CEW+ at U-M

Eric Whitmer is a PhD student in musicology at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance with a historical emphasis. Their musicological work focuses on American musical cultures of the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly the role of music in education, philanthropy, and social uplift. As a disabled educator themselves, Eric brings lived experience to their advocacy for accessible and equitable music pedagogy, positioning care practices as essential resources for educators seeking to create inclusive learning environments. Their CEW+ Fellowship supports research into the University of Melbourne’s Adaptive Music Bridging Program, which they view as a model for revolutionizing accessibility in American music education. CEW+ appreciates Eric’s reimagining of music pedagogies and names them a Gutsy Broad Fellow.

Jenna McIntire is pursuing a double major in criminal justice and sociology at the University of Michigan-Flint. Growing up in Flint exposed Jenna to diverse perspectives and backgrounds, experiences she now leverages to understand social injustice and institutional inequities. Her personal struggles have become her greatest strengths, fueling her passion for helping victims and families navigate life's most difficult moments with empathy and understanding. She plans to become an FBI agent specializing in homicide investigations. CEW+ cheers Jenna on her nontraditional path to higher education and names her the Susan and Richard Gutow Scholar.

Vanny Meitasari is currently pursuing a masters in public policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Vanny has a clear goal in mind: designing equitable policies that empower communities and combat poverty through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development. After watching her mother open a small shop to support her family, Vanny became inspired to build a stronger economic ecosystem driven by MSMEs. “I could have chosen to give up on higher education. But through the power of public policy, I firmly believe that I can not only protect the people I love most, but also help many others rise from poverty — starting with MSMEs.” CEW+ commends Vanny’s commitment to designing policy that combats poverty and names her a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar.

Natalie Lopez is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications and media at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. A first-generation college student, Natalie has returned to higher education multiple times over the past two decades, determined to complete her degree despite significant obstacles in her path. Ultimately, Natalie envisions giving back to her community. She plans to launch a photojournalism project to document the stories of trailblazers in every field: astronauts, dentists, doctors, filmmakers, designers, painters, musicians, and surgeons. “I want to help others achieve their dreams by documenting their stories to inspire others,” Natalie writes. CEW+ recognizes Natalie’s incredible strength in returning to higher education and names her an AAUW: Mary Elizabeth Bittman Scholar.

Alice Kinney is pursuing a master of public policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy where she is building the skills to advance evidence-based policies that strengthen education systems and uplift communities across Michigan and beyond. Looking ahead, Alice aims to bring her federal, international, and local experiences together to help set a new standard for excellence and ethics in governance and shape education policies that ensure communities thrive not despite policy — but because of it. CEW+ celebrates Alice’s commitment to education policy and names her the Hillary Murt and Bruce Friedman Scholar.

Nadia Karizat is a doctoral candidate in information science at the University of Michigan School of Information. Nadia’s research is informed by feminist science and technology studies, social computing, and her own experiences with IVF. She is particularly interested in how technology, power, and reproductive justice intersect, and how people can maintain autonomy and self-determination in their reproductive experiences. Nadia is married to her best friend, Kaan Toy. The couple shares their home with two beloved cats, Yeimy and Mishmish. CEW+ is inspired by Nadia’s vision and names her a Gutsy Broad Fellow.

Kyle W. Homer is pursuing an MD degree at the University of Michigan Medical School, where his vision is to become an ASL-fluent family physician dedicated to improving healthcare for people with disabilities, especially those with hearing loss. Kyle’s journey as both a Deaf individual and a parent to two young daughters with hearing loss has shaped his lifelong commitment to advocacy, resilience, and equity. Kyle combines personal experience with professional training to create systemic change. CEW+ admires Kyle’s commitment to equitable healthcare for all and names him a Potential Made Possible Scholar.

Sara Haycox is earning her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Michigan Engineering. After an interruption in her education, Sara returned to her studies to complete an associate’s degree at Washtenaw Community College before transferring to the University of Michigan. Sara is a first-generation college student, and the successful pursuit of her STEM educational goals attests to her resilience. She envisions combining her desire to help people with her technical skills by developing computer systems that directly improve quality of life and solve real-world problems. CEW+ celebrates Sara’s belief in herself and names her an Everett Ireland Scholar.

Kelly Hartwell is a PhD candidate in the Joint Program in English and Education at the University of Michigan. Their research focuses on writing assessment and linguistic justice. In February 2025, Kelly became a first-time parent to their beloved daughter, Samantha Margot (“Mars”). Kelly sees parenthood as reinforcing the lessons that her mother taught her: that caregiving and ambition are “not opposing forces but intertwined strengths.” One day, she envisions herself and Mars reminiscing on all that they have survived together. CEW+ celebrates Kelly’s vision for caregiving as a model for academic leadership and names her a Mary Malcomson Raphael Scholar.

Robyn Han is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in data science at the University of Michigan, building on her earlier degree in product design. With a commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Robyn’s academic and professional work bridges the worlds of design thinking and quantitative research to create human-centered, data-informed systems. Robyn plans to lead research that enhances public-sector tools through intelligent systems and affective computing. She is particularly passionate about applying data science in ways that empower those left behind by technological innovation. CEW+ recognizes Robyn's resilience in forging an unconventional path through design and data science and names her a 110% Scholar.