Celebrate 30 alumni under 30
who bring uncommon passion to their endeavors
Whether they are launching socially conscious companies, championing the underserved, entertaining and informing us online and on TV, developing treatments for rare diseases, or making a crucial contribution in a Super Bowl win, these rising achievers are ones to watch.
Meet the 30 Owls who are designing their own futures and making a better tomorrow for all of us.
Erin Busch, BYR ’13, ’15
Founder, Young Women Composers Camp
Erin Busch started the Young Women Composers Camp at Temple to help young women feel empowered to write music.
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Rachel Ignotofsky, TYL ’11
Author, Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
Author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky celebrates the accomplishments of oft-overlooked women scientists in her books.
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Samuel Nebyu, BYR ’17, ’19
Violinist, The Mutter Virtuosi
Violinist Samuel Nebyu infuses his performances with works from composers who have been historically underrepresented.
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Qiaoyi Shi, TYL ’17
Co-founder, YingOne Jewelry
Qiaoyi Shi is a New York-based printmaker and illustrator who operates a risograph printing press and gallery hybrid.
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Janine Musheno Burkhardt, DEN ’15
Dental Director, Project HOME
Janine Musheno Burkhardt came face to face with some of the most challenging problems in dentistry within months of receiving her degree.
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Hazim Hardeman, KLN ’17
Graduate Student, Oxford University
A North Philly native, Hazim Hardeman became a hometown inspiration when he was named a 2018 Rhodes scholar, Temple’s first ever.
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Malcolm Kenyatta, KLN ’12
Pennsylvania State Representative
Malcolm Kenyatta’s experiences growing up in North Philadelphia led to him becoming the first openly gay person of color in the Pennsylvania House.
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David Lopez, CLA ’13
Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google
White House policy advisor under the Obama administration, David Lopez, focused on high-profile domestic policy issues.
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Andrew Wollaston, EDU ’13, LAW ’16
Associate Staff Counsel, Pennsylvania State Education Association
Andrew Wollaston transformed his love for teaching into another opportunity to support children with disabilities.
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Kristal Bush, CLA ’12
Founder, Stay Lyfted
Kristal Bush runs a transportation service that drives family members in Philadelphia to see their incarcerated loved ones.
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Ofo Ezeugwu, FOX ’13
Founder and CEO, WhoseYourLandlord, Inc.
Ofo Ezeugwu co-founded a web platform that empowers and informs the rental community through landlord reviews and housing literacy.
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Richard Henne, FOX ’15, and John Allen, KLN ’15
Founders, Ivory Ella
Entrepreneurs Richard Henne and John Allen’s startup clothing company, Ivory Ella, has raised more than $1 million for charity.
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Megan Rubino, PHR ’17
Pharmacist, Hometown Village Pharmacy
Pharmacist Megan Rubino launched her own independent drugstore with the intent of getting to know her customers on a personal level.
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Sandra Adele, CST ’15
Founder, The STEMGirls
Sandra Adele encourages girls to pursue an education in science through her nonprofit The STEMGirls.
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Maggie Andresen, KLN ’17
Freelance Photojournalist
Award-winning photojournalist Maggie Andresen documents the lives of those who have been marginalized.
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Sierra Gladfelter, CLA ’12
Consultant and Project Manager, Dialogue + Design Associates
Sierra Gladfelter works to support Virginia’s coastal communities in adapting to sea level rise and other storm hazards.
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Eli LaBan, KLN ’17
Teaching Artist, Lead Animator, Big Picture Alliance
Eli LaBan works outside of Kigali, Rwanda, creating multimedia content to support the training of rural families to grow and eat their own nutritious foods.
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Brett Riley, ENG ’18
Engineer, AirGreen Inc.
Bretty Riley works to design and build commercial-sized liquid dessicant air conditioners that use about half the energy of conventional systems.
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Kalen Allen, TFM ’18
Actor and Writer
What began as a reaction to a cooking video has turned Kalen Allen into an internet sensation.
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Sofiya Ballin, KLN ’14
Journalist, Producer and Writer
As a writer, activist and educator, Sofiya Ballin strives to tell stories in a way that people from all walks of life can understand.
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Rafael Logroño, KLN ’17, ’19
Professor of Instruction
Rafael Logroño teaches Latinx media courses and started the first Spanish-language talk show on Temple University Television.
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Bri Steves, KLN ’16
Recording Artist
Just two years after earning her degree in public relations, Bri Steves landed a multiyear deal with Atlantic Records.
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Moriah Baxevane-Connell, CST ’13
Cloud Consultant, Google
Moriah Baxevane-Connell pursued her passion for tech and landed her dream job in the field. Now, she wants to help other women do the same.
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Arooj Khan, ENG ’18
Quality Engineer, Biogen
Through her bioengineering courses, Arooj Khan discovered a different way to approach patient health.
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Jacqueline Mejia, CST ’12
Environmental Scientist, Co-founder and COO, Pathogenomica
Jacqueline Mejia is bringing her academic research and passion for environmental science to the marketplace.
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Hope Watson, CPH ’17
Data Scientist, Alexion
As a data scientist, Hope Watson designs algorithms to help patients gain access to important treatments.
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Erica Desrosiers, STH ’13
Senior Financial Analyst, Atlanta Hawks
Erica Desrosiers, a senior financial analyst for the Atlanta Blackhawks, helps this NBA team run smoothly.
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Brandon McManus, CST ’13
Professional Athlete, Denver Broncos
NFL placekicker—and fashion enthusiast—Brandon McManus puts his best foot forward by helping kids cope with bullying.
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Jessica Rawlings, CPH ’14, ’16
Athletic Trainer, William Penn Charter School
Athletic trainer Jessica Rawlings uses her love of sports to help young students in Philadelphia develop their athletic abilities.
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Kamali Thompson, CST ’12
MD/MBA Candidate, Rutgers University. Fencer, Team USA
Kamali Thompson pursues a multipronged, exceedingly ambitious career in both orthopedic surgery and fencing.
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