2006 – 2007 Academy for Future International Leaders
Profiles
Please read the below to learn more about the new class for the Academy for Future International
Leaders. For more detailed biographies please view the NEW Academy website located at:
http:// studyabroad.tamu.edu/Academy.
Tim Aylsworth is a senior Philosophy major at Texas A&M University. In
addition, he also has minors in Spanish and Religious Studies. He became an opinion
columnist for The Battalion during the spring of his sophomore year. During the
summer of 2006 he became the opinion editor for the newspaper, and still holds that
position today. Tim studied in Spain summer 2006, and it was probably the best part
of his education. Currently, he is applying for a Fulbright scholarship and hopes to
study in Honduras after he graduates.
Evelyn Bitencourt is a senior Finance major pursuing an International Business
Certificate. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she lived until the age of
nine when she moved to Fort Worth, Texas with her immediate family. Evelyn
possesses a repertoire of languages; she is not only fluent in English and Portuguese
but also has an understanding of the Spanish and French languages. In addition, she
picked up some Italian during her semester-long (Fall 2005) study abroad in
Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy. After obtaining work experience, Evelyn sees the
likelihood of either an International MBA or a PhD in Economics.
Katherine Carelock is a Finance major from Dripping Springs, Texas. She is
pursuing an International Business Certificate, and a Business Honors Certificate,
and is expected to graduate in May, 2007. She has spent two summers working in
Paris, for an Aggie-owned company. She has also spent time in Granada, Spain,
studying Spanish, and hopes to become completely fluent. Upon her graduation in
May, Katherine hopes to find a job that will allow her to work internationally.
Eventually, she would like to devote her time and efforts to working on projects that
contribute to developing nations.
John Crawford is a senior Political Science major and History minor. He is a
member of Pi Gamma Mu, the international social science honor society. In the
summer of 2005, John traveled to Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg as a
participant of the Summer European Academy study abroad program that is offered
through the Department of Political Science. Upon graduation in May 2007, John
aspires to continue his education into graduate school in a Political Science PhD
program with a focus in Comparative Politics and International Relations.
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Thomas Dietzman is a junior Biomedical Engineering major in the Dwight Look
College of Engineering. He was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. Thomas is
attending Texas A&M University as a President’s Endowed Scholarship holder.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M, Thomas plans to attend medical school. He
aspires to combine his technical background obtained from undergraduate study with
a medical school education to form a unique perspective of the human body and how
it functions.
Justin Dominquez is a Senior Biomedical Science major from Bedford, Texas.
He is an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Hispanic Scholar, and has received the
Honors Academic Achievement Award and the Texas A&M Foundation Excellence
Award. He hopes to broaden his experience over the 2006-2007 Christmas break,
where he plans to travel to Costa Rica and Panama to aid in providing health care for
needy people.
Kimberly Eilers is a senior from Flower Mound, Texas double majoring in
International Studies, with a focus on European commerce, and French. She hopes to
pursue a career in international relations, specifically in the field of humanitarian aid
or development. Upon graduation in December of 2007, Kimberly intends to gain
work experience before pursuing an MBA in international relations.
Jonathon Glueck is a junior Agricultural Leadership and Agricultural Economics
double major from Canyon, Texas. He currently serves as Executive Vice President
for Assessment and Finance on MSC Council. Jonathon has worked in Washington
D.C. as an intern for Congressman Mac Thornberry and was able to have a direct
impact on the agriculture policy for Congressional District 13. Upon graduation,
Jonathon is considering attending law school, where he plans to study intellectual
property law or environmental law.
Joshua Grizzle is currently a senior simultaneously pursuing a B.S. and M.S. in
Mechanical Engineering. Joshua grew up in Houston and traveled extensively
throughout his youth for recreation and philanthropic purposes and continues to do
so in college. In addition, to his work in the non-profit sector, Joshua has become
increasingly focused on for-profit philanthropic ventures as a means to improve the
pace and quality of development in East Africa.
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Erin Hooper is a Political Science major from Denton, Texas. She was also a
member of the Cornerstone Program, a freshman honors learning community in the
College of Liberal Arts. Erin also enjoys traveling and is looking forward to
spending this summer abroad, either in a French-speaking country or on a program
with an environmental focus.
Bart Howe is a Senior Finance major from Colleyville, Texas where he graduated
as the salutatorian with distinguished achievement honors. Bart has made significant
efforts to expand his horizons with travel and other international experience. Having
visited both Honduras and the Dominican Republic for international mission work,
he has also spent a significant amount of time in Western Europe. Bart plans to
graduate from Texas A&M University in May of 2007 with a degree in Finance. At
which time, he will pursue a career in the real estate industry, with particular interest
in international real estate development.
Samsam (pronounced Zamzam) Jama is a senior International Studies:
Communication & Media Major with specialty in Africa and Middle East studies.
Due to the Somali Civil War, her family traveled all over Africa before settling in
the United States. As a Muslim, Samsam believes in incorporating tolerance and
acceptance towards people of other cultures and belief systems in all areas of life.
After graduation, Zamzam plans to apply to law schools or work overseas with a
civil rights/humanitarian relief organization. Samsam lives by the motto: “Allah
loves that whenever one endeavors to do something, he/she seeks to perfect it!”
[Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)]
Caitlin Kaluza is a senior Marketing major from Coppell, Texas, graduating in
May with an International Business Certificate and a Classical Studies Minor. While
at Texas A&M, Caitlin has been involved in the Century Singers (of which she is
currently vice president), GUIDE (a freshman mentorship organization), the Aggie
Icers (the group that promotes the Texas A&M club ice hockey team on and off
campus, of which she was an officer for two years), and has been involved in various
capacities at her church. Caitlin plans to go into Public Relations and Digital
Journalism in graduate school at some point in the future.
Ellen Lane is a senior Communication Major with a minor in Business from
Denton, Texas. She hopes to integrate these skills into the field of marketing with an
international emphasis. Ellen is currently the Vice President of Lambda Pi Eta, which
is the official undergraduate honor society of the National Communication
Association. She is presently interning as a Marketing Assistant at the Texas A&M
Career Center where she is further developing her knowledge and experience in the
marketing and advertising field.
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Nicholas Listi is a senior Geography major at Texas A&M University, seeking a
minor in Geoinformatics and the new certificate in Leadership Study and
Development. Despite his passion for geography, he is committed to developing
himself as a leader. As a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas
Aggie Band, he progressed through the four-year program of followership, direct
leadership, indirect leadership, and executive leadership. He is exploring his options
for the workforce and graduate school. At the top of his list is attending graduate
school at a German or American university to obtain a masters degree in Geography
or a related field.
Carrie Lytle is a senior International Studies and English double-major with a
Spanish minor. She is a President’s Endowed Scholar as well as the recipient of the
Stewart and Anna Morgan Scholarship, the J. Malon Southerland Aggie Leader
Scholarship, and the International Educational Fee Scholarship. urrently, Carrie is
involved in an independent research project under Dr. Katherine Kelly which
explores the Irish Civil War and the Nigerian Civil War through literature. She will
pursue graduate studies in international affairs and hopes to enjoy an exciting
overseas career as a diplomat and professional writer.
Paige Melvin is a sophomore International Studies major concentrating in Asian
studies with a minor in business from Houston, TX. Paige is a member of the PreLaw Society, International Studies Society, and Liberal Arts Student Council and is
also a copy editor for the campus newspaper, The Battalion. After completion of her
spring 2007 semester, Paige hopes to begin her studies in China through study abroad
programs and internships in both Shanghai and Beijing.
Abby Moffitt is a Senior Accounting major from San Antonio, Texas. At the
Memorial Student Center she currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer,
coordinating six different administrative teams which support MSC programs,
committees, and facilities. This past summer, she interned with Deloitte& Touche
LLP in London, England, in the US Corporate Tax group. After graduation, she plans
to obtain her MBA and is interested in politics and not-for-profit work.
Corey Nichols is a senior Management major and honors student in the Mays
School of Business at Texas A&M University. Corey was born in El Paso, Texas
and at the age of two moved with his family to Lubbock, Texas. He is currently the
longest serving officers in the Student Government Association. Corey is a Buck
Weirus Spirit Award recipient for spirit and impact on the University. His
experience abroad has shown Corey the value of understanding cultures and their
differences in order to benefit from them. Immediately after graduation Corey
intends to apply for an MBA program at both Harvard and Stanford.
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Andres Ovalles is a junior Biomedical Engineering major with a minor in French
and a minor Spanish. His most recent international experience was an independent
study abroad in Guatemala. He studied Mechanics and Differential Equations while
attending La Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City. This summer,
Andres plans to study abroad in Singapore. After finishing his Bachelors Degree,
Andres plans on getting his Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering at Texas
A&M University.
Katie Ramirez is a junior Biomedical Engineering major with minors in
mathematics and electrical engineering from Houston, Texas. In the spring of her
sophomore year, she became elected as the Vice President-External for the SEC. As
the Vice President-External, she assisted in the planning and execution of the largest
student-run engineering career fair in the nation with over 300 companies in
attendance. Upon graduation, Katie hopes to either continue her education by
attending graduate school and obtaining a masters degree in electrical engineering, or
pursue a career in the electronics industry developing innovative technology.
Larissa Swanland is a Senior Industrial Distribution major from Lakenheath,
England. She is also pursing an electronics track within her major and hopes to
impact International Electronics Distribution. She has lived in England and Japan for
most of her life and has travelled to many countries within Europe and Asia.
Currently Larissa is interning with Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX on a six month
cooperative study.
Karthik Venkatraj is a sophomore International Studies major with a focus of
the Middle East. Additionally, he is pursuing a minor in Spanish. In the summer of
2006, Karthik was selected as a David L. Boren National Security Education
Program Scholar and had the opportunity to spend two months at Al Akhawayn
University in Morocco. At the university, he attended an Intensive Arabic Language
program as well as classes on Arab culture. Upon graduation, Karthik plans to go to
Officer Candidate School for either the Marines or Army and pursue a commission
as Military Intelligence officer. Eventually, he plans to obtain an international law
degree and work for either the CIA or FBI.
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