Interns
Sam Starks – Events Intern
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
4th year double major in Economics with a Mathematical Emphasis and Gender & Women’s Studies with a certificate in Art, Sculpture
I joined the Social Justice Hub to help cultivate community building and active learning through collaborative events. I am excited to create spaces for a multitude of identities to help them build confidence in engaging with the campus community. As the Events Intern, I hope to plan creative events to provoke new perspectives. I strongly believe creativity is innately built in social justice and I can’t wait to learn how to be a better advocate.
Outside of the Social Justice Hub I was the Creative Director for Moda Magazine and currently I am a Communications Intern at Arts + Literature Laboratory. My hobbies include metalworks, cooking and running. If you see me clocking in some miles around campus, say hi!
Madelyn Vilker – Events Intern
Pronouns: She/Her
4th year; Marketing and International Business with certificates in Gender and Women’s Studies and Spanish for Business Studies.
I joined the Social Justice Hub in order to continue advocating for equity within UW-Madison through collaborative events and discussions within our community. I am excited to help others get educated about social justice and ways they can combat discrimination and injustice on campus. I have been involved with social justice efforts in the past through my HEX-U Persist at the Polls project at the Center for Humanities and facilitating collaborations with community organizations during my last year at Hub.
My favorite event I have hosted has been the Self and Community-based Care Lunch and Learn in collaboration with Aleah Malik. Moreover, I am excited to continue working on large-scale events, such as the Social Justice Org Fair and the Formless Concert. I have a passion for visual and performing arts, and am excited to continue to learn and grow in my position!
Helena Gebremichael – Outreach & Intake
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I am a 4th year Health Promotion and Health Equity major with certificates in Global Health and Environmental Studies.
I am excited to be joining the Social Justice Hub this year. I have always admired the Hub’s mission in advocating for inclusion on and off UW’s campus through the use of new ideas and collaborative work. I am hoping that I will be of great asset to the group with the many identities and experiences I hold that will potentially influence the ways we can work to cater for the needs of everyone on campus. As the Outreach & Intake intern, I hope to engage with all students and create events where we can discuss and share how to create a more diverse and equitable community for all.
Outside of the Hub, I am the Vice President of Communications for the Unicef Club and the Civic Engagement Chair for the Chicago Tegaru Professionals Network group. I also love to paint, cook, and discover new music.
Kali Froncek – Collaborations
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Junior, 1st year transfer. Anthropology major with Global Health certificate and American Indian Studies certificate.
I joined the Social Justice Hub to be involved in the progress our campus and community are accomplishing when it comes to inclusion, equity, and creating resources for all identities. There is always more to be done and I want to bring connection to the Social Justice Hub through my actions as Collaborations intern. Progress can’t be made alone and it’s my goal to be an active participant and listener when working with campus organizations and community members.
As a nontraditional student I hope to experience as much as possible during my time at UW-Madison; join campus organizations, clubs, and be active in the Department of Anthropology. When I’m not in class or at SJH I’m either biking Madison’s paths, reading a book, or swimming laps. Whether I’m reading, biking, or swimming I’m always up to meet new friends and expand my world.
Criminal Justice Reform Co-Directors
Clarence Harley
Pronouns: He/him/his
4th Year; Economics and Political Science
Social Justice to me is more than a hobby or a commitment, it’s a civic duty. As a man of color, I feel as if it’s my responsibility to stand up against the pertinent inequities in our society. I joined the Social Justice Hub and, more specifically, the Criminal Justice Reform team, to help foster my beliefs and grow connections with others who feel so passionately about social justice as I do.
Hannah Dirkse
Pronouns: she/her/hers
4th year studying Psychology & Social Welfare, certificate in Health & the Humanities
I was exposed to the Criminal Justice Reform Team right at the end of sophomore year, and became much more involved my junior year. I’m joining as a co-director for my senior year to fulfill my desire to advocate for and advance criminal justice with a group who share those passions!
Outside of CJRT, I am involved with Pre-Law Society, and I write law review articles for the PLS Blog. I have also been interning with the State Public Defender’s Office since the end of May. I plan on taking the experiences I have gained and applying them to my future legal career!
Contact Criminal Justice Reform here.
Food Justice Collective Director
Zoe Allen
Pronouns: she/her/hers
2nd year studying Global Health
I joined the social justice hub halfway through the first semester of my sophomore year. I recently just declared my major in global health. I have many interests ranging from tennis, cooking, and coffee. On a more academic level, I have found my passions and drives root from social justice. Social justice issues inspire me to engage and participate in change.
I joined as Co-Director of the Food Justice Collective because I strongly believe in the power of food and the necessity to make sure everyone has equal access to it. There are so many initiatives on campus that have the ability to produce widespread change and education to students. Over the summer I was an intern at Project Angel Heart. This nonprofit organization works to provide healthy meals to those with terminal illnesses and to those who cannot afford them. Seeing the ins and outs of how a non-profit works and how food directly impacts so many people’s lives shaped my outlook on food justice and inspired me to get involved with the Food Justice Collective.
You can reach the Food Justice Collective here.
Program Director
Jim Rogers
Pronouns: He/him/his
Jim has initiated, developed and led the Social Justice Hub since 2018 having worked with staff putting together the mission and structure, setting up the facilities and equipment, opening the office, hiring the Social Justice Hub staff, and facilitating the Social Justice Hub supporting students and campus members working towards social justice, while developing student skills, as these future leaders continue to improve the quality of life for all.
Biking, traveling and gaining new perspectives in life all excite Jim.
You can contact Jim here.
