Capital University, School of Nursing

I aspire to use my education as a form of humanitarianism. Alongside advocacy, I wish to use my career as a nurse serving those that are in lower income countries in an effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. I decided to apply for the Roothbert fellowship because of the emphasis on spirituality and the vision of Albert and Toni when it comes to us as a society becoming more open-minded to new ways of thinking. The Roothbert Fund stood out to me instantly and the more I learned about it, the more I felt inclined towards it.

Harvard Divinity School, Master of Divinity

I have been studying Buddhism for about eleven years and feel boundless gratitude for all the people who have supported me on my many journeys. I feel excited about attachment theory and it's connection to understanding our bodies and our relationships to all things. I hope to continue working as a hospital chaplain, finally become a licensed social worker, and eventually start a private practice.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Psychology, Education, and African American Studies

Jessica Venise Feraud is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and intends to further her education and continue to explore her research interest in bridging the gap of racial inequality in mental health care. Venise's strong belief in spirituality, giving back to others, and having the interest to investigate a greater sense of self aligns with the Roothbbert Fellowship. The countless hours of mentoring and acting as a support system for her peers catalyzed her desire to continuously assist others in their educational journey. Venise aspires to make mental health care more accessible within the education system, by creating more trauma-sensitive spaces in the K-12 schools. Venise is a firm believer that in order for a person to thrive and reach their full potential, it starts within.

Union Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity (Concentration in Psychology and Religion)

After having professional experiences that called upon inherent counseling and advocacy skills, contemplation led me to MDiv programs to both enhance and merge the heart of those skills with faith and spiritual tools. I look forward to the rich challenge and reward of being a sacred witness to what folks are enduring as a chaplain in healthcare and possibly higher education.

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Union Theological Seminary & Columbia School of Social Work (Buddhism and Social Work)

Howard University, Strategic, Legal, and Management Communication

My faith has been a guiding force in my life. As a child, I sat wide-eyed in bible study learning about God. As an adult, I find solace in His word and direction. Though my spirituality is deep-rooted, it continues to evolve and I find that it takes new shape in every chapter of my life. The Roothbert Fellowship has given me access to a community of scholars and industry leaders who create a space to be open and vulnerable as we all strive to better understand our own spirituality and others. In approaching the end of my undergraduate career, I am excited about the next journey in my life: law school. As an attorney, I plan to advocate for voting rights equality and social justice. Long term, I hope to eradicate issues that hinder minority voters such as gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and felon disenfranchisement.

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Massachusetts General Hospital - Institute of Health Professions, Doctorate of Physical Therapy

My career goals are to become a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics and a running coach to help others, especially the underprivileged, to find a passion for health and fitness. I felt moved to apply for the fellowship because I want to continue to grow in my faith and to develop meaningful relationships with passionate and talented individuals devoted to service.

Towson University, Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Upon receiving my doctorate, I aspire to become a pediatric occupational therapist, gearing my efforts particularly towards underrepresented/diverse populations of families who are unable to access the services they need for their children. I hope to ultimately gear my efforts towards research in order to address the health disparities that these populations face in order to better their chances at receiving the care they deserve in the most culturally humble of ways. I aspire to mobilize the efforts of occupational therapy further in the Middle East, where my family hails from, as well, considering the lack thereof in that region. I decided to apply for the Roothbert Fellowship to join a community of like-minded and spiritually guided individuals who foster my growth, encourage me to succeed, and serve as a guide for me in my current and future endeavors.

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Swarthmore College, Educational Studies and Philosophy

I hope to become an elementary school teacher upon graduation. I am grateful to be a Roothbert Fellow and to be in a community of like-minded individuals who are driven by their faith and are deeply passionate about education.

Columbia University School of Social Work, Clinical Social Work

My interests span both individual and collective healing. I am training as an integrative therapist bringing mindfulness and spiritual inquiry to the heart of healing from suffering and trauma. I bridge the worlds of yoga, creative arts, behavior therapy and evidence-based practice in my work with adults, children and families. I also partner with organizations to bring about equitable systems change in education. I decided to apply for the Roothbert Fellowship because of the amazing community of practitioners dedicated to making an impact in the world with a shared sense of meaning and purpose in relation to the role spirituality plays in our lives and in our work in the world.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Ophthalmology

I am an Indian-American Muslim woman born in Hyderabad, India and raised in the Bronx, New York City. I am an aspiring physician and decided to apply for the Roothbert Fellowship because I have always been interested in translating my understanding of spirituality into my profession as a health care provider. I wanted to learn from like minded individuals who may have more insight or experience into living a life in pursuit of meaning and purpose. I was particularly intrigued by the concept of annual Pendle Hill Retreats because these would enable me to converse with individuals more knowledgeable than I. My goal is to enter academic ophthalmology and conduct medical mission trips abroad to India and Pakistan.