Andrea Walles
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Major/Minor/Institutes: Economics and Management with emphasis in General Business, Concentrations in Professional Management (Gerstacker), Public Policy (Ford) and the Honors Program, with a minor in Political Science
Campus Organizations: Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Society, Mock Trial Team, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Relay for Life
Why I chose Ford: I joined Ford because I really wanted to not only be involved on campus but also in the Albion community. I believe it is very important to get to know the history and issues in town around you. I was very impressed with the dedication and community service work that the Ford Program organizes to help make Albion a stronger town.
Internship plans: I hope to work at a law firm that specializes in business law and labor and employment representation.
Post-graduation plans: After I graduate I hope to go to law school somewhere on the east coast.
Favorite movie about my future profession: I really enjoyed the movie The Lincoln Lawyer. It was a creative and interesting movie that shows how lawyers need to be constantly thinking out of the box.
Current issue/topic that is most important to me: An issue that is very important to me is discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination happens in many forms: racial, gender and physical capability. No one should have to endure any of those situations. As a corporate lawyer, I will try my hardest to correct this issue.
Moya Thompson
Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Major/Minor/Institutes: Anthropology, with a concentration in the Ford Institute
Campus Organizations: United Voice of Albion College (UVAC), Black Students Alliance (BSA), Smooth Transitions Program, Umbrella.
Why I chose Ford: I joined the Ford Institute because I am interested in becoming an attorney. Every lawyer needs to know as much about politics as possible.
Internship plans: For my internship, I want to travel to Florida to intern with a criminal attorney, who works in the area of juvenile defending.
Post-graduation plans: My post-graduation plan is to attend law school.
Favorite movie about my future profession: My favorite movie, Gridiron Gang, focuses specifically on my career goal in becoming a juvenile defendant. The most touching part of this movie is that most of the boys are given second or third chances of life with the help off family, significant others, and even the officers who reside over them.
Current issue/topic that is important to me: Cultural awareness. For example, when talking about African Americans, many people just use the blanket term "minorities," a word that identifies a bunch of different groups of people. Different races and cultures should be celebrated for their differences, not lumped together because of their population size.
Johanna Schulte
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Major/Minor/Institutes: Women's Studies major, Spanish minor, Ford Concentration, Honors Institute
Campus Organizations: Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
Why I chose Ford: The Ford Insitute captured both my interest in public policy as well as my commitment to community service and provided me with many opportunities I would not have otherwise known of.
Internship plans: I would like to work for an organization, possibly an NGO, that provides me with both a learning experience as well as networking opportunities.
Post-graduation plans: My plan is to go to law school.
Favorite movie about my future profession: The Lincoln Lawyer, although I don't plan on going into criminal law.
Current issue/topic that is important to me: Because of both my FYE Seminar and some of my Honors classes, I have become more interested in international relations with a focus on women's issues.
QuinC Gonzales
Hometown: Wayland, MI
Major/Minor/Institutes: Communication/ Business Management/ Public Policy and Service & Environmental Studies
Campus Organizations: Union Board, Student Farm, Cru
Why I chose Ford: The exciting and unique opportunities offered by the institute are the reasons why I joined the Ford Institute.
Internship plans: At this point I'm really focusing on developing my résumé so as to be able to market myself in the best possible fashion.
Post-graduation plans: I have been casually tossing around the idea of working for a couple of years and then going to graduate school. However, I am only a freshman so nothing is serious.
Favorite movie about my future profession: I wish there was one.
Current issue/topic that is important to me: My passion is integrating the business world with the eco-technology world in a relationship where both parties benefit as a result.
Maddie Drury
Hometown: Milford, MI
Major/Minor/Institutes: I'm considering a major in Sociology or English with Secondary Education, Ford Institute
Campus Organizations: Alpha Xi Delta, Tour Guide, SYE Advisory Board, and Ford Council
Why I chose Ford: Ford seemed like an awesome outlet for me to gain some more skills that will set me apart from others in my future workplace. Also, I loved Leadership and Council in high school and knew that Ford was the perfect place for me to continue growing. Finally, I know that jobs exist that I have never heard of and I knew that the Ford Institute could introduce me to a future career that I love and is perfect for me.
Internship plans: A place where I can make a difference.
Post-graduation plans: Either graduate school or a teaching position at a high school in Michigan.
Favorite movie about my future profession: Dead Poets Society
Current issue/topic that is important to me: I won't disclose my opinion on this website, but Right-to-Work vs. Free-Bargaining legislation and its direct connection with the state of Michigan is a controversial topic that I think needs to be addressed by people in power!