Seven of Guilford's 2024-25 Presidential fellows. Front row (left to right): Jorden Zertuche, Jackson Marcellus, Joan Mitchell, and Kiersten Walker. Back row: Ady Franken, Yein Kim, and Salwa Ahmad.
Ten students pursuing their masters at the College will serve as community leaders and work in departments across the campus.
Guilford announced 10 Presidential Fellows for the 2024-25 academic year, the largest Fellows cohort since the program was launched by President Kyle Farmbry in 2022.
The Fellows, who are enrolled in either the MBA or Master of Criminal Justice programs at the College, will serve as community leaders and work in administrative areas across campus.
The Fellows are Salwa Ahmad ’21, Ady Franken ’24, Pius Illah, Yein Kim ’24, Jackson Marcellus ’24, Joan Mitchell ’24, Kiersten Walker ’24, Jordan Zertuche ’24, Yusra Abukwaik and Ahmed Alyacoubi. (Students identified by class years earned undergraduate degrees at Guilford.)
The students were selected in the spring, started work this week and will receive financial and other benefits for the 12- to 18-month duration of their master’s program while providing support to the administrative offices to which they’re assigned.
In addition to receiving mentorship and professional development through the Fellowship program, the Fellows will contribute to service projects and occasional volunteer projects on campus (in turn, mentoring current undergraduate students and offering campus stewardship).
Here’s a closer look at each Presidential Fellow:
Salwa, who lives in Greensboro, was an English major with a minor in Business. After Guilford, she attended N.C. State University, where she earned her master’s degree in English Literature in 2023. Salwa’s work at Guilford will focus on Economic Development Administration grants. She is pursuing a master’s of Criminal Justice.
Ady, of Peoria, Ill., has completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and will be pursuing an MBA at Guilford. A captain and starting goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, Ady will work in the College’s Communications & Marketing Office.
Pius, who is from South Africa, and is in his second year as a Fellow, attended the University of Jos in Nigeria, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2013 and, later, a postgraduate diploma in Project Management. He worked at The Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa where he specialized in software development and design. Pius, an MBA student, will work in the President’s Office.
Yein, who lives in Greensboro, received her bachelor’s degree in Community & Justice Studies with a minor in Spanish Language & Society from Guilford after graduating from The Early College at Guilford (high school). She has worked as a tutor in the Learning and Writing Center and Every Campus A Refuge. Yein, who is pursuing a master’s of Criminal Justice, will work in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement.
Jackson, of Chapel Hill, N.C., was a double major at Guilford with degrees in Political Science and Religious Studies. He also minored in History and Japanese. Jackson is a pitcher for the Quakers’ baseball team. His work will focus on Pre-college Programs and is pursuing an MBA.
Joan, who is from Pasadena, Calif., earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in History. Joan has worked part-time at Guilford as an archival assistant for College Archives and most recently as a data analyst for the Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness. Joan will work in the President’s Office and is pursuing an MBA.
Kiersten, of Mount Airy, N.C., was a double major, receiving degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice with minors in Biology and Ceramics. She played softball and was an Omicron Delta Kappa Society member. She will work in Admission and is pursuing a master’s of Criminal Justice.
Jorden, of Sanford, N.C., completed a bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology and Information with a minor in Business Administration and is pursuing an MBA. Jorden played football at Guilford for four years and will work in Advancement & Alumni Relations.
Yusra, who is from Palestine, attended Al Azhar University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management. She worked as an accountant and analyst intern at VIP.fund, a nonprofit that provides education, mentorship and work opportunities for youth impacted by conflict. Yusra is an MBA student.
Ahmed, who is from Palestine, received his bachelor’s degree in Computer and Communication Engineering in 2022 from Al Azhar University in Gaza. He worked as a podcast project manager for VIP.Fund and is an MBA student.