Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 - Y Comic Book Club, Y Kids N’ Motion and Y KidSTEAM

Through our Y Mentor programming, this academic year, we will engage 16 teams of UY students/mentor into a variety of after school program sites. Each team has a site lead and four mentors, who provide an engaging and active learning curriculum experience for youth. All  youth will engage in literacy practices, self-efficacy growth and character building activities. Mentors are interviewed, onboarded and trained in the highest quality practices – to ensure our teams and our young people have a great learning experience. For questions please contact the UY Director patti.neiman@ymcanorth.org.

Meet the 2022-2023 Program Manager team

Y Comic Book Club and Program Admin Intern  -  Natalia Bobowiec (CLA/CEHD DirecTrack)

Hello! My name is Natalia and I am the Program Manager for Comic Book Club and the Y Mentors Program Intern. This is my fifth semester as a Program Manager and my first semester as an Intern! I am a senior at the U of M studying History in the DirecTrack program, pursuing social studies licensure in secondary education. I am also minoring in Teaching English as a Second Language, Racial Justice in Urban Schooling, and Sports Coaching! I have been at the University Y since my first semester of college and I'm thrilled to be back at the UY in the community, building relationships, and working with peers and youth!

Y Kids N’ Motion  -  Ellie Pfeifer (CLA)

My name is Eloise and this is my third semester serving with the UY! I started as a mentor for Comic Book Club and then became a Site Lead. I am not the program manager for Kids in Motion! I am currently a Junior studying Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice with a focus on Policy Analysis here at the U of M. I am so excited about what is to come this year at the UY!

Y KidSTEAM  -  Chino Nwakama (CBS)

Hi! My name is Chino Nwakama and I am a Senior studying Neuroscience and History. This is going to be my third year at the UY. Last year, I was the Program Coordinator for the Y KIDSTEAM pilot, a Y mentor program in collaboration with the College of Biological Sciences with the goal of delivering fun science programming to young people. This year I am really excited to be the program manager for the KidSTEAM program. We're coming back with new activities, new sites, and a new theme! As a science student, I am not only passionate about learning science, but also sharing science! 

Last year, I was able to interact with some eager and ambitious young people. I am extremely excited to be able to help the learn self-efficacy. I love that the UY allows college students to have a positive impact and give back to young people in the community. 

Meet the 2022-2023 Site Lead team

Y Comic Book Club

Cammy Rund-Chindakone

Hi my name is Cammy Rund-Chindakone, and I am a part of Comic Book Club! I have been at the UY for 7 semesters now and this is my first semester being a site lead. I am a senior, graduating in the spring, with a major in kinesiology and minor in sport coaching. I have hopes to go into physical therapy after I graduate from the U of M. When I am not at the UY I participate in the UMN Women's Club soccer team and work at ACR homes. I am so excited to be back for one final semester serving around the Minneapolis community. 

Hannah Pham

Hello! My name is Hannah and I am a second year majoring in neuroscience. This will be my second semester serving with the UY and my first semester as a site lead. I am excited to be continuing with Comic Book Club and can't wait to see them come to life. 

Kaiulani Taylor

Kaiulani Taylor Hello! My name is Kaiulani Taylor. I am a senior studying Developmental Psychology with a minor in Family Therapy. I am going into my 7th semester with the UY and my 5th semester site leading! This is my 3rd semester being a Comic Book Club site lead, and I can’t wait to help the kiddos learn about comic books and make them!!I really love the work the UY does and the great meaningful connections we get to make with the kiddos. I am excited for what this new semester brings!

Samia Sheikhomer

Hello! My name is Samia Sheikhomar, and I am a senior majoring in speech-language-hearing sciences and developmental psychology. This is my second year volunteering with the UY, and this spring will mark my first semester as site lead! I joined the UY because of its incredible growth and leadership opportunities. I am excited to continue serving students and connecting with my peers!

Simon Ky

Salutations! I am Simon and I am in my second year of studying Biomedical Engineering. This is my second year at the UY and the first year where I will be a site lead. I had an absolutely amazing time as a Y Mentor last year even with all the craziness that was 2021, and I am looking forward to brightening the lives of young people with fun activities to engage their minds and keep them interested in learning.

Y Kids N’ Motion

Clara Lo

My name is Clara Lo and I am a junior at Macalester College. I am majoring in Neuroscience and am on the pre-med track! I love learning from the kids that I work with and leading them towards a path of success and happiness.

GraceAnne Sterling

Hi! My name is GraceAnne and I am a junior studying Family Social Science. 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!

Jared Kleppe

Hello! I’m Jared and I’m a sophomore. I study philosophy and political science. This is my second semester at the UY but it will be my first semester as a site lead! I’m excited to get back to work with my coworkers and our new students. Everyone taught me so much last year and I hope to learn as much this year but because I have some experience, I can teach some too!

Laisha Martinez

I am a second year majoring in Human Resources and Chicano & Latino studies with a minor in leadership. I was connected with the UY through the page Scholarship and this fall will mark my third semester here as a volunteer. In my free time I like reading a good romance novel or manga. And my favorite thing to do is eat out with friends

Luke Cheman

My name is Luke Cheman, and I am currently a sophomore at the U studying philosophy and psychology. This is my second semester at the Y, and my first as a site lead. I am really looking forward to this semester as a site lead at Webster. I’m a pretty active guy who enjoys sports of all kinds and getting outside to do activities.

Micah Rentschler

Hey, my name is Micah Rentschler I am currently a senior majoring in. Bachelor of Individual Studies with concentration in Psychology, Public Health and Human Health and Wellness. This will be my 4th year volunteering at the UY and it’s been a great time! I hope I’m the future to work in health promotion as a health director or wellness coordinator. Super excited for the year and can’t wait to meet the mentees! 

Nicole Jacquez

Y KidSTEAM 

Dulce Garcia

I am a first generation, second year student at UMN Twin Cities majoring in the Inter-College Program with focus areas in Chicano/Latino Studies, Psychology, and Public Health. I am also working on a Spanish Studies minor to become 100% fluent. This is my second year with the UY and I always enjoy spending time with the youth and learning about their interests. In my free time I like reading, journaling, and watching Studio Ghibli movies!

Emma Faeflen

Isabel Miller

Hi! My name is Isabel and I am a sophomore studying Elementary Education with a minor in Racial Justice in Urban Schooling. This is my third semester here at the University YMCA, but my first as a site lead. I will be working with Kids N' Motion as well as Y KidSTEAM, I'm incredibly excited to take on more of a role at the UY and continue to work with kids because it is something I enjoy doing so much! I cannot wait to get back into the schools and start working with kids again!

Jonnesha Walker

Hi, My name is Jonnesha Walker, and I am a senior graduating in Spring 2023, studying Psychology with a minor in Applied Business. I am currently a site lead in KidSteam at Hall Elementary! 

Kristin Vo

Hello! My name Kristin Vo and I am a sophomore studying Computer Science. This is going to be my second year at the UY. Last year, I was a Mentor and Site Lead for the KidSTEAM program. I’m excited to return as a site lead. I can’t wait to connect with the kids and break out of my shell and explore all the possibilities. 

Luna Saydam

My name is Luna Saydam, I am a junior at the University of Minnesota and I am majoring in Global studies with a minor in French. I enjoy working with children and am also apart of the UMN Direct Track to Teaching Program so that I can be a teacher in the future! I am so grateful and proud to be apart of such an amazing program at the University YMCA. I look forward to my adventures with the kids and can’t wait to learn more!

Taylor Fix

Hello! My name is Taylor Fix and I am a junior studying Biochemistry, with minors in Leadership and Spanish. This is going to be my second semester at the UY, where I previously served as a mentor with KidSTEAM. This year, I am so excited for this new leadership role as a site lead for KidSTEAM. I absolutely love learning science, and sharing that with the youth we serve is the absolute best! I am super excited for this year! 

Tina Pham

Hello everyone! My name is Tina and I am a senior this year studying health service management with a minor in public health. I started my journey as a Mentor at the UY and I am so excited to return this year once again as a site lead. I can't wait to meet the youth and mentors and see what this year will bring!

Y Mentors Alumni

Mildred Agyapong

Conner Johnson

Isabel Miller

Lisa Sang

Issabella Stirzl

Emma Turner