

Hello, my name is Molly Rolfes. I am a senior at the University of Minnesota studying Family Social Science. My career hopes are to go to graduate school and get a master's degree in Social Work. I chose the UY to be able to work with young people and to gain skills for working with youth.

Phia Yang, Student Leader – Youth Studies Intern (Sp ’21)

Hello, my name is Phia Yang. I am a student at the University studying Youth Studies. This is my first time with UY, and I am super excited to be part of the program. I have been able to work with young people throughout my studies, and I hope to meet a ton of amazing people at my time here! 

I will be learning about how to work with young people virtually, and would like to explore and share the experiences we all have been having despite the pandemic. I am looking forward to the growth and learning that will happen during my internship with the UY! 

Pa Ia Xiong, Student Leader – Marketing and Communications Intern

Hello, my name is Pa Ia Xiong and I am a senior studying Business and Marketing at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. I am the Communication and Marketing Intern at the UY this Fall 2020. I chose to intern here, because of how committed they are to their mission statement.

My first experience with the UY was during my Sophomore year, when I worked at a Mentor in their Healthy Kids Program. I worked alongside other college students to create a safe, fun, and educational environment for 3rd graders at the Hmong International Academy. This opportunity gave me the chance to see the work that the UY does up close. Since then, I’ve always wanted to come back and be a part of something bigger within the organization.

I am excited to learn more about the opportunities that the UY provides to their community and to also gain hard and soft skills that will allow me to grow in this area.

Kathy Xiong, Student Leader – Youth Studies Intern

Nyob zoo! My name is Kathy and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Youth Studies. This is actually my very first year with the UY and I am super excited to be a part of the Literacy Matters, Y Mentors Storytelling and Book Club.

I was really intrigued when I learned that the UY was still finding ways to work with the kids even though there are strict social distancing rules due to the pandemic. I’m looking forward to working with the kids and such a dedicated group of mentors, site leaders, and program managers!