Alfie Scholars Cohort 1 (2016)
About Cohort 1
2021
Nizama Djuderija continues to be active with issues within the Bosnian diaspora and caregiving for a family member. Aminata Drammeh was promoted to merchandise analyst with Nordstrom. Pa Ousman Jobe is a business operations specialist at Merit in CA. Julia Mariga is in her second year as an intensive care nurse at Virginia Mason. D.D. Meakin is now a member of the Department of Philosophy at her alma mater, Columbia University. In her new role, she will serve as an academic administrator. David Morales-Rosales is the Director of Operations at White Elephant Car Wash. He recently partnered with Seattle University’s Criminal Law Department to create a reentry hiring program for those formerly incarcerated. Gabriel Z. Narvaez continues to own a successful contracting company. Giang Nguyen is a senior investment operations specialist at AngelList. Hiba Salama works as a computer programmer for T-Mobile. She also recently completed her M.S. in Computer Science at Seattle University. Finally, Mahekdeep Singh is now in his third year as an engineer at Leviton.
2020
Two Alfies from the 2016 cohort recently completed graduate degrees. D.D. Meakin received her M.A. in Philosophy and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Pa Ousman Jobe obtained an M.S.B.A. in Business Analytics from Seattle University. After changing her major and taking a leave of absence, Hiba Salama completed her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science this spring, graduating summa cum laude, and she will earn a Master of Science in Computer Science from Seattle University next year. Nizama Djuderija is continuing her research on her Fulbright Research Grant Award to Bosnia & Herzegovina. The rest are working in their chosen fields. Aminata Drammeh is an assistant manager with Nordstrom. Julia Mariga is an intensive care nurse at Virginia Mason, David Morales Rosales, a campus security officer at Seattle University, and Gabriel Narvaez operates his own construction company. Giang Nguyen is a Compliance Community Associate at Lyft, and Mahekdeep Singh is a New Product Design Engineer with Leviton.
2019
Currently, 2 Alfie Scholar Alumni are pursuing graduate degrees, 1 is working as a Fulbright Scholar, 1 is operating his own company, and the rest are working in their chosen fields.
1 scholar is completing her degree in Computer Science.
2018
In 2018, 9 Cohort 1 Alfie Scholars received degrees in Business Management, Criminal Justice, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Nursing, and Sociology.
6 scholars graduated with honors: 1 summa cum laude, 4 magna cum laude, and 1 cum laude
1 scholar received 2 distinguished awards:
the Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen Award – the University’s most prestigious award
the College of Arts and Science Segundo Montes Mozo, S.J. Service Award
1 scholar received the Distinguished Graduating Student Award.
1 scholar received the Sociology Department Peronteau Award–Department Highest GPA.
6 scholars were members of at least one honor society
During the time they were at the university the scholars were involved and engaged:
1 scholar was the Seattle University Student Government President
4 scholars served as student government representatives or on campus committees
2016
In 2016 the Alfie Scholars inaugural cohort members ranged in age from 18–47. These scholars transferred from 6 Washington State colleges: Bellevue, Edmonds, Highline, Seattle Central, Shoreline, and South Seattle colleges.
6 scholars are women
4 scholars are parents
9 scholars are first generation college students
7 scholars come from other countries of origin including Bosnia, the Gambia, Jordan, India, Kenya, Mexico, and Vietnam
2 scholars are international students
9 scholars speak one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Bosnian, French, Hindi, Kikuyu, Punjabi, Spanish, Soninke, Vietnamese, and Wolof
