Engineering Science Immersion Program (E-SIP) Staff

Cherona Levy

E-SIP Program Facilitator / Group Project Coordinator

Cherona Levy is an Environmental Engineer with over a decade of experience in environmental regulation, consulting, and education. Cherona holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida with a focus on water and sustainable resources. Cherona had the opportunity to serve a two-year term as an AmeriCorps member for non-profits on community relations, program development and environmental education programs for K-12 students and incoming college freshmen students. It was during similar to E-SIP, where Cherona was first exposed to STEM programs and educational outreach. She looks forward to continuing cultivating a community where students can explore career options in engineering. 

Environmental Science Immersion Program (E-SIP) Staff

Rebekah Hellesto

E-SIP Program Facilitator

Rebekah Hellesto is a Wildlife Biologist with a passion for teaching environmental science and the importance of our natural resources. She holds a bachelor’s degree (Purdue University) and master’s degree (Washington State University) in environmental science, with a focus on mammalogy and wildlife management. In between her degrees, Rebekah had the opportunity to work with and research wildlife across the country, including deer, wolves, and bears. As a graduate student, Rebekah instructed an Introduction to Environmental Science class and discovered a love for teaching and getting students interested in natural resources. She is excited to share the many career opportunities within environmental science with students in the E-SIP program.

Health Science Immersion Program (HSIP) Staff

Shari Webber King

HSIP Program Facilitator / Group Project Coordinator

Shari Webber King is a high school Biology teacher as well as a college instructor in Biology, Microbiology, and Anatomy. During her fifteen years of concentrated experience as a science educator she has enjoyed teaching high school, nursing and collegiate students. Shari holds a M.Ed. in Secondary Education Biology and a B.S. in Biology Pre-Med from Alabama A&M University. She has a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Certification from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Introduction to Engineering Design and a National STEM Educator certificate from the National Institute for STEM Education. As an educator, Shari encourages critical thinking and inquiry-based learning through a hands-on approach. She believes students learn science by doing science, so she finds great joy in making the learning environment creative and engaging. Through HSIP, Shari is excited about the opportunity to educate our future STEM and healthcare professionals.

Administrative Staff

Candice Dowd

Administrative Student Outreach Coordinator

Candice graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Psychology and from Grand Canyon University with a MS in Industrial/organizational Psychology. With 15 years of experience training and handling employee relations, she is driven to help others reach their academic and professional goals. Candice plays a key role in student outreach communication efforts for HSIP and C-SIP.

Maryann Nwako

Administrative Coordinator

Maryann Nwako brings over 7 years of diverse experience in managing administrative tasks and logistical coordination within STEM and educational settings to her role as Administrative Coordinator at Impact Internships. With a strong background in overseeing high school program activities, Maryann has effectively supported students both in-person and virtually, fostering their academic growth and confidence. Maryann holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology/Biology and Pre-Medicine from the University of Maryland. Her career highlights include founding and coordinating educational programs, where she developed interactive learning activities and provided comprehensive support to students. Additionally, her experience as a Field Representative for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired has honed her skills in community health initiatives and public awareness campaigns. She is currently working on pursuing a doctorate degree in optometry as well. In her role at Impact Internships, Maryann is driven by a passion for education and commitment to making STEM accessible to all students.

Former STEM Immersion Program Staff

Irene Mendoza

2023 HSIP Program Facilitator (Summer / Fall 2023) / Group Project Coordinator

Irene attended The University of Arizona for undergraduate as well as graduate education, receiving a B.S. in Chemistry, B.A in Spanish, and a M.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Irene brings over two decades of experience working in higher education, in the areas of scientific research and research compliance. Throughout her career, Irene has mentored high school students interested in STEM careers as well as undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees. She is passionate about empowering future generations of STEM professionals and increasing diversity in these fields.  Through HSIP, she is committed to helping students strengthen their leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills as well as further preparing them to be innovative future STEM leaders.

Santi Dewa Ayu

C-SIP Program Co-Facilitator / Project Based Learning Designer

Santi Dewa Ayu brings over a decade of leadership experience in startup, edtech, and nonprofit organizations. As Education Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, she oversaw Education programming and operations for all sites, serving 4,000+ members annually with a focus on college access and STEAM programming. She holds an Ed.M. in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Management and Leadership certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Fellowship at the Boston University Questrom School of Business and a BA in economics from the University of Massachusetts Boston Honors College. As a first generation graduate from a low income background, scaling teams and tools that increase access to educational opportunities and services is core to her mission. She is excited to be part of the inaugural year of the Computer Science Immersion Program.

Vanessa Ho

2023 HSIP Program Facilitator (Spring 2023)

Vanessa Ho is an aspiring physician with a long-standing desire to empower others. She graduated in March 2021 from UCLA with a B.S. in biology and highest departmental honors. Vanessa completed her undergraduate education in just 2.5 years so she could spend additional time conducting stem cell and human behavior change research at the UCLA School of Dentistry and UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability respectively. She was the first individual to concurrently serve on the American Red Cross-National Youth Council and National Collegiate Assembly, where she mentored youth volunteers across the U.S. and found her passion for youth advocacy. She firmly believes in providing students with the opportunities to invest in their education and wishes to dedicate her experiences toward supporting future generations of professionals. Throughout HSIP, her priority is to inspire students to commit to a STEM career knowing that the challenges they face will be worth the tremendous positive impact they can create.

Makenna McGowen

HSIP Program Facilitator / Group Project Coordinator

Makenna received her education at Arkansas State University, earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences in the Pre-Professional track as well as a B.S. in Psychology and a Neuropsychological Testing Certificate. During college, she worked as a peer tutor for psychology, biology, and ethics in health professions courses. Following graduation, she worked at a Biotechnology company, conducting behavioral and biochemical research in lysosomal storage diseases. She is passionate about enabling the education of students of all ages as well as encouraging diversity and empathy in health science professions. Through HSIP, Makenna is committed to encouraging students to expand their horizons and achieve their science education goals. 

Board of Directors

Jack Orswell

Jack Orswell is President of Orswell & Kasman, an environmental consulting agency based in Monrovia, CA. A longtime resident of Southern California, Jack has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America for nearly 30 years as a Scoutmaster, Council Commissioner and most recently as a board member on the Greater Los Angeles Area Council. Jack served as a Special Agent in the FBI for 15 years helping pioneer the agency’s first computer crimes division and also working to address environmental crime. He was a candidate for United States Congress in California’s 27thCongressional District in 2012, 2014 and 2016. He graduated from USC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University.

Dr. Michael Bordy

 Michael Bordy is an attorney of real estate law and heads his own practice in Century Park in Los Angeles. He has served on the Board of Governors for Cedars-Sinai Health. He currently is a board member for the Sinai Temple where he also serves as General Counsel. A true model of interdisciplinary learning, Michael majored in Government at Hamilton College before receiving a PhD in Cell Biology from the University Kansas. After completing a post-doc at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Michael switched fields and earned his JD from USC Gould School of Law.

David Rayudu

David Rayudu serves as the Executive Director of Impact Internships and chairperson of the current board of directors. David worked as an academic speakerships consultant to bring impactful, global speakers to liberal arts colleges and research universities in NY State. His speakership projects have included a governmental minister from Nepal, NGO workers from Darfur and Pakistan, a Forbes Top 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur from Uganda and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper from Manila, Philippines. During his experience working with administrative offices and academic departments at Cornell University, Hamilton College and Colgate University his efforts focused on risk management, cost reduction and fostering collaboration with outside community organizations. His experiences left him with an interest in academic program management and led to the foundation of Impact Internships in 2017.

Board of Advisors (Former/Retired Members)

Graham Brodock

Graham Brodock is the CEO of Kris-Wire Tech, a copper wire manufacturing company based in Rome, NY and Norwalk, CA. A lifelong resident of Upstate NY, Graham has worked to keep his dynamic company based in the region. Graham has supported numerous education non-profits in both Upstate NY and Southern California. He previously was a high school Latin teacher in Austin, Texas. He is interested in sharing the value of a liberal arts education to young students. Graham studied Economics and Art History at Hamilton College, and holds advanced degrees in Classics from UCLA and Cambridge University.

Advisory Council, External Consultants and 2019 – 2022 HSIP Staff Not Pictured.